Melting the Ice E-Book

Melody Heck Gatto

• Herausgeber: Melody Heck Gatto
• Kategorie: Gesellschafts- und Liebesromane
• Sprache: Englisch

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2019

Beschreibung

Talia never imagined that at almost forty years old, she’d be newly single again. Not to mention picking up a sexy young man at a Pittsburgh bar. What she thought was a one-night stand, turned into night after night of the best sex she’d ever had. Even the news that he was a teammate of her brother couldn’t extinguish the desire she had for Harrison. Somehow, he had made himself a permanent fixture in her bed and was slowly moving in on her heart. He fawned over her like no man ever had before, and she was loving the attention, but she wasn’t ready to give her heart away so easily. Not after what she just went through.
Harrison vowed off relationships. He was a self-proclaimed lifelong bachelor. Talia was simply supposed to be a notch in his bedpost, a hook-up. But he was drawn to this woman with such an animal attraction. Typically, he never bedded the same woman twice, yet he couldn’t get enough of Talia.
Talia wasn’t looking for a new relationship. Even after being estranged from her husband for two years, filing those final papers felt so…well, final.
Closing that period of her life was scary, but it was time to put on her big-girl pants and figure out the next chapter. Trouble was, falling in love again was not part of that plan.

Leseprobe

Melting the Ice

Renegades 10

The Renegades Series

by Melody Heck Gatto

Melting the Ice – Renegades 10

By Melody Heck Gatto

Copyright © 2019 by Melody Heck Gatto

License Notes

All rights reserved. This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. This e-book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This e-book may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favorite e-book retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

The Pittsburgh Renegades™ is a fictional sports team. Their name and logo are created for the sole use of the owner and covered under protection of trademark.

Editing by Bree Scalf - Vivid Editing

Cover Art by Kat McCarthy – Evening Sky Publishing Services

Table of Contents

Dedication

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

CHAPTER TWELVE

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

CHAPTER NINETEEN

CHAPTER TWENTY

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

EPILOGUE

Note from the Author

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dedication

To all the hockey players who inspire me to do what I do.

CHAPTER ONE

Harrison

Harrison Dash maneuvered around the furniture in the dark room. Sneaking out of puck bunnies’ apartments was something he had down to a science. The nameless beauties lay sound asleep in their beds, while he made his silent exits. Tonight was no different. It was the middle of the night, and the room was pitch black. As Harrison crept towards the front door, he was stopped dead in his tracks by the sound of keys jingling in the lock.

Shit.

Harrison’s usual pick-up of choice was a puck bunny. Bunnies came with the benefit of not wanting him to stay the night any more than he wanted to. They rarely even gave him their names before he had them flat on their backs or up against a wall. Harrison had no interest in relationships; as a matter of fact, he was a self-proclaimed lifelong bachelor. So there was no need for names and no need to spend the night. He was in and out, literally. And that’s how he liked it.

Harrison had vowed against marriage. Nothing good came from being tied down to one woman. Case in point, he’d once given his heart to someone special, and while planning a life together with said woman, he had caught her in bed with his brother.

From that day on, he was done with relationships.

Typically, Harrison didn’t encounter the trouble leaving a bunny’s house as he was about to have tonight. Bunnies liked to keep their hobby of screwing hockey players separate from their personal lives, and on the down-low from their boyfriends.

Katie, or Krissy, or Kimmie, whatever her name was, had said that her boyfriend wasn’t coming home tonight. Guess she’ll be as surprised as I am. Harrison stood in the shadows, as the front door swung open. The way the large man was swaying back and forth made it clear he was drunk. Guy was probably lucky he’d made it home in one piece, if he drove himself. But that wasn’t Harrison’s concern at the moment.

When the shadowy figure moved through the dark room, Harrison hurried to the door and tried to slip out, but the tipsy man shut it too quickly.

“Fuck!” Harrison grunted.

