Melting Ice (20 page)

And then there was Isaac. The day after his confession, he’d left on a road trip. She missed him more than she’d ever missed anyone, which was scary and exhilarating at the same time. He’d been gone a week, and they’d talked and texted every day since. He wouldn’t return until early Sunday morning, and it was only Friday afternoon. She could barely wait to see him again, and time just slogged by.

In the meantime, she’d had a great couple rides on Riot, but those great rides attracted attention which wasn’t necessarily a good thing. Sam mentioned a few trainer being interested in Riot when he became available. And he would be available. It was inevitable.

Horses came and went. It was the way of the business. Unless independently wealthy, a smart rider maintained a distance. Horses were a business, and Avery couldn’t afford to get attached to the horses—even though she fell in love with every single one of them.

Still, life was good, and the only things she’d change right now would be money for Hans’s lessons, for Tiff to start healing, and for Riot to be hers. Oh, and for her to be able to date Isaac with Izzy and Coop’s blessing.

“You seem so much happier lately,” Izzy noted as they got ready to crash a wealthy gay couple’s wedding reception. “If I didn’t know better, I’d say you were in love.”

“Or getting some,” Bella added.

Emma snorted and almost choked on her water. Avery shot her deadly glare.

“I am in love. He’s tall, gorgeous, with big brown eyes, athletic, and a vegetarian,” Avery admitted.

Izzy rolled her eyes. “And walks on four legs and poops wherever he pleases.”

“Izz, not very romantic of you. You’ve been around Coop too much,” Bella teased. “How come no one’s noticed that I seem to be in love?”

Avery could’ve hugged Bella for taking the heat off her.

“Because you’re always in love or falling out of love with someone. Who is it this week?” Izzy sighed as if she’d admitted defeat when it came to their wild child sister.

“You don’t know him. I met him last Saturday while standing in line for coffee. We hit it off over macchiatos and a half hour later we took it off in his Belltown condo.”

Izzy stuck her fingers in her ears. “La, la, la, la, la. I don’t want to hear this.”

Emma eyes grew big and filled with worry. “What if he’d been a serial killer? Ted Bundy was a handsome charmer.”

Bella patted Emma’s shoulder. “Don’t worry, I’d pity the guy who tried to attack me without my consent.”

“I would, too,” Avery added. Bella wasn’t just blowing smoke. She was an assistant instructor in Karate at a local gym and had a belt. Avery didn’t think it was black, but her sister knew enough to do major damage. She’d always been the athlete of the group, playing on state championship volleyball and softball teams. Bella could kick some major ass on and off the field.

“What happened to Brad? And Cedric?” Emma frowned, obviously still concerned.

“They were months ago. I’m in my billionaire geek phase right now.”

Another heavy sigh from Izzy as she gave them their assignments for the night. As always, Emma would sing and play piano. Bella would dance with anyone she could drag onto the dance floor. Avery usually danced, sang, or conversed on whatever topic she could, while Izzy made sure everything went like clockwork. She’d carefully orchestrated the entire performance to look spontaneous. The key being that they played the part of actual party crashers, not paid entertainers. The guests loved it, trying to guess who they were, sometimes concluding they were party crashers, other times imagining them to be an obscure family member.

Avery hated her sequined dress. It was itchy and too tight, but it fit the type of party. At least she wouldn’t have to worry much about the men looking down her dress tonight. More likely they’d be gushing over it and wondering where she bought it.

As they mingled with the crowd, Emma played her heart out on the piano. All the sisters had musical talent, but Emma had it in spades. She was special, but none of the sisters would ever pursue an entertainment career after growing up as the children of rock legend has-beens. It wasn’t a pretty life. They’d seen it all and vowed to each other at a young age they’d never become singers or entertainers.

Emma was majoring in elementary education. She’d be a great teacher, Avery had no doubt, but she wondered if her twin’s heart was really in it. Ever since Avery quit college to follow her dreams, Emma seemed more restless and out of sorts, but maybe it was just Avery’s imagination.

“Hey, this is a party. Why so serious?” Bella nudged her with an elbow. She winked at Avery and took a long, hard pull on her beer.

“We’re not supposed to be drinking at these parties.”

“And since when did that stop me?”

“Never.”

“What’s up with you, anyway?” Bella watched her with knowing eyes.

“Nothing.”

