Melting Ice (25 page)

Avery checked herself out in the mirror again, noting the too big jersey. It hadn’t had any tags; maybe it’d been one of Isaac’s actual jerseys. She’d have to ask him—

“Let’s go.” Bella headed for the door. “If you’re not in that car by the time I start the engine, we’re leaving you behind.”

She’d do just that, Avery had no doubt. She grabbed her purse, locked the door, and ran to the car, jumping in the back seat just before Bella put it in gear.

“Avery, I hope you know what you’re doing,” Bella lectured, sounding way too much like Izzy.

Avery didn’t respond. Instead she stared out the window at the rapidly passing scenery as her sister hugged the curves on the winding country road like a NASCAR driver.

Of course, Avery knew what she was doing. Her crush on the sexy hockey player next door had turned into much more than that. She’d fallen for the man, hard, and she didn’t think she’d ever get up. Wallowing around on the ground in love was a much better way to go than standing up and being lonely the rest of her life.

She’d once thought all she’d ever need were the horses, but with her lack of income, horses would come and go, but Isaac—Isaac was forever. At least for her, he was, and she was beginning to believe he felt the same way.

Life didn’t get better than this.

So why did she have this feeling in her gut that things were about to change—and not for the better?

* * * *

Isaac skated around the rink, getting his legs, and feeling the ice. Ethan spared no expense, and the Sockeyes’ ice was some of the best Isaac had ever skated on, the same consistency all around the arena, hard and fast, just like he preferred.

He knew the exact moment when Avery arrived and took her seat. Yeah, weird as it sounded, he always felt her presence before he saw her beautiful face. He skated around the arena and slowed near her seat on the glass. A slow smile spread across his face as he noticed her wearing his jersey. She looked damn good in it. As he skated by, he tapped the glass with his stick and grinned. Avery smiled back, a big, wide smile just for him. Damned if they weren’t a pair of lovesick saps or what.

Cedric skated next to him, matching his stride. “I never thought I’d live to see the day. First Coop, now you. Oh, how the mighty have fallen.”

Isaac didn’t bother to dispute Cedric’s words. “Your time will come, and I’ll enjoy the hell out of it when it does.”

“No way in hell, my man. This guy is a lifelong bachelor. Way too many women and too little time to tie myself up with just one, or even one at a time.” Cedric grinned his wolfish grin and skated on by.

The Sockeyes were hanging onto that last playoff spot by a point. Isaac wanted that spot so badly, he could taste it like the deepest kiss from a certain horsewoman. Now wasn’t the time for thinking of Avery. He had a job to do. Allowing himself one final glance in her direction, he shifted his focus to the game, getting into what he called his hockey brain. The next three hours were about hockey and hockey only. Avery would come later as a reward for a game well-played.

Glanden pushed past him, giving him a sharp elbow in the side, just above his padding. Isaac glared at the ass but kept his mouth shut, even though inside he was seething. He couldn’t let this jerk take him out of his game.

He wasn’t here to fight with a member of his own team. He was here to beat the LA Kings and make sure the Sockeyes secured their first playoff spot in their short one-year history. The fans, who’d supported them all season, packed the place to the rafters. Excitement buzzed through the stands like electricity through a high-voltage wire and flowed through Isaac and his teammates, charging them with energy and confidence.

This game would be theirs. It had to be. The Kings had already secured a spot. They wouldn’t want it as badly as the Sockeyes.

Cooper, wearing his game face and in absolute concentration, skated slow circles in front of the net, totally in his zone. Brick bent down low and blocked an invisible puck. Cedric weaved and bobbed as if eluding an imaginary defender. Everyone was ready.

The entire season had come down to this one last game of the regular season.
Do it tonight or start summer vacation early.
Isaac wanted to keep skating. Hell, he didn’t even know if he’d have a team after this game. His contract was up with the season’s end, and the Sockeyes hadn’t renewed it. They’d been so oddly quiet Isaac didn’t know what to make of it. One thing he did know, he wanted to stay in Seattle. He couldn’t bear the thought of leaving Avery behind. Yet, staying went beyond Avery. He liked this beautiful city, his scrappy teammates, his renegade coaches, and the progressive ownership.