The burly man spun around, frantically waving his arms. “What the fuck? Who’s there?”

There was no way Harrison was going to announce himself; he wasn’t stupid. But the guy took a swing. Harrison, a professional hockey league enforcer, was skilled in the art of fighting. After all, not just anyone was chosen to be an on-ice enforcer. However, he preferred not to use his fighting skills outside the rink if he could help it. Tonight didn’t look like it was going to be one of those nights.

Harrison ducked, and the mystery-man’s clumsy swing missed him, instead connecting with the wall and resulting in a loud crash. His ungainly, drunken movements had him knocking over lamps and tables, while trying to find Harrison.

All the noise woke the puck bunny, who started to screech incomprehensible words.

“You are whoring around again?” the drunk man yelled at the woman, then turned his attention back to Harrison. “You another one of those hockey boys?”

While Harrison stood, shocked by the screaming of the bunny, the man took a weak swing that connected with Harrison’s jaw, and Harrison had no choice but to put the guy right on his ass. Harrison returned with a right hook, sending the big guy sprawling to the ground. Shaking his hand in pain, Harrison slipped out the door and hopped into his vehicle. He wasn’t going to hang around, waiting for the guy to get back up.

Speeding down the street, Harrison chuckled to himself and turned up the radio. His hand was aching, but it would be fine. Just another Saturday night in his world.

The sun streaked brightly through the windows of the local diner. The glaring orange ball was still rising in the bitterly cold sky, and even though there was no snow on the ground right now, frost crept around the corners of the glass. It was late January in Pittsburgh and the dead of winter here in the Keystone State. This Sunday morning, Harrison was waiting on his buddies. They’d just finished a grueling workout, and it was time to feast on breakfast.

Harrison was one-third of what the fans liked to call the “Triple Threat” on the Pittsburgh Renegades professional hockey team. At the age of twenty-four, he had moved into the main enforcer position after Matt Jasper retired. Brody Fallon and Luc Marcella made up the other two-thirds of the “TT.” Not necessarily enforcers, they were two young guys who, while talented in the scoring department, weren’t afraid to mix it up and throw some punches when needed.

Harrison’s stomach growled hungrily. He was already on his second cup of coffee and was annoyed that Luc and Brody were so late. Twice, his mindless sweep of the room had him looking at a smoking hot brunette who made no secret that she had her eye on him.

She had been sneaking glances in his direction since he got here, as well as doing the flip thing with her hair that girls did when they were flirting. The brunette had re-applied her lip gloss twice in the last fifteen minutes, and she was making quite a spectacle of drinking—she looked like she was giving that straw a blow job. In his line of work, this was nothing new. Women threw themselves at him every day, and that was why he had no need to get tied down to only one, when he could have his pick.

The bell over the exit chimed, and the door swung open. Brody and Luc strutted into the diner as if they owned the place. Brody flashed smiles at every female in the place, while Luc headed straight for their table.

“What the hell took you two so long?” Harrison asked. “The arena isn’t that far away.”

“Yeah, sorry about that,” Brody Fallon half-heartedly apologized before he sat down. His focus was on a young woman at another table rather than at Harrison. “We were unavoidably held up after practice.”

Luc sat down with a huff and rolled his eyes. “And if you believe that, I have a bridge to sell you.”

“A bunny?” Harrison guessed. Harrison liked the ladies, but Brody was known as the team man-whore. He would screw anything that was willing. “You should’ve left his sorry ass behind.”

“He’s already been warned for next time.” Luc gave Brody a dirty look. “You skank on your own time, man. I’m not playing when there’s food waiting for me!”

Luc waved for the waitress so they could order. Once the waitress was again out of earshot, the ribbing continued.

“Was this just a pose-with-the-bunny-for-selfies kinda hold up, or did Luc have to pull your lame ass out of her backseat?” Harrison asked.

“You don’t want to know,” Luc said, his face twisted with distaste.

“Then I definitely would’ve left his ugly mug!” Harrison laughed.

