Scoring One Night (Blue Ridge Mountain Hockey #4)

Melanie

T he scent of freshly baked cookies wafted through the air as I approached Lydia's front door. As soon as I knocked, the door swung open to reveal Daisy grinning mischievously, her hands on her hips. "Mel, you're just in time for some girl talk!" she exclaimed, pulling me inside.

"Girl talk" was code for juicy gossip, and my curiosity piqued immediately.

I thought I was about to lose my job when Emmanuel walked into the physical therapy room. Thankfully, Emmanuel hadn't heard us; he was just angry that Aspen kept promising to help him and never followed through.

I had never been so relieved to have Aspen flake out in my life.

I walked into the house and the three of us settled in Lydia's cozy living room, our plates filled with warm chocolate chip cookies and glasses of wine in hand. Daisy raised an eyebrow at me, a playful glint in her eyes. "So, Lydia, spill the beans. Why are we at your humble abode?"

Lydia's cheeks flushed a deep shade of crimson that matched her red hair, and she fidgeted with the hem of her shirt. "Alright, fine." Lydia sighed, finally meeting Daisy's gaze. "I have a confession." She paused for dramatic effect, her golden eyes locking onto mine before she looked away nervously. "I... I think I might be attracted to Emmanuel."

"Emmanuel? You're new neighbor?" Daisy nearly choked on her cookie, her eyes wide with surprise. "Didn't he screw up your front garden? How on earth did that happen?"

I had heard Emmanuel had a party when he first moved in several weeks ago that had gotten out of hand. I thought Lydia hated Emmanuel for what had happened.

Lydia bit her lip, clearly struggling to find the right words to explain her newfound attraction. "I know, it's crazy, right? But ever since we started working together on the garden, I've been seeing him in a different light. He's so kind, dedicated, and... well, handsome."

"Ooh, you've got it bad," Daisy teased, winking at Lydia. I tried to ignore the tightening in my chest.

In a way, I was jealous that Lydia could confess her feelings to everyone. My friends would support me if I told them I was hooking up with Aspen, but I couldn't put that pressure on them. I'd be asking my friends to lie for me.

They would be forced to keep my secret, and it wouldn't be fair to them, especially Daisy. For her not to be able to talk to Jackson or Cillian about me…

That's why I can't tell them. And that's why there's a twinge of jealousy in my chest with Lydia sharing her feelings with us.

"Ugh, don't remind me," Lydia groaned, burying her face in her hands. "I never thought I'd be attracted to him, especially after everything that happened to my grandmother's garden."

Lydia's grandmother had passed away last year, leaving this home to her. The front garden meant a lot to her grandmother and to Lydia. It's where her grandmother taught Lydia how to garden, and she started her gardening business because of her grandmother.

When Emmanuel let some fireworks loose on her front yard, destroying it, I thought she'd never speak to him again.

"Yeah, I'm kind of surprised since he blew up the garden," I said.

Both Lydia and Daisy shook their head.

"No, it wasn’t Emmanuel," Daisy said.

"What?" I pointed to the front door. "But who would do that?"

"It was Aspen," Lydia said. "You know how Aspen is, always doing crazy stuff. He brought the fireworks to Emmanuel's housewarming party and set them off without Emmanuel knowing."

I blinked. How had I not known? Thought raced through my head about how Emmanuel had been rude to Aspen lately. I thought it had to do with something that happened on the ice. And then today, I thought Emmanuel had overheard us.

Aspen said it had to do with something else, but he never specified what that something else was.

"Aspen's a sweet soul, just immature." Daisy shrugged.

"Tell me about it." Lydia laughed. "Emmanuel asked him to come help several times, but he always flaked."

"Really? I have been working with him for several weeks and he's such a good hockey player. Sure, he's young but—"

"That's the only reason he's still on the team." Daisy cut me off. "Several weeks ago, Emmanuel asked him to help with the garden and Aspen said he would come over, but he never showed up; he went to Castle Moat with Liam and Teddy instead."

Oh god. That was the night we had sex for the first time. I frowned and my friends noticed.

