Prologue
Giddy like a kid in a candy store, I skip up the front steps of the house. I haven’t seen him since he skated off the ice this morning and left me squirming in the locker room. Who knew dirty talk could be downright titillating? This girl right here, that’s who.
I should just walk in like I normally do, but the door is locked, so I ring the doorbell, glancing around at the other houses. It’s so peaceful this time of day. Families getting ready to either go to the big football game or making dinner. The sound of footsteps draws my attention back to the door, with the goofiest smile I’ve ever had.
“Hey—” The words die in my throat as I see a blond girl with legs all the way up to her throat wearing the same T-shirt he had on today. This can’t be happening. Heart pounding to an erratic rhythm, all the blood must have rushed to my head because I’m suddenly hot.
“Can I help you?” Barbie asks, all perky and shit.
“Ummm,” I stumble, trying to find my words because all I can think about is getting out of here before I embarrass myself or better yet get arrested for attempted murder. I mean, he was just with me almost naked!
“I was looking for Coop. Is he here?” The words finally dislodge from my throat.
She twirls her hair in her hand. Of course she does. She’s a fucking Barbie. “Yeah, he just stepped in the shower. Who are you?”
“Oh, um, I’m Parker, his rehab coach.”
“Oh, I have heard so much about you. I’m Monica, the fiancée,” she says, flashing her five-carat ring.
How did I not notice that rock while she was twirling her fucking hair?
“Nice to meet you. I was just dropping by to let him know the hours have changed for practice tomorrow and that Tom will be there to assist him,” I say flatly, proud of myself for not saying what’s really on my mind.
“Okay, do you want to come in and wait for him? He should be out any second.”
Is she out of her fucking mind? I’m totally going to be superficial and say she’s a fucking airhead.
“No.” I smile. “I’m headed out of town, so if you can just let him know.”
“Oh, I’ll totally tell him.”
Ugh, is that bile coming up my throat?
“Thanks.” Without another word, I dash down the steps and whip my cell phone out. How, how in the ever loving fuck is this happening again? How is this possible? How many fucking people did I piss off on that karma bus?
Meg answers on the first ring.
“Road trip.” My voice cracks, and I don’t know how, but she knows. She just knows I need her.
“I’m packing. I’ll be ready in five.”
A sob makes it out just as I press end and throw my phone across the car. I hope it smashes into pieces like my heart is right now.
Chapter One
Two months before…
Beep beep beep. Slowly, I pry my eyes open to peek at the alarm clock. Ugh, 2:23 a.m.
This is going to be a long ass day. I drag myself up to a sitting position and try to gaze through my window. The illumination of the streetlight is shining in just a bit.
“Momma, is it time for school?” my beautiful five-year-old blond-headed baby girl asks me.
“No, baby, time for Momma to go to work. Matthew will be putting you on the bus today. Don’t forget.” I look down at my girl and think how much things have changed for her. She was our surprise baby, the result of that one time I had too much wine in my system.
We had been trying to get pregnant since Matthew turned five. Five years later, she showed up. The saying better late than never is fitting.
We were so happy, so fulfilled. Our family was complete. Sure, it was tough since James was usually on the road, and I was the one constantly there. A stay-at-home mom. Don’t get me wrong. I loved having the chance to raise my kids. James took a job with travel. At the time it was the best decision for us. The money was great. I just wasn’t counting on it being such a struggle, almost like I was a single mom. It was tough, I’m not going to lie. Getting used to the night feedings again, the teething, the diapers…it was a big adjustment, but I was so happy doing it. She was my angel.
James and I were high school sweethearts, the big cliché you read about. We started with hanging around in the same circle. Always flirting, always making sure the other knew where we would be. It was easy to fall in love. We were the annoying couple always looking for each other. The one that did everything together. We were attached at the hip, so much that we chose the same college. The next logical step was for us to get married. I couldn’t wait to be his wife.