Yet, if the Sockeyes didn’t want him and another team came knocking, would he quit the NHL to stay in Seattle? He was only twenty-six, way too early to walk away from the game he loved.

He shook his head. Tonight wasn’t the night for such thoughts. He’d done everything asked of him. Been the best teammate he knew how to be, kept himself out of trouble, and followed the straight and narrow. Surely they’d sign him. Blake and Isaac had paired up for a good defensive partnership, but Isaac wasn’t certain if Blake would be back next year or not.

Isaac pushed all thoughts from his mind as they prepared for the puck drop. The place was rocking, all the fans on their feet.

The puck dropped and Cooper scrabbled for it, shooting it to Cedric, who raced down the ice. The game was on, and Isaac forgot everything but the game.

Because nothing mattered to Isaac at that moment but
the game
.

* * * *

A few hard-fought hours later, Isaac trudged into the locker room, completely wrung out, and collapsed on the bench in front of his locker. He glanced at Blake, who looked as weary and drained as Isaac. When their eyes met, a slow smile crossed Blake’s face. Isaac smiled back.

“We did it,” Blake said, still panting.

“Yeah, we did it.” Satisfaction slid through Isaac of a game well played and hard fought. It’d gone right down to the final minute. Cooper scored a last minute goal from a pass by Cedric right as the third period ended.

It’d been a bruising battle on both sides, a rough game, with plenty of contact against an opponent who’d played as if they had everything to lose when they didn’t. It came down to who wanted it more, and the Sockeyes were playing for their lives.

Isaac had a great game. He had three hits, two assists, and was plus-three for the night.

Brick came into the locker room leaving a trail of clothes in his wake until all he wore were his skates and pants. Some poor equipment guy followed him, picking up the pieces of Brick’s uniform.

Brick crossed to Isaac and punched him in the shoulder. “Thanks, man, you saved my ass out there.”

“You played a helluva game,” Isaac countered, not wanting to diminish how well the young goalie played.

Brick grinned, sweat streaming down his face. He sat down on the bench and stripped down to his jock strap.

Coach Gorst walked to the center of the room and looked at each and every one of them. “You guys played the hell out of this game tonight. You got down, and you kept fighting, scrabbling your way back into it, just like you have all season. I’m damn proud of every one of you. There isn’t a guy in this room that didn’t contribute to this win tonight.” Gorst looked as tired as the rest of them, as if he’d been out there on the ice with them, but his smile said it all.

Ethan was next. He stood there, wiping his eyes, trying to compose himself. Finally he spoke. “Years ago, when my Canadian uncle instilled a love of hockey in me, I dreamed of the day I’d be standing in a locker room congratulating my team on a game well fought. I always had faith that one day the NHL would come to Seattle. The crowd tonight was incredible. The entire place had such an energy I was in awe. And you guys, you played lights out. You left it all out on the ice. You made me proud tonight, and you’ve made me proud all season long as you battled back from adversity and injuries. I thank you, and the city of Seattle thanks you.”

Cooper was next. In typical Cooper fashion, he wasn’t given to long speeches. He looked at every man in the room, grinned, and pumped his fist in the air. “We did it. But we have a long way to go. I couldn’t pick a better group of guys to have my back or a better city to play my heart out for. Let’s ride this ride all the way to the top.”

As one unit, the team rose to its feet, and circled Cooper, Ethan, and the coaches, arms extended toward the center of the circle. Even Isaac, who’d never been prone to such displays of team unity joined in for the Sockeyes cheer.

It’d been a team win, and despite Isaac’s good stats, the realization that his stats didn’t matter hit him like a bolt of lightning from a stormy Seattle sky.

The Sockeyes had won a spot in the playoffs.

And that, to Isaac, was the biggest reward of all.

* * * *

The next day, Avery met her family, including Isaac and Blake, for a celebratory Sunday brunch at Anthony’s near Bell Harbor. Isaac, Blake, and Cooper headed to the practice rink, while Avery got a ride home from Emma.

She didn’t recognize the Mercedes parked in front of the barn and walked inside to see who might be there on a Sunday afternoon. Frowning, she noticed Riot’s stall was empty. Filled with dread, Avery head for the arena, hearing voices coming from there. She peeked around the wall, and her worse fears were realized.

