Chapter 32

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

Lola

It’s New Year’s Eve and game night.

I’m so over this year and ready to welcome the new one come midnight.

Walking next to me, Piper gasps, as she takes in the vast corridor leading to the Eagles’ locker room. “This is so cool.”

“Unlike you.” But she’s right, this place is so cool.

“I’ve never been cool. We’ve never been cool,” she corrects herself. “But you have a very cool job.”

“Very. For now.”

“Only a few more months, Lola, and you won’t be Wade’s assistant.” She lowers her voice. “You’ll be his sister.”

Her words make my heart flap about in my chest like a butterfly caught in a whirlwind, fluttering wildly between hope and uncertainty.

“This way.” I turn left to be met by a wall of Eagles’ staff.

Teetering on my tiptoes, I try peeking over the sea of heads.

I’m technically not supposed to be near the locker rooms before a game, but I made the excuse that I needed to speak to Kali, who should be here.

“Lola.” A male voice has me spinning around.

“Mr. Edwards.” I give the owner of the Edmonton Eagles a curt nod.

He’s also the man who was once my father’s business partner.

The man my mother had an affair with.

He’s Wade’s father. A fact Wade doesn’t know because his… sorry… our… mother never told him.

“I’ve been emailing you.” Marcus shifts on his feet, smoothing down his tie.

“I've been busy. I’m sorry.”

“We need to talk, Lola.” His tone is deep and authoritative, but with a degree of concern.

I’ve been putting off the inevitable, but it’s time. “We do.”

I hate how much I like Marcus because I really wanted to dislike him. My dad and him were best friends throughout college, and he liked him enough to go into business with him. Until Marcus screwed everything… including my mother.

I appreciate what he’s covertly done for Wade recently. I’m just not sure if I can ever forgive him and my mother, or my father for that matter, for what they did to Wade and I.

The decision to separate us was a terrible one.

“Can we arrange to meet up, please?” he asks, pulling his phone out of his pocket.

“Yes.” I know my schedule, and Wade’s off the top of my head. “I’m free the morning of the thirteenth.”

“Unlucky number thirteen.” Piper links her arm with mine in solidarity.

I’m not superstitious. “Lucky for some.”

My phone whooshes with a calendar request at the same time as Marcus looks up. “Thank you, Lola. I appreciate your time.”

I nod as emotion tightens my chest. Forgiving what Marcus and my mother did is one thing, forgetting is a different thing entirely.

I push my thumb over my shoulder. “I have to go.”

He gives me and Piper a curt nod. “Happy New Year when it comes, ladies.”

“Happy New Year, Marcus,” I say, and he walks down the corridor through the swarm of people milling about before the game.

“Well, that was awkward,” Piper mutters. “I can come with you on the thirteenth if you like.”

I pull my phone out of the pocket of my jeans and hit accept on Marcus’s calendar invite. “I think it’s something I need to do by myself.”

“You know where I am if you need me.” She squeezes my bicep before unlinking our arms.

“What would I do without you?”

“You’d be having traditional Christmas dinners, wearing a fancy dress you hate, and spending all day complaining how uncomfortable it is.”

“We should do pajamas and pizza next Christmas,” I suggest.

My life has changed so much in just two weeks. What will it look like in twelve months’ time? Hell knows, but I’m excited, as well as a tiny bit, er, a big bit, scared.

“That’s a great idea,” she agrees. “Also, I think the real reason you keep me around is because without me you wouldn’t be able to tell the difference between abstract and non-objective art.”

“I still can’t tell the difference.”

“Philistine.”

I chuckle softly. “Oh, there’s Kali.” I point as she notices me through the crowd. We make our way to meet in the middle.

“Please tell me he has no idea about the surprise trip to see My Chemical Romance?” Rarely nervous, Kali bites her bottom lip. “After his insanely haphazard but beautiful proposal, I wanted to do something nice for him, you know?”

“He’s clueless,” I confirm. “I saw your driver outside. Wade’s luggage is already in the car.”

Resting her hand on her chest, she sighs with relief. “Phew. We’re all set.” Kali replies, “Just the game to get through first.”

Considering how calm Kali always appears, she gets nervous before every game. She only wants the best for Wade, and what she wants is for him to win.

“Congratulations on your engagement,” Piper jumps in.

Kali surveys my bestie. “And you must be Piper?” Kali asks, beaming.

“Where are my manners? Yes, Piper, meet Kali. Kali, this is Piper.”

Kali immediately pulls Piper into her arms. “It’s wonderful to finally put a face to a name.” Stepping back, Kali takes Piper in, something she does often. The model and scout in her never switch off. “Wow, you’re pretty. Is this real?” Kali touches the ends of Piper’s bright auburn hair.

