Chapter Nine

Ican’t shake the fear that takes me when Aiden leaves. It’s an all consuming reminder that my father isn’t only rich and well-connected, but dangerous. I trust and believe Aiden, but I can’t help the questions that plague me. Would my father actually fatally poison his only child? Does he even love me? I can’t believe he does, not when he knows Stephen is physically and emotionally abusive. Knowing what Father did to me and what he told Aiden, I’m beginning to wonder if I need that restraining order April wanted me to get months ago.

Doubt also creeps in, reminding me that I don’t know Aiden like I used to. A whole decade has passed since we last spoke, and he might have changed more than I realize. Still, the warmth of his presence lingers on my sofa, reminding me that maybe I don’t have to do this alone. Maybe God really did bring me here for this reason, to finally settle things and move on, to rid my life of my father and Stephen once and for all.

I check my lock again, ensure the windows are secure, and set my alarm before heading to my bedroom. I’m glad the thunderstorm is over, but I have a feeling Aiden would still be sitting on my sofa if it weren’t. He remembers that I hate storms, that much is clear by the way he tensed and looked my way when it thundered. I try not to let that excite me too much, but there’s something so sweet about it I can’t help smiling.

Prepping for bed is always the same routine. Brush teeth, put on pajamas, recheck locks, and check phone for missed calls from April. Just as I reach for it, my phone rings. As happy as I am to see her face pop up on the screen, it’s late and I worry there might be an emergency.

“Hey, April. Is everything okay?” I ask, tension thickening my voice. My head already pounds, my chest heavy with anxiety.

“Hey. Look, Stephen came by my office today. I didn’t tell him anything, but he is on the hunt. Something happened, but I’m not sure what. Do you want me to wait to visit you just in case he’s watching me?”

I groan and smash my face into my pillow. “No,” I mumble.

“What?” she asks.

Rolling on my back, I blow my hair from my face. “I need you here as soon as possible. Maybe wait a day or so but I’m sure you can get out of town without him finding out. You won’t believe what happened tonight.”

“Hmm, super hot Irish man follow you all the way home tonight?” she teases.

“Close. I talked to Mr. Gregory about letting the team know the truth, then Freya invited me to go out to this tavern they hang out at with the ladies. Guess who was there when we walked in?”

“I wonder.” She can’t hide her giggles.

“Yeah, and he approached me, asked me to step outside and talk with him, and we ended up back at my place. We talked about everything.”

“Everything? As in why he left and didn’t contact you for ten years?” Excitement fills her tone but there’s also a hint of caution.

“Yeah.”

“Is he still alive?”

“Funny. Yes, but his reason is quite believable. Actually, it’s pretty unbelievable unless you know my father. You know how I had food poising a few days before we were supposed to marry?” Tension builds in my chest again, reminding me that there might only be one man in the world who truly loves me even if he did walk away.

“Yes,” she draws, worry already filling her tone.

“Father threatened Aiden. He told him it wasn’t food poisoning, that he did it to me and would do worse if Aiden didn’t leave town and never see me again.” I almost choke on the words but manage to get them out as a chill surges down my spine.

Silence fills the line. Nothing but our breathing until April huffs and says, “He didn’t do it just once, did he? You got sick. Like every time you did something he didn’t like.”

I don’t even need to answer. She knows. She has been with me through every bout of my “illness” since it began. Only, it mysteriously hasn’t affected me since I left my father and fiancé behind, blending into the world where I had hoped they wouldn’t find me. Maybe this time, I’ll be safe if they manage to make their way to Denver.

“I’d say we should call the police, but we both know it won’t do any good. I’ll try to book something and get to Denver as soon as possible. In the meantime, give me all the details about this late night meeting with Aiden.”

I fill her in on everything until I’m too tired to stay awake. By the time we hang up, she is determined to get us back together again. I agree that we deserve a second chance, one not ruined by my father. Still, I’m not so sure it can be this easy. There has to be a catch because nothing in my life has ever worked out so well.

I’m significantly less worried when I pull into the parking lot the next morning ready to practice again. There’s a massive weight lifted from my shoulders since I no longer have to hide who I am from everyone, especially Aiden. There is some danger in this, but I trust Aiden when he says he’s not going to let anything happen to me. One would think it might be difficult to believe such a thing from a man who up and left a girl at the altar, but I do.

Maybe I’m a fool. I don’t know, but the relief that surrounds my body like a warm blanket is worth the chance.

After parking and climbing the stairs, I swipe my card for entry. It beeps and flashes red so I try again. Several attempts to gain entry fail and I’m just about to head to the front office when another man climbs the stairs. Tensing, I shuffle back from the door and position myself to bolt if necessary.

“Hi,” he says while swiping dark blond hair from his face. “You’re Finchley, right?”

I nod, growing tenser by the moment.

“I’m Justin Yates, one of the goalies. Your entry card not working this morning?”

