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  “That’s not what he said,” I hissed low.

  Carlisle threw his hands in the air. “All I want is a backup who can kick ass like you do. You’re not invincible, Dallas. Now stop jumping to conclusions and direct that anger to the other team. I swear you boys are going to drive me up the fucking wall.” Huffing, he waved him off. “You can go.”

  Dallas mumbled something under his breath and stormed off. “I seem to remember you being just like him in your prime, Coach,” I said.

  Carlisle sighed and faced Braeden and me. “You’re right, I was. Sometimes it’s easy to forget.”

  “And I can see why he’d be nervous,” I admitted.

  Carlisle’s brows furrowed. “Why?”

  “You’ve been spending a lot of time focusing on Harrison.”

  “That’s because he’s a rookie and has the same potential to be just as great as Dallas. I want our players to be the best.”

  “And they will be,” I promised. When I took over the team, I was going to make damn sure they were. We were already ranked in the top three of the best teams in the league, but our goal was to get to number one.

  Carlisle turned to Braeden, who was a master at defense. That was why he was picked to be an alternate captain. He wasn’t as volatile as Dallas, but he was cunning and not afraid to strike—a silent threat in more ways than one. A lot of the guys on the team were vocal, but Braeden could say more with a single glare than he could with words. His silence made him feared among our team.

  “I need you to come up with some new defense plays, something no one has seen yet. I don’t want anyone knowing what to expect when they play us this season.”

  Braeden nodded. “I’ll work on it.” Braeden was a couple of years younger than me and smart as hell. He was a genius in school and could’ve gone to Harvard if he’d wanted, but he chose to play hockey. That was how it was for a lot of us. I could’ve gone to college, but my love for the sport outweighed it all.

  Braeden skated off, leaving me alone with Carlisle. “I have some good news for you,” he said.

  “What’s that?” I asked.

  He glanced down at his notebook. “Do you know what Physique magazine is?”

  “Yeah.” Every athlete knew what that magazine was. We all hoped one day we’d be on the cover. It was the most prestigious and well-known sports magazine in the world.

  A wide grin spread across his face. “I’m sure Austin’s going to kill me for telling you this before he does, but I couldn’t wait.” Austin Marion was his cousin and my agent. I probably had a message waiting for me on my phone. “He called and said that Physique wants to do a feature on you.”

  “Holy shit, are you serious? When?”

  “In the next few weeks,” he said. “They’re going to contact you personally. Austin figured you wouldn’t mind.”

  “Not at all.” Of all the years I’d played hockey, it was finally happening. About damn time, too. Austin had tried for years to get me in the magazine.

  “Good, now go. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  Dallas and Braeden had already taken their showers and were getting dressed by the time I walked into the locker room. “Sammy’s?” Dallas asked, running a hand through his dark, wet hair.

  “Perfect. We can all celebrate.”

  Brows furrowed, Braeden ran a towel through his blond hair. “Celebrate what?”

  I took off my gear and smiled. “Being on the cover of Physique. They want to do a story on me.”

  Their mouths dropped open and then Dallas threw a towel at my head. “You fucking suck, man. Why can’t we be as lucky as you?”

  I threw the towel back at him and it smacked him on the face. “Maybe one day you will. I’ll put in a good word for you.”

  He scoffed and headed for the door. “Yeah, right. I am so ready for a fucking beer.”

  Braeden held out his hand. “That’s great news, brother. I knew it’d happen one way or another.”

  I shook his hand. “Thanks, man.”

  He nodded toward the exit. “We’ll meet you outside. I could use a beer myself.”

  Opening my locker, I looked at my phone and found a missed call and text from Austin.

  Austin: I’m sure Carlisle told you. Congrats on the magazine article. It’s about time I got through to them.

  Me: YES! Thank you! I appreciate all the opportunities you’ve given me.

  After I took a quick shower, we were on our way. Sammy’s was a pub in downtown Belmont that we liked to frequent on occasion after practice. Most of the guys on the team lived in Charlotte, but I preferred a smaller city.

