Chapter 10

Ten

LOU

C innamon keeps me company as I lounge on my oversized couch, a controller in my hand, immersed in the latest video game my sister Missy and her husband Gabe got me for Christmas. The couch takes up more room than my apartment can really handle, but it's the one place I indulged myself. It's big enough that I could invite my friends over for a game if I wanted to, but I never do. It used to be different when Hannah and Matt lived here, But now, it's just me and Cinnamon. She's curled up on her blanket beside me, with her head on her paws, eyes half closed from our run earlier. Running in the park wore her out.

I'd needed something to help get the extra energy out. Cake may not have been on the trainer approved breakfast menu, but it tasted even better this morning. I'd thought about going to the bakery to see if I could get one of the croissant things Nate always gets, but the way Maria shut me out last night makes me hesitate.

Everything had gone so well up until that stupid scorecard in her office. Those judges were downright wrong and I couldn't understand why she would keep it. She'd shut down at seeing it, and that invisible barrier slammed right back into place between us. The one that had slowly been coming down.

I was an idiot for reminding her of what was clearly such a terrible memory. I'd be upset if someone brought up one of the worst days of my life to me too. Ironic that the date on the scorecard was the same date I'd ended up in the hospital from that game.

Fists pound on my door, startling both me and Cinnamon. She springs to her feet, barking like crazy as I fumble with the controller, trying to calm her down. In the chaos, my avatar on the screen takes a hit and drops like a stone. Game over.

"Open the door, Lou. We know you're in there!" Hannah's voice blasts through the door, followed by more pounding.

I sigh, switching off the TV and setting the controller aside.

"Yeah," Lia chimes in, just as loud. "Open up."

Cinnamon's tail wags excitedly as she follows me to the door, her happiness and curiosity making it hard for her to stay still.

"Sit," I command, pointing to the spot beside me. She obeys, her eyes locked on the door, even as her body vibrates with eager energy.

I barely get the door cracked open when it's shoved wide, and Hannah barrels through. Cinnamon whines, torn between staying where she's told and greeting the intruder.

Hannah pauses, her mouth open no doubt to start ranting, and stares at the dog at my feet. "When did you get a dog?" she asks, surprise in her voice.

"She's not mine," I say, though it comes out lacking conviction. "It's just temporary."

Laughter echoes from the hallway, drawing my attention. Turns out it's not just Hannah and Lia. They brought reinforcements. Nate, Dan, Alexis, and a short woman with purple hair I don't recognize stand outside my door in the hallway.

Dan is the one who laughed. "That's how we ended up with Mittens."

"Mittens?" Lia asks, puzzled.

Alexis smiles, "Our cat."

The stranger chuckles, pulling out her phone and typing something quickly before the grumpy guy standing behind her plucks it from her hands. He's big enough he'd give me pause if we met on the ice, and I have no idea how I didn't see him before.

"Hey!" she protests, pouting, "I need that."

"What did I say about no phones?" He grumbles at her as he starts fiddling with her phone.

I'm just about to step forward and intervene to help get her phone back, when Hannah places a hand on my arm. "Lou meet my friend and client Susannah, and Rex, her bodyguard. She's currently supposed to be on an electronics ban."

"I can't help it when inspiration strikes," Susannah says, shrugging off her bodyguard's warning before turning to me. "Just ignore him, it's what I do."

Cinnamon whines softly, reminding me she's still waiting for the okay to move. I step back and open the door wider, inviting everyone inside. At least the cake is safely hidden away in the fridge, out of sight and out of reach.

"What brings all of you to my apartment?" I ask as they shuffle in, filling the already crowded living room.

Cinnamon takes this as her sign to move, bounding exuberantly from person to person seeking attention. Lia immediately drops to her knees, happily obliging her.

"If you need a dog walker," Nate says, "Penelope would be over the moon."

I appreciate his offer, but I already have Maria who's volunteered. "I'll keep that in mind."

Moving to the couch area, I shift Cinnamon's blanket to create more space. Then I sit down and wait for everyone else to follow. Lia settles next to Nate, which puts her right in Cinnamon's target zone. At the perfect height for dog kisses, Cinnamon proceeds to start licking at her face. Lia giggles, throwing up her hands in self-defense, but it's no use.

"Cinnamon down," I command.

Reluctantly, Cinnamon retreats, lying at Lia's feet, still watching for her next chance to pounce. I grab a rope toy from the basket tucked under the coffee table and toss it to Cinnamon to play with. Hoping it will distract her for a while.

