9. Emma

Chapter 9

Emma

C heering like crazy with the rest of the fans, I have to reluctantly admit that I really got into it at the end. The fighting between Lachlan and Taran was ridiculous, and there has to be a root cause to it that goes past just rival team Captains. I don't even think it has to do with me, if I really think about it. There is something else there, and I intend to get to the bottom of it. Deciding that the three guys need to be in one place at the same time on neutral ground, I fire off a text to each of them, telling them to meet me near the river by the cottage. It's a glorious day out, so the fresh air and scenery will do everyone some good.

Debating whether I should head down to talk to the team, I figure maybe not. Not today, anyway. Lachlan's got this. I know he won't let me down again.

Ignoring the voice in my head that tells me I need to head upstairs and do some work, I leave the arena and walk across the car park to my car. I'm waylaid by an older man, about the same age as my dad.

"Emma Thornton?"

"Yes, that's me." I give him a scrutinising stare.

"Jeff Crooks. Owner of the Castle Arrows."

"Oh," I say, slightly taken aback. "What can I do for you?"

"I wanted to let you know that I've processed the paperwork. Fraser will be with you in the next transfer window."

"Huh?" I ask, scrunching up my nose.

He gives me a curious look. "The transfer deal for Taran Fraser. He's yours."

Frowning, I struggle to process this. "Oh? I'm not sure what you mean?"

Jeff narrows his eyes at me. "Did Keith not fill you in?"

"Clearly not." I aim for saying it lightly, but that doesn't happen apparently when Jeff suddenly looks a bit nervous.

"Well, it's all set," Jeff says, shifting awkwardly from foot to foot. "We agreed on the terms last month. Taran's transferring to your team next month."

I blink at him, trying to wrap my head around this unexpected news. "Next month?"

Jeff laughs nervously, scratching the back of his head. "Aye, at the next transfer window…" He trails off and gives me a look like I might've just dropped out of a bin lorry and grew an extra head for good measure.

"Right. The transfer window," I mutter, already thinking about how Lachlan and Keir are going to take this. Probably not well. Especially after today's antics on the ice.

"Okay, well, then. Just wanted to let you know," Jeff says with an awkward smile before heading off towards his car with the speed of many antelope.

I watch him leave, my mind buzzing with questions and half-formed plans. This is unexpected and not great news. Lachlan is going to blow his top when he hears about this. And does Taran know? Has he known all along?

Questions, questions and more questions. I need some answers.

Briskly getting into Minnie, I start her up and drive towards the cottage, pulling up outside and then making my way to the river to wait for the guys. It's sunny and hot, and I pull off my jumper, which was needed in the arena. Laying it on the grass, I sit and watch the babbling water, feeling myself relax before I remember the stress that this conversation is going to cause.

A few minutes later, I hear chatter, and Lachlan and Keir arrive. They look around until they see me sitting near the bank.

"Pretty," Keir says, sitting down next to me and giving me that slow smile.

"It is, isn't it?" I return the smile.

"I was talking about you," he murmurs and leans forward to kiss me.

"Such a charmer," Lachlan says, sitting on my other side. "Sorry about before, Ems. That eejit does my head in."

"Hmm," I murmur, wondering where that eejit is. He should be here by now.

Just as I'm thinking that, Taran appears, strolling down the path with his usual swagger. His dark hair glints in the sunlight as he closes the distance between us.

"Sorry I'm late," he murmurs, eyes on me as he sits in front of me with a wary look. "If this is about earlier, I'm sorry for acting like a cock. This arsehole has a way of pushing my buttons." He glares at Lachlan briefly.

"Yeah, back at you, motherfucker," Lachlan mutters. The tension is already thickening, and we've barely even started.

"Stop. It." I grit out. "This is ridiculous. You are grown men, and you are acting like school kids. What the fuck is going on with you two? I want answers, and I want them now."

"He's a cock," Lachlan spits out. "A jealous, rich kid, spoiled little cunt who always wanted more. Couldn't just sit by and be grateful for what you had, oh no…"

"Fuck you!" Taran snaps back, standing as Lachlan gets to his feet. "You are so far up your own arse, you can probably see your teeth!" He shoves Lachlan.

Lachlan shoves him back.

"Hey!" I snap. "Enough of this!"

But it falls on deaf ears. I glance at Keir to help, but he just shrugs and lies back, closing his eyes as he turns his face to the sun.

"Keir! Help me."

"Nah, leave them to it. Needs to happen and rather here than on the ice."

Okay, well, I can't argue with that logic, but this is getting heated. Lachlan throws a punch, and Taran retaliates, and soon, they are grappling on the ground like a pair of wild dogs.

I jump up. "Lachlan, get off him! You're not twelve!"

Lachlan growls something unintelligible and lands another punch on Taran's jaw. "Not so tough now, are you?"

Taran counterattacks by flipping Lachlan over, pinning him down. "You think you're the king of the rink, do you? Think again."

"Jesus Christ," I mutter, looking at Keir, who's still basking in the sun like nothing's happening. "Keir, seriously!"

Finally, Keir opens one eye lazily. "Alright, alright," he grumbles, getting up and stretching like a cat before pulling the two apart with surprising ease.

