5. Chapter Five

Chapter Five

T he group chat with the boys has been blowing up all weekend. I debated turning my phone off, but that would probably have only made things worse. The owner of the local ice rink had reached out to me before I moved, asking if I had any interest in teaching the children's figure skating class. To which, I immediately said yes, on the caveat he understood that once the hockey season started, he would need to find another teacher to take over. I won't be able to make it every weekend. Between the amount of regular season games the team plays and the travel to and from away games, there's not a lot of time left in my schedule.

Saturday is spent filling out paperwork and skating on the ice to clear my head. Not that it helps. The boys continue to blow up my phone, and Oli's words still ring loudly in my head. Challenge accepted. Does he actually like me, or is this all a game? He can't possibly like me already; we met a week ago. Well, almost a week. But still.

Sunday greets me with audio clips in the group chat since I didn't answer their texts. Most of them are from Vicy and Taz. They are acting like little brothers, which I find oddly endearing and only slightly annoying. As an only child, I don't know if it is normal that I find their antics both irritating and hilarious.

When I press play on the first audio message from Vicy, there's a whine in his voice as he says, "Roe Roe! Answer our texts. We are getting worried!"

Rolling my eyes, I click on the next clip from Taz, who sounds equally disgruntled that I haven't answered. "Yeah! Come on. At least let us know you are still alive!"

As I'm debating whether to text them back or not, Oli's voice in the next message has me caving. "Ignore them, Chérie. Text us when you have a moment. No hurry."

Huffing a sigh, I send a quick text, refusing to send a voice message .

I'm alive; I've just been busy.

It isn't a lie, but it isn't the whole truth, either. Truthfully, I'm not sure how to act around them now. I like that I am growing closer to the boys, but the fact that it's happening so fast has me second guessing myself. I should be acting like a professional instead of their friend. Almost as soon as my text is sent, I'm greeted with responses from Vicy and Taz.

Vicy

She lives!

Taz

Finally! We were getting worried Roe Roe!

You're acting as if you haven't spoken to me in months. I just saw you on Friday at the party.

Vicy

You ran out! We didn't get the chance to say bye.

Taz

Yeah. We wanted to make sure you were okay.

For the record, you two are acting like annoying little brothers.

Vicy

We heard there was an opening.

Taz

How would you know what a little brother acts like? You said you were an only child.

It's how I imagine little brothers would act.

Vicy

Do you mind?

Taz

Yeah. We aren't making you uncomfortable, are we?

I can't help but smile as I look at the messages from these two. To be honest, I love it. The banter with the pair has made me feel more welcome in their group. I don't feel as much like an outsider joining in. I feel like I'm already one of them.

I don't mind. Brothers are cool right?

Vicy

The coolest! I'll be the favorite of course.

Taz

Connerie!

Connerie?

Oli

It means bullshit.

I'm going to learn so much French.

Tuck

Can confirm. You are going to learn words you wish you hadn't though.

gtg ttyl

Taz

??

Vicy

See you tomorrow!

Monday. I hate Mondays. With a groan, I drop my head to rest on my desk. No amount of coffee can make a Monday feel less like a Monday. Why do Mondays suck so much? I still have a ton of work to get done. There are lists to be made. Medical records to review. Plus, I was greeted with another creepy note this morning. I didn't get one all weekend but, apparently, my hope that they had stopped was in vain.

I shiver as I remember the words scrawled across the small note.

Whoever this person is knows where I have been and has obviously been watching me. I never noticed anything odd, but that just means I need to be more observant when I'm at the rink now. I also need to pay better attention as I drive to see if anyone has been following me.

Jerked out of my thoughts by a knock on the door, I lift my head and call, "Come in."

A man, who definitely has the silver fox look going for him, pokes his head through the doorway. He smiles and raises a hand in greeting. "Thought I should come by and introduce myself. I'm Max Spencer, the head athletic therapist. I'll be working with you and Danni."

I go to stand, but he stops me with a wave. "You don't have to get up." He laughs as he slips farther into the room. "I know Mondays can be a bitch. There's coffee and snacks in the break room. I just wanted to make sure to stop by before you are bombarded by the team."

I tilt my head and blink at him a second before my office door is suddenly flung open again. I let out a squeak of surprise when it hits the wall and reveals Taz and Vicy standing there panting. Max chuckles and points at the door as if to say ‘told you so'. "Case and point. Boys, you shouldn't scare your new therapist."

They both mutter, "Sorry."

Max shakes his head but nods to me. "I'll leave you to it then. I'm sure they will all be here soon." He slips out of the door right as Oli shows up. Oli nods briefly to Max before turning to look at me. He smiles as if to say ‘hello', but it looks as if he's dragged someone along behind him.

I'm about to ask what's going on, when a different man is shoved through the doorway into my office between Taz and Vicy. My eyes widen when I realize it's Lewi. I look expectantly between the four of them, waiting for someone to explain. When no one does, I hesitantly ask, "What's all this about?"

Vicy and Taz have huge grins on their faces as Oli says, "Lewi has something to say."

My eyes fall on Lewi as he straightens and unruffles his jersey. He looks everywhere but at me, rubbing the back of his neck. I peek at the others again before leaning back in my chair. "What is it that you need to speak to me about?"

His eyes quickly flick to mine before they drop to the ground. When he speaks, his voice is barely audible. "I shouldn't have said what I did on Friday."

Crossing my arms over my chest, I say, "Agreed."

He runs a frustrated hand through his hair while glaring up at the ceiling. "I'm sorry for what I said. It won't happen again."