“I think Izzy’s right. You’re acting like you’re in love. Who is he? Because he’s the best kept secret in this family.”

Avery couldn’t believe nosy, social-butterfly Bella hadn’t figured that one out already. “I told you, my horse.”

“Yeah, right.” Bella narrowed her eyes and studied Avery for a long time. “I know who it is… Hockey player, right?”

Avery swallowed and looked away.

“Oh, yeah, hot hockey player. I bet it’s one of your neighbors. It’s Blake Daniels, isn’t it? That poor guy has dealt with hell and you’re a rescuer. Right up your alley.”

“Blake has a girlfriend.” Avery wished she could take back the words as soon as she said them.

“Can’t be Ice. He’s way not your type.”

Avery nodded her agreement and ducked her head.

Bella peered at her as if she were a mad scientist peering into his microscope. Her eyes widened in shock then a slow smile lifted the corners of her red lips. “Ice? Holy crap. Who would’ve ever guessed?” Bella tapped her index finger on her lower lip. “He is hot. Mysterious. Bad boy. Yeah, totally my type. Way to go, sis. I didn’t know you had a streak of wild child in you, too.”

Avery opened her mouth to protest, but nothing came out but a pathetic squeak.

“I don’t blame you. I’d do him. You have done him, haven’t you?”

Avery’s face burned as if she were sitting a foot from a blazing fire.

“Oh my fucking god. You have done him. Was he as tasty as he looks?” Bella grinned and rubbed her hands together in anticipation of the juicy stuff.

Avery nodded, not bothering to lie. “It happened once. Now we’re just friends.”

“Gotta love those buddies with bennies. Damn, as soon as we get done here tonight, I want all the deets in living color.” She glanced over her shoulder. “The queen is heading this way. We aren’t doing our job like good little minions.”

“Bells, please don’t tell anyone. Isaac could get cut if Coop finds out.”

“I won’t, but I want the details. That’s my price for silence.” Bella laughed over her shoulder as she strolled away, grabbing the arm of the first hot gay guy she came upon and dragging him onto the dance floor.

* * * *

It’d been a long, hard road trip. The team won two out of three and a win tonight would put them in the driver’s seat for the last spot in the playoffs.

Isaac kept his nose clean, despite constant baiting by Glanden when no one was watching. He itched to take the guy out back and beat the crap out of him—the worst thing he could possibly do for his career, his future, and for the team.

Yeah, the team? When he started caring about the team and their playoff chances, he wasn’t sure. But he cared. He wanted a playoff chance for all these guys who’d been stuck on a crappy Florida team for years, for the Sockeyes’ coaches, and even for the ownership. They’d never shown him anything but trust and support. For that they deserved everything he had, and he gave it to them.

The Sockeyes were a crazy bunch of guys with their fish tattoos, which Isaac thought was dumber than dumb considering the instability of pro sports. If Isaac had a tattoo of every team he’d played for, he’d be covered in tattoos from head to toe. Sure, it showed a solidarity among teammates, a commitment to a greater cause, and all that bullshit, but he, for one, wouldn’t go that far. Even if he and Blake were just about the only guys in the locker room without that stupid fish tat.

Isaac wasn’t much for tattoos anyway. Near his heart, he had one with Jenny and Karen’s names and the date and on his right arm a hockey player wearing his number.

Isaac forced himself to go out with the team for dinners and drinks, not that he drank. Brick hung around him, probably because he’d saved the goalie’s ass more than once. Even Cooper talked hockey with him as they watched film together. With the exception of Glanden and a few of his compatriots, mostly third- and forth-liners, his teammates seemed to like him. So did the coaches.

It was strange, to say the least. Isaac was used to being the odd man out, the guy everyone avoided for fear of pissing him off, but things were different here mostly because Isaac was different.

For the first time in a long time, he felt good about his future and the direction his life was heading. He owed a lot of his newfound positive attitude to Avery. Now if only he could convince Cooper and Izzy he’d be good for Avery, as good as she was for him.

That night Isaac sat in the locker room waiting for the game. Around him guys joked with each other. At the center of the mayhem, Brick and Rush had an impromptu dance contest. Neither of them could dance. At all. Even Isaac found himself laughing at their feeble attempts.

Someone kicked Isaac’s skates, sending one of them flying against the wall. Irritated, Isaac looked up into the narrowed eyes of Glanden. Isaac immediately fisted his hands. It was an automatic reaction to the asshole, one he couldn’t seem to control.