“Bro, you know you would’ve been all over that too if you had seen her. Damn. She was so sweet I thought I was gonna get a cavity.” Brody licked his lips as though he were eating something delicious.

Harrison shook his head in disgust. “Dude, that is not appetizing! I don’t want to know that shit. I don’t ever want to know where your tongue has been. Ever.”

“Yeah, well, you weren’t the one pulling him out of the car,” Luc added. “I can’t un-see that shit.”

“You fools are too much.” Harrison chuckled. He had no other words for these two. Brody was used to being picked on, and he brought it on himself. On the other hand, Luc had become a one-woman man as soon as he’d met Kassie, so he tended to be a bit judgy about their love of the bunnies.

Before Harrison could say any more, their plates were set in front of them.

“Alright! Let’s eat,” Luc said, as he dug into his breakfast.

The trio took a few quiet moments to appreciate the hot, fresh food. Brody shoveled it in like a caveman, while Luc and Harrison did their best to ignore him.

“Sam said Ty will be landing around three. He wanted to have an off-the-books team practice tonight, but Morris talked him out of it. Instead, a few of the guys are meeting at the training facility.”

“I’m sure Sam wanted to get home to see his kids. Wouldn’t you?” Harrison asked.

“Don’t forget his wife. I mean, damn, I wouldn’t kick her out of bed for eating crackers.” Brody wiggled his eyebrows.

“Nope, I’m not touching that comment, dude.” Harrison shook his head.

Sam’s wife was Trina Kidd, the sister of their team captain, Tyler Kidd. Tyler and Sam had been at an All-Star weekend in San Jose and would be home later today. Which meant that as soon as their captain hit the tarmac, their little week of hedonism and relaxation would come to an end.

Tyler was known to be a bit of a ballbuster when it came to the game. He meant well, though. He just wanted to be the best and be the captain of the best. Couldn’t fault the guy for his drive for perfection.

Harrison nodded to Luc. “You going?”

Luc shook his head adamantly. “Fuck, no. Seriously, how does Paige live with that guy? He’s been gone all weekend. I know I’d be running right home to Kassie and making up for the lost time.”

“Paige knew what she was getting into. But I know what you mean,” Brody added. “Dude needs to loosen up.”

“Ty? Have fun? Mr. Serious? I’m pretty sure he was born with a scowl on his face and a rule book in his hand,” Harrison joked.

“Guys, he’s really not that bad. He’s just focused. And stubborn, and yeah, well…” Luc said, pausing to come up with another way to describe their captain.

“Are you suggesting that he just has resting bitch face?” Harrison joked.

“Nah.” Brody shook his head.

Luc shrugged. “I’m just sayin’ that he’s got an awesome career and a babe for a wife. I don’t think he really cares what you guys think, or anyone else’s opinion, for that matter. I know I wouldn’t.”

Brody waved Luc off. “Oh, please. You’re not one of us anymore, Marcella.”

“Why? Just cause I have a lady and you don’t?”

“Precisely,” Brody said, as he shoveled a huge forkful of scrambled eggs into his mouth.

“You guys are assholes,” Luc grumbled with sarcasm. “Let me ask you. Don’t you guys get tired of random and nameless women every night?”

“Let’s see, do I get tired of banging a different gorgeous lady EVERY night?” Brody acted like he was thinking. “Uh, NO.”

Harrison could feel Luc’s stare on him, as he tried to eat his breakfast. He ate about half his food before finally looking up. Luc was still waiting for an answer. Yeah, Brody could act like a horny adolescent boy sometimes, but they were single guys. What did Luc expect from them?

Luc nodded in Harrison’s direction. “Dash? What about you?”

Never in a million years would he admit that he wanted what Luc had with Kassie. “If you’re asking if I’m ready to settle down, the answer is fuck no.”

“I forgot who I’m talking to. Mr. I’m Never Getting Tied Down. But seriously, you should take a chance.”