  When we arrived at Sammy’s, the place was packed. “Hi,” one of the hostesses called out as we walked in the door. She immediately recognized us and smiled. “Sitting at the bar tonight, guys?”

  Dallas winked at her. “You know it, babe.”

  My gaze instantly found the auburn-haired beauty behind the bar, but what really pissed me off was the guy talking to her. “Uh-oh,” Braeden said, pointing toward her. “Looks like Ledger is trying to hit on your girl.” Maddox Ledger, my one and only pain in the ass. He was known for fucking any girl who spread her legs for him. He’d been trying to fuck Kristen for months now and it was obvious she didn’t give a damn about him.

  “She’s not Carter’s girl, either,” Dallas snorted. “He’s not lucky enough to get a piece of ass like that.”

  I smacked him on the back of the head. “What the fuck ever, Easton. If I really wanted her, I could get her.” We sat down at the bar and Kristen looked over at us. Her hair hung around her shoulders and she had on a pair of jeans that hugged her curves perfectly. I’d wanted her for a while now, and judging by the expression on her face, she didn’t return those feelings.

  Dallas nudged me in the side, his voice low so Kristen couldn’t hear him. “Wanna make a bet?” he asked slyly.

  “On what?”

  He cocked his head toward Kristen. “On your girl over there. I say five hundred dollars you can’t get her to go out with you by the end of the week.”

  Braeden chuckled. “And I’ll bet three hundred.”

  They both grinned and held out their hands. Sealing the deal, I shook them. “You’re on, fuckers.”

  Kristen walked over with three beers and set them in front of us; she knew us well. “Here you go, guys. Let me know if you want something different.” Every time we were there we ordered the same thing and each time she’d tell us to let her know if we wanted something different.

  Before she could walk off, I reached my hand out and it grazed her wrist. “Actually, I do want something else.” She turned around, pursing her lips and piercing me with those green eyes of hers as if she knew what I was going to say. “A shot of Fireball,” I said, throwing her for a loop. With Maddox trying to get in her pants, she no doubt thought we were all like that.

  She stared at me for a few more seconds and then poured up the shot. I tossed it back and smiled. “That’s not all he wants,” Dallas chuckled.

  She rolled her eyes and sighed. “If you’re going to ask me out I’ll tell you the same thing I told your friend at the other end of the bar.” Dallas and Braeden snickered, but she ignored them and moved closer. I knew it wouldn’t be easy to get her, but where would the fun be in that. She beckoned me closer and I grinned, knowing damn well she was about to turn me down. Little did she know it fueled my desire to try harder. Her lips separated and she smiled, not the sexy, sweet kind of smile, but the one that basically tells you to go eat shit. “Not interested,” she murmured low.

  “Anything I can do to change your mind?” I countered, my grin growing wider.

  “Sorry, the decision stands.” She walked off and both Dallas and Braeden burst out laughing.

  “Damn, she got you good,” Braeden said, tossing back his beer.

  Dallas tapped his bottle to Braeden’s. “Looks like I’ll be five hundred richer by the weekend.”

  I took a gulp of my beer, never taking my eyes off Kris
ten. “I wouldn’t speak so soon, my friend. I still have five days left.”

  Chapter 7

  Kristen

  The sounds of laughter filled the air, the park alive with mothers watching their small children running around the playground. Every day, Aylee and I raced around the park, and every day I saw the same happy people with their kids. There was a time when I thought I could be like them, but those dreams were thrown out the window the second Mitchell came into my life. I wanted to get married one day and have kids, but how could I get close to someone if I couldn’t even let him know who I really was? The whole situation infuriated me and there were times I wanted to just fly up to Boston and tell Mitchell to fuck off and leave me alone. I wasn’t afraid of him anymore, only afraid of what he’d do to the people I cared about. He already had one person I loved killed; I couldn’t let him do that with anyone else. Once my fake death goes through, I won’t have to worry about him anymore.

