Dreams (New Beginnings Book 3) (14 page)

Fifteen

Noise from the living room drifted through the door of his room and Josh let out a low growl while cracking one eye open. He shut it quickly to block out the light, rubbing his face with his free hand. His other arm was trapped under something warm.

Of course she’s warm.
The thought brought a smile to his face. He finally opened his eyes again, despite the blinding sun streaming through his window. Looking down at Taylor, a laugh broke free from his chest. She mumbled something in her sleep and then curled around his trapped arm with all the covers tangled around her small form.

He looked down at his own freezing feet, but couldn’t even be annoyed. Very slowly, he slid his arm out from under her and sat up.

The voices in the living room were louder now, and Josh knew it couldn’t just be Mack and the girl from last night. He pulled on a pair of socks and left as silently as he could.

Zak’s distinct Russian purr was audible now that there wasn’t a door between them.

“It’s bullshit,” he was saying. “I can’t believe he called you out like that.”

“Some friend,” Mack grunted.

Josh wasn’t surprised the two of them were in there bitching like school girls. Zak may not do the idiotic things Mack did, but when his teammate needed someone to get angry with him, he was there.

Josh stopped in the kitchen before making himself known. They were so engrossed that they didn’t hear him turn on the faucet to fill his glass. He stood there watching them, not really wanting to get involved. Mack stepped in the shit last night. Punching someone at a charity function where the team was front and center was going to have its repercussions. Frankly, Josh hoped Mack got a wake-up call from this. He couldn’t keep treating everything like it was one big joke. That game, that league, was their lives.

“There are pancakes in the oven keeping warm,” a voice said.

Josh turned towards the table where Mel was perched.

“Uh, hey?” He glanced towards his teammates in the living room and then back to the girl, assuming she’d come with Zak. “Thought you weren’t a hockey groupie?”

“Don’t be an ass,” she snapped. “I made you breakfast.”

“Okay, so not a groupie. Stalker?” He grinned. He couldn’t help but like this girl.

“Oh, yes,” she deadpanned. “You’re all I think about. Josh Walker. Mmmm, such a dreamboat.” She finally cracked a smile and he laughed.

“I knew it!”

“Ass.”

“Fair enough.” He fixed himself a plate and sat down across from her. “I think I’m the only person that’s ever cooked in that kitchen before you.”

She snorted at that. “I’ll bet. Can’t exactly imagine Mack making girls ‘morning after’ eggs.”

“So, if you aren’t in love with me, why are you here? - not that I don’t appreciate the food,” he added.

“Zak and I were supposed to grab breakfast. He’d just picked me up when Punchy in there gave him a call. As to the pancakes, I realized pretty quickly that we’d be here a while and I was hungry.”

Stabbing his fork into a bite of pancake, Josh smirked. “I like you, Mel.” He stuffed it into his mouth.

“That feeling will pass.” She leaned forward. “I drugged your food.”

He was still laughing when the chair beside him was pulled out, the legs screeching against the tile floor. “Why am I so tired?” Taylor groaned, plunking her butt into the seat and leaning her head on the table.

“Probably because you spent all night talking and stealing the covers,” Josh laughed, rubbing small circles on her back.

“I did not,” she stated.

“Oh, trust me, I have the frozen feet to prove it.”

“Only feet?”

“Well, I had something else keeping the rest of me warm.” The color rose in her cheeks and his smile stretched wider. Leaning towards her, he whispered, “You blush a lot. It’s cute.”

He stood and looked down at her. “Hungry?”

“Famished.”

“Well, then you can thank our cook here.” He pointed to Mel, and Taylor lifted her head as if seeing their company for the first time.

“So, you’re the girl he ditched me for last night,” Mel said with mock-seriousness.

“I… um …” Taylor stumbled for a response, making the other girl chuckled.

“It’s okay, I told him from the get-go that I wouldn’t sleep with him, so I’m glad he found someone that would.”

“Excuse me?” Taylor croaked.

Josh’s eyes flashed towards Mel as he set a plate in front of Taylor. She was doing her best to make Taylor squirm.

Mel laughed hysterically as she waved her arms in front of her. “Kidding,” she wheezed in between giggles. “Your faces … priceless.”