“You’re either whipped, or just scared of Kaden,” Brody said without looking up from his plate.

“Again, dude, you’re a fucking asshole,” Luc snapped.

“Meh.” Brody shrugged.

“You’re missing the point. Kaden has nothing to do with this. And if whipped means coming home every night to a gorgeous lady who loves me as much as I do her, then maybe I am whipped. And I’m good with that.”

“I’m good where I’m at. Settling down is part of the dream for some guys, and that’s cool, I guess. I mean, you and Kassie, that’s great… But it’s not for me.”

“What he said,” Brody agreed, with his mouth full of food.

“You guys don’t know what you’re missing,” Luc answered. “You’ll see. Someday you’ll meet a special girl who’ll be everything you ever needed. It’s called fate, you morons. That woman is out there somewhere, and I just hope you open your eyes when you find her.”

“Whatever, bro. I’ll be sure to call you if that ever happens. But don’t wait by the phone,” Brody mocked.

Luc looked at the almost empty plate in front of him, obviously ignoring Brody’s comments. “I’ll definitely be needing a nap after this meal.”

“I’ll be spending the afternoon in bed, but I won’t be napping,” Brody said, as he nodded at two girls at a neighboring table. The ladies waved back at him and smiled. Brody got up and tossed some cash on the table. “If you’ll excuse me, boys. I’ll catch you two on the flip side.”

Luc nodded in Brody’s direction. “Dash, you sure you want to be like that? I bet Kassie has some friends she can set you up with, if you want to give this dating thing a try?”

“Nah.” Harrison chuckled. “I’m happy living the single life. But thanks.”

CHAPTER TWO

Talia

Talia Kidd had a secret: her marriage was over. She’d been living on her own for over a year. The split had been amicable, but that didn’t mean it didn’t hurt. Talia had already changed back to her maiden name. Why wait? She had never needed a man to take care of her, why would she need to hang onto his last name? She and her ex co-owned a steak house in Banff, and Talia did quite well for herself. No man necessary.

The lawyers were working to finalize everything. She should be a single woman any day now. What better time to find out who Talia Kidd really was?

The air was bitterly cold outside, and the edges of her rental car windshield were frosted over. The wind whipped and whirled around the dusting of snow. Talia had come to Pittsburgh prepared. She was familiar with the weather here, and anyway, she was used to the cold—Banff had its fair share of freezing cold days.

Talia was the oldest of the three Kidd siblings. Sadly, their mother had succumbed to cancer when they were very young, and that event had helped to mold the person Talia was today. Even at the tender age of ten, being the oldest, Talia had instinctively taken over the mother role and played caretaker and sister to her siblings. She was used to taking care of others and not needing anyone to take care of her, and she’d always been self-sufficient.

That was why Talia had flown to Pittsburgh without notifying her brother or sister. She wasn’t looking for a shoulder to cry on. She didn’t need anyone’s sympathy. She just needed to be around family, to feel that comfortable sense of belonging that she only got from her siblings.

But Talia knew that wouldn’t keep anyone from asking questions. She was almost forty, thirty-eight to be exact, and she didn’t owe anyone any explanations, but that never stopped her sister from prying.

Taking a deep breath, she looked out the window of her rental car at her little sister’s house. Trina was all grown up and had a family of her own. And after all those years of Talia’s brother and sister relying on her, she knew that she could count on them to help get her through this.

No use putting this off any longer. Talia adjusted her scarf and began walking up the sidewalk.

Trina had no idea that she was in town, much less getting ready to knock on her door. This was the first time since stepping onto the airplane in Banff that this all felt so real. She was here in Pittsburgh, in search of her new life.

Her ex had found happiness with someone, and he was finally getting the baby he had always wanted—something she hadn’t been able to give to him. She was happy for him, but regret filled her.

Leaving Canada had been harder than she’d expected. Or maybe her heart ached because she was leaving behind Michael and everything she knew. Her next trip home would only be to finalize her move and tie up any loose ends.

