10. Cope

10

COPE

My SUV’s engine still hummed as I sat in the rink parking lot, staring down at my phone. Teddy had sent me the article with the words: What the hell is going on, Reap? But I didn’t have an answer. All I could do was stare at the headline.

Seattle Sparks’ Superstar, Copeland Colson, Tested for Drugs.

My back molars ground together as my grip on the phone tightened. Of course, these asshole gossipmongers didn’t tell everyone that my test had come back negative. They just let it hang that I’d been suspected of juicing.

When Linc called me that morning to let me know the test was negative, I’d finally started breathing again. I knew I hadn’t taken any banned substances—of any sort. But given my luck lately, I didn’t put it past whoever was messing with me to fake the results. That thought had my gut twisting as my phone dinged in my hand.

Teddy

Don’t let the assholes get you down. The team will put out a statement, and everything will be all good. Now, tell me how it is wrangling a bunch of tiny monsters.

I wanted to believe Teddy, but the thought had been planted in people’s heads. I could lose sponsorships—or worse. And I knew Linc would face even more pressure to trade me. He already felt like crap for having to test me in the first place, but if he hadn’t played things by the book, the pressure would’ve been even worse.

Me

They’re so fucking cute. A few show real promise, too.

Teddy

They’re kicking your ass, aren’t they?

A chuckle left my lips, and…damn, I needed that.

Me

They sure as hell have more energy than I do. Makes me feel old as fuck.

Teddy sent a GIF of an old man in a walker.

Teddy

Think they’ll let you on the ice with one of these?

I sent him a middle finger emoji followed by a GIF of two grandpas in a wrestling match.

Me

Can still kick your ass any day of the week.

Teddy

In your dreams. I skate laps around you.

That much was true. He was faster than anyone I’d ever played with. Luca had the potential to be like that.

Me

There’s a kid here who could beat you one day. He flies across the ice. It’s like his skates barely make contact.

Teddy

Dude. I need to see that in action. Maybe I’ll come down one week. I can help coach.

I grinned at my phone. It would be good to see him and make sure he really was healing and okay.

Me

The kids would lose their tiny minds. Let’s do it.

Teddy

Done. I’ll text you dates.

I was about to respond when the text screen disappeared, replaced by an incoming call. I couldn’t help the groan that left my lips at seeing Angie’s name on my phone. I’d been a fucking idiot to ever get involved with her. Not because she wasn’t a good woman but because mixing business and relationships was always a bad idea. Now, we were left dancing around each other awkwardly.

I turned off my engine and sank back in my seat. Normally, I loved the feeling of the buttery soft leather; just another perk of the ridiculously expensive Bentley SUV. But today, none of it was comfortable. The leather was too hot, and the seat suddenly felt rigid.

As I stared down at the phone, I thought about letting it go to voicemail. God, I was a dick.

I hit accept on the screen. “Hey, Ang.”

“Debating whether or not to answer?” There was a hint of amusement in her voice. That was a good sign.

“Possibly,” I admitted.

She let out a sigh that sounded like it carried the weight of the world. “Cope, I’m not the bad guy here.”

I stiffened, my grip on the phone tightening. “I know you’re not.”

At least she wasn’t the one pulling the strings. But Angie also knew I hated the press game. Sure, I could turn on the charm, but that was just to keep them all at bay. Give them what they wanted and not the truth.

“You don’t act like it,” she muttered.

I was quiet for a long moment, unsure of what to say. Because there wasn’t anything to say. And everything between us was simply awkward silence.

It made sense. Angie and I had never fit. There was an attraction there, sure, but there wasn’t more. And at the end of the day, being with her had only made me feel emptier.

Angie finally spoke. “I emailed you a statement. Let me know if you’re good with it or want anything changed. The gist is this: The Seattle Sparks regularly drug test their players. This ensures a healthy team year-round. Copeland Colson was one of the players recently tested. His results came back clear, just as they always have. And then all the team mumbo jumbo.”

“That’s fine, Angie. I don’t need to read the rest. I trust you.” I was suddenly so damn tired. It was the kind of exhaustion that lived in your bones and no amount of sleep could get out. I loved hockey but was so sick of the games that went on outside the rink.

Angie paused for a moment as if summoning her courage. “What’s going on, Cope? You’ve been distant from everyone. You punch Marcus out of nowhere?—”

“That prick deserved it,” I snapped.

“I have no doubt he did, but Marcus has always been an asshole who likes to push people’s buttons. You never punched him before.”

Fuck.

