“He found us.”
The terror in those words snapped something inside me.
I remembered that terror.
Felt it in my bones like a cold, slick oil that threatened to drown me.
“Is he there now?” I could sense Porter behind me, never intruding but close enough that if I needed him, one look was all it would take. The notion was new and comforting and confusing all at the same time.
“No,” she said, sucking in a sharp breath. “But he was here, trying to get in. Asking about me.”
I sighed, a little relief filling my lungs. The staff was trained not to disclose any information about the guests, not unless the guest listed someone to contact in case of emergencies or cleared them ahead of time.
“I have a shift in an hour,” she said. “But I’m terrified he’ll be on the street waiting for me. Waiting for Liam.” She huffed. “God, I’m being stupid. I’m sorry to bug you. I just…I didn’t have anyone else to call.”
“It’s okay,” I said, trying to make my voice as soothing as possible. “This is why I gave you my number. I’m here for you, Melissa. Hold on a minute.” I turned, my eyes falling on Elliott, who had resumed the game, Lukas taking Porter’s place on the opposite side.
My heart sank. I didn’t want to yank her from this just to situate her at our apartment while I went to help Melissa.
“Here,” Porter said, pressing his keys into my palm. “Go. I’ll take care of Elliott.”
“What?” I gaped at the keys in my hand.
“You’re needed,” he said, shrugging. “She’s safe with me. You know that much by now.”
“I know,” I said, and it was refreshing how truthful those words were. Elliott had spent plenty of time with Porter alone over the last month. Plus, she had the tracker on her constantly, not that I would ever doubt her in Porter’s care, but if she wandered off, I’d know. “You sure?” I fingered the keys in my hands.
This trip was already beyond generous of him and here I was ready to dash away at the drop of a hat. In his car, no less. The same one that cost more than my apartment.
“Go,” he said, reading the lines of debate on my face. “We’ll see you when you’re done. I’ll make sure she doesn’t stay up past one.” He winked, and the joke eased the tension in my chest.
I brought the phone back to my ear. “Melissa, I’m on my way.”
We hung up, and I hurried over to Elliott, filling her in and making sure she was okay with it. I had little doubt, but I always wanted her time spent with anyone else to be her choice. And of course, she would choose a beach house full of Sharks over sitting in our cramped apartment all alone.
“Thank you,” I said to Porter as I hustled into the resort to change.
I was on the road in less than five minutes.
On the road in a massive Mercedes filled with all things Porter.
His smell, taunting and teasing with each mile I put behind me. The effect somehow soothing the anxiety as I traveled toward Melissa, hoping my support and help would be enough to ease her fears.
Because that was the key in her getting out.
Getting free.
Owning her strength and taking back her life.
And doing it alone took ten times longer.
I knew that all too well.
Chapter 5
Hudson
By nine-thirty, the kids were in bed, and the adults had either coupled off or were sitting by the bonfire down on the beach. Shea still hadn’t returned.
I wasn’t worried. I knew she was just as much about her career as I was mine, and she’d take exactly how much time she needed to assure she’d taken care of whatever situation she was facing. Besides, Elliott had blended in with the other kids pretty seamlessly, especially with a couple of the older girls of the veteran players.
Too bad it was likely those guys would be cut after this season, or rather announce their retirement. The sport was brutal, and not just on bodies. It was time away from family—from wives, kids, girlfriends…fiancées. Hell, I knew that last one all too well, and what happened when the loneliness set in.
Yeah, hockey broke more than bones. It pulverized hearts.
Hence the pre-season getaway.
The resort was massive, and perfect for this weekend. God knew it would be one of the only gameless weekends that we had to spend with family once practice started next week.
Then it was pretty much balls to the wall until May…well, hopefully, May. There was nothing like winning a Stanley Cup, and I was all-in to defend our title.
“Hey, what are you doing out here?” Gentry asked as he came out onto the deck, a fresh beer dangling by its neck between his fingers.
“Not much,” I answered, leaning on the massive railing of the wraparound deck.
“Brooding?” He leaned in next to me.
“I’m not always brooding.”
“True. Only about ninety-nine percent of the time.”
“I’d go with ninety-eight.”
He shot me a side glance. “Coming down?” he motioned to the bonfire.
“Not yet. Just waiting to make sure Shea gets back safely.” I could lie and say I was up here contemplating the meaning of life, but the truth—it opened the door to be given a massive amount of shit by the guys.
Shit-giving was acceptable, though. It meant you’d been accepted, and having come from Ontario—who I guess was now my rival, I didn’t take it for granted.
“Shea.”
“Yep.”
“And you let her take your car, right?”
I shot him a look, and he shrugged. “Lukas,” he said in way of explanation.
“She’s a social worker. She had an emergency. She took my car.”
He put his hands up, beer and all. “Hey, I’m all for it.”
“Really?”
“Man, it’s not like you mess around. You’ve been here over six months, and I’ve never seen you take a girl home from the bar, or a game, or…anywhere. If you brought her here, and let h
er take your car, I’m assuming it’s not just sex.”
My eyes narrowed, and he backed away.
“Right. So. Bonfire, you know, if you want…or not, it’s your choice. Of course. Continue brooding.” He gave me a two-fingered salute, still holding the bottle, and headed down the steps to the beach.
My phone buzzed, and I looked quickly to see if it was Shea.
It wasn’t.
Natalie: Are you ever going to answer me? How can you throw away YEARS over a simple mistake?
I scoffed. Simple mistake, my ass.
My finger hovered over the message, but the truth was, I’d said all I’d had to say without ever speaking a word.
“There you are.”
I pocketed my cell and turned to see Shea walk out from the living room. She was dressed in the shorts she’d had on earlier, and the tie from her swimsuit rose from the neckline of her shirt.
“There you are,” I replied softly, leaning back against the railing. “How are you?”
“Starving.” She lifted a brownie in her hand and devoured it with her eyes. “How was Elliott?”
“Perfect and already in bed.” The corners of my mouth lifted. “We grilled steaks for dinner. I can warm you up some, or even grill you a fresh one.”
“No worries, I’m way too into this chocolate.” She broke off a corner of the brownie and popped it between her lips.
“Oh, God,” she moaned.
Boom. Immediately harder than the fucking support beams.
“Good?” I cleared my throat and adjusted my stance to hide what was soon going to be a big problem if I couldn’t get myself under control.
“Who made these? Because I’m going to marry them.”
I’d never wanted to bake before, but damn if I wasn’t going to learn.
“Uh, I think those are Jeanine’s.”
“The chef?” she asked, breaking off another bite as she walked toward me.
“Yep, that’s her.” Maybe she gave lessons. I was going to have to find out immediately just so I could hear that sound out of Shea’s mouth again.
“God, this is better than sex.” She took the space next to me, facing out toward the ocean while I turned toward her.