Back home in Banff, her place was almost all boxed up and ready to move. She just had to figure out where she was going first. Staying in Banff was not an option; she had to get out on her own and out from under her failed marriage. Michael agreed to continue to manage the restaurant, and she would still be part owner. However, seeing as how his new love was one of their waitresses, it was too awkward for her to continue to work there.

Starting over somewhere new was the obvious answer. Still, the question lingered: where would she go? This little detour to Pittsburgh would hopefully clear her head enough to come up with a plan for her new life, and she could visit with her brother, sister, and their families.

Talia reached the front door and paused for a second before she knocked and waited. The warm glow from inside the house seemed to wrap around her, and the joyful sounds of laughter reached her. Trina and Sam had raised a family full of love and respect. Trina and her husband were truly a match made in heaven.

Why hadn’t she told her sister and brother that she was coming into town? Simple. She didn’t want their pity. Not that showing up alone on Trina’s doorstep wouldn’t get her that same look. But in telling her story in person, she’d be able to convince them that she was okay and that they didn’t need to feel sorry for her.

Sam answered the door, still holding a tiny plastic pink tea cup in his enormous hockey-player hand. His smiling face twisted with question, and his blue eyes grew large with surprise. “Talia?” He looked back into the house, then tried to not be rude. “Hey. Hi! I wasn’t expecting to see you…at our door. Please, come in.” He moved aside and lovingly ushered her into the house.

“Talia?” Trina exclaimed happily, as she jumped up off the couch and ran to her.

Talia awkwardly smiled, held her arms out for a hug, and said, “Surprise!”

Trina, the middle Kidd sibling, wrapped her arms tightly around Talia. “Oh my god! What are you doing here?”

Before Talia could answer, the high-pitched squeals of her five-year-old niece, Willow, filled her ears.

Running to Talia, Willow cried, “Aunt Tally! Aunt Tally!” The girl’s sweet little arms wrapped around her legs.

Their two dogs, Toby and Belle, came running after the little blonde, their tongues hanging out the sides of their mouths, as though they also appeared happy to see Talia.

“Toby! Belle! No! I get to see Aunt Tally first! You wait your turn!” Willow wagged her little finger at the dogs as she scolded them. But still they sat at Talia’s feet, begging for her attention.

“Hey, sweetheart.” Talia patted Willow’s back and then gently squeezed her chubby little cheek. “Let me say hi to your mommy first, then I’ll give you the biggest hug ever, okay?”

“Okay.” Willow loosened the hold she had on Talia’s legs, grabbed Sam’s hand, and before he could greet Talia properly, pulled him back to their tea party. “Daddy, let’s have some more tea while I wait for my hug from Aunt Tally.”

Talia gave each dog a scratch on their heads, and satisfied, they followed Willow back to the tea party.

When Talia pulled out of Trina’s embrace, she managed a strained grin. “I’m not interrupting anything, am I?”

“Not at all. But I am shocked to see you here.”

“Yeah, sorry about that. It’s just… I don’t know where to start. It’s a long story.” It was rude of her not to call first, but she had her reasons. “Maybe we can discuss it later over alcohol? Preferably lots of alcohol… or not. But, anyway… I thought if you were free for dinner, maybe we could grab a pizza or something?” Talia asked, hopeful. Her situation was too much to discuss while standing in the doorway with Willow mere feet away, drinking pretend tea with her hockey-player dad.

Trina folded her arms over her chest, tilted her head, and sighed. “Pizza? Yeah, we can do that. But I’m inviting Tyler and Paige over.” She paused, as if she were waiting for Talia to protest. “Once the kids go to bed, we’ll get out some wine, and you can tell us the whole story.”

“Sure,” Talia said. She knew better than to argue with Trina. Out of the three Kidd siblings, Trina was the most stubborn. Talia was the mother hen, Trina was the free spirit with control issues, and Tyler, he was the wild child, the bad boy.

