5. Emma

Waking up next to Drake this morning and him still being in the house was a nice surprise, but all it did was confuse me.

He's so hot and cold. One minute he's flirting like he's going to rip my clothes off me and the next he's distracted and acting like he doesn't know I exist.

It's a horrific feeling that's triggering me. I feel that scared little girl coming out wanting him to pay attention to me.

Just like I always craved my father's attention. There's so much fear enveloping me and I don't know why.

I really thought I'd worked through that crap with my therapist.

Apparently not.

The brisk afternoon air nips at my cheeks as I make my way to the ice rink, the crunch of snow beneath my boots the only sound breaking the winter stillness. I want to meet with Drake, to understand the ridiculous proposal he threw my way.

I need to set boundaries with him. We can't be falling into bed all the time, I'll lose sight of this being a fake engagement.

I will not get hurt again.

As I enter the rink, the cold air gives way to the crisp scent of ice and the muffled sounds of blades cutting through it. A youth hockey team is practicing on the ice.

I make my way toward the bank of offices.

"Well, well, well," I hear Zane drawl.

He strides over with a swagger that matches the confidence in his performance on the ice. He"s tall and broad-shouldered, and his eyes lock onto mine with an intensity that makes me pause.

"Hey Zane, I"m here to talk to Drake. Is he around?"

"Drake"s a busy man, but I"m more than happy to keep you company in the meantime."

"I"m on a time crunch, we can catch up another time."

He chuckles, a low, rumbling sound that sets my nerves on edge. "Feisty as ever. I like that."

Ignoring his comment, I continue making my way to Drake's office.

"Don't you have practice or something?"

"I do, but I've been summoned to Lord Douchebag's office."

"Lord Douchebag," I repeat. "You know we're not in high school anymore, right?"

"Maybe tell him that. He's had it out for me ever since I broke his record."

I shake my head. That doesn't sound like Drake, but what do I know?

"Some people do hold onto those things."

"So, tell me the truth, you came to see me, am I right? Felt that old familiar flame burning when you saw me the other night and want to see if we're still magic in bed?"

Magic in bed? Old familiar flame? Isn't that from a country song?

What is he doing?

"I"m here to talk business with Drake. That"s it."

Zane smirks, taking a step closer. "Business, huh? Well, I can be quite the businessman. Maybe I can help you with whatever you need."

I let out an exasperated sigh, my patience wearing thin. "Zane, I"m not interested in whatever game you"re playing. Just tell me where Drake is, and we can all go about our day."

"Drake"s in his office, I assume, since that's where I'm headed. But why rush things? We could have some fun here on the ice, you know. Break the ice, so to speak."

I resist the urge to facepalm at his cheesy line. "No thanks."

"Fine, have it your way. But you"ll be missing out on the Zane experience."

"I already had that experience, remember? Not interested in being disappointed as an adult."

His mouth drops open, and I continue walking.

"Hey Emma, I wasn't expecting you, but what a nice surprise," Callie greets me with a hug.

"You're besties with the staff now?" Zane asks rudely.

"Emma," Drake says, his tone casual. "To what do I owe the pleasure of your visit today?"

"Business meeting."

"Are you on my schedule?"

"No, I …"

"Yes, she's slotted right after Zane."

Drake's eyes flit to Callie's before going to Zane.

"I was really hoping our last talk had sunk in, Zane," he says drily.

Zane rolls his eyes and looks at me. "Give me a few minutes to deal with Lord Douchebag babe, then I'll be all yours."

He slaps me on the butt as he walks past me. I spin around and slap him across the face without thinking.

"You bastard," I hiss. "Do not ever do that again."

"Bitch," he spits as he takes a step toward me while holding his cheek.

His ego is so fragile. He doesn't know what to do.

Drake whips around and gets up in Zane's face.

"That is my fiancée, and you will not lay a hand on her again, do you understand?"

"Fiancée?" Zane roars with laughter. "The Ice Princess and Lord Douchebag? Oh, that's rich." He looks back at me sadly. "Seriously, babe? You're going to do me like that?"

"Get in my office, now," Drake bellows.

Zane rolls his eyes again and saunters into the office slowly. Callie looks back at me in shock.

"This isn't good," she breathes.

"What just happened?"

"I'm not sure. I mean, Zane supposedly got mouthy with some woman yesterday, but it didn't warrant that reaction."

"Is that normal?"

"Drake's reaction or Zane's behavior?"

"Both."

"Drake, no. Zane, yes. I get at least two phone calls or player complaints about him daily. He's so talented, but he's also just a douchebag."

"He's always been that way, unfortunately. I used to think it was so sexy and that he was just misunderstood. He's not. He's literally a prick."