“Josh,” Mack called before he could save Taylor.

“Bring your plate,” he said to Taylor as he grabbed his. “Let’s see what the crisis is this time.”

Zak was perched on the arm of the couch while Mack paced in front of him.

“Finally,” Mack said when he caught sight of Josh. “You’re awake.” He glanced at Taylor and then Mel before his eyes drifted back to Josh. “This is really just team business.”

Josh knew his roommate wasn’t trying to be an ass this time. He was probably right. Whatever was going to happen shouldn’t involve anyone else, least of all Coach’s daughter.

“It’s okay,” Taylor said. “I called Abigail when I woke up. She should be here any minute to get me.”

At the mention of Abigail, Mack sunk down onto the couch and put his head in his hands.

“We can give you a ride,” Taylor said to Mel.

Mel looked to Zak who gave her an apologetic smile. “Rain check?”

“Yeah, sure.” The girls left their dishes in the kitchen and headed out the door.

It wasn’t the morning Josh had wanted. Taylor had finally let him in, and he wanted to explore what that meant. He’d planned on cooking her breakfast and then spending the early part of the day with her before he had to hit the gym. Now they just had an awkward half-hug, and she was gone. He vowed to himself he’d make it up to her.

Turning back towards his teammates, he sighed. “What’s going on?”

“This.” Mack handed Josh is laptop where’d he’d pulled up the
Columbus Dispatch
on-line. They had a small hockey section with designated hockey reporters. As soon as he saw the headline, he knew it wasn’t good.

Grant Mackenzie attacks man at charity gala.

“I didn’t attack anyone,” Mack growled.

“Keep reading,” Zak said.

About a third of the way through the article, there was a quote from Colin.

I was just minding my own business. I don’t know what his problem was. He must have been on something. There was this crazed look in his eyes. I’m telling you, that guy was out of his mind.

Josh looked up. “Shit.”

“That isn’t everything,” Zak responded.

Near the end of the article was another quote.

That is not how we want to be represented as a team.
Olle Isaksson, Captain of the Blue Jackets, said.
We are better than that. In this league, men are forced to be professionals while dealing with the pitfalls of stardom at a very young age. Not every guy who can put the puck in the net has the mentality to be the role models we are supposed to be.

“Double shit,” Josh sighed, although he wouldn’t say he disagreed with Olle. In fact, he’d thought the very same thing. But, he’d never use the media to say it.

As professional athletes, reporters were always trying to get the scoop. It was a daily struggle to keep your private life private. In hockey at least, most guys could do it - at least the ones who weren’t playing in Canada. Mack had always been utterly incapable of staying under the radar. He’d done a lot of things that people shrugged off as a young man blowing off steam. This was different. There were accusations in that article that would be hard to shake.

“My own captain, throwing me under the bus,” Mack scoffed.

“Were you on drugs last night?” It all seemed so surreal to Josh. He’d been close to Mack since coming into the league and had never seen him touch anything harder than booze. They were best friends, teammates, brothers, yet he suddenly couldn’t trust what he thought he knew of the man. He’d seen the fight. Mack didn’t attack Colin out of the blue, but he had seemed a little crazed.

“How can you ask me that?” Mack’s voice was so low, Josh almost didn’t hear it.

“How can I not? I saw you going at it with him. Why would he lie?”

It was silent for a moment before Mack burst up from the couch. “Because he knows I screwed his girlfriend!”

“That’s a huge accusation to make because of a girl, especially since it was just a one-time thing. He knows he could ruin you.”

Mack’s shoulders sagged and he sat back down. “What is happening to me? My career is on the line and all I can think is that this proves Colin’s a douche and I need to get her away from him.”

Before Josh could respond, there was a knock on the door. It swung open seconds later.

“Oh look,” Zak said. “Brutus.”

Olle held his hands up as he walked closer. “I know you probably think I’m the biggest jackass on the planet.”

“That’s an understatement,” Mack said.

“I came to see if you’re okay after last night.” Olle’s gaze didn’t leave Mack.

“I doubt I will be after management gets hold of me.”

“I’ve already talked to them.” Olle sat in a chair across from them. “The quote in that article was the start of damage control. They asked me to do it. They also want a drug test.”