“Yes.” Piper blushes. Actually blushes.

“How tall are you?” Kali looks her up and down.

“Five foot four.”

“You’d make a great petite model.”

“I have massive boobs.” Piper looks down at her enviable chest.

“There is no such thing as boobs that are too big,” a voice from behind Kali booms and a baritone of laughter echoes in the hallway outside of the locker room.

Kali, Piper, and I turn in the direction of the noise to be met by every member of the Edmonton Eagles staring at the three of us.

Magnetized to Jordy, I feel myself blushing when his deep chocolate eyes meet mine. I wave and discreetly mouth a soft hi at him but pretend it’s for everyone.

“Who’s the redhead?” one of the players pipes up.

Then someone from right at the back asks Wade, “Is your assistant dating anyone?”

“No one is going anywhere near my assistant or her friend,” Wade snaps back, making them all chuckle like a bunch of schoolboys on a field trip. “Lola is staff,” he states as if that should be reason enough.

I glance at Jordy, and he brazenly winks.

He’s so ballsy.

I always think he looks hot, but tonight he looks even hotter because something that was there before is so much more now. I have feelings for him. Big ones.

Having not seen him since I surprised him the other day at his apartment and had one of the best sexual experiences of my life, I’ve missed him.

I can’t deny how desperate I am for him to do more despicable things to me later. I’m obsessed. The dirty texts he’s been sending me for days, outlining what he would like to do to me tonight, have me craving him something wicked.

I’m imagining you naked, riding my cock, with your hands pressed against the window.

The words from one text pop into mind and my phone slips out of my hand and bounces on the floor behind me when Piper gives me a nudge, bringing me back into the present.

I turn and bend down to pick it up, then check my screen for any cracks. “It’s fine.”

“What the hell are you wearing?” Wade hollers, pointing his stick at my jersey that he must have gotten an eyeful of when I turned around.

“My jersey.” Jordy devilishly grins.

Oh, my God. Oh, my God. Oh, my God.

Don’t freak out.

I hold my head high and lie through my teeth. “Yours is being laundered. And I can’t always wear your jersey, Wade.”

And if I wear yours and not Jordy’s, I’ll get spanked.

Shit, what was I thinking? I should have worn Wade’s tonight.

Being spanked by Jordy has become an addiction.

I’ll have to think of something particularly brat-like to make that happen again later.

“I’m wearing Daryl Love.” Piper spins around, using her thumbs to point at her back, then looks over her shoulder.

Often impeccably dressed, and exuding elegance, tonight Piper is a complete contrast to her usual avant-garde self. Having tied a knot in the back of her oversized jersey, making it cropped, she’s showing off her perfect bubble butt and lean legs in the tightest of skinny jeans.

What hasn’t changed is her charismatic presence. She commands attention in every room. Like now. She’s got Daryl’s attention, as well as the entire team.

I see the moment sparks fly between Daryl and Piper when she smiles at him.

That girl knows what she’s doing.

“Holy shit, you’re so obvious,” I mutter through the side of my mouth, so only she can hear, but I must fail because Kali laughs.

“A girl’s gotta eat.” Facing forward again, she shoves her hands into her back pockets making her giant boobs stick out and flashing her obscene abs she works hard to achieve in the gym.

Daryl squeezes himself between his teammates and stomps in his skates in our direction to introduce himself. Long hair, bushy beard, wider than an arctic truck, he’s massive. Even bigger in his uniform, which makes him look like a mountain man.

“Hey...” He pulls off his glove and holds his hand out for Piper to take and waits for her to give him her name.

“Piper.” She accepts his hand. “It’s Piper.”

“Do you have plans tonight, Piper?”

Oh, here we go.

“Not anymore.” She giggles. Fucking giggles in the same way she did when Freddie Carter, the quarterback from high school, would speak to her at lunch.

“I’m having a party at my place. Would you like to come?”

“Absolutely.”

“Do you have a car?” he asks her.

“Lola brought us here.” She tucks her hair behind her ears.

“Great,” Daryl replies, smiling wider than Hudson Bay, then he looks at me. “Could you bring Piper back here after the game? I’ll drive her to my party.”

“Will do.” I salute him.

I’d do anything for my girl if it means getting to experience what it’s like to fuck a hockey player after they’ve played an adrenaline-fueled game.

“Hey, I’m Jordy.” A familiar face appears in front of us.

“It’s great to finally meet you. I’ve heard that you paint, Jordy.” Piper shakes his hand.

