Chapter Nineteen

Ben scooped me close, and I caught my breath and let my heart rate settle. Steven's sudden, nasty presence in the kitchen had knocked me off balance. Cheryl too, she'd been there, listening in. That made my skin crawl, her deceit stabbing me anew.

"What's going on?" Eduardo appeared eating an apple. He dropped a kit bag on the tiled floor beside the door.

"The asshole ex just called." Ben ran his hand down my back, a soothing gesture.

"Why'd you pick up, ma choue ?"

I stepped back from Ben and reached for my tea. "He used a different number."

" Merde , he's a pain in the ass."

"He sure is," Ben said, grabbing a frying pan. "We're having pancakes, want some?"

" Oui , that would be good." Eduardo stepped up to me and hooked his finger under my chin. "Your beautiful face is as white as a ghost, do not let him haunt you like this."

"I'm not, or I'm trying not to, but just when I was starting a new day, not thinking about him, there he was."

"And now he has gone." Eduardo, very gently for such a big man, kissed the tip of my nose. "And you will forget about him. We will eat and laugh and not let toxic assholes spoil our day."

I smiled at his simplistic view. "Good idea." With a sigh, I began to whisk the batter while the pan heated.

"And what will you do today?" Eduardo took a seat on one of the kitchen barstools.

"Maybe some shopping. I've mainly got beachwear and I could do with some more normal clothes and a warm jacket."

"Ah, then you must go to Millenia Mall, that will suit you well."

"If that's what you think?"

"I do." Eduardo nodded seriously. "How about I order you a driver for the day and you can come and go as you please."

"You don't have to do that."

"I do, we are all going to be at the rink until late, coach Mike has a grueling day for our guts and paces." He raised his eyebrows. "That is not the right expression, but you know what I mean."

I smiled. "I can imagine, and thank you. A driver would be great."

The mall Eduardo had suggested was right up my street. It was full of high-end designer shops, and I was spoilt for choice. A few of the assistants recognized me, and it was nice to chat for a while about fashion and the modelling scene.

I bought a few summer dresses that weren't so beachy, another pair of jeans along with a denim mini skirt. I stocked up on toiletries, got some new black Armani sunglasses that I couldn't resist, and a pair of red Gucci sandals. I also found a nice warm jacket that would be perfect for the rink.

By the time the driver—Leonard—had delivered me back to Ben's and Theo's place, my feet were aching.

I had a key and let myself in. The house was quiet, and with a cup of tea in hand, I went upstairs and showered. My new shower gel was scented with ginger and spearmint and perfect after a hot day of retail therapy.

Deciding to make the most of the beautiful pool, I pulled on a tiny white bikini and took a book outside. The waterfall splashed gently at one end of the pool and two blackbirds with red wings were sitting on the frame that enclosed the outdoor space. A couple of empty beer bottles sat beside the barbeque along with a half-eaten packet of Lays. I tidied them all away, much to the grievance of a small party of ants.

The loungers were white-and-blue striped, and after a short swim I settled down with my book, glad that I'd managed to fill my day with other things to think about after the shocking start with Steven and Cheryl.

Soon I was immersed in a story about witches in medieval England as they made love potions, avoided being discovered for what they were, and sheltered people in need.

"Good book?"

I was pulled instantly from my story, and startled because I hadn't heard anyone come in.

Dylan stood there holding a huge bunch of white and pink flowers. Their delicate petals and slender stems were a direct contrast to his huge shoulders and dark stubble—feminine yin to his masculine yang.

"Yes, it is." I set it to one side. "Good day at practice?"

"Tiring, but yeah, it was what we needed."

I stood and slipped on thongs. I waited for his gaze to roam down my body, the way people's usually did. I often wondered if they were searching for a fault, an ounce of fat, an ugly mole, or a crease in my skin. There were none, that's why I had the job I had.

But he didn't do that at all, which surprised me. His eye contact remained firmly on mine.

I put my hands on my hips, said nothing, and waited for the heat of his gaze to at least hit my breasts.

"Are you really okay?" He frowned slightly and stepped closer, seeming to search the depths of my eyes.

"Yes, why?"

"Ben said you had an unwanted phone call at breakfast."

I sighed. "Not the best start to the day, but I've put it behind me now."

He continued to look at my face.

"Really, I'm fine." I smiled.

"Good." He nodded and seemed to let out a breath.

"Did you get your mother flowers?"

He huffed. "No, these were on the doorstep. They've got your name on the card."

I couldn't contain my surprise. I'd presumed he'd bought them for me. "Oh, I…okay." The bouquet was enormous, and I clutched it to my chest and I opened and read the card. Perhaps Trevor or Aunt Mary had sent them…but I hadn't given them my temporary address.

"I should have guessed." I laughed. "Eduardo. Ma choue, don't let the bastards get you down, you have us in your corner now." I shook my head. "He must have a florist on speed dial, this is the second bunch."

"Ah, he always wins first place; when it comes to romance, we have no chance against a Frenchman. Shall I take those again? They are nearly as big as you. I think you're going to drop them."

"Yes, please." They were heavy with the big ceramic vase they were displayed in.