She giggles and nods. "It's a shame when they're so hot and then they open their mouth."

"Preach. Welcome to every man I've ever known." The phone starts ringing, and Callie goes to answer it. I start walking around the office area. There were a lot of old photographs and memorabilia lining the hallways from when my grandparents and father owned the rink, but Drake had updated things as well.

There are pictures of me on the podium at various Olympics and other events.

Did my dad put those there?

Or did Drake?

Probably Callie.

Sometime later, the door bursts open, and Zane storms out, his face contorted with frustration. He glances at me, and for a moment, his eyes seem to flicker with a mixture of annoyance and something else.

"You okay, Zane?" I ask, my curiosity piqued by his evident agitation.

He doesn"t answer immediately, his jaw clenched. "This is your fault, Emma. Mind your own business."

"My fault?"

"I'll need you to sign some paperwork, Zane," Callie interjects quickly.

He scowls at her, a tension building in the air. "I'll sign nothing, Callie. Just stay out of it."

"There's no reason to get rude," I say.

Zane"s gaze darts between Callie and me, a flicker of defiance in his eyes. He finally relents, the words escaping through gritted teeth. "Drake just suspended me for two games. Can you believe that?"

"I get the phone calls about you, so yes, I can."

"What are you being accused of?" I ask.

He huffs, a frustrated sound. "Nothing. Just a misunderstanding. But Drake decides to drop the hammer without even listening to my side."

"Zane," Callie sighs. "You're being accused of touching a female inappropriately and then you blatantly do it in front of all of us to Emma. He didn't need to listen to your side. Actions speak louder than words."

His frustration boils over, and he turns to me, slinging his arm around my shoulders in a gesture that feels possessive.

"Emma doesn't count, she's my ex. Come on, Emma. Let"s go get drunk. I need someone to take the edge off."

I instinctively step out of his grasp, my patience wearing thin. "I don"t drink, Zane. And I"m not your drinking buddy. Or your someone to take the edge off. I'm engaged to Drake."

He smirks, undeterred. "Loosen up, Emma. You might enjoy it. It's another stupid, baseless suspension."

I shoot him a pointed look. "It's clearly not baseless. Do you even know what that word means?"

Before the situation escalates, the door to Drake"s office swings open, and he steps out, a measured expression on his face. Zane shoots him a glare before storming off, leaving me alone with Drake in the hallway.

Drake"s eyes meet mine, a mix of regret and apology in their depths. "Emma, I"m sorry he did that. Are you okay? He can be so difficult."

"You forget that I dated him for years. I know exactly how he can be. What happened in there, Drake?"

He sighs, running a hand through his hair. "Zane didn"t take the news of his suspension well. He"s a hothead, and sometimes he forgets that actions have consequences."

"He needs that. He's been enabled his entire life."

"I'm aware. He thinks that I'm pissed he broke one of my records. He's accusing me of targeting him. He wants to take it to the league."

"The proof is all there for everyone to see that you're not targeting him."

"Except that Loughlin is looking for any excuse to get rid of me."

"That's before you had me as a secret weapon."

"This could get interesting."

"Let's talk about something else. Something like what exactly you're requesting me to do for the team."

"Several of them are sloppy skaters, they've never known anything else. I think your figure skating background could be helpful. You know the game too. Can you sit in on a couple of practices? Check out the guys and see if you find where they need improvement."

"I can do that. I can't get on the ice though."

"Is that a medical reason or personal."

"Both."

"Fair enough. I wasn't aware that you couldn't skate anymore, so it'll change some of my approaches."

"I will not lace up again."

"I hear you. I'm here if you need to talk about that more."

"Drake, you ready for lunch?" a familiar voice says as she appears in the doorway.

"Chasity," I breathe as I feel all the blood leave my face.

I am not at all prepared to face her right now. I need to, but I don't want to.

"What is she doing here?" Chasity snaps. "If this one of your ridiculous schemes, Drake, I swear. You know what, never mind."

She turns on her heel and stomps out of the office.

Drake bolts out of his chair and chases after his sister.

"Chasity! Stop! I didn't know she was coming in today. I swear. I didn't plan this. But since the two of you are here, maybe …"

"I'm not talking to that witch. How much clearer do I have to be? She stood me up at my own wedding. She was supposed to be my maid of honor and she didn't even have the balls to tell me no. She just didn't show up. She's lucky that I don't rip her face off. I looked like an idiot."

"I'm going to go," I say as my eyes meet Chasity's.

"Emma, Chasity, come on," Drake pleads.

I shake my head and scurry toward the steps like the coward I am. Now is not the time to hash any of this out. I didn't have any good excuses for my behavior and I am not prepared to admit that I'm a bad human to the one person who thought I could do no wrong.