Chapter Five

"I'm so sorry, miss, there's nothing I can do?"

I stared at the receptionist who now had my wedding dress sat on the table behind her.

Her red lips were pulled into a downward curve as she shook her head. "The cancellation was cancelled if that makes sense." She shrugged. "They changed their mind and are coming to stay with us after all."

"So there is no room I can use?" I said, rubbing my temple. The headache was returning. "Nothing at all?"

"No, we're fully booked. There are the hockey players, you can see, and Harry Styles is in town this weekend, big gig, you know, so everywhere is sold out. Has been for months."

"Damn it." I swallowed tightly, my brain searching for options. Maybe there was an airport hotel I could use.

"Use my room," Ben said from behind me.

I turned. "What? No…I can't." I stared at him. How could I share a room with another man on my wedding night? Okay, so I hadn't got married but…but to switch Steven for another bloke was such a tectonic shift in how I thought life would be that it made me dizzy.

He held up his hands, a worried crease lining his brow. "Oh…I didn't mean… I'm sorry. I meant you take my room and I'll bunk in with Theo."

"Gosh, what…no, I can't ask you to do that?"

"Why not?" Theo appeared at his side. "We shared a room for years growing up, makes no difference, and besides, he's used to my snoring."

Ben rolled his eyes. "Damn, I forgot about that."

"I…wow, are you sure? I really am stuck."

"'Course I'm sure." Ben rested his warm palm on my shoulder. His pale-blue eyes were kind and soft. "We said we'd help if we could and so we are."

A little of the tension went out of my neck and shoulders; at least that was an immediate problem solved. "Then thank you. I would appreciate it, and I'll reimburse you the cost of the room, naturally, and—"

"Don't talk crazy," he said. "It's all paid for, part of the tour, just try and get a good sleep."

"If you're—"

"I'm sure." Ben gave a sharp nod, and his lips set in a tight line.

"And he's very determined when he sets his mind to it," Theo said, "so put it right out of your mind now, honey." He gestured to two big wooden doors thrown open to a function room. Beside the right one was a huge sign with Meet The Vipers written above the snake logo that seemed to be on everything I'd looked at during the last few hours.

If only the bus hadn't had that plane image on its side. Perhaps I wouldn't have mistaken it for an airport shuttle. But then again…maybe it had all worked out—well, this part of my day at least, the rest had gone to hell and back and been nipped on the heels by rabid hounds every step of the way. But at least I had somewhere to sleep and Steven had no idea where I was.

"You should come with us," Theo said. "Get something to eat."

The thought of eating did sound like a good idea, I hadn't had anything since a smoked salmon and cream cheese bagel at breakfast, and my stomach was rumbling at the same time it was churning with emotion.

"Need to grab the food before the fans come in." Ben nodded at the revolving door. "It'll be crazy town for a few hours then."

Quite a crowd had formed. Eager faces straining to see inside the hotel lobby. Two security guards were holding the fort—chests puffed up and full of self-importance—beside a red-roped cordon.

"You really have got quite the following, huh." I studied a plate of canapés a waiter was carrying toward the function room. They appeared to be mini goat cheese tartlets. Yum.

"Ah, they're not here for Theo and me. Ramrod, that's our captain, he's the main attraction along with Phoenix and Brick who have both been the player with the most points in the entire NHL several times over."

"Sounds impressive." The smell of food was suddenly a magnet, and I stepped in the direction of the function room.

"It is." Ben set his hand on the small of my back. An intimate gesture, perhaps, but then I remembered how gentle he'd been with my buttons and I didn't mind.

The room was vast with huge windows almost level with the water, giving the impression of stepping onto a boat. A long shiny stone bar was bustling with wait staff, and along the right side, beneath a massive painting of wild mountains, was a table heavy with food—hot steaming curries, cold platters of meat, a side of salmon decorated with paper-thin cucumber slices. Quiches, pork pies, salads, and pasta were dotted about.

"Damn, I'm starving," Theo said, grabbing a plate.

"Let's dig in." Ben did the same.

"Do you think it's okay for me to just—?"

"Eat," Theo said, "and yeah, it's all cool. You're with us."