Dylan wandered into the kitchen, and unlike him, I did let my gaze roam his body. His beige shorts hugged his tight ass perfectly, and his black t-shirt stretched over his shoulders, creating two straight lines in the material.

"Practice shouldn't finish late tomorrow," he said, putting the flowers on the island. "Wanna go for lunch? Promise we won't get papped."

"Ah, that would be lovely." I took two cans of cola from the fridge and a pink donut I'd picked up from the mall. "But I'm going with Theo to the hospital."

"Ah, you know about that."

"He told me, well, they both did. I had no idea they'd been through such an ordeal."

"It was a rough time for them, before I knew the brothers, but still, sounds like a close call. Can't blame Theo for making the most of every day or for Ben being protective of his younger bro."

"Is he on the ice? Protective, that is?"

"Yeah, if someone starts on him, Ben is there in an instant, doubling the number of fists Theo has."

"Starts on him?"

"Yeah, a fight."

"And do they happen often?" Wasn't it supposed to be a contactless sport? Maybe I was mistaken. I was hardly a hockey expert.

"Fights, on the ice? Yeah, Pip, they happen often." He kind of chuckled and popped the ring on the cola. "All that testosterone, all those egos, points to score, old rivalry, yeah, shit is gonna hit the fan from time to time." He drank deep. "A lot of the time."

I nodded and bit into the donut, the glaze cracking and some tapping onto the counter.

"So another time," he said. "Lunch?"

"I'd love that."

He stepped up to me, close, so I could feel his body heat on my bare flesh.

"But we have our date night first, yeah?"

My body reacted to his, my nipples tightening and a fluttery feeling attacking my stomach. "We have that."

With the tip of his finger he caught a tiny square of sugar from the corner of my mouth. He popped it into his own, seeming to enjoy it dissolving there.

What was it about Dylan? All the players were tall and broad, but he seemed to take up more space in a room, his presence was more than physical. I couldn't deny that he fascinated me. Keen to peel back a few layers and discover more. I was also very pleased to have him in my life while all this crap was playing out. He was strong and solid and said things how they were.

"I have to go," he said, jerking his head to the right. "You mentioned my mother, and actually, it's her birthday. I'm meeting my family for dinner about an hour's drive from here."

"That's nice."

"She's a great mom, always supportive, I owe her a lot. I wouldn't want to miss her birthday."

"I'd like to meet her one day."

"She'd adore you." He gently touched his lips to my sugary ones. "Even if you are a very messy eater when it comes to donuts."

The following morning dawned bright with another clear-blue sky. I was becoming used to it. After London's unpredictability, the constant weather in Florida was a novelty. I opted for a white dress and pale-pink cardigan and piled my hair into a high ponytail. I kept makeup to a minimum. The plan was a trip to see Theo's consultant to get the result of his tests—this definitely wasn't a date.

Oh, how I hoped all would be well.

Theo had been fractious the previous evening, using the home gym for an hour after dinner despite having trained most of the day. Ben said he was always that way when anxious; apparently, it used up his adrenaline.

"You ready?" I asked as I tidied up after making a breakfast of eggs and bacon.

He nodded and whacked on a plain black baseball. "Yep."

"Feeling okay?"

"Better knowing you're coming with me." He managed a tight smile.

"Think positive. You look and feel well, so that should be a good sign."

"Let's hope so."

We locked up, and he opened the passenger door on his huge white Jeep. I hopped into the stuffy heat and waited for the AC to kick in.

Luckily it soon did, and we were heading down the freeway toward Bryant Clinic.

"The other night," Theo said suddenly. "It was real good between the three of us." He glanced at me then returned his attention to the road.

"Yes, it was." I wondered where he was going with this.

"I hope it can happen again," he said.

"I'd like that."

"You would?"

"Yes." I paused. "Why would you think I wouldn't?"

"I just…" He reached for my hand, taking it in his big one. "Can we have a night alone, together, just me and you?"

"I thought you liked threesomes?"

"I do, don't get me wrong, but you're special, you must know that."

"I've been made to feel very un-special by Steven and Cheryl, like crap on their shoes and—"

"Please don't say that." He stopped at a set of lights and frowned at me. "I can't bear how they've made you feel when you're kind and sensitive and strong…so damn strong to have been through what you have, losing your parents, juggling university, and still be at the top of your game career wise. Your focus must be the same as an athlete's."

I laughed, and he pulled the car away again. "I don't think so, heck, I don't even like to go for a jog, and I think I'm allergic to the gym. A walk in the countryside or maybe a swim in the ocean and that's about as athletic as I get."

He chuckled. "Well, you're doing damn fine on it."

"My mother was tall and slim despite eating from dawn till dusk. It used to annoy her, she said clothes hung on her, but for me, it's worked to my advantage."

"You look good in clothes and out of clothes." He threw me a cheeky wink.

I liked this side of Theo, and I hoped, if, when, his test results came back with good news, I'd get to see more of it.

We parked outside the clinic, and when he killed the engine, the vibe instantly blackened. It felt like a dark cloud had wrapped around him and he was in the middle of a storm.

