Chapter 22

Wade

Are Wade Collins and Kali Roth house-hunting together?

I'm in the locker room, suiting up before the game against the Bears tonight.

A lot has happened since Monday. And if I thought my head was a mess before I met Kali, it's worse now. My brain feels as if it's been put in a blender on the highest setting.

"So, you finally bought a house?" Jordy asks while lacing up his skates.

"Yeah, you'll have to come visit. It's pretty sweet."

While my mind is in a spin, my life is no longer on hold. I've slowly hit unpause and am finally moving forward, setting foundations. Something I should have done even before Gretchen died.

I've been putting things off for too long.

Time to grow up and be the man Gretchen always told me I could become.

Although I still have one of the biggest hurdles I need to jump; visiting the house I bought for Gretchen that's still full of her things.

I can't face that yet, but I will.

One day, I will have the courage.

"When do you move in?" Jordy pushes his arms up over his head to stretch out his back.

"Next week." There is no chain, no one is living in it. I'll be the first person to have ever lived in it. Luckily for me, it's fully furnished, which will save me so much time.

I made a list of what I wanted, like bedding and small appliances for the kitchen, which Lola was excited about. She added another fifty things to it, like cutlery and dinnerware. Even vases.

When I asked her who the hell was buying me flowers, she answered, "Me." As if it was the most obvious answer in the world. "I'll make it feel like home," is what she followed it up with.

I gave her my credit card, instructing her to go crazy, but made her promise not to fill my new house with candles and fucking smelly shit I won't need.

Not that it matters what I say. I've learned that Lola always knows best and I just go along with it.

"And it's directly across the street from Kali?" Jordy knows it, but he's been desperately trying to gauge my responses every time I answer.

"Yup. She's not too happy about that." Kali hasn't spoken to me since she told me to fuck off, which only made me like her even more. I love her feisty, strong side.

Storming off was the only way to stop myself kissing her until I took my last breath.

Was I a bit disappointed viewing the house without her and was I bummed out that I couldn't share my instant love for the place with her? Of course I was.

"Have you spoken to her since?"

"Nope." Curiosity got the better of me, and out of character, I've been checking my socials, discovering that she's been posting footage and photos of me every day, announcing guest appearances, and asking my followers questions I would never have thought of. What's your game day prep? How far do you travel to come to games? I love how she's managing to gain engagement and win the fans over… I like her being in my world.

However, the only time we've chatted since Monday was via email when she asked for photos of me when I was younger. Ones of me in my hockey uniform for something she's doing called now and then. Whatever it is. I need to go back to Gretchen's for that.

I might ask Jordy if he'll come with me for moral support.

"I don't know what she's so mad about. She's just your publicist." He lifts his mitts off the bench.

"Mmm." I lower my voice, making sure no one can hear me. "About that."

It takes a beat for Jordy to catch on, then a sly grin spreads across his mouth. "I fucking knew it. Kali Roth?"

"Keep your voice down." I look around the locker room. "Nothing has happened," I whisper. "Well, not really."

Well, that's a lie. I made her dry hump our hands until she came, and then she sucked my cock two days later. And all I've thought about is what her soft lips would have felt like against mine if we'd got to have that kiss.

"So are MILFs what you're into now?"

I run my hands down my face. "She doesn't have any kids. So, she's not a MILF."

"A cougar then." He winks and I want to kick his bad knee.

"Fuck off." I rise and punch his shoulder playfully instead.

"Fighting already, ladies?" Zane butts into our private conversation.

"You should fuck off. Or I'll break your face again," I warn him, knowing I won't do it, no matter how much I want to.

Fuck him. I won't let him ruin my chances of becoming captain.

"Don't think my dad would like that, although if you do it, it might get rid of you once and for all." He replies with a smirk.

I don't know what I ever did to make Zane hate me so much.

I'm unsure how much Zane knows about the level of support I'm getting from his father, but it's not something that's ever come up. The team all assume that I have personally employed Ash, Kali too, as well as Lola, and no one has questioned it.

Zane screws with me some more. "You haven't started a fight during games in weeks. Is that fine bit of assistant ass beating you off every night and finally managing to keep you in check?"

I launch myself at him, but Jordy slides between us and shoves me back, so I fall onto the bench with a loud thump.

Eyes wide in warning, Jordy silently begs me not to do anything stupid. "Ignore him."

Over Jordy's shoulder, Zane pipes up. "Or maybe the infamous Kali Roth is sucking your cock every night to keep the wild beast inside of you from tearing anyone in your path to shreds."

Before I can stand back up, Jordy's pushing Zane forcefully across the room. "Edwards, why don't you do us all a favor and back off? We all know you only made the team because Daddy owns it." He didn't. Jordy is screwing with his self-esteem, something I could get on board with. Zane's been fucking about with mine for years.

Jordy shoves him again. With his skates on, Jordy is at least a foot taller than Zane. "You might be Daddy's little soldier, but your attitude sucks. Now fuck off. I feel sorry for any girl who has to suck your cock. Fucking man whore. I'm surprised you don't have any STIs being the man whore you are. How many girls did you get pregnant this month? Ever heard of a thing called contraception?"

The locker room fills with laughter.

Hell. Who knew Jordy had it in him?He's usually quiet and laid back, but I have seen a change in him since he split with his girlfriend. He's been outspoken and coming out of his shell more. I think I like the new Jordy.

"Fuck you, Miller," Zane spits back, face red as a strawberry with embarrassment, and I swear he's cowering.

"Don't think Daddy owning the team protects you. If you fuck up, we fuck you up. Now sit back down, uniform on and save goals."

Holy shit, Jordy is on fire tonight.

Zane mumbles something under his breath I can't make out over the laughter of the rest of the team and when Jordy holds out his hand to help me up, I thank him immediately.

"I"ve got you. Behave tonight, okay?"

"Sure."