Puck Princess (Houston Scythes Hockey #2)

12. Callie

12

CALLIE

Despite sleeping on Kennedy’s couch again, only one wall away from the disappointed pining Owen was aiming my way all night, I wake up refreshed.

The sun is peeking through the windows and the world is quiet. Owen’s rental is still parked in the lot outside, and I haven’t gotten any more shirtless pictures of him in bed since he finally fell asleep after midnight, so my guess is that he isn’t up yet. Which is for the best. As much as I like waking up next to him, I need this slow and peaceful morning to prepare for the day.

I didn’t think I’d be happy to go back to work, with all the drama swirling around the arena, but I’m determined to do things right this time. It’s the same job with (mostly) the same people, but it feels like a fresh start.

I take a shower, indulging in the hot water and the lavender soap I just bought. Every time I smell it, I smile to myself. I can’t wait for everything to smell that way.

I can’t wait to meet the little person floating around inside me.

On the way to the arena, I stop at the Humble Cup. It’s a cute coffee shop with cottage vibes that I sussed out my first week on the job. I came for the convenient location, but I stay for their heavenly orange scones.

“Callie!” Elise beams from behind the counter as I walk in. “I haven’t seen you in forever! Where have you be— Oh. ”

Her eyes are locked on my stomach, and I just smile. Elise is the owner and a mother to six kids. While it’s usually not smart to assume someone is pregnant, Elise just knows .

“I am,” I answer. “Fifteen weeks.”

Her mouth opens with a delighted smile. “Damn girl, you look good. I forgot that the first baby doesn’t ransack your body like the fourth or fifth.”

“Or seventh.” Jaque, her husband, appears from the back room. He kisses her temple as he passes.

“Seven? Wait, are you…?”

“I haven’t taken a test yet but… yeah, I’m pretty sure I am.”

“Wow.” I really am happy for her, but… seven kids? I can’t even wrap my head around it.

“We know, we know.” Jaque wraps his arms around Elise from behind. “We don’t know when to quit. But we’re only two away from being able to start a baseball team!”

“You already have enough for a hockey team,” I point out.

He gasps like this is a great idea. “True.”

I take my coffee and a fresh scone, which they insisted should be free as an early baby shower gift, and head to work.

The moment I walk through the arena doors, I feel eyes on me. But they’re kind and happy to see me. Everyone waves and says good morning. I might be enjoying the attention just a tiny bit because I take another lap around the arena to catch even more of the staff as they trickle in for the day.

Finally, I go to my office and unpack my things. I arrange my medical texts on the shelves and restock my drawers with my favorite supplies before the interns steal all of the good ice packs. Then I move to the training room. I hang up my sweater on the hook behind the door and claim one of the only massage tables that doesn’t squeak. I’m so in my own world, I don’t even see the guys standing off to the side.

“Well, look who decided to finally show up for work today.”

I jump, turning around. “Jesus, Lance.”

He chuckles and gives me a quick side hug. “Sorry.”

Dax pushes into the room behind him. “That said, you are kinda late. So, tell us the truth, because we don’t believe a word Owen says. Did you guys keep each other up all night?”

“It’s the woman’s first day back on the job, Dax. We’re trying to keep things above board.” Lance shakes his head, shooting me an apologetic cringe on Dax’s behalf.

I don’t really mind. Dax was never the problem; Miles was. And now that he’s gone, I’m feeling great.

“If Owen told you that we went our separate ways last night so we could actually get some sleep… he’s right.”

“Damn.” Dax shakes his head. “No wonder the paparazzi are bored. Y’all might as well put rings on it.”

“Or,” I counter, “even if we had been up to no good last night, I wouldn’t spill a single detail of it to you. That’s none of your business, and I am a professional, thank you very much.”

“I don’t doubt that for a minute.”

Another voice slithers out from the corner of the room, but this one sends ice through my veins and stops me dead.

Spencer.

He’s standing next to the weight bench, his eyes holding me hostage from across the room.

How many times have we been in this same position before? How many times did I let him bat those annoyingly long lashes and scramble my insides?

I was stupid and naive, but I’m neither anymore.

And I can’t let him get to me. I also can’t let Lance pick up on anything weird. One wrong move, and he’ll pass this entire interaction off to Owen.

“You were always pretty great with me,” Spencer continues. “You always knew just what I needed. Every. Single. Time.”

His words crawl across my skin like bugs I can’t shake.

Lance looks between us. “You two have already met?”

“We know each other.” It’s a fact—nothing more, nothing less. I lean in, examining Lance’s shoulder.

“It’s my knee that hurts, doc,” he says quietly.

His knee. Right. My face flushes, and I hate that Spencer probably noticed.

“Know each other? Oh, come on, Cal. We go way back.”

“Way back where?” Lance asks, and I wonder if he’s picking up on anything.

I have to stop it.

“Spencer and I knew each other at?—”

“MSU,” Spencer finishes for me. And again, I’m derailed.

Goddammit.

“You went to college with the new kid?” Dax asks, flexing in the mirror.

The new kid. Oh my god.

I can’t believe I didn’t put two and two together. I knew Spencer was in town, but I thought he was just visiting or snooping around. I figured his daddy bought him a Scythes pass like it was a behind the scenes tour at Disney World. He put on the merch, sat on the bench, got the full Scythes experience, and then would creep off into whatever crypt he crawled out of when he was done. I had no idea he was?—

“You’re the new winger,” I state.

He grins. It’s a grin most women love, but that’s only because they don’t know what’s behind it. My heart rate picks up. “You got it. Draft pick.”

“Must be nice,” Dax goes on, “having dad’s money get you in the VIP doors.”

Spencer’s face flashes with irritation. That’s also a look I know well. It’s a danger zone. “My skill as a hockey player got me here, and I intend to wipe the ice with anyone who can’t keep up.”

“Guess that’s my cue to practice more,” Dax laughs.

Their conversation happens somewhere far, far away. I move through Lance’s usual stretches in a daze. Way before I’m ready, he’s sliding to the end of the table and standing up.

It’s over.

He’s going to leave, and I’m going to be alone with Spencer, and I can’t do this.

But I have to.

I thought I could handle Spencer being in Houston and hanging around the arena, but this? He and Owen are playing on the same team.

Again, my past is hanging over Owen’s career like a guillotine.

Again, Spencer is backing me into a corner, crowding too close, taking too much.

This isn’t a fresh start.

I’m back where I started and there’s no way out.