Closing The Gap (Dangerous Pasts, #1) (31 page)

“Judging from the kiss you shared with her sister earlier, I’m guessing you won’t hold it against either of them.  What do you think of the game tonight?”

“I would say the Hawks are doing an excellent job of controlling the zone.  Their defensemen are really awake tonight.  The puck may get past them but the Coyotes won’t.  If I were a Coyote, I would be afraid to meet them in the corners.  They’re playing very aggressively.”

“Excellent, Ryan.  That detailed explanation sounds like the typical play of someone else we know.”  Kevin veered ever closer, he wanted to pose a question to Chuck.  Lake leaned her spine back as far as possible.  She didn’t want to be on television any more than she had to.  Her on camera experience was limited to a couple of horse related interviews over the years for the local news when the Scottsdale horse show took place each February.

“Chuck, your son, Josh, affectionately known to all of us as The Trashman, is a fan favorite in Chicago.  He was admired for his assertive play and his superior intelligence out on the ice.  Experts still applaud his intuition to this day, saying it is second to none.  He also appears on most lists of the top three defenseman ever to play the game and his incredible talent allowed him to have one of the best plus/minus ratios of any defensemen in NHL history.  You must be very proud of him.”

“Kevin, that is an understatement.  Our family is so proud of Josh.  If his mother were here beside me, she’d most likely have trouble hiding her emotions as we talk about his success.  I’d like to say I influenced him and take the credit but that wouldn’t be accurate.  His skills were developed by the great hockey programs in the state of Illinois.  Exceptional coaches and volunteers head up the local youth programs and that mentorship helped turn Josh into a superior player.  I’m thrilled he got to stay in Chicago for his entire career where the whole Blackhawks family became part of our family.  That continuity and support played a large role in his hall of fame induction at such a young age.  I only wish his mother could have been present at the ceremony.”

“Lake, we know your heart belongs to the former Minnesota North Stars who are now the Dallas Stars.  Did you ever see Josh play at Met Center?”  Her heart pounded even harder.  Kevin shoved the microphone towards her mouth.  She didn’t know if she could sneak any words past her parched throat.  She’d barter her soul with Satan himself as long as she didn’t say something ignorant in front of a million people.  Especially,
him
. 

“No, Kevin.  Our team was sold back in 1993 and became the Dallas Stars so I don’t believe Josh ever played at the Met.  The Wild weren’t founded until 1997 and they play at the Excel Energy Center in St. Paul.  Early in his career, Josh played defense against my favorite player, the great Dave Gagner.  I have to admit.  I spent most of the time praying he would fall down.” 
Where had that come from?

Kevin laughed and didn’t miss a beat as he continued on with the torment.  “Did that ever happen?”

“Unfortunately, no.”

“Critics considered Dave too small to be an effective forward in the NHL but he certainly proved everyone wrong, being the North Stars number one goal scorer for many years.  I can remember a few times that Dave blew past Trash and put the puck squarely in the net.”

“That’s right, Kevin, but that was the exception and not the norm.  Josh has exceptional speed, anticipation and ability to recover.  I’d argue that he’s the best defensemen ever to play the game at closing the gap.”

“Even Bobby Orr?”

“Even him.”

“Well you heard it here first, Hawks fans.  I want to give a special thank you to Ryan Roberts, Lake Harrison and Chuck Adams for the enlightening conversation here tonight.”

As the cameraman turned the light off, Kevin turned towards the three of them.  “I don’t have much time to get back up to the box.  There’s only a few minutes before the start of the second period.  Thanks so much you three.  That turned out great, one of the most entertaining intermission interviews I’ve done in a long time.  See you after the game.”

Lake’s feet could no longer support her so she collapsed into her vinyl seat.  She noticed a shocked expression play across Ryan’s handsome face.  He’d stared at her the entire interview in rapt fascination.  Now, he burst out in laughter.

“Nicely done!”

“I need a drink.”  Pale and shaky, Lake made the request.

“I have to use the men’s room one more time before the second.  Too much beer. Can I grab you a drink from the portable bar on the way back?”

“That’d be wonderful.  Make it a vodka tonic with lime.  Thanks, Ryan.”

“Chuck, can I grab you a drink too?”

“No, son, I’m going to come with you so I’ll get one on the way back.”

