Something So Right (21 page)

We’ve been staying mostly at his house than mine. The kids are with James this week, but we make a switch for game day.

Our bags are packed and ready in the car. Cooper is carrying his bag when the phone rings. He picks it up with a grunt. Not sure who it is, but whoever it is he’s none too pleased. All I hear from his side of the phone are grunts, making me look at him funny.

Once we get in the car on the way to the hotel, I look over at him. “What’s got your panties in a twist, Stone?” I try to make light of it.

“That was the GM. He wants all the guys to do some red carpet shit before the game. Answer questions and shit. I hate doing that. I don’t do interviews. I play hockey.” He looks over at me. I lean over, kissing his cheek.

“It probably won’t be as bad as you think it is. They probably want to know how you trained this summer. It’s going to be fine. You are going to kill it, then you are going to go on that ice and show them that you are that much better. And then”
—
I lean in to his ear
—
“You get to come home and do the naked tango with me. By the way, I have a surprise for you.” I go back to my side and look at him. His jaw gets tight, and his nostrils flare.

Just when he’s going to answer me, I get a text notification. Looking down, I see it’s from Meghan.

Hey, ho-bag. At the hotel. We brought our babysitter, and I’ve arranged a room for the kids, plus Matthew. Is that okay?

Hey, slut bag. That sounds like a plan. We should be there in about thirty minutes. You excited for the game tonight?

The thing with Meghan is that she hates hockey. She never really was into it. She just goes with it so she can eat hot dogs, drink beer, and socialize with the crowd.

I’m so pumped. Tom just got a call from the sports guys to do some interviews before the game, so it’s just you and me. Let the good times roll.

Okay, Cooper has to do some ‘red carpet shit’ as he puts it, so it’ll be you and me.

See you soon.

We check into the hotel. Getting ready to meet up with everyone, I sense Cooper a little distant, but I’m sure it’s the nerves. While in the lobby, we meet with a couple of his teammates and their wives. All the wives are perfectly manicured and coiffed, leaving me in my yoga pants so out of their style.

We make introductions, and they are all shocked when he introduces me as his girlfriend.

One of the wives gives me a great big hug, confusing me. I’m not really the touchy-feely type, but I go with it for Cooper’s sake.

“It’s so nice to finally meet you. Cooper has told Marky all about you and your kids,” she says, and she sounds so genuinely happy for him.

“It’s great to meet some of Cooper’s friends. I’m very excited about tonight. I think they will kick some ass out there on the ice.”

“Are you going to be sitting in the wives’ box with us tonight?” she asks. I look at her, not knowing what she’s talking about, so I look over at Cooper.

“No, I got them all seats this time. Matthew wouldn’t like being in the box. I did get her a pass for the next time she’s here.” He grabs my neck, making me crash into his side. “I’m hoping she can attend all home games, but with the kids it might be tough.” He smiles down at me.

“I’m sure we can work something out there, Stone.” I wrap my arms around his waist, looking up at him.

“So, Parker, Cooper told me you ran his ass to the ground during training. Do you take on more than one person at a time?” Marky asks me with interest.

“Well, I have to say he was easy to work with. I usually only work with one guy at a time, so they have the best that I can offer. But I’m hoping to get Tom on board so we can take on more clients during the off season.”

Just then the rest of the guys all meet in the lobby, many of them fist bumping and nodding at each other. I am introduced to a couple of guys, but stay back a little, letting my man do his thing. My man. Just the thought makes me smile.

Cooper walks back up to me, grabbing my face and kissing my lips. “We are heading out, too. Have to go meet the circus. I’ll see you there.”

“Go kill ‘em, Stone.” I lean up, kiss him again, and push him out the door.

I look around and say bye to the ladies, telling them I hope to meet up with them later.

I check in with the kids before I head to my room to get myself ready to go see my man kill it.

