Page 3 of Playing for Keeps
The two keywords in that sentence break me in two ways.Homebecause I don’t have one anymore, and I’m not going back to my mom’s no matter what she says. Andsonbecause I’ve always wanted someone to call me that. And they never have until now.
I know he doesn’t mean it that way, but it still feels good. In fact, just that alone almost thaws the cold right out of me.
Maybe I am broken beyond repair. I’ve often thought it. Based on my findings when I look at the facts growing up, I’m almost convinced. Hiding behind jokes and smiles has become a real skill, and I didn’t realize how bad things were. Covering shit up comes as second nature, I guess. It’s as easy as breathing.
I let Billy and Robbie lead me to safety. Because, in reality, I don’t know what I would have done without them. I mean, I’m not suicidal… am I? The fleeting thought that this could all go away in an instant made me feel good for half a second.
Then I wouldn’t have all these feelings floating around that I don’t know what to do with. But I wasn’t going to jump. At least, that’s what I tell myself.
“That sounds good,” I mutter as I stumble along, Billy’s heavy grip around my shoulders unrelenting as he tells me he ain’t letting me go anytime soon. “But I can’t go back to my mom’s. You can’t make me.”
“To our house, then. We’ll get you dry and you can sober up. I’ll grab you a change of clothes and some food and I can talk to your mom.”
Now I’m embarrassed because Billy knows I’ve been drinking, even with the discarded bottle. I’m an idiot to think he wouldn’t be able to smell it. The last thing I want to do is disappoint him after he’s helped me so much.
I don’t fight the offer though, because I’m starving and I’ve been out on the street for the past two nights, not wanting to overstay my welcome at Ben’s place. Give his folks a break and all. I’m anything if not considerate.
We get to his Jeep and he helps me in while Robbie jumps in the back and shakes off his wet fur.
I watch Billy jog around to his side and climb in, his hefty body crunching in the seat as he pulls the door closed. “Thanks,” I say as he turns the ignition and starts the engine. Robbie rests his head on my shoulder through the center, and it feels like the most comforting thing in the world. I rub his head and he makes a purring sound in my ear.
It occurs to me now that Billy couldn’t have just stumbled upon me… Was he out here deliberately looking for me? Maybe Tanner or Jade told him I’ve not been in school or something?
I glance at him as he pulls away from the side of the curb.
“No problem,” he replies. And I know he means it, and he’d do it again because he cares about me.
Did Billy Jones and Robbie just save my life?
I guess I’ll never truly know. But as I sit back in the car seat, I know that at least for now, I’m safe. And that’s the best thought I’ve had in a long time.
CHAPTER 1
Jay
Present day (3.5 months ago…)
“You know, the guys warned me about hanging out with you, JJ. But they’ve got it all wrong. You’re a riot!” Jake Hudson, my teammate, right-winger, and new recruit last season, whom we’ve all taken under our wing, slings an arm around my shoulder as we walk into the aptly called Hawks Nest Bar. My other teammate, Taylor James, our star striker who won the Conn Smythe trophy for the most valuable player during the Stanley Cup playoffs, isn’t far behind us. We met up for a quick bite and now Jake wants to buy us a drink before we call it a night. Taylor spent the better part of the offseason with his girl, Emmerson. She’s just moved from Florida back to Seattle, and Taylor’s mom has been fighting an illness, but is thankfully well on the road to recovery.
“Hey, I try my best,” I snicker.
“Just wait until he gets on the karaoke machine.” Taylor rolls his eyes. “Then I’m most definitely out.”
We don’t hang out with Jake a lot and I didn’t see him much over our break. During the off-season he took a trip to see his folks in Canada, and he returned just before the first game.
“The chicks love it,” I tell them. “Stick with me, Jake. I’ll show you a thing or two. We should be up to our eyeballs in puck bunnies in no time.”
I know that will mean Taylor is definitely out. He’s a one woman guy these days, and since he got back together with Em during the finals last season, his attention is only for her.
“Sweet.” Jake rubs his hands together, clearly anticipating how that’s gonna look. Like he needs any help from me. Since he’s the rookie of the team, I suppose we’ve all taken him under our wing in some way. He’s not small by any means, or a giant either. He’s just on six foot, same as me, so not exactly a baby, but solid as an ox with light brown hair and dark blue eyes.
My eyes scan the bar as we walk in, but it’s so dark in here I can’t see much . I’m bummed Ty couldn’t be here tonight, but he’s with Cindy. Ty’s another one who also spent the better part of the off-season away, opting to hibernate at his place in Mercer Island with Cindy, avoiding the press with some personal shit he’s had going on. I can hardly blame him. It was a rough time for him last year.
The last time we were in a bar, I hauled his ass out of it. It was right when some shit blew up with his ex. I took him home, where Cindy was waiting. He wasn’t in good shape then, but he’s doing better now, and everything thankfully died down.
It’s difficult sometimes when you’re a high-profile player and the press wants a look into every aspect of your life. Ty used to be a wildcard like me, but now he’s settled down and abandoned his playboy lifestyle. Something I’m yet to even contemplate.
As we navigate through the crowd, I immediately spot a brunette and a blonde at the bar as we hedge closer. It’s pumpingfor a Thursday night, so there’s a good chance I’m gonna hit the jackpot as well as the dance floor at some point.