Angie was right. I’d been playing with most of the guys on the team for years, including Marcus. Competitive youth hockey was a small world, and we’d all sort of grown up together. Even though it was surprising that the son of one of the most well-thought-of players to ever play the game was such a jerk, I’d gotten used to his barbs and prickish ways.

I’d never snapped. I’d simply dealt with it how I always had, by taking my frustrations out on the ice, the opposing team, and by working harder and longer than anyone. It made me a hell of a hockey player. But none of that seemed to be working now. And the nightmares had gotten worse, coming a few times a week instead of once a month.

I was cracking, and I didn’t have a clue how to stop it.

“Cope.” Angie’s voice was soft now. “Talk to me.”

Hell.

She was the last person I wanted to talk to. Because opening up to her could signal we were something we weren’t. And that wasn’t fair to her.

“I’m good, Ang. Pulling my shit together. You know this random tip for a drug test wasn’t on me.”

She was quiet again, and then there was the familiar anger. “Why did I think you’d tell me a damned thing? It’s not like you ever let me in. No matter how hard I try.”

The line went dead, and I dropped my head back against the seat. Just one more failure to add to the bunch. But it wasn’t like Angie’s accusations were wrong. I hadn’t let her in. Not the tiniest bit .

Sure, I played the part: dinners and functions. The sex was good and frequent. But I never stayed the night. Couldn’t. Because I had no idea what I’d do to someone if they happened to be in bed with me when I woke up from one of those nightmares—the ones where I was fighting to get out of that damn car and get to my dad and brother.

I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to fight off the oncoming headache. Alone was better. Necessary. And I’d make peace with that in time.

Pulling my keys from the engine, I slid out of my SUV and grabbed my bag from the back. Just as I was about to reach the doors to the rink, I heard a familiar voice.

“Coach Reaper! Coach Reaper!” Luca yelled.

I steeled myself, bracing for the sight of Sutton. The way her blond hair caught the sun or how her turquoise eyes flashed when she was giving me shit. Dinner on Saturday had been pure torture because all I’d wanted to do was look at her. But I’d known I couldn’t. Wasn’t about to give away my interest around my nosy family. That didn’t mean I didn’t steal glances—as many as I could get away with.

I turned, a jab of disappointment hitting me as I took in Luca and Thea walking toward me. That disappointment was quickly followed by concern. “Is Sutton okay?”

The words were out of my mouth before I could stop them, and I didn’t give a damn what they betrayed. I just needed to know she was all right.

Thea nodded quickly, but shadows darkened her features. “She’s fine. Just had a couple of appointments this morning. So, I got some quality time with my best guy here.”

I tried to force one of those carefree smiles I was known for. “Shep know he’ll never be number one in your heart?”

“He’s been informed,” Thea said with a soft laugh.

“Thee Thee will always love me best,” Luca said, swinging their hands between them.

“That’s because she’s smart,” I stage-whispered as I held open the door.

Luca giggled, dropping Thea’s hand and running inside toward his friends. I held the door for Thea and quickly moved in behind her as she passed.

“What’s really going on?”

Thea jolted, her gaze jerking to me. “What do you mean?”

“Something’s wrong. You’re worried about Sutton.”

Thea muttered a curse. “She wouldn’t want me telling you.”

My gut tightened, a sick feeling sliding through me like an oil spill infecting ocean waters. “But you’re going to tell me anyway because maybe I can help.”

Thea shook her head, brown hair cascading around her face. “Not this time.”

“Thea,” I growled.

She looked at me for a long moment, her gaze sinking past the layers people normally stopped at. Finally, she sighed. “Sutton’s landlord is being a real dick. He tried raising the rent for the bakery and the apartment above twice in one year.”

“That’s illegal,” I ground out.

“Shep told Sutton as much, and when she pointed that out to the landlord, he told her she had to be out of the apartment in ten days.”

Anger coursed through me. Who the hell did that to someone? Especially a woman trying to raise a kid on her own. “Wait, they have to give thirty days’ notice.”

Thea shook her head again. “Sutton was renting week to week, so there aren’t the same protections.”

Week to week. Because she likely couldn’t afford more. A slew of curses flew through my head, but fast on their heels was worry. The number of tenancy options you’d find mid-month were slim and likely the worst of the worst. I didn’t want her and Luca dealing with that.

“What’s the landlord’s name?” I demanded.

Thea arched a brow. “There’s nothing you can do to stop it. He’s within his legal rights.”

“Thea,” I gritted out. “Tell me the bastard’s name.”

Her eyes flared in surprise. “Rick Anderson.”

I was going to find that piece of shit and ruin him.