A little relief returns and I nod again, holding up my access card. “Afraid not. Do you mind?”

“Sure. I was heading to the team gym. These cards demagnetize so easily.” He swipes his as a few more guys cross the parking lot, likely more players heading to practice or to work out. Justin opens the door and lets me enter first.

“Thank you. I appreciate it. I’ll have to be more careful with this I guess,” I say, waving my card again.

“Yeah. By the way, your act was amazing. I don’t know how you do it. I’d be terrified trying those stunts, but it would be cool if you could maybe teach me the fire breathing thing like you did Freya?” His pretty eyes focus on me, filled with hope so I can’t say no.

I chuckle and motion towards the rink. “I was just about to try out some new things. I gotta work with Freya for social media pics, but you’re welcome to join.”

He scratches his chin and glances at the group of men entering.

“Yates, what’s up?” A man I recognize as Evander nods towards us. “Miss Bennett,” he adds with a smile. Aiden told him about us. Even if I didn’t already know that, it’s pretty obvious by the smirk that says he knows my secrets. It makes my cheeks warm.

“Trying to decide if I want to work out or learn to breathe fire,” Justin says, motioning over his shoulder toward the rink.

All four men who entered freeze and stare at us.

“That’s an option?” one asks.

Justin looks at me for confirmation. These men are my team. If I’m going to make a life here like I said I wanted, this is where I start. I swallow the lump of nerves growing in my throat and force out a husky, “Sure. I don’t mind.”

They exchange glances, drop their bags, and cross the walkway to meet us. I suppose I’m teaching five grown men how to breathe fire today. Honestly, it’s a whole lot of hotness following me as I make my way to the lower level of the rink, so I’m not sure I could identify any of them even if I had memorized the sheet with their stats and pictures. I’m not sure how a woman can be expected to get any work done around here with this much beauty to take in, but I do my best to focus.

“What is happening right now?” Freya asks. “Did you hire an entourage?” She smiles her sunshiny best and props a fist on her hip.

“I think they’re jealous of you,” I tease, glancing over my shoulder.

“Figures. Aren’t you all supposed to be working out?” she asks.

Justin shrugs and hits her with a lopsided grin. “Yeah, but wouldn’t pictures of the mascot teaching the team to breathe fire and shoot flaming arrows be better for the socials?”

“Who said anything about shooting flaming arrows?” I ask, arching my eyebrows as I stand beside Freya.

“It was totally worth a try,” Justin says. “I’ll settle for fire breathing. Maybe then Stevie will pay attention to me.”

I share a look with Freya and she rolls her eyes. “Okay, you’re probably right. It would add some excitement to the pages.”

The guys head down to the ice that’s presently covered with non-skid rugs for my practice. Freya groans and grabs her camera. “These guys. They’re like kids sometimes.”

“I don’t know who most of them are. Only Justin and Evander,” I admit.

Freya points them out one by one. “Kade Turner, also known as Aiden and Evan’s constant shadow. And that’s Damien White and Ben Cantrell. All sweet guys but a little quiet. Well, not Turner, but the other two are.” She smiles again and nudges me forward. “Well, time to show us what else you can do. I’m so excited for the new things you planned.”

Before long, I’m so deep in teaching men how to play with fire, I don’t realize it’s lunch time. There’s a good chance they get into some trouble since they haven’t been practicing, but I’ll let them face Coach Pratt on their own.

“Want to grab something with me and the ladies?” Freya asks.

“Sure. Let me shower and change,” I say, heading to my private changing room and office. I hurry through my routine, actually excited to hang out with a few women. It’s been so long since I could relax and enjoy life, I’ve all but forgotten how. When I reach Freya’s office, I notice the ladies who will be eating with us. Greer, Stevie, and Chantelle. It’s fewer than I expected, but I’m pleased.

Except for Stevie. I still can’t quite peg her, and knowing she’s been close friends with Aiden makes a little sliver of jealousy ripple through me again. It shouldn’t, especially after Aiden’s admission to me, but I can’t help wondering exactly how close they are and whether my jealousy will show while we are at lunch. She seems sweet enough, and I’m not here to rock any boats between Aiden and his friends or this awesome group of ladies.

“There she is,” Chantelle says, her dark locks cascading over her shoulders. She carries her helmet, which means she brought her bike. I tried to remember little details about them during our last outing, but it got sidetracked by Aiden waltzing back into my life.

“All set,” I say with a smile. I can’t help that my gaze is drawn to Stevie. She’s beautiful with her dark eyes and long dark hair, svelte frame, gorgeous smile, and mysterious allure. I swallow my heart back down and pretend it’s all okay, but there’s no way she buys my smile.

“I can drive,” Freya says.

“I’ll meet you all there,” Chantelle says. She waves us off, but pauses halfway down the hallway and turns around. “I have an extra helmet if anyone wants to ride with me.” It’s a tease judging by her tone, and all of the ladies shake their heads.