"Hey," I said, reaching over and touching his cheek. "Whatever happens, you've got good people around you, the medical staff and The Vipers."

"And you?"

I hesitated. We hadn't known each other long, yet I did feel close to him and couldn't imagine not being there if he needed me. "Yes, you have me, too. Of course you do."

He kind of smiled, but not quite, then hopped out of the car, slamming the door behind him.

I took a deep breath, and although I wasn't prone to religious sentiment, I sent a quick prayer heavenward that all would be well.

"Theo, nice to see you." Dr Thelwell shook Theo's hand. "You have company today."

"Yeah, this is Pippa." Theo nodded my way.

"Nice to meet you, Pippa."

"And you, Doctor."

He shook my hand; his palm was dry and soft, and the deep wrinkles around his eyes assured me his smile was sincere.

"Now," he said, "take a seat and let me bring up your file."

We sat, side by side, on the opposite side of the doctor's desk. Theo's hands were fisted on his thighs, and I reached for the right one and held it in both of mine.

He glanced at me, his lips a tight straight line and a muscle jumping in his cheek.

My heart raced, and I had to stop from jigging my feet on the floor. My desire for everything to be all right was suddenly all-consuming and the only thing that mattered. If the doctor had bad news it didn't bear thinking about what would happen, how the brothers would cope…how I would cope.

"Ah yes," Doctor Thelwell said. He tapped his chin as he stared at the screen. "That's good?"

"Good?" I said.

"Yes, good that they're all back, the MRI results have just this minute been uploaded." He rolled his eyes. "I had my PA chase them up this morning, they can be so slow down there. Honestly, I don't know why, it doesn't take that long these days, what with technology and all that."

I wanted to scream at him to hurry up, to just get on with it. By the expression on Theo's face he felt the same. He was biting on his bottom lip, holding in his frustration.

"Let me see…" The doctor drew out the last word and peered closer at the screen. "Bloods…yes…and…"

Theo drew his hand from mine and leaned forward with his hands on his knees. "What's the white cell count?"

"Complete blood count…let me see…ah, here we go." He picked up his pen and popped the clicker a few times, the sound grating on my nerves. "Yes, white cell count is normal, and so are platelets and red blood cells, very good. Very good."

Theo seemed to deflate, the tension in his muscles had more than gone, and he'd sagged in on himself. He leaned back.

"That's what you want, right?" I asked, unsure how to read the room. The tension was still knife-sharp.

"Yes, very good," the doctor said. "Bloods are the biggest indicator of the cancer returning."

"Great." I nodded as warmth filled me. "That's great, we can be happy then, yes?"

"Yes, yes…all good." The doctor smiled at me and then at Theo. "But we like to do a full-body scan, too, you understand. We'd pick anything abnormal up with that at the very early stages. The sooner treatment is started for any reoccurrence the better."

Theo stood and paced to the window. He stared out at the lot, hands on his hips.

"Let me just find that page." Doctor Thelwell frowned, and he studied the screen. "Ah, yes, here it is."

Tension had returned to Theo's shoulders. They'd lifted toward his ears, the muscles bunching.

"Report from radiology, scan dated two days ago, full-body, signed off by Doctor Goodwin and…"

If ever I'd wanted to shake a man for not just getting on with his job it was now.

Theo appeared to have stopped breathing. I know I was holding my breath.

"Nothing to report, all clear."

"Thank fuck for that." Theo turned and shoved his hand through his hair. His cheeks were pale; all of his blood must have run to his legs. He stared straight at me.

"Always nice to give such positive news." The doctor smiled and sat back, steepling his hands in front of himself.

I stood, rushed to Theo, and wound my arms around him.

He returned the embrace, tight, solid, and buried his face against my neck. He was breathing hard, and a slight tremble wound up his back.

"It's okay," I whispered. "It's all good, nothing abnormal. You're okay."

He didn't reply, just clung to me and kept me wrapped in his arms. I was holding him up…he needed me. Really needed me.

A sob was trying to break free—a sob of relief—but I held it in. Emotions had overwhelmed me enough times this last week, and now I wanted to be strong for Theo.

"I heard him right," Theo said. He pulled back and cupped my cheeks. He searched my face.

"Yes, you did." I nodded and smiled. "You heard right, you're okay."

"We need to call Ben."

"Of course. Let's get out of here."

"Yes, go…go," the doctor said, standing and walking to the door. "We'll see you in six months, Theo, and in the meantime, take care of this beautiful girl you've found yourself and pick up the Stanley Cup, right? Orlando is rooting for you."

"I'll do my best, on all those things." Theo gripped my left hand and with his right he shook the doctor's. "Thanks for that, best damn news."

"It is. Take care."

We left the clinic, and I felt like I was floating. I understood what people meant when they said they were on cloud nine, because the relief was like being in the clouds. I was full of happiness and gratitude.

"Ben," Theo said into his cell as soon as we stepped into open air. "All clear, everything normal."

He grinned and listened to his brother's loud, elated reply.

"Yeah, no worries, usual check in six months." He paused. "Yeah, it was great to have Pippa with me. We're gonna go for a walk, in the park, Mike knows I'm not practicing today."