“Even if I was on drugs, it’s not like that’s an uncommon thing in this league.”

“No,” Olle said evenly. “It’s not. But those other guys weren’t called out for it in the paper. You’ll get the test, and then we can tell the
Dispatch
that it was negative. I’ll be honest here, they’re getting sick of your shit. And you know how they deal with problems. There are plenty of teams that’d take a chance on a troublemaking thirty-goal scorer. If you want to stay a Jacket, clean up your act. They’re watching you closely. And remember, this is only management. You know Coach will have his own punishment for you. I’d expect to sit a few games if I were you.”

Olle got to his feet to signal he wasn’t staying. “Don’t talk to any media. You know the drill.” When he reached the door, he turned back. “And Mack?”

“Yeah?”

“Come to me if you need help turning yourself around.”

He left and with him went all the anger that’d thickened the room before. Mack seemed visibly more relaxed.

“You heading to the gym?” He asked Josh.

“In a few.”

“I’ll meet you there after I stop by the clinic.”

Josh just stared at him for a moment. It wasn’t like Mack to give up his off days during the season, but he didn’t want to question it. Truth was, if Mack was traded, he’d lose his best friend. So, a newfound dedication was good.

“You guys have fun,” Zak said. “I’m going to see about a girl.”     

Sixteen

“I don’t even know why I’m getting involved in this.” Taylor sighed as she walked down High Street with Abigail at her side.

They slipped into their favorite Mexican restaurant and found a table in the back.

“I so didn’t want something like this to happen.” Abigail buried her face in her hands, muffling her voice.

“I thought Colin was supposed to be one of the good ones.”

“Obviously, I did too.”

“Is that why you cheated on him with Mack?” The words slipped out before Taylor could stop them, and she knew how they sounded. Judgy. And she did
not
want to be that judgy friend.

“Wanna know something awful?” Abigail asked, finally looking at her friend.

“Ummm, probably not, but I guess you’re going to tell me anyway.”

She didn’t get a chance to because their waitress showed up at that exact moment. She set a basket of chips and a bowl of salsa on the table before taking their orders. This place was popular with the underclassmen because they weren’t known for carding.

Abigail didn’t continue with their previous conversation until her margarita appeared a few minutes later. Taylor sipped a water as she eyed her roommate. This was their last hangout before Abigail left for Thanksgiving and she hoped the Colin situation would blow over by the time she got back.

Abigail took a long drink before setting it down and squeezing her eyes shut. “I don’t even think I regret being with Mack.”

“After everything that’s happened?”

“Especially after that.”

“Wait a second,” Taylor held up one finger. “Are you telling me you like Mack?”

“No,” she said quickly. “Maybe. Does it even matter?”

“Yes. It does.” Taylor leaned away from the table and crossed her arms over her chest, a smile forming on her lips. “Really?” she laughed. “Mack? Huh …”

“Don’t look at me like that.” Abigail kicked her under the table.

“Don’t get me wrong, Mack is definitely more your type, it’s just …” she paused for effect. “He’s been chasing you for a while now, and you’ve been running. Fast.”

“He only wants me because I didn’t want to jump right back into bed with him.” Abigail frowned. “Besides, what does it matter now?”

“Oh, it matters.”

“No. When I picked you up on Sunday, I promised I’d take care of the Colin problem. For Mack. That’s why it doesn’t matter. It can’t. Not anymore.”

“Abigail, what did you do?”

Abigail finished her margarita and threw some money on the table before standing. “Have a good break, Tay. I’ll see you when you get back.”

As she watched her friend walk away, Taylor thought of the girl she’d met when she first moved into the dorms a couple months ago. The girl who picked her up when she was crying in the rain. The one who was annoyingly bubbly and always in search of fun. That wasn’t the girl who just left here. But she was right. The articles that’d been released over the past few days, chronicling Mack’s transgressions, had no more quotes from Colin. No more talk of lawsuits or references to drugs. The clean drug test took care of that.

Now the
Dispatch
and other hockey sources were reporting trade rumors. Taylor’s dad was on edge and Josh was putting all of his spare energy into helping Mack. The team was on a winning streak and that alone was enough to silence some of the questions.