Trina gawked. “Wow. I thought for sure you’d fight me on that.”

Talia pushed her thick, dark blonde hair out of her face, tucking it behind her ear. She smiled a half-grin, but she knew it looked as tense as she felt. Her voice shook, and she tried to cover it up with a small laugh. “Pizza, wine, and family sounds perfect.”

“Aunt Tally,” Willow called from her little plastic table. “It’s my turn!”

“It sure is, sweetie.” Talia called to Willow, then motioned back to her sister. “I’ll tell you everything later. I promise.”

Willow was right, she had promised the little girl hugs after she’d greeted Trina.

Sam got up from the little table and grinned. “Again, it is nice to see you, Talia. You’re always welcome here for as long as you need.” He wrapped his big hockey-player arms around her and gave her a hug.

“Daddy,” Willow’s impatient little voice interrupted them.

When Talia turned to look at her niece, she had to hold in a chuckle, because the little sweetie had her hand on her hip, and her head was tilted to the side. She looked just like her mama, from her attitude right down to the white-blonde hair.

“I was next,” Willow said with sass, as her dad gave her all his attention.

“Don’t worry, sunshine, I just wanted a quick hug,” Sam replied with a shake of his head.

“That one is going to give you guys a run for your money. She’s just like her mama,” Talia warned, her eyes dancing with humor.

“I know,” Sam commented, a smirk pulling at his mouth while he looked adoringly at his little girl. Nodding towards Talia, he said, “She’s all yours now, sunshine.”

“Ready for your super special Auntie hug?” Talia knelt and held out her arms, waiting until Willow ran to her before she closed her arms around the little girl and gave her a squeeze.

“I missed you so much, Aunt Tally.”

“I missed you too, sweetie-pie!”

Willow squeezed back tightly. It was clear to Talia that she’d made the right decision to come to Pittsburgh. As much as she dreaded explaining everything to her siblings, this was exactly where she needed to be.

The pizza had been devoured, the kids were in bed, and the wine had been poured. Tyler had been watching her closely all evening, but had never said a word about why she was here. His wife, Paige, must be better for her brother than she thought. Paige had settled his ass down and brought out the responsible leader that she always knew he was. Even though he was the youngest of the Kidd siblings, he was always there to protect his sisters.

She had expected him to immediately jump on her about what was going on and who he needed to beat up to fix it. But this newly acquired patience was a good look on him.

Talia looked around the living room. Not surprisingly, everyone’s face showed unasked questions and concern. Trina had been buzzing around the house like a bee, keeping herself busy all afternoon. Now she sat, uncharacteristically reserved, with her husband. Sam’s hand stayed on Trina’s knee, as if he were keeping her calm until Talia felt like talking. Tyler apprehensively bounced his knee while he nursed a beer. Paige was curled into Tyler’s side, with her arm looped around his back. Everyone was quiet.

Even Belle and Toby were curled up, sound asleep in front of the fire place.

If it weren’t for the ominous mood accompanying her visit, this would’ve been the perfect family get-together.

“I appreciate you guys being so patient about this. I didn’t want to get into it while the kids were awake, and I wanted everyone here,” Talia said, before she took a long drink of wine.

“Good call on that. Willow is at that age where she hears everything and asks a million questions,” Trina commented.

“So? I think I speak for everyone when I ask, what’s going on?” Tyler said, his voice calm.

“It’s not that we aren’t happy to see you, Talia,” Paige added. “We don’t see you and Michael nearly enough. And I think what Tyler is trying to ask is what brought you so unexpectedly to Pittsburgh? And where’s Michael?”

“Paige is right. I’m glad you’re here. But…” Trina said with a shrug.

“Why am I here? Right. Well, life hasn’t been so perfect lately.” Talia paused, cleared her throat, and stared at her ring-less left hand. She wondered if anyone had noticed that yet. “It hasn’t been for a while now.”