"Really?" Hannah asks, her voice filled with disbelief, and I can see she's put the pieces together. "This is Cinnamon."

I shrug, trying to play it cool.

"Oh Mom is going to love this," Hannah says, shaking her head. "I'm going to be her favorite child."

Susannah leans over to Alexis. "I don't get it."

Alexis looks just as puzzled as the rest of my friends.

Hannah waits to see if I'm going to explain, and when I don't start talking she crosses her arms. "For the last year, Lou's told our Mom he's been 'seeing' Cinnamon. The request to bring her to Thanksgiving nearly sent my Mom into a fit, because she thought he's been seeing, and I quote, 'some gold-digging hussy'."

"Mom never said that," I protest.

"Maybe not to you, but she said it. Especially when you didn't come to Thanksgiving because you were," she uses her hands to make air quotes, "spending it with Cinnamon."

I feel just a little guilty at that. I had needed space from Dad, and Gabby and Gavin had been kind enough to let me spend the holiday with them and Gabby's family. I had spent a lot of time with Cinnamon that day, even if it wasn't how my Mom had imagined.

Hannah's friend bursts out laughing and gives her bodyguard a pleading look. "I really need my phone now. I promise, just the notes app."

Her bodyguard doesn't even bat an eye, but he reaches into his jacket, and pulls out a small notebook and a pencil for her instead.

"As entertaining as that all is," I cut in, "why have you all invaded my apartment this morning?"

Hannah's eyes gleam with mischief, "I'm so glad you asked, Lou." She's playing up the drama, like the host of a game show. "Want to tell us how Maria went from hating your guts to leaving the party last night hand in hand with you?"

"I'm rather charming," I reply, trying to sound nonchalant.

"Don't make me sick." She pretends to gag. "Try again."

"When did you get so bossy?" I ask deflecting. "Does Matt know you're this bossy?"

"When did you get so scared to answer the question?" she retorts, her eyes narrowing. "Don't make me have Matt beat you up."

"So violent," I mutter. Then my eyebrows pop up as I remember, "Wait, isn't your boyfriend playing on the other side of the country this week? That's why he couldn't make the engagement party right?"

Hannah huffs.

"I'm here," Nate chimes in.

I turn to the traitor, "You still owe me," I say.

Nate's grin gets bigger. "True, but we have practice to get to."

"No, we don't." I argue. "It's a recovery day."

"I'll go get his gear bag." Hannah laughs, running for my room.

But Nate and Dan are already on their feet, and before I know it, they're on me. Even the bodyguard joins in, and they truss me up like a turkey. I have no idea where they found the duct tape, but I'm too busy being manhandled to protest. They haul me out to Dan's SUV and toss me into the back seat like a sack of potatoes.

Alexis, carrying my bag of gear, hands it off to Dan before giving him a quick kiss.

"Get a room," I grumble, sounding like a sulky teenager.

They break apart, laughing.

Alexis shakes her head, "Don't worry about your dog Lou, the girls and I will watch her until you get back. We still have Maria to talk to."

T hey've got me taped up like a mummy, and yet here I am, standing by the plexiglass at the arena while the ice resurfacer crawls along, smoothing the rink for my humiliation. The driver doesn't even lift an eyebrow at the sight of me, wrapped in duct tape. I've given up trying to wriggle free, I know Nate and Dan will release me when they're good and ready, and not a second sooner.

"If you wanted to play, all you had to do was ask." I tell them, trying to sound casual despite the situation. If it were anyone else in the duct tape I'd be laughing.

Dan grins, his teeth bright. "Sure, but where's the fun in that."

I roll my eyes, and keep watching the slow-moving resurfacer. The ice looks decent, but there's something off. The machine's struggling, leaving behind a patchy gloss instead of the flawless sheen it should have.

Nate sighs, following my gaze. "We really need that new machine."

"Aren't we supposed to have it by now?" I ask. "They announced it months ago."

"They're waiting on that naming competition," Dan mutters, his voice tinged with frustration. "Arena politics."

"Let's go gear up." Nate says, jerking his chin toward the locker room. He at least has the decency to carry my gear bag, but they are making me hop after them like some sort of deranged kangaroo.

"You guys are going to untape me, right?" I ask, more hopeful than confident. They just laugh.

By the time I reach the locker room, I'm sweating from exertion, my legs burning from hopping all the way. Nate and Dan meet me by the door, already dressed, smirks on their faces. They open the door for me and I'm stunned to see the entire team inside, ready to step out on the ice.