Mack was on a tear, with five goals in the last three games. Josh was doing his best on the first line. He wasn’t potting goals, but every other part of his game was solid. Taylor was forced to watch it on TV because the team was on the road. She didn’t mind, though. She was perfectly happy sitting on the couch in her parent’s house with her mom and sister.

It was like old times. When the Winterhawks would go on the road, they’d have girl time. No dads. No boyfriends. Before college and everything else that’d happened.

Taylor got out of her car and hiked her bag up on her shoulder before walking up the driveway and in the front door. “Mom,” she called.

Her mom appeared from the kitchen and wrapped her in a hug before she could get any more words out.

“Suffocating here,” Taylor wheezed.

Her mom stepped back with a laugh and looked her over. Surprising Taylor, she slugged her lightly in the shoulder.

“Hey!”

“Taylor Scott, you live not twenty minutes from here, and the only times I’ve seen you in the past few weeks are at hockey games.”

Taylor rubbed her shoulder but dropped her scowl. “Sorry,” she shrugged. “School’s been crazy.”

“Yeah, yeah, I’m sure it’s
school
that’s been keeping you busy.” She winked, but the action just looked awkward on her face. Taylor couldn’t help but laugh.

“Mom!”

“Your father and I do talk, you know.” She took her by the arm. “Come help me with the pies, and you can tell me all about him.”

“Where’s Ev?”

“Napping, so we have some time, just us.”

“Okay.”

They set up at the counter with everything they needed for her mom’s perfect pumpkin pie recipe. It was so familiar that Taylor felt a small twinge of nostalgia, bringing a smile to her face.

“Care to share with the class?” her mom asked.

“What?”

“You’re spacing out on me.”

“Oh.” Her cheeks grew warm. “Sorry.”

“Does it have something to do with Josh Walker?”

“Huh? Mom …”

“I told you,” she laughed. “I know everything.”

“Oh God.” Taylor leaned against the counter and covered her face with her hands.

“Confession time,” her mom said. “I looked him up. I mean, I’ve met him briefly, but I wanted to see his stats.”

“Of course you did.” Taylor couldn’t help but laughing. Priorities.

“Your father seems to think he’s going places in this league.”

“Do you really want to talk about his game?” Taylor looked sideways, sensing an ulterior motive.

“These boys are different.”

“And the truth comes out.” Taylor walked to the sink to wash her hands. “This is that talk.”

“A mother’s obligation.”

“Are you sure it isn’t coming from Dad?”

“No, actually, your father is quite a fan of the kid.”

“Can’t you follow his lead?”

“Josh seems like a nice young man,” her mom said. “But these kids … they’re asked to be men before their time. They enter the league when they’re so young, and in an instant have more money and attention than sense. It creates a certain kind of man. Look at the papers lately.”

“Josh isn’t like Mack.” Taylor dried her hands and stuffed them in the pockets of her jeans.

“Yet.”

Taylor stood across her mom with her feet planted wide and narrowed eyes. It was a fighting stance. The front door opened and quick, heavy footsteps sounded in the hall before her Dad entered the kitchen.

“Taylor,” he boomed, his grin falling from his face as he took in the tension filled room. “Everything okay in here?”

“Yep,” Taylor lied, turning away from her mom. “Is the whole team home?”

As if on cue, her cell phone chimed before he could answer. She smiled when she saw who was calling. “Scratch that,” she said to her dad. “I already know the answer. I have to go.”

Answering her phone, she left her parents in stunned silence behind her. “Hey there,” she said.

“Hi yourself,” Josh said back. “I just got home.”

“I know.”

“I want to see you.”

“I know that too,” she laughed. “I’ll be there in a few.”   

###

Mack went to grab dinner with a few of the guys on the team as soon as they got back, but Josh begged off. He’d spent enough time with them over the last few days, plus he’d be seeing them again tomorrow for Thanksgiving. They only had two days off before heading out on the road again.

Josh busied himself picking up the apartment and unpacking his bag. As soon as the plane touched down in Columbus, he’d had this need to see Taylor. To hold her. To kiss her. The other night had opened the floodgates to everything he’d felt since he met her. He’d been the good guy, the friend, waiting for her to be ready, even helping her get there, but it was killing him. Now he needed more.