Cooper

The bus taking us to this red carpet shit is huge. Kind of like a party bus style. It’s game day, so there is no drinking before. Everyone is getting into their zone. Many are listening to music, some chatting with others about their time off and what the plans are for later.

Marky sits next to me. It’s a ritual. We don’t call it superstition or even acknowledge it. It’s just a given. We sit together in the bus, in the plane, and have adjoining rooms when traveling.

“So you really are serious about that chick?” he asks while scrolling through his phone.

“Yup, you can say that. I want to marry her. She knocked me on my ass. Made me see that the only thing missing in my life was her.” I’ve never really discussed my girlfriends with anyone. I’m that type of private guy, but with Parker, I want to shout it from the fucking rooftops so everyone knows.

“Dude, Monica is going to shit a brick. She’s been hanging around lately, more so than before. Discussing wedding plans. I’m taking it she didn’t get the memo that you guys are over?”

“She showed up at my house. It’s like she doesn’t get that it’s over. It was over long before I left. You know it, even she knows it. It’s the fucking title she wants. It’s not going to happen.”

Just then, the door of the bus opens again and in walks the owner of the team followed by the GM, the coach, and then the woman in question, Monica. She is dressed to kill, it seems. Tight black jeans mold her model like legs, and an open brown leather jacket revealing a white tank top under, showing all her goods for everyone to dream of. Not a hair out of place, she looks for me while taking a seat next to her father, winking at me before sitting down.

Coach is saying something, but nothing is getting in. I feel a set-up. I have no idea why she would walk the red carpet. I have no idea why her father is here. Knowing my contract is up this year, maybe he wants to make sure I stay in line and don’t stray.

We finally make it to the arena. Tents are covering the entrance. Fans line both sides, right behind the reporters for the evening. I see a couple that I know. A couple new faces. Looking over at Marky right before we get down, we wish each other luck. Marky is like me. He just wants to play the fucking game.

The minute I step off the bus, I hear shouts and screaming. Chanting of STONE STONE STONE STONE fill my ears, making me raise my hand to the fans. I walk over to where the fans are and start signing autographs. This is why I do this, to see the fans. When I finally make my way over to the reporters, I’m surprised to see both Monica and her dad waiting for me. Her father comes up to me. “Stone,” he says. “Good to see you. Coach says you’re back and better than ever.” He slaps me on the back, smiling.

“Yup, ready for tonight, that’s for sure.” I can’t be a dick. He’s still my boss, and I want this year to go as smoothly as possible. Monica takes this opportunity to move into my side and walk with us to the first reporter. She stands by my side, listening, smiling, and laughing at everything I’m saying.

She tries to snake her hand into mine, but I quickly shake it out and put my hand in my pocket.

So far, nothing is out of the ordinary. Lots of questions about my rehab. Till we reach a reporter I’ve always had issues with. Always trying to make me say something about things I don’t want to talk about. It’s a known fact in the locker room and with reporters that I will talk about the game, but I am not talking about my private life. EVER.

So I’m shocked by his first question.

“So, Cooper, sources have said you’ve recently moved away from the arena to the small town where you trained all summer.”

I smirk at him. “Sources say many things. They also said I wouldn’t be able to play after having an early season last year.”

“Sources say a woman by the name of Parker trained you. What do you have to say about her and her training?”

“I trained at the same place Tom trained. He was actually the one who hooked me up with her. She knows what she’s doing, that is for sure. She is the best in the business. Her methods of training and her plans are what got me to where I am today. I will say she never let me off the hook. She pushed me harder and further than any other trainer I’ve been with.”

“Monica, we are all wondering, will you be moving in with Cooper at his new house or will you be staying local?”

Monica looks up at me smiling, making me almost glare at her. “It really hasn’t been decided. I do visit, but you know I have lots of work to do here. Planning a wedding isn’t easy.” She bats her eyes at me.

What the fuck did she just say? I don’t even skip a beat when he asks his next question.

“Will you guys wait till your break next season or get married before?”