“I do.” He looks from Piper to me and back again, as if asking if I told her that.

“He’s really good,” I say, not meaning to.

Daryl jumps in, “I've seen his paintings too and I agree with Lola. I’m sorry, Piper, but I need to make a move. But I’ll see you later, yeah? I’ll meet you here after the game.” He looks excited. If only he knew Piper is going to eat him alive. Lucky man.

“Can’t wait,” Piper replies as Daryl waves goodbye at the same time she gives him a flirty wave.

Piper might just get what she asked for and become a hockey wife after all.

Wade appears by my side. “How do you know that Jordy paints?” he scratches his forehead as if confused.

“W-we talk sometimes,” I stutter. “And Jordy’s shown me photos of his work. It’s cool.” I nod, sounding dorky as hell. Pull yourself together, Lola. “I mean, it’s incredible. There’s something about his paintings that makes me feel like they’re talking to me.”

“Wow, I think that’s the first time I’ve ever heard you talk about art in a way that you understand, Lola.” Pride oozes out of Piper as if the art lectures she gives me are finally paying off.

“Jordan is very talented.” You should see the way he draws paintings using only his tongue all over my body.

I ignore my sordid thoughts and continue, “You should exhibit his work. Local artist, a talented hockey player. He’s a celebrity with a huge online following. I think collectors would fall over themselves to buy Jordan’s work. He’s painted a whole new collection of Edmonton cityscapes. They’re breathtaking.”

Jordan, along with everyone else, including Wade, who are still milling about, stare at me as if I have four heads.

“Thanks, Lola. That really means a lot.” Jordy’s voice cracks.

Piper lifts her hand with an open palm in my direction, as if presenting me. “You have the official seal of approval of my best friend who knows nothing about art, but I trust her with my life.” Piper pulls out her business card from her crossbody bag and hands it to him. “Call me. Let’s arrange a meeting. And if you have an agent, invite them too.”

Blinking, Jordy stares at her business card. “If you exhibited my work, it would be a dream come true.” He looks starstruck.

“Then let’s make your dream become a reality.” Piper slips into pure business mode, exuding authority.

“I’ll be in touch.” Jordy looks at me for a moment too long before something behind me catches his attention. “I don’t mean to be rude, but my family has arrived. Please excuse me.” He brushes past me wearing a wide smile and whispers a soft thank you that makes me feel tingly all over. “I've missed you,” he adds, quieter than a whisper.

I watch him leave as he gives his mom, then his dad, a hug before greeting his sisters, who wave enthusiastically at me. I wave back and a deep longing to be part of their collective runs deep in my veins.

It can’t be anything more than what it is, Lola.

“You’re smitten,” Piper says as everyone begins talking among themselves, the level of chatter becoming loud enough for me to speak freely.

“I think I want more with him than just our secret trysts, Piper,” I admit.

“But you can’t.”

“I know.” Which hurts more than discovering Graham cheating on me.

Lucia and Sofia break away from their mom and dad and are hugging me before I can stop them. “He’s been miserable for the last couple of days,” Lucia whispers in my ear.

I missed him too.

What's wrong with me? It was just supposed to be a rebound fling, yet here I am developing feelings for someone I hardly know.

I change the subject. “Are you looking forward to the game?”

“Yes, then Daryl’s place for the after party.” Sofia does a little boogie with her arms.

“Daryl invited me. I’m coming too.” Piper sounds delighted about that.

“This is Piper, my best friend.” I introduce her. “This is Lucia and Sofia.”

Piper looks stunned. “I’m seeing double, and I haven’t even had a sip of alcohol yet.” She steps back. “Wow, you two are difficult to tell apart.”

“We’re identical,” they say in chorus, which I’ve come to learn they do often.

“And they are going to look after you at Daryl’s party tonight.” It’s more of a request than a statement when I nod at Lucia and Sofia.

“We’ll take care of you.”

“Do you know if Daryl is single?” Piper asks hopefully.

“Absolutely, and he has a thing for redheads. You’re just his type,” Lucia confirms, causing Piper to smile. “We are going to have the best night. I can feel it.”

And I can already tell Piper’s going to adore Jordy’s sisters and party hard with them.

“Hey, I want to introduce you to my mom and dad.” Jordy touches my shoulder, startling me.

“What? Why?” I let out in a strangled response.

“Because Wade is my best friend, you’re his assistant, and they wanted to meet the girl who’s helping him to get his life back on track.”

“Okay.” I gulp, wishing I had applied more deodorant earlier.

Jordy lays his hand on my lower back to prompt me to move.

I feel faint.

Because Jordan’s father knew my father.

Which means… he will know who I am.