Lake exhaled in blessed relief, happy to be alone with her thoughts for a few moments to collect herself.  Kevin had put her on the spot and she couldn’t pinpoint how the coherent words had flown past her lips with such ease.  She must be on autopilot.  Thank God her years of being a hockey fan had come through for her during clutch time.  She felt as if she’d made perfect sense and no one had gasped in outrage.  If nothing else, Josh would know how much she admired his superior athletic ability.  Maybe that concession would be enough for him and they’d have closure.

W
ith his eyes trained on the television monitor in the box, Josh noticed his blood pumped a staccato rhythm in his inner ears.  He remained transfixed as Kevin and Jack approached Roberts in section 111.  A bomb could explode in front of his face and he wouldn’t react.  When Kevin had devised this plan to interview Roberts and his dad at intermission and then lure Lake in, it had sounded feasible.  Now, it seemed like an exercise in futility.  What if she didn’t say anything and avoided the questions?  He’d never find out for sure if she still loved him after all these months if she remained silent.  Then, he wouldn’t have the courage to reach out tonight.  No man could take that soul crushing rejection twice.

Hair and make-up gave him another touch up and people fired questions at him but he remained oblivious.  Glued to the screen, he brought his finger up to his lips to let them know he wanted to pay special attention to Kevin’s interview.  “That’s my dad, I want to hear him.”  He hoped they couldn’t see right through him.  Josh could have cared less what Chuck said this evening.  That part of the plan was a ruse.

Kevin kept the interview light and Roberts morphed into his usual charming and eloquent self.  Never let it be said that man didn’t make love to a camera.  Being the center of attention had always been his forte’.  Since he knew he’d be on television, he’d paid special attention to his appearance.  He could pass for a Ralph Lauren model.  Josh faintly heard the sound of hearts breaking across Illinois like crystals falling on to ceramic tile.  He felt sorry for any woman who lusted after Roberts.

Jack skimmed the camera lens over Lake as Kevin posed his next question to Chuck.  In that moment, Josh saw she was petrified.  Her eyes stayed frozen like a deer caught in the headlights of an eighteen wheeler about to blow it to smithereens.  He wanted to save her, to help her through it but he had to hold back.  He needed to know what would happen next.

His dad said wonderful things about him and his mom that made him wax nostalgic.  Between the three of them, his mom, dad and Jason had never missed a home game and he always had familial representation in the arena.  Some of the guys he’d played with over the years had no one.  Success as an athlete hinges on a support system.  To have people present who love you witness your victories, but even more importantly, love you through your agonies, failures and defeats became imperative.  So proud of his family, he remained grateful for their unending support of his career.  He felt blessed in that way.

Josh noticed that a deadly hush had fallen over the occupants in the press box.  Every person listened in rapt attention, as they hung on the every word of Chuck Adams and Lake Harrison.  Lake graced Kevin with her stunning smile and referred to the Minnesota North Stars and that runt-like pest, Dave Gagner.  Had the plan just gone terribly wrong?  Her all-time favorite player?  Seriously?  Hatred radiated throughout his body, directed at that scrawny five foot ten bastard only because she’d said she admired him.  Tiny guys had explosive speed and could sometimes blow right by him and still score even when he anticipated them.

Thank God Dave had retired soon after Josh’s pro career took off so he didn’t have to deal with him for long.  At least Lake had uttered the words out loud instead of turning Kevin down flat, or even worse, getting pissed.  Kevin rolled with it, bless his heart, and circled the wagons.

Now, came the moment of truth.

Finally.

The conversation returned to Josh as the subject matter.  Kevin asked Lake if she’d ever seen Dave Gagner skate past him in person.  Then, he digested the most inconceivable words.  The most improbable but incredible words he’d ever heard from a woman in his entire life, even his own mother.

“That’s right, Kevin, but that was the exception and not the norm.  Josh has exceptional speed, anticipation and ability to recover.  I’d argue that he’s the best defensemen ever to play the game at closing the gap.”

“Even Bobby Orr?”

“Even him.”

What the fuck?
  For the love of God and all that was holy, how did she
know
that?  Did she actually
say
that?  Out loud, in front of millions?  At first, he thought his ears might have deceived him and echoed only what he wanted to hear.  The entire press box erupted in spontaneous applause and cheers.  In that moment, he knew it had happened.  Josh couldn’t stop it.  His eyes watered so he spun around, clutched his notes and pretended to read them before he blubbered in front of his colleagues like an emotional train wreck.