“Excuse me,” I say, looking at her and her father. “There seems to be some confusion on everyone’s part. I’ll set the record straight now so we don’t have to dillydally and you know your sources won’t be confused on the topic.” I look at him, feeling Monica’s dad get tense next to me.

“Monica and myself have parted ways. We’ve actually parted ways even before last season was done. I will also say that this wedding she is planning is not a wedding that I will be attending. I wish her and her new fiancé all the luck in the world. And with that said, I can say that she isn’t going to be moving in with me at any time. It would make my girlfriend really uncomfortable having my ex-girlfriend over,” I say, looking at Monica while her face turns red, but I’m not done. “You guys know I don’t talk about my private life, but since it seems I need to set the record straight, I will say this. Parker, my girlfriend, will be here tonight cheering myself and my team on. I hope you guys catch her ‘cause she’s everything a man needs. Now, if you guys will excuse me, I have a game to prepare for.”

And with that, I walk away, pissed that they made me walk into that shit. I take out my phone, shooting my agent a text saying we need to talk. Right after I press send, I get a text from Matthew. After the last time, I have all the necessary contacts for Parker, Matthew, Meghan, and her father. So I’ll always be able to get in touch with her.

You pretty much destroyed Barbie on national television. Oh, by the way, we were watching.

I text him back with the only thing on my mind.

Is Mom okay?

She was pissed, and I will say she and Aunt Meghan are having martinis, so I don’t know how the rest of the night will be. But she seemed to calm down after you left the reporter asking Monica who her new fiancé is.

I’ll see her later. Hope you guys have fun.

With that, I send one more text before I close down my phone.

I love you.

That’s it. Three words. Nothing else to say. I walk into the dressing room. The interview plays on the screens, some guys laughing at all the shit going on. I close it all off. Zone it all out. I’ve got a game to get ready for, but most of all I have to make my family proud.

Parker

I’m sitting in the hotel room a little bit buzzed. Okay, maybe a little bit more than buzzed. The evening started off great. Meghan and I were doing our hair and makeup when she turned on the television to watch the interviews.

When I saw Cooper on the screen with Barbie next to him, my heart sank. My throat got dry. I didn’t know what to expect, but I smelled a rat the minute I saw her no emotions from her Botox face on the screen.

Now here I am sitting down in my tight blue jeans that make my ass look good, as per Meghan. I put on my Stone jersey, making my way to the full-length mirror. I take in my appearance. My auburn hair hangs down loose, swiped to the side. I only put mascara on with a touch of liner, my black wedges giving me that extra boost.

I look at myself. Really look at myself. I haven’t been this happy with myself in maybe forever. I worked my ass off to come back from where I was, and I sure as fuck am not going to let some plastic fucking Barbie come in and take what’s mine.

I pick up my black purse and tuck my phone inside, the last message received still on the lock screen. Three words. I love you. I smile to myself because he really does love me. It’s time to show him I love him, too.

Knocking on the door where the kids are staying, I tell them it’s time to rock and roll. My beautiful girl runs to me, her Stone jersey on as well. Matthew is on his cell phone but looks up at us. He’s also wearing his Stone jersey. The twins have opted to stay in and paint their nails. Meghan is putting the last touches on her lip-gloss when we walk out.

“Let’s go show our guy how much we love him.” And with that, we cheer all the way to the taxi.

Making our way inside the arena is insane. They have shut down the front of the arena. There are all kinds of different activities for the kids. There is actually a mechanical bull placed in the middle. Every second person is wearing a Stone jersey, which makes me really fucking proud of him.

We make our way inside, our tags hanging around our necks. VIP Stone is written on them.

Allison is in the middle between Matthew and me, holding both of our hands. She points to different things going on when we walk smack-dab into Monica.

Meghan is beside me faster than it takes me to look up. I have to say she really is beautiful. I’m not taking that away from her, but push comes to shove and I will kick her in her vagina if she fucks with me.