It's odd to see this normally grumpy smartass look completely uncomfortable in my presence. I'm sure apologizing isn't something he normally does. "Are you sorry that you said it, or are you only apologizing because the others dragged you here?"

His eyes finally meet mine, and his dark-chocolate pits, usually filled with anger, have changed to a soft milk-chocolate full of insecurity. "I'm doing it because I want to not because I have to."

I slowly stand from my chair and move toward him, pausing once I'm in front of him. He stiffens in response. What does he think I am going to do? Offering him a soft smile, I say, "Thank you for apologizing. You mind if we start over?"

He looks at me quizzically for a moment as if unsure of my motives. "So, you forgive me?"

My smile grows, and I hold out a hand. "Hey! My name is Elizabeth Monroe. You can call me Liz or Lizzy. Izzy is off limits. I'm the new athletic therapist. I've heard you're one of the players I'm in charge of."

He stares down at my hand for a moment as if confused. His eyes meet mine, and he tilts his head to the side with a small grin but then reaches out and shakes my offered hand. "Dean Lewis, but the team calls me Lewi. I'm one of your centers."

The way he says ‘ your' seems like he's implying something more. Ignoring the flutter in my chest his words give me, I go to slip my hand out of his, but he tightens his hold. Brows knitting, I watch him step closer. He bends to whisper in my ear, "Thank you."

Lewi steps back, releasing my hand in the process, then turns to the others, his face shifting back into his normal grumpy profile. "There. I've apologized. She forgives me. Can we go back to working out now?"

The others shoot me a quick look, and all I can do is shrug. "We're good." Shifting my gaze back to Lewi, when he looks back at me, I can't help but ask, "Right?"

He nods. "We're good, Lizzy."

My face heats at the use of the nickname. He must notice my blush because a small smirk pulls at his lips before he turns back to the others. "Let's go, fuckers! She's got work to do."

"I was expecting more bloodshed. That was disappointing," Vicy whines.

Taz hums in agreement. "I thought she would at least punch him in the face."

Oli chuckles. "You two are bloodthirsty."

I laugh. "Sorry to disappoint, boys. Now, get out of my office, so I can get some work done before you blow up the group chat."

Vicy and Taz both groan as they make their way back down the hallway. Oli gives me a smile and says, "You should come by the house again. We have a few cheat days left before the dietitians crack down on us for the start of the season."

"So, what you're saying is there may be ice cream?"

He shrugs. "Possibly."

Shaking my head, I laugh. "I'll see what I can do. May bring some of my work with me, though. I need to make sure I have every note on you guys that I could possibly need before the season starts."

"If you need help, let me know." He gives me a wink, then says, "Sounds like a date."

"Not a date, Oli."

He hums as he leaves the room. "Debatable."

I wish I could yell that it isn't up for debate because it isn't a date. But then everyone else in the building would hear, and I don't need that headache. So I settle for growling, "Not a date."

Lewi snickers as he heads to the door. "There's no talking him out of things once he has made a decision."

"Come on, Lewi, you gotta help me out here."

He shakes his head. "We've been friends for years. There's no way I can talk him out of it. He's got his sights set on you."

I lean against my desk as I pinch the bridge of my nose. "What's that supposed to mean?"

His eyes gleam with laughter as he smirks. "It means, be prepared."

"Gonna need a little more information than that, Lewi."

He raps his knuckles against the doorframe before saying, "He tends to attach himself to people he feels needs a little extra… care." He's silent for a moment before clearing his throat. "Anyway, I'll leave you to your work. See ya tonight."

I offer him a nod, and he turns to leave. I didn't know Lewi and Oli were that close, though, I suppose I should have guessed. Their personalities are completely different. Shaking my head, I sit down and get back to work. My phone dings with a notification, and I glance down to find a personal message from Oli. Odd. Clicking on it, I feel my cheeks burn as I read his sweet words.

Oli

You look beautiful today. Don't overwork yourself, and if you need help let me know. Also, drink water. Coffee doesn't count ??

Why does this man have to make me feel like a teenage girl again? Huffing out a heavy sigh, I decide to reply. The man needs to stop making my heart flutter and my cheeks hurt from the constant smiling.

Thank you, but I bet you say that to all the girls. You have a large fan base. Also, coffee does count, it has water in it.

Oli

I don't pay much attention to my fans. Plus, they only like me for my body or my money, so I'll pass. Coffee does not count. Go drink water.

What if I'm out for your money? Coffee helps me stay awake, water will not. Coffee for the win.

Oli

You would never. Ozzy is headed your way with water.

You're making Ozzy walk all the way here to give me water? Seriously, I can get it myself.

Oli

I'm not making him. He offered. Would you have actually gone and gotten water yourself?

…yes…

Oli

?? If you say so, Chérie. Ozzy should be there soon. gtg.

There's a knock at my door, and I look up to find Ozzy smiling and holding out a bottle of water. "As requested, one water hand delivered to our favorite athletic therapist."

Rolling my eyes, I say, "I haven't been here long enough to be your favorite."

He shrugs, setting the bottle on my desk. "My statement still stands. Oli said you are going to stop by tonight."

"I told him I may come by tonight."

"How can we turn the may into a solid coming over tonight?"

Tapping on the pile of files I need to get through, I say, "Well, I need to get through all of these files. We'll see how long that takes."

With a nod, he backs toward the door. "Then consider me gone, boss lady. I'll make sure the guys don't bug you through the group chat."

The lengths these boys will go to just so I'll agree to come over. "Fine. I'll be there tonight."

He shoots me a wide grin as he leaves my office. "Good! See you tonight."

It's absolutely too easy to say ‘yes' to these boys.