No, it couldn’t be.

Her dread slipped into fear and a profound sadness. She knew exactly what was going on. It’d happened to her a dozen times before.

Sam and a local horse trainer Avery recognized stood in the center of the arena giving instruction to the middle-aged woman riding Riot. They’d just finished up, and the woman rode Riot up to Sam and dismounted. She gave him a pat on the neck, while deep in conversation with Sam for several minutes. The woman and her trainer thanked Sam, said they’d be in touch, and walked out of the arena. They nodded at Avery on their way out, got into the Mercedes, and left.

Sam smiled nervously at Avery as she led Riot from the arena. Guilt dulled her eyes, and she patted Avery on the shoulder, as if to comfort her.

Avery stiffened and glared at Sam. “When were you going to tell me?” Avery accused, feeling betrayed and sick to her stomach.

“It’s not like you think. Susan’s horse had a serious injury and he’s out for the show season. Her trainer called yesterday to see if we had anything show-ready and suitable for a talented amateur. Money was no object. I didn’t want to ruin your weekend. I knew that game was important to you, and I wasn’t sure this would go anywhere, so I didn’t want you to worry unnecessarily. I’m sorry, I really didn’t purposely keep it from you, I just wanted to wait and see how serious Susan was.”

“How serious is she?” Avery swallowed and rubbed her upset stomach with one hand.

“Very,” Sam admitted apologetically. “I gave her a top-dollar figure that would discourage most buyers.”

“And it didn’t discourage her?” Avery was going to throw up.

“No, she didn’t even blink. Avery, you knew this was going to happen. I’m sorry. I really am, but this is a business. You know that. She’s a lovely woman, a very sympathetic rider. Her trainer is one of the best in the area and known for her kindness to the horses in her care. He’ll have a great home with her. I’m giving you half my commission for the sale. Do you know how many clinics with Hans that’ll pay for?”

Avery nodded, unable to speak. She didn’t have a horse to ride for Hans.

Sam, as usual, read her mind. “There are other horses here you can ride for Hans. In fact, Onyx is doing well enough, I’ve been thinking of putting you on his back.”

Avery tried to smile.

Sam hesitated for a moment. “I hate to do this to you, but I’m late for a family thing, would you mind cooling him out and putting him away?”

“Okay,” Avery croaked, fighting back the tears.

“I thought you might like some alone time with him.” Sam studied her closely and sighed. “I’m sorry. I wish we could keep them all, but we can’t. I’m guessing they’ll pick him up tomorrow. She said she’d call tonight.”

“I don’t blame you.” Avery took the reins and led Riot to the crossties. Sam stood in the aisle watching her for a moment longer, then left the barn.

Avery pulled off Riot’s tack, rubbed him down, and led him outside into the warm spring sunshine. It was a beautiful day, seventy degrees, blue skies, spring flowers blooming in the flower beds in front of the barn. Yet, to Avery it was the grayest, cloudiest day of her life.

Riot tore at the green grass as if it were his last meal. Avery buried her head in his shoulder and cried her eyes out. Riot lifted his head and nuzzled her with his velvety nose, which only made her cry harder.

Maybe she really wasn’t cut out for being a professional horsewoman, not if this agony was what she’d feel each time a beloved horse was sold.

* * * *

Isaac hurried home later that afternoon, anxious to spend some time with Avery on such a beautiful day. Maybe they’d go for a drive or take a hike in the mountains. He didn’t care what they did as long as they did it together.

He pulled into his garage and woke a slumbering Hal. Dog in tow, he jogged to the barn. Avery was over by the pasture with Riot. He grinned like he always did when he saw her. She was so beautiful in her dirty jeans and T-shirt with that messy ponytail. Her nice ass filled out those jeans to perfection and made his dick fill out his jeans.

With her back to him, she hadn’t noticed him and appeared to be having a moment with her horse. Her shoulders shook, as if she were sharing a private joke with the animal. What type of jokes does one tell a horse?
Hey, a funny thing happened on the way to the barn today—
Or
Two horses walked into a bar—

Isaac was losing it. This was nuts. Making up horse jokes? Next thing he’d be following them around picking up horse poop. Now that was true love if a guy was willing to be a pooper scooper.