There was a soft knock on the door, and he was there in a flash. As soon as he opened the door he pulled her inside, closed the door, and pinned her back against it.

“Hi,” she whispered.

This time he didn’t wait for permission, he dove in. When his lips touched hers it was as if an electric current ran through them both. She pulled him closer until his body was flush against hers as she opened up to him.

It was like nothing Josh had ever experienced before. For just an instant, they were the only thing that mattered. Their lips were just learning each curve, each crease, of each other’s. Taylor’s were soft against his rougher ones. Her face perfect, and his marred by all the broken noses and healed wounds that come with his chosen profession.

He cupped her cheeks, his fingers rubbing circles on her smoother skin as he tilted her head back to deepen the kiss.

Her arms were snaked around his back, holding on as if he wasn’t going to be there much longer.

With the need to breathe winning out, Josh broke away, inhaling deeply. Taylor leaned her head back against the door. Josh gripped her waist, not wanting to let her go.

“It’s a good thing you’re holding me up.” Taylor laughed breathlessly. “I’d probably fall right over after that greeting.”

“Isn’t that how you say hi to all your friends?” He grinned.

“Well, Abigail’s taken, but Sarah might be up for it.” She smiled back.

He scrunched his face up at that. “You do know that girl’s practically my sister, right?”

“Then I guess those greetings are just reserved for you.”

“Good.” He rested his forehead against hers. “I missed you.”

She stretched up to fit her lips to his once again.

A ringing interrupted them, and they broke apart so Josh could look at his phone.

“Speaking of Sarah.” He showed her the Facetime request.

Taylor grabbed the phone. “She’ll just keep calling.”

Sarah’s face appeared on the screen. “Tay?” she asked. “Did I accidentally call you? I thought I was calling Josh, but I guess I might have hit the wrong person. I’ve been meaning to call you to see how you’re doing anyway, so maybe that’s why I hit your name …”

“Sarah,” Taylor said, cutting off her friend’s rambling. “Stop. I’m just on Josh’s phone.”

“Why would you … Oh my gosh! Are you guys like dating?”

Taylor held the phone away from herself as her friend squealed. “I …” She looked over at Josh. “Dating is a strong word.”

Josh snatched the phone from her and turned it around so Sarah could see him. “No, it’s not, and yes, we’re dating.” Glancing at Taylor, he added, “If that’s okay with her.”

Taylor froze as unwanted anxiety clutched at her. She knew this was what she wanted. After that speech to her mom and that kiss - holy hell, that kiss - she pushed away the doubt that arose along with thoughts of Danny.

Leaning over to Josh, she gave him a quick kiss and then turned to Sarah, who was staring at them with her mouth hanging open.

“You’re going to catch flies in there if you don’t shut your mouth.” She laughed. It was a Dannyism and Sarah knew that, so she grinned.

“Is that a smile, Taylor Scott? And a laugh?” She threw her arms up. “Double score. Joshy boy, I didn’t think I could love you anymore than I already did. Take care of my girl.”

Josh put an arm around Taylor and squeezed her to his side in response.

“I don’t want to interrupt you guys anymore,” Sarah said. “Just checking in.”

“Bye, lady,” Taylor said before hanging up the phone and putting it on the coffee table.

She looked sideways at Josh, nerves building in her stomach. The passion from a few minutes ago had dissipated and Sarah was no longer an interruption. Now it was just the two of them and that word.
Dating.

“You’re thinking something,” Josh said quietly.

“Huh?”

“That crease between your eyes tells me there’s something on your mind. And that frown tells me it isn’t good.”

“Then I guess you can’t read me as well as you thought,” she said, trying to change the subject.

“It’s because I said we were dating, isn’t it?” He scratched the back of his head and looked away. “If that isn’t what you want …”

Taylor cut off his words with a kiss. “That enough assurance for you?” she asked against his lips.

“Nope.” He kissed her again and didn’t stop until she was dizzy from lack of oxygen. 

###

Taylor knew she still had a lot to deal with, but for the first time, she actually did want to deal with it. She felt like she was standing on the edge of a cliff with only two options. She could either step off and fall, or she could jump and fly. It was time to fly.