Who was I to argue? I reached for a plate, and Dylan appeared at my side.

"Hey," he said. "How you doing?"

"Better now I'm out of that bloody dress."

"Yeah, I bet. And you're hungry?"

"Yep, not much puts me off my food." I reached for a scoop of what appeared to be chicken tikka curry. "And this smells so good."

"It does. Think I'll join you in that."

Ben and Theo were enthusiastically loading their plates. I followed, and so did Dylan.

When we took a seat beside the window, I searched for Eduardo. When I spotted him I froze, fork halfway to my mouth.

He was standing by the bar with what appeared to be every female member of the hospitality team draped around him. Photographs were being taken, and he was enjoying every moment of it, judging by his wide grin.

"Is he always like that?" I asked.

Dylan, Benjamin, and Theo all turned their attention to where I was pointing with my fork.

Theo laughed. "Yep, he's our very own Casanova."

"I swear he enjoys Meet and Greet as much as a game." Dylan shoveled in rice.

"I take it he's single," I said.

"Single today, besotted tomorrow, heartbroken the next." Benjamin rolled his eyes. "But never in love…at least not yet."

Eduardo really was as handsome as he was whimsical when it came to romance. I had no doubt he could have been a model with his tall physique and wide shoulders—if hockey hadn't hooked him, that was. I could already think of a few agents who would be happy for an introduction.

Eduardo suddenly spotted me watching him. His grin widened, and he raised his hand in a wave.

I nodded and smiled back.

Instantly, several of the girls around him spun to me, staring, hackles raised, eyes full of daggers.

"For fuck's sake," I muttered and returned to my curry.

"And that's Rick Lewis, our captain." Theo gestured to the buffet. "Known to the fans by the name Ramrod."

A huge guy, bigger than all the others—and there wasn't a little bloke in the bunch—was piling food onto a plate. His stubble was dark and his hair damp as though fresh from the shower. I spotted a wedding band.

"And just coming in with the dark ponytail, that's Raven, he's our star defender, along with Vadmir. Those guys are impenetrable." Ben nodded seriously. "Our job would be pointless without them."

"So you're the ones who get the goals, right?" I asked.

"Many as we can." Ben broke a piece of bread in half and dipped it in his sauce.

"This food is so good," I said.

Dylan nodded at me, seemingly pleased that I had an appetite.

"So what do you do?" I asked him.

"Me?"

"Yeah, you get goals or stop them?"

"I get plenty, and I work with players like these two." He gestured to Ben and Theo. "They're on the wings, I'm in the center."

I nodded. "And Eduardo?"

"He's a defenseman, like Raven and Vadmir."

"So no good at getting goals."

"He's fucking ace at getting goals, just doesn't get quite as many chances, he's got a net to defend." Theo reached for a jug of water and began pouring glasses.

"So…" I did a quick headcount. "What is it like… eleven-a-side?"

There were a few chuckles.

"What'd I say wrong?" I asked.

"Six on the ice at a time."

"Six! So why are there so many of you?" The bus had been packed, or at least it had seemed that way, and so was this room.

"It's a fast game, people get tired, or injured, or thrown off for bad behavior, so lots of subs are needed," Dylan explained. "You should come watch the game tomorrow. Get a feel for it."

"No can do." I set down my fork. I was getting full. "I'm going to be on a flight out of here."

"To where?" he asked.

"Any-fucking-where." I paused. "Except Panama. I went there once and was sick for two weeks afterwards, put me off." I pulled a face.

"Fair enough." Dylan shrugged.

"Where are you from, Dylan?" I asked him. "I'm guessing USA."

"You guessed right, I grew up in Florida."

"Ah, so no big move to play for The Vipers?" I smiled. Chatting was good. It was taking my mind off Steven and what he would be doing now. Likely shagging Cheryl and laughing at how well the day had turned out for them with me out of their way. They could be together now, no more sneaking off and stealing gropes and kisses. With a bit of luck it was the illicit nature of the affair that was the attraction and they'd be bored and bickering within a week.

"I did move," Dylan was saying. "My family is from Tampa. I couldn't do that drive day in day out so I bought next to these guys." He gestured to Benjamin. "We all joined the team about the same time, and the community was a new build. Eduardo lives there, too."