“How long is a while?” Tyler asked. His eyes narrowed, and his knuckles started to turn white as he held tighter to his beer.

“Babe, let her talk,” Paige sweetly urged and patted her husband’s arm.

“Paige, it’s fine.” Talia chuckled nervously. “I know my brother, and I know Ty just wants me to fast forward to the part of whose ass he has to kick. Isn’t that right, baby brother?”

Tyler nodded with a heavy look in his eyes that told her she was dead on.

“How about I start at the end, then fill in the blanks? Sound good?” Everyone nodded, so Talia continued. “Michael isn’t here because we are no longer a couple. I moved out a little over two months ago. I have a pretty nice loft in Calgary. It has a gorgeous view of the Canadian Rockies.”

“Wait…what?” Trina asked.

“We’re getting divorced.”

Trina gasped, and a tear ran down her cheek.

“Tri, please understand. We just stopped working. I don’t even really know when. We’re still co-running the restaurant. I’m not sure if that was what ultimately hurt us, or if we just weren’t meant to be.”

Tyler breathed in heavily through his nose, as if he were trying to remain calm. Paige really had changed him. Five years ago, he’d already be grabbing his jacket and keys and chartering a flight to Calgary.

Talia could see her brother fuming quietly. “And before you go jumping on the next flight out to Calgary, Ty, it wasn’t all Michael’s fault. We just stopped working as a couple. I don’t know how else to explain it.”

Trina shook her head. Her face was scrunched up in confusion. “First of all, if you’re so happy on your own, why did you show up on my doorstep? And secondly—no, wait. First, if you were having problems, why you didn’t tell us this summer when we came to visit? We stayed in your and Michael’s house with both of you!” Trina was shaking her head and twisting her face up as though she was trying to figure this all out.

“Yes, you stayed with us, but if you recall, Michael was hardly there. He was ‘busy at the restaurant’, remember? And yes, I played happy so as not to ruin your visit. I see you guys once a year, twice if I’m lucky.”

“Ruin our visit? Talia, I would’ve been there for you. Or you could’ve come home with us. Wait.” Trina looked around as if something just occurred to her. “Where’s all your luggage? Is it in the car?” Trina looked to Sam. “Babe, go bring in Talia’s luggage, please.”

“No need, Sam. My luggage isn’t in the car, it’s at my hotel.” Talia knew those words would send her sister into a tizzy, and it did, right on cue.

“Hotel? Nonsense! We have plenty of room here,” Trina protested eagerly.

“No. I’m fine in the hotel.” Talia looked from Trina to Tyler, taking note of the unconvinced looks on their faces. “You guys, it’s like ten minutes from here, so I’m crazy close to both of you. I refuse to impose on either of you. You have lives, and I need my own space. But I’ll never turn down invites to dinner, just in case you were wondering.”

“There’s always a place setting with your name on it,” Trina said.

It was evident that Tyler couldn’t hold his displeasure any longer. He jumped off the couch and began to pace. His face was twisted, and he wrung his hands as he stalked. Talia knew there was nothing she could say to appease him. Even as a child, Tyler had a temper. He mumbled and cracked his knuckles.

Talia shook her head at her brother. She was surprised it had taken him so long to react. “I just needed to be around family. And it being the middle of the season, I didn’t want you guys flying out to Calgary—and spare me the lies, because I know you would’ve.”

Trina nodded unapologetically.

“Talia, is there anything you need? Is there anything we can help you with?” Sam asked.

“You’re sweet, Sam, but no. I’m fine. I swear.” Talia wished her words were enough to convince her family, but she feared it wasn’t enough.

“Did he cheat on you, Tal?” Tyler asked. He was still pacing and now flexing his fingers. “Just say the word, and I’ll kick his ass.”

“No, Ty. No one cheated.” Not that she knew of, and not that she cared, because it wouldn’t make a difference. Michael was happy in his new life; she couldn’t find any fault with that. “Tyler, you can hate him all you want, but we simply fell out of love.”