  “Want to run around the park one more time before we go to the soda shop?” Aylee asked. She ran in place while I stopped to catch my breath. No matter how many times I’ve worked out with her, she still kicked my ass.

  “Sure,” I replied breathlessly. “Are we sparring today as well?”

  Grinning broadly, she tightened her ponytail. “You know it. I figured we’d get a little something to eat before you pass out.”

  “Gee, thanks,” I said, laughing.

  “Hey, at least you’re keeping up with me now. When we first started, I had to take it slow. Now come on, let’s get this shit done. I have some things we need to talk about.”

  She ran toward the trail and I followed her. Over the past year, we’d become really good friends. Other than Jason, she was all I had, since Brooklyn was in California. It was nice being able to confide in her about Mitchell and all the things he’d done. Her teaching me self-defense helped me realize that I wasn’t weak, that I could be strong and take care of myself.

  My muscles were on fire but I pushed through it. We only had about a quarter mile left when a familiar face came into view. He had dark brown hair and gray eyes that were now hidden behind sunglasses. As much as I wanted to hate him, he was charming in his own way. The only problem was that he and his friends were arrogant douches who believed they could get any girl they wanted. I was determined to prove them wrong.

  “Great,” I mumbled.

  Aylee looked over at me. “What’s wrong?”

  “Just keep running. Maybe he won’t notice me.”

  She found my line of sight and smiled wide. “Too late. He’s already seen you.”

  My hair was in a tangled mess on top of my head and I was covered in sweat. Hopefully, he’d find me unattractive and stop his advances on me. He veered off his path and ran toward us. “Good morning,” he said, coming to a halt.

  Aylee lifted her sunglasses on top of her head and smiled, making sure to step out of the way so Kellan and I were together. “Good morning,” she replied.

  Kellan took off his sunglasses and hung them on his tank top, his gaze fixed on me. In the sun, his gray eyes were brighter. I could almost get lost in them if I stared for too long. It didn’t help that he had on a shirt that showed off his muscled arms. “Good morning to you, too,” I said, hoping my voice sounded as bland as possible.

  He laughed. “I see you’re still pissed about last night.”

  Aylee’s brows lifted. “What happened last night?”

  I was about to speak, but Kellan beat me to it, a mischievous twinkle in his eyes. “She turned me down in front of my friends. Honestly, I didn’t think I was that bad of a guy.”

  Aylee snickered and backed up. “Well, on that note I think I’ll leave you two alone.” Kellan focused on her and I shook my head, mouthing the word no when he wasn’t looking. What the hell was she doing? She winked at me and waved. “I’ll meet you at the soda shop.” Frozen in place, I stood there while she ran off, her shoulders shaking with laughter. She was going to pay for that.

  “You run out here a lot?” Kellan asked, drawing my attention back to him.

  I sighed. “Yep. Aylee and I do it every day.”

  His lips pursed and he narrowed his gaze, studying me like I was a puzzle to solve. “You don’t like me very much, do you?”

  I crossed my arms over my chest. “Just because I don’t want to go out with you doesn’t mean I don’t like you.”

  He shrugged. “Sure seems like it to me. I’m really not a bad guy.”

  “Really?” I laughed. “I’ve seen the way your friends pick up women at the pub. You’re trying to tell me you’re not like that?”

  His smile faded just a bit. “And how many women have you seen me leave with?”

  Now that I thought about it, I hadn’t seen him walk out of the restaurant with any women. He always came in with other guys on the hockey team and left alone. “Just because you don’t leave with any women from the pub doesn’t mean you don’t pick them up somewhere else.”

  “I’m sorry you feel that way,” he said, slipping his sunglasses back on. “Maybe one day you’ll let me prove you wrong.” He took off down the trail. “See ya tomorrow after practice.”

  I felt bad for assuming, but I wasn’t about to get involved with a guy like him who probably screwed around with women for sport. Maybe he wasn’t exactly like that, but it wasn’t a risk I was willing to take.

  —

  I finished my lap around the park and joined Aylee at the soda shop. She’d already ordered my orangeade and water with chicken Caesar salad. When she saw me walk in, her smile grew wider.