Lydia reached over, placing her hand on my arm. "You okay, Mel?"

I plastered on a smile and nodded. "Of course. I was just thinking, it's not like you can choose who you're attracted to," I offered, attempting to sound supportive despite the turmoil roiling inside me.

Lydia looked up at me, her eyes filled with gratitude. "Thanks, Mel. That means a lot coming from you."

"Speaking of support, how about you surprise Emmanuel in the locker room tomorrow!" Daisy said before jumping up and heading toward the stairs. "Wear something sexy, and after the players leave..." She wiggled her eyebrows before heading up the stairs.

"I don't know about that." Lydia jumped up running after Daisy.

I sat for a moment and let what my friends told me sink in. Standing, I slowly moved toward the stairs as laughter floated out of one of the rooms upstairs.

A month ago, everything seemed perfect. I was about to start the job of my dreams, and I was so happy. It felt as if all my hard work was finally paying off.

Was I a bit lonely, sure, but I had supportive friends who loved me. That was good enough for me.

But now, I still had all that, plus a secret relationship with what most would call a man-child.

That thought caused my stomach to drop as I went up the steps. I rubbed my forehead. That's what he was: an immature grown man who was spoiled. He just so happened to be good at hockey, so he could do whatever he wanted and get away with it.

Would he have been fired if we got caught together today? No, because it didn't work like that for hockey players, but I would. I'd lose everything.

I'd lose my job. Daisy and Lydia would probably feel sorry for me that I screwed up my life for Aspen. If they even talked to me again, but I didn't think they'd be so happy that I kept this a secret from them.

I felt like I was in a nightmare of my own making as I walked into Lydia's bedroom. Clothes were strewn across her bed as Daisy held up various hangers.

"Okay, how about this?" Daisy asked, holding the skirt up to Lydia's waist. "Too much? Or just enough?"

"Isn't this a bit risky?" Lydia wondered aloud, hesitating as she examined the outfit in the mirror. "I mean, it's at his work. What if someone finds out?"

"Lydia, you deserve some fun," Daisy chimed in, waving a dismissive hand. "Besides, it's just harmless flirting. It's not like you're sleeping with him in the locker room or anything."

"Right," I agreed, forcing a chuckle as my stomach twisted. "It's just some innocent fun. You have nothing to worry about."

"Alright, then," Lydia said, her smile returning as she twirled in front of the mirror one last time. "Tomorrow, Emmanuel is in for a surprise he won't forget."

My thoughts drifted back to Aspen as Daisy continued to search through Lydia's wardrobe. What we did wasn’t innocent. And the more I thought about it, the worse I felt.

", what do you think of these shoes?" Lydia asked, holding up a pair of strappy heels.

"Uh, yeah. They're great," I stammered, snapping back to the present. "Very... eye-catching."

"Perfect!" Lydia beamed, slipping on the heels and strutting across the room like a runway model. "I think we have a winner."

"Agreed." Daisy nodded, her eyes twinkling with excitement. "Emmanuel won't stand a chance."

"Right," I echoed, my smile feeling more than a little forced. "No chance at all."

"Hey, ?" Daisy called, her tone laced with concern. "Are you okay?"

I forced a smile, lifting my gaze to meet hers. "Yeah, just... tired, I guess. I think I'll head home and get some rest."

"Are you sure?" Lydia asked, her brow furrowed. "You're welcome to stay the night if you want."

"Thanks, but I have to get in early tomorrow," I lied, already gathering my purse. "I'd rather sleep in my own bed."

"Alright, if you're sure," Daisy said, giving me a warm hug. "But remember, we're always here for you if you need to talk. You can tell us anything."

"Thanks, guys," I whispered, swallowing the lump in my throat. "I'll see you both soon."

The weight of my decisions settled heavily on my shoulders as I stepped out into the cold night air. My friends' support had always been a source of strength, but for the first time, I found myself questioning the path I had chosen.

Aspen's face flashed before me, his eyes alight with mischief and desire, leading me into uncharted territory. The connection between us was undeniable, but was it worth risking everything I'd worked so hard to achieve?