“No, thank you. The last time you took me for a ride I almost had to have my other knee repaired,” Greer says. “Hard pass.”

Chantelle purses her lips. “I think that’s an exaggeration. I told you to tuck them in but you didn’t listen. It’s not my fault you almost got taken out by a gas pump.”

“I’ll ride,” I say, surprised to hear the words slip out. Despite my death defying stunts, I am afraid of more than my father and ex-fiancé. Unchecked speed on the backside of a rocket is one of those things, but I can’t help the surge of do it that bubbles forth.

“All right. Some fresh blood,” Chantelle says with a grin that tells me I’m in for trouble. I can’t back out now, and I’m not really in the mood to pretend sitting in a car with Stevie doesn’t unnerve me. It’ll be hard enough to get through lunch without my mind running wild.

Outside, Chantelle offers me her backup helmet and instructs me on how to ride with her. It seems easy enough, so once she’s on, I slide in behind her. I’m probably holding on to her waist a little too tight, but she doesn’t shirk me. I say a prayer that I’m not about to become roadkill and hold on even tighter.

The rumble of the engine beneath us sends a surge of adrenaline through me. Suddenly, I understand why she loves riding so much. By the time she maneuvers out of the lot and into traffic, my heart is racing, but in a good way.

“You good?” she asks through the synched-up mics.

“Yeah. This is great.”

“You should get one,” she says, chuckling.

“I don’t know. I think I already tempt fate a little too much.”

She laughs again as we weave through traffic. Eventually, we hit the interstate and it’s a whole other rush. The wind whips the hair that sticks out from my helmet and all I can think about is telling Aiden about this ride and how much fun I had. My heart swells even picturing his smiling face. Chantelle seems focused on driving and doesn’t say anything else, so I’m left to my own devices, thinking about Aiden while also hanging on for dear life.

We pull into the parking lot of the restaurant before the other ladies and wait out front. It’s only a minute until Freya’s car pulls into the lot. Immediately upon seeing Stevie step out, my body tenses.

“Hey, you okay?” Chantelle asks. “You look like someone just zapped you.”

“Oh,” I say, trying and failing to relax. “I’m fine.”

Her gaze follows mine, which I cannot peel away from the brunette beauty. “Ah, I see,” she says. “Listen, Stevie is a major flirt but she’s also a solid friend. She and Aiden are only friends, nothing more. She wouldn’t dare step between you two.”

I glance at her, finally pulling my gaze from a woman my head says is competition but my heart says is probably not. I sigh and try to let the feelings of jealousy abate. It’s been ten years since Aiden and I were an item, and I can’t be mad that he made friends and did things with his life without me.

“I’m sure you’re right.” I frown, ashamed that I’ve been invited into this group and I’m already creating friction.

“I am. I’ll even let you in on a secret. Yates is crazy about her, and she’s crazy about him, but they’re both too bullheaded to believe it, so they skate around each other while the rest of us have to watch and try not to puke on our shoes.”

I laugh so hard it gets the ladies’ attention.

“There you are,” Greer says. “How’d you get here before us?”

“I keep telling you the bike is better, but no one believes me.” Chantelle pulls the door open and slips inside.

Freya and Greer follow her, but Stevie hangs back. She motions for me to go at the same time I motion for her to. She giggles and links her arm with mine before leading me into the restaurant. Once we sit and order, Greer dives into a discussion about soccer that I don’t understand. Eventually, the conversation meanders around to the Dragons.

“Yeah, so Dad chewed them out again. Hopefully, they’ll get themselves together,” Chantelle says.

“Justin said it was awful,” Stevie says, and her cheeks flush.

Chantelle rolls her eyes and the group moves on to how Stevie is oblivious to Justin’s feelings for her. It’s obvious that there’s a connection between them they both want to deny, or so Freya says, and for that, I am ecstatic. I hate that I mistrusted Stevie, but when it comes to Aiden, I can’t let my heart lead this time. I have to focus, to make sure I don’t get ahead of myself. Trust was broken, and now it will take time to rebuild.

But I want it to.

I want to trust Aiden and fall so deep in love with him I can’t see straight.

I want to fall into friendships with these women who support one another through everything without judgment, frustration, or anger.

So when Stevie glances at me with help me written in her eyes, I smile and step up.

“Hey, I could use some ideas for the show. Anyone have any input?” I ask. The conversation immediately turns away from Stevie’s love life and into a mess of ideas that will probably get me killed. Stevie relaxes and she offers me a small smile before suggesting that I use Chantelle’s motorcycle in my act sometime.

The rest of lunch moves much the same, with more subject changes than I can keep up with, but when Chantelle drops me back off at the arena so I can pick up my car, I’m light and free as a bird. My old friend anxiety tries to ruin it by reminding me it can all go wrong, but I force my negative emotions out of my mind and focus on what is going right. I have so much to be grateful for, and for the first time in a long time, pure happiness lifts me even higher.