“But you guys were together forever.” Trina pouted.

Sam put his arm around his wife and pulled her close. That’s the kind of love Talia wished she’d had with Michael. Trina and Sam were soul mates. They had a perfect kind of love that only a few ever achieved.

“How long are you in town for, Talia?” Paige asked.

“I don’t know. I guess you could say indefinitely. I needed a change of scenery.” She directed her attention to Tyler, who was still pacing. “Tyler, come sit back down. You’ve paced long enough. I know you’re angry and you think you want to go after Michael, but there’s no reason to. We tried everything, I swear.”

Trina eyed her suspiciously. “But you’ve only been moved out for two months. Maybe you guys just needed some time?”

Moving her attention to Trina, Talia sighed. She was already tired of explaining, and the inquisition had only just begun. “Look, sis, it is what it is. I didn’t want this to happen, but it did.”

“But…” Trina moved closer to her and covered Talia’s hands in her own. She had that look in her eyes, the one where she wanted to fix what was wrong. But this was something that her sister couldn’t fix. No one could. “Maybe if you went back to Banff, and I could totally come back with you if you want the support, maybe you guys could figure things out? Being here, in Pittsburgh, I’m sure the distance isn’t good.”

“Yes, I’ve been moved out for two months, but our marriage has been over for a lot longer than that. We shared the house for financial reasons, but the reality is that we haven’t been together for over a year. I’d say that’s plenty of time to realize we were over, don’t you?” Her sister was always a dreamer, a lover, not a fighter. She saw rainbows where other people only saw rain clouds. But this was one thing that Talia couldn’t sugarcoat. There was no easy fix for this. “Trina, I love you, I do. But I’m exhausted. Maybe we can finish this conversation tomorrow.” There was more to her story, but nothing she felt like talking about right now. Talia hadn’t expected this to be simple, but it was more difficult than she had predicted.

Sam interrupted, lightening the mood. “Well, while you’re in town, our next home game is in two days. There’ll be a ticket with your name on it. And every home game going forward.”

Tyler finally stopped pacing, and without a word, sat down beside Talia and wrapped his arms around her. He sat hugging her for a few minutes without saying anything. She knew he was here for her, and he’d do anything to protect her. The reality was, he just couldn’t fix this.

“I’m glad you’re here, sis,” Tyler finally said.

Talia took a deep breath and closed her eyes. “Me too.”

“You just say the word, and I’ll kick his ass. No one hurts my sister and gets away with it,” he mumbled.

Talia hugged her brother tighter. She expected nothing less from him, and she loved him for it. “I know, Ty. I know.”

CHAPTER THREE

Harrison

Harrison waded through the sea of people. It was Friday night at the Blue Room, and the place was packed. JJ and Travis were already on the dance floor with their girl, Quinn. Brody was at the other end of the bar, hitting on a redhead. And from what Harrison could see, she was falling for all of Brody’s lines.

Harrison settled in at the bar and ordered a Jack and Coke. Brody was supposed to be his ride home, but seeing as how he’d just left, arm in arm with the redhead, Harrison would be calling a cab. Maybe he’d find someone to take home after a few drinks. This Jack and Coke would likely be the first of many.

The music was loud, the bar was bustling, and Harrison was starting to relax, with the help of his good friend Jack Daniels. He was sure he’d end his night like usual, with an enthusiastic young woman in his bed. He scanned the room, hoping to find a young woman who piqued his interest. Not one held his attention, but the night was young; there was plenty of time.

Harrison turned back to the bar, hoping another drink would help, when a tall blonde sat down next to him. Her thick hair covered her face, which only made him more intrigued. His gaze ran down her body. The woman was a stone-cold fox, in a sexy little black dress and heels to match. Her shapely ass and legs held his interest, but Harrison couldn’t help but ogle her creamy white shoulders that held up thin little black spaghetti straps.