"Enough already," he says firmly, standing between them. "You're both acting like twats."

Lachlan and Taran are both breathing heavily, glaring daggers at each other, but at least they're not throwing punches anymore. Small victories.

I rub my temples, feeling a headache coming on. This was supposed to be a civil conversation and now everyone's got bruises that'll need explaining.

"Okay, listen up." I narrow my eyes at them. "This stops now. We have bigger issues to deal with."

"Like his fucking ego?" Lachlan snarls and launches himself at Taran again.

They both lose their footing, teetering dangerously close to the edge of the small river. "Lachlan!" I shout. "Taran!"

But it's too late.

Arse over tit they go, landing in the low-level water with a splash that drenches Keir, who's standing too close. He shakes his head with a bemused smile, his clothes soaking wet. "Well, that was unexpected."

Lachlan and Taran gain their feet underneath them from the water, spluttering and glaring at each other, but at least they're not throwing punches now. They both look ridiculous, dripping wet and standing knee-deep in the river.

"You two done now?" I call out, trying to suppress a laugh at the sight. "Or should I get some popcorn?"

"Very funny, Emma," Lachlan grumbles, slogging his way back to the bank.

Taran follows, shaking water from his hair like a dog. "This is your fault," he accuses Lachlan.

"My fault? You started it!" Lachlan retorts.

I throw my hands up in exasperation. "Enough! Seriously, what are you two even fighting about?"

They both fall silent, glaring at each other but not saying a word.

Keir sighs and finally steps in. "Alright, you two idiots. Let's get to the point before Emma outright murders us all. What is the real issue between you two? What is this rivalry really about? Obviously, you are old friends, and something went badly wrong in your childhoods. What?"

I stare at Keir at this revelation and then back at the two drenched morons, still standing in the river, like two statues as they glare at each other.

Lachlan scowls, but the anger in his eyes starts to simmer down. "You wanna tell her, or should I?" he says, staring straight at Taran.

Taran looks away, his jaw tight. "You always were the dramatic one, Lachlan," he mutters.

"Fine, I'll do it," Lachlan shoots back. He turns to me, his shoulders slumping a bit. "We grew up together. Went to the same school. Then Taran here went off to a fancy prep school and left us behind." He spits the last word out like it's poison.

"I didn't have a choice," Taran finally snaps, stepping closer to Lachlan again. The fire in his eyes rekindles. "It was my parents' choice. You knew what they were like!"

"Yeah, I did, but you didn't even say goodbye," Lachlan growls, stepping toe-to-toe with Taran again. "You just left without a word. Then you pop up, doing everything I was doing and trying to be better. You didn't even acknowledge me, just chased after the same shit as me."

"I didn't acknowledge you ?" Taran roars. "You had my fucking number, arsehole."

"And you had mine, so why didn't you use it?"

"I was upset, okay?" Taran yells. "You were all going to the same school, going to the games and getting drafted into the junior sides, and I was left out, trying to make new friends in a place where no one was interested in ice hockey, and I had to play fucking lacrosse!"

Lachlan snorts, not even bothering to try to hide it while Taran fumes in the river. "Lacrosse," he guffaws. "Yeah, I can see you with your poncey kit on?—"

Taran punches Lachlan in the mouth again, and off they go, slipping and sliding in the river until they're both practically underwater, splashing like a pair of demented otters.

I sigh heavily, pressing my fingers to my temples. "You two are insufferable," I mutter. "Keir, please do something."

Keir chuckles as he wades into the river, grabbing each of them by the collar and hauling them apart again with surprising force. "You've both made your points," he says with a firm tone. "Now knock it off before Emma decides to chuck all of us and walks away. I'm not losing her because of you two pillocks."

Taran's shoulders drop as he glances back at Lachlan. "It hurt when none of you even bothered to get in touch, so I didn't either, but I didn't want to leave you guys," he admits softly. "And I sure as hell didn't want to play lacrosse."

Lachlan, still breathing heavily, looks at Taran with a bit more understanding. "I guess we're both as stubborn as each other," he finally says, rubbing his bruised jaw. "But you have to understand, we felt like you abandoned us for your fancy new mates."

Taran sighs, wading back to the bank with Keir's help. "I know, and I'm sorry for that."

"I'm sorry, too."

"Yay! That's settled then!" I interrupt them, clapping my hands before they get any ideas about forgetting the truce and hitting each other again.

They crack small, rueful smiles, and I feel like we are actually getting somewhere now.

"We all good?" Keir asks.

"Yeah," Lachlan says. "Helps to know I can still kick his arse."

"Oh, you fucking wish," Taran growls, but Keir grabs him and pulls him out of the river before he can prove his point one way or another.

"Now that you're all wet and river-y, I have something to say," I start.

They all look at me expectantly.

"What happened on the ice today can never happen again between you two. Things are changing fast, and we need to get on the same page."

"Meaning?" Lachlan asks, pulling off his sodden tee and wringing it out.

I glance at his abs and then at Taran's as he does the same.

"Meaning, I had an interesting conversation with Jeff Crooks earlier. He sideswiped me in the car park."

Taran freezes, a fierce frown on his face. "What did he want?"

I take a deep breath and prepare myself for the backlash of being a simple messenger.