His heart soared.

If she’d said those words about him on live television, even if they only referred to his athletic ability, hope remained.  Now, success rode with his dad and his ability to lead her up to the box after the game.  For the first time since he’d left the hospital that day in despair, Josh looked straight forward and the future no longer looked dim.

****

L
ake wanted to hurl all over Section 111, Row 9.  She didn’t know how she’d made it through the last four hours.  Maybe she had more strength than she’d originally thought. Only a few more seconds remained in the third period.  The Coyotes had given a valiant effort but the Hawks were going to win by a score of three to two.  Most of the dejected fans had already left their seats as they swarmed towards the exits to get a jump on traffic.

Chuck leaned towards her and clasped her left hand in his.  Lake tried to mask her turbulent emotions but visibly struggled. 
Here it comes
. 
Like a runaway locomotive, I can’t stop it.

“Lake, it would mean the world to me if you’d come up to the press box.  I know someone who really wants to see you.”

“Chuck, I can’t.  It’s taken everything within me to make it this far.”

“How about if you come up and just wait for me outside the door.  You don’t have to come in if you’re that uncomfortable.”  He tugged on her hand as he stood.  “Please, sweetheart, come on up with me.”  His gentle plea became Lake’s undoing.  Since her dad had died of a massive heart attack back in 1991, she still yearned for a father’s love and approval.  Chuck Adams was the best father ever, hands down.

“All right.” 
Can I do this
?  Honestly, she didn’t know the answer.

Chuck nodded and kept his face neutral.

Ryan noticed they’d stood up and turned towards Lake.  “Hey Lake, can I have my jersey back before you go?  A youth hockey organization asked me if I’d sign it and let them raffle it off at a fundraiser they’re doing to raise money for an International trip.  My folks have a bunch of them, so how could I refuse?  As soon as I hand it over to their coach, Summer and I will meet you two up in the box.”

Lake felt as if she stripped off more than the jersey when she lifted it over her head and held it out towards Ryan.  Throughout the night, it had given her a sense of security that she now missed. 

As they walked, Chuck kept her small, trembling hand encased in his large, calm one.  “You know, Lake, I’m blessed to have met you and become your friend.  You’re like the daughter I always wanted but never had.  Of course, I would love it if you and Josh patched things up.  If that doesn’t happen, it’s not going to change the way I feel about you.  I hope it doesn’t change the way you feel about me.”

“That could never happen, Chuck.  I do feel the same way about you.  After my experience with men over the years, it’s a struggle to open up and be vulnerable so I hope you know how much your love, unwavering support and friendship mean to me.”

“I do.”  The pair walked the rest of the way in silence and Chuck left her a few feet outside the door.  He hesitated and then disappeared inside the box.  She heard multiple loud voices, excited about the victory and Lake recognized one of them as Ryan’s.  It amazed her that Ryan and Summer had beat her up here.  Then again, maybe not.  It was probably all part of the Ryan Roberts master plan.  Lake didn’t know whether to love him or despise him.

Exposed and unsure as she waited outside the door with nothing to keep her hands occupied, Lake wondered what she should do.  Everything necessary for an evening out she’d shoved in her jeans pockets before she left the house so she wouldn’t be forced to carry a handbag.  With years spent obsessed over the physical safety of her body, she didn’t have a high tolerance for being alone in a strange place.  She took comfort against the metal rail behind the last row of the arena and looked out over the empty ice below. As she took deep breaths to calm herself she noticed that few people remained in the stands except the cleaning crew.

An awareness traveled up the back of her neck as it set her entire scalp on fire with the sensation of a thousand pins stabbing her skin.  His physical presence and her reaction to it was tangible.  Lake didn’t need visual verification to know he stood behind her.  Goose flesh crawled over every inch of her skin.  It brought with it potent memories of every time he had touched her.  Lake glanced out on the ice and focused her eyes on the exact spot where they had shared their first kiss.  For a moment, she toyed with the radical idea of flinging herself over the railing if that would help her avoid this conversation and keep her from blurting out that she still loved him with every beat of her heart.  Then, she remembered the exquisite sketch of Lily he had commissioned as a gift for her.  If nothing else, she owed him a sincere thank you.  She steeled her resolve, promised herself she wouldn’t cave at the site of him and slowly turned.