Page 58 of One More Chance
“Are you serious right now?” Freddie rarely raised his voice, so Logan knew that he had pushed one too many buttons, but right now, he didn’t care. “How about you take a bit of your own advice there, big shot. You want the good news to get back to Charlotte that you’re not a complete shithead? Get out of your skates and go tell her your damn self.” Logan jumped as Freddie slammed the door to the rink shut the metal clang echoed through the cold air.
Logan watched Freddie through the observation glass as he stormed out of the arena. He skated over to the bench to grab his stick to shoot more pucks, but instead, he roared and smashed it against the boards, pieces of the stick clattering as they scattered across the ice. He leaned against the boards; clouds of his steamy breath pumped into the cold air. Freddie was right.
***
LOGAN TURNED ON THEwindshield wipers and noticed that the rain had turned to wet snow. He honked the horn twice and saw the curtains pull back. His phone buzzed and he tapped on the message from Freddie:
Are you summoning me?
Logan sighed, he had expected Freddie to throw on his jacket and run out of the house to meet him, like a good little brother, but it looked like the novelty of having his big brother home was fading away. He shut off the engine and jogged up the walkway to the house. Freddie opened the door as he reached it.
“Come on,” Logan said as Freddie opened his mouth.
“Come on where?” Freddie turned and flopped down on the sofa.
“You’re coming with me to the city.”
“The city,” Freddie scoffed. “Traffic, pollution, dog shit everywhere, yeah, no.” Freddie cracked a beer and took a sip. “I’ve got plans this weekend.”
“I’ll make it worth your while,” Logan replied. “How about box seat tickets and VIP package to the game.”
Freddie bolted upright, “Are you serious?”
“Yep. You just have to do something for me.”
Freddie eyed Logan dubiously. “And what might that be?”
“Pack your bags. I’ll fill you in on the drive.”
Logan waited while Freddie threw together a backpack that probably consisted of a spare t-shirt, boxers, a hockey jersey, and maybe, if he was lucky, a toothbrush and deodorant.
He usually traveled on the official Chance Rapids Bobcats bus, but there were a few things. Well, not things but people, that he had to sort out in the city before tomorrow’s game; one was tall and blonde, the other was the woman he had fallen in love with. Again.
Chapter 23
CHARLOTTE WAS LYINGlow. She hoped that the whole thing would be forgotten before she was identified. Charlotte was thankful that she didn’t have to show her face in public. She was technically supposed to be in Chance Rapids for another day, so her assistant hadn’t booked her any appointments.