My gear bag is by my locker waiting for me to join them.

"What's this?" I ask, bewildered.

Nate claps a hand on my shoulder, "We're a team."

Dan steps up on my other side, putting his hand on my other shoulder. "When one of us struggles, we all struggle."

Their words hit me harder than I expected. I've been fighting my own battles all season long. Feeling like I was alone, keeping myself alone, as I barely held on. Yet, here they are, on a day they should have off, ready to fight with me. They each tried to get me lemon bars, they've each tried to help at practice.

My throat tightens, but I force myself to stay composed. "I've been struggling all season. Why now?"

"New year. New you." Shane chimes in, his voice full of youthful optimism.

Nate steps aside, and one by one my teammates file out of the locker room. Each of them giving me a solid slap on the shoulder as they pass. It's like they're transferring some of their good luck to me, their belief that I can finish this season strong.

Finally, I'm released from the tape, and left alone to gear up. The silence in the locker room is almost reverent as I pull on my pads, the familiar routine grounding me. Their words replaying my mind.

New year. New me.

When I slide my jersey over my head, I can almost believe it.

Out on the ice, Coach is waiting, holding a familiar white box from La Petite. It's bigger than the lemon bar box, more like a donut box. My heart skips a beat.

"About time you showed up, Lou." Coach says, as he opens the box. "Ready to win a cupcake?"

Inside, the box is filled with cupcakes of every flavor and color. Each more tempting than the last. Including that bear-looking one that took over the lemon bar display.

"I'll give it my best." I say, skating up to the line.

"We're going to find you a new good luck charm," Nate says, joining me by Coach.

Dan is already in the goal, ready to block my shot.

"One bite for each goal," Coach says, issuing the challenge.

"Is this trainer approved?" I joke, because that's all I have left to offer.

Coach half smirks. "Oh, don't worry."

I point to the bear cupcake, if it was good enough to replace the lemon bar in the bakery, maybe it'll be good enough to bring me some luck. "How about that one?"

"Take your best shot," Coach points to the goal.

Nate drops a puck, and the world narrows to just me, the ice, and the goal. I skate forward, the puck gliding ahead of me. The ice isn't perfect, but it's good enough. The sound of Dan banging his stick echoes through the rink, and soon the others join in, a rhythmic pulse pushing me forward.

New year, new me.

Skate, shoot, score.

Cupcakes, lemon bars.

I wind up, and take the shot. The puck flies towards the goal, trajectory perfect, but Dan drops to his knees shutting out the shot. "Not that one."

"Next cupcake," Nate shouts, and I see Coach handing the bear cupcake to Brooks. He holds it like a prize as he forms a second line.

The next cupcake I pick is chocolate, and looks very similar to Nate's engagement cake. Thinking of the party and Maria makes me smile.

Nate drops another puck, "Line it up."

New year, new me. I dribble the puck carefully as I skate toward Dan. Once more the team bangs their sticks on the ice. I'll make this one count. I don't think, don't second guess or doubt myself, I snap my stick and hit the puck. Once more Dan stops the puck, but barely.

Coach gives the cupcake away to Nate this time. Another missed chance.

My eyes roam the box as I take my time looking over the cupcakes. I find myself lingering over a pink one in the corner. There's a tiny pink heart on top, it's the same color as Maria's dress from the party. The thought of her has me smiling this time, but how could I not? She's amazing. Talented, smart, great with Cinnamon. Tough as nails. Did she know these cupcakes were for me? Would she care that they are? Was last night just a temporary truce, or something more?

I point to the cupcake.

Shane nods his agreement as he drops a puck for me. "Good choice. Hockey should be played with heart."

This time it feels different as I skate down the ice, like all the doubts, all the pressures weighing me down have been lifted. My legs move fluidly, each stride strong and sure, the puck moving exactly how far and how fast I want it to. My focus narrows, blocking out everything but the goal ahead of me. As I approach the net, instinct tells me the exact moment, and everything aligns.

I pull back, my wrist snapping forward with precision so clean it feels effortless. The puck shoots forward so fast it's a blur slicing through the air. Dan reacts, but just a second too late. The puck sails past him into nothing but net.

My team goes wild. Yelling and cheering as they surge forward to celebrate. Dan grabs my hand, lifting it high in the air like I just won the playoffs as we skate towards Coach for my victory cupcake.

"Good work Lou." Coach lifts the cupcake out of the box, then hands it to Shane. "Pick another."