  “Well, that was fast. I figured I’d be eating alone.”

  Rolling my eyes, I sat down. “Not today. Kellan Carter and I have nothing to talk about.”

  She tossed a grape into her mouth. “Why not? I’ve seen the way he flirts with you.”

  I scoffed. “I’m sure he flirts with many girls, Aylee.” Dying of thirst, I guzzled my water. “Besides, we have nothing in common.” It was a lie and she knew it. Kellan and I did share a common love…the ice. As a kid, all I ever wanted to be was a figure skater. My mother paid for lessons from the time I was four through high school. After my parents died, I gave it up. It was something my mother and I shared together, and now that she was gone I couldn’t bring myself to touch the ice again.

  Aylee held up her hands in defeat. “All I’m saying is the guy’s not bad. He’s good-looking and strong, plus he’s the captain of his team,” she said with a wink. “That right there should tell you something.” To be a captain, you have to be a good leader. I could see Kellan being that kind of man. He had an air about him that screamed dominance, but I knew what it was like to be with a man who wanted to control everything.

  I stuffed a bite of my salad into my mouth. “Can we please talk about something else? Didn’t you say you had something to discuss?”

  Her smile faded and she nodded. There was no one else in the shop, but she lowered her voice anyway. “Your story is going to run tonight on the news in Boston. There isn’t going to be much information given, but it’ll let Blackwell know that you’re dead. I’m sure he’ll try to look into it, but he won’t get very far. All of the arrangements will be made in Canada.”

  “How am I going to die?”

  “A hiking accident. Since your body will be unrecognizable, you’ll be cremated. Your ashes will be sent to Cole’s parents.”

  The thought of hurting them made me sick. One day I’d make it up to them. I’d kept hoping there’d come a time I could get my name back and pick up where I left off, but the hopes of that disappeared a long time ago. No one in the design world knew who Kristen Holt was. As Kristen Robinson, I had made a name for myself. I could get any job I wanted after working with some of the most prestigious people in Boston. Now I had no references or contacts; I was starting from scratch.

  Aylee placed a hand over mine. “Are you sure this is what you want?”

  “No, but I have no choice. It’s the only way I can
ever be free.”

  She squeezed my hand. “You’ll be happy again, Kristen, I promise. Since you don’t work tonight, why don’t you come over and we’ll watch the broadcast together. My people are going to send me a link when it goes live.”

  My eyes burned but I held the tears back. “I’ll bring the vodka. It’s not every day you’re alive to witness your own funeral.” At least, now I’d be able to live my life without looking over my shoulder.

  Chapter 8

  Kellan

  “When I told you to talk to Maddox, I didn’t mean for you to break his fucking nose,” Coach Carlisle hissed.

  I shrugged. “Hey, I couldn’t help that he skated right into my elbow.” I might’ve stuck it out a little farther than I should, but it served him right for being an arrogant dick to everyone. Judging by the look on Coach Carlisle’s face, he knew I did it on purpose. “He may be one of the best forwards on the team, but he’s a fucking prick,” I added.

  Carlisle sighed. “I know. When I took him on, I didn’t realize he was going to be such a hothead.”

  With blood pouring down his face, Maddox left the ice, glaring right at me before disappearing into the locker room. I had no sympathy for the cocksucker. It was an accident and I was sticking to it.

  I shrugged. “We’re hockey players; it’s in our blood.”

  “Don’t I know it.” Carlisle laughed, then blew the whistle and everyone stopped. “That’s it for tonight, boys. Go home!”

  Dallas left the goal and skated over to me. “We going out tonight?”

  “Can’t,” I said. “My dad needs me to clean out the gutters on his house.”

  “Need any help?” he offered.

  Dallas might be a little self-absorbed, but he was one hell of a friend, always there if you needed him. The same thing went for Braeden. I skated toward the edge of the rink and he followed. “Nah, but I appreciate it though.”

  “That’s cool he moved from Vermont to down here when you joined the team. My parents are still up in Maine.”