"You like playing hockey for The Vipers?" I asked him.

Dylan set down his fork, leaned forward with his elbows on the table, and stared me in the eyes. He held my gaze with an intensity that almost made me squirm. "I don't like it," he said, his voice a low rumble. "I breathe it. I sleep it. I eat, drink, and live it. The Vipers are my big love, and being on the team is every dream I ever had come true. Going to work is like all my birthdays and Christmases have come at once. It's not even like work, it's my passion. Hockey is my passion."

"Wow." I nodded seriously. "Good to know." I paused and broke eye contact. "And having a job you love is the recipe for a happy life, right?"

"What do you do, Pippa?" Theo asked.

"Hey, can we have your autograph?" Several young fans in Viper t-shirts were standing by the table with pens and programs at the ready.

"Sure." Ben smiled and reached for the nearest pen. "What name shall I write?"

"Gethin." The kid grinned, showing a gappy smile. His mother stood close.

"Wanna photo, too?" Ben asked, standing. He'd finished his meal.

"Yes, please. And with your brother in it?"

"Of course, we come as a pair." Theo laughed and also stood.

Suddenly, all around me there was a hustle of excited chatter and bustling bodies.

Dylan was accosted by two male fans in Viper caps and was posing for pictures. He didn't really smile, just stared penetratingly at the camera. I guessed that was his way.

I sat back and sipped my water. These guys were a big deal, that much was obvious. Just because I had no clue about ice hockey and the top teams, it didn't mean that thousands of adoring fans didn't. And The Vipers being here, being accessible, was quite the occasion.

Ramrod the captain, seemed to be getting the most attention, though Eduardo was a close second and so was Brick.

Eduardo caught me watching and threw a wink my way.

I stood and went to the window, stared out. How had my life gotten so surreal so quickly? I knew no one here but still felt as if I had friends looking out for me.

It was a strange sensation, and I had to fight not to let the emotions topple through me in a teary outburst. That could wait until later.

"Hey, Pippa, how you doin', hun?"

I turned at the sound of a female voice. Gina.

"Yes, fine thanks, just…fuck, is it okay that I'm here? The guys, they said…"

"Hey, of course." She rested her fingers on my forearm and smiled. "We're not in the habit of turning away someone in need."

I sighed a little. "Thanks, it's been a shit day, but I'll be out of your hair tomorrow."

"What are you going to do?"

"Fly away somewhere, anywhere."

She nodded. "Heard from the groom?"

"No, and if I never speak to him again I'll be happy. We didn't have property together or joint bank accounts, so it's a straightforward breakup, if you don't include him screwing my best friend and me leaving him at the altar."

She grimaced. "Yeah, that ain't good."

I went for a nonchalant shrug. "At least I found out on the right side of the wedding bells."

"True." She paused. "What'd you do with the Westwood?"

"Why, you want it?"

She laughed. "Not now I know its history. Just curious, I guess."

"I gave it to the girl on reception, told her to hand it in to the nearest charity shop that supported cancer of any kind."

"I hope they know its worth."

"It's just material."

"Westwood material." She tipped her head. "Are you sure I don't know you from somewhere?"

"I don't think so." I managed a smile. "Tell me, what's it like managing these beefed-up blokes? They seem quite the handful."

She laughed. "They are, and I'll tell you all about it if you hang around long enough to have a glass of wine with me." She raised her hand. "But right now my husband needs me. We have a secret signal if the women get too handsy, and he's just flashed that signal my way."

"They do that? The women?"

"Yep, guys can't grope, but women have no such rules."

"Fuck." I watched her leave then visually hunted out Dylan and Ben and Theo, no hands in no-go places for them, or so it seemed. Eduardo was with a family of four, all in matching Viper hoodies and smiling for the camera.

What the hell was I doing? Searching these four players out like they were mine to keep an eye on.

It was time to hit the sack. My non-wedding day had clearly screwed with my brain in a big way. I needed to sleep. I needed to reset my neural function and then wake up sane, considered, and with a more definite, organized plan than simply flying away.