Glanden leaned down close to him. Isaac didn’t flinch.

“You’re a fucking murderer, and I’m going to see you kicked off this team and out of the NHL,” Glanden threatened.

“Fuck you,” Isaac shot back.

Glanden laughed and walked off, leaving Isaac to retrieve his skates. Fuming he sat on the bench in front of his locker.

“Don’t let him get to you,” Blake said from next to him.

“I didn’t beat him to pulp, did I?”

“Nope, you didn’t, but you wanted to. It was written all over your face. If I could see it, he could see it.”

Isaac shrugged and bent over to put on his skates. The earlier good feelings were replaced by a foreboding that once again things wouldn’t work out for him.

Blake reached over and patted his arm. “Hey, you’ve come a long way. You’re doing great. The guys like you. Don’t let one ass get under your skin. Just ignore him.”

“Easy for you to say. He doesn’t blame you for killing his girlfriend, who happened to be my sister.”

“What?” Blake sat back and stared at Isaac, his mouth hanging open. Isaac turned his back on his roommate, knowing he’d have to explain himself later. He concentrated on lacing his skates while inside he was a hot mess of guilt and self-recrimination.

Blake didn’t move, and Isaac could feel Blake’s eyes burning into his back. With a sigh, Isaac sat up and glanced around the locker room, which was pretty much empty.

“It’s a long story.”

“One I’ll be waiting to hear.”

“I didn’t directly kill her,” Isaac added, not sure why it was important for Blake to see that.

“I never thought you did.” Blake stood, clapped him on the shoulder and left the locker room.

Blake’s faith in him filled healed some of the wounds opened by Glanden. It was nice to have someone on your side.

Isaac swallowed and mentally shook himself. Blame and guilt wouldn’t get him anywhere, especially when he wanted to prove himself worthy of a woman like Avery.

Because damn it, this new Isaac
was
worthy.

And as soon as they returned to Seattle, he’d move Mount Rainier if that was what it took to prove his worthiness to Coop and Izzy.

Chapter 15—Almost Permission

On Monday morning, Cooper and Izzy sat down across from Isaac in a small neighborhood coffee shop. They both stared quizzically at him, while Isaac concentrated on sipping his coffee, and figuring out how the hell he was going to approach them.

They didn’t push him, much to his surprise, seeming content to make small talk about the team and the Party Crashers. Izzy told a funny story about one gay couple at the last wedding reception they did, and Isaac laughed in all the right places, even though he hadn’t a clue what she’d said for the most part. He was scared to death, and seriously considering tucking his tail between his legs and running like hell. Only cowardice wasn’t an option, not when a relationship with Avery was his ultimate goal.

Isaac glanced up to find them both watching him with twin curious expressions.

“I guess you’re wondering why I asked to meet with both of you,” he said, braving the gauntlet and hoping he didn’t create a shitstorm in the process.

Izzy nodded slowly, holding Coop’s hand on the table. “Especially when you asked for me to be here.”

“What I have to say concerns you, too.”

Cooper’s mouth pulled into a hard, grim line, and Isaac hurried to get his point across before Cooper jumped to the wrong conclusion, such as Isaac having gotten Avery pregnant or something crazy like that.

Isaac forced out the next words. “I want to talk about Avery.”

“I knew it.” Coop pounded his fist on the table. He started to stand as if to come across the table after Isaac. “I knew it.”

Izzy grabbed his arm and yanked on it. “Sit,” she ordered. “Let him finish what he has to say.”

Cooper sat down, his grim face a study of barely controlled anger. Izzy rubbed his arm as if it might calm him. Isaac didn’t think it was working.

“I—I’ve become good friends with Avery and Emma. Avery is—different than any other woman I’ve ever met. She’s special, and I’m really interested in pursuing a relationship with her.”

“Like fucking hell you are,” Cooper growled.

“I know what you’re thinking, and I don’t blame you. I’d be thinking the same things in your shoes. My reputation isn’t the best. I’m a hothead. I’m anti-social. I’m a known womanizer and a partier. But I’m not that guy anymore, and I want a chance.” Isaac swallowed. “I want a chance to be normal. To be a guy who goes on normal dates with a woman who attracts him. I want to ask Avery out. I’d like your blessing or at least acceptance.”