Page 1 of Heart of a Fighter

CHAPTER 1

NEW BEGINNINGS

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Lauren

After a torturously competitive game, I follow the medical team to the locker room lagging behind the group of doctors and therapists with a serious case of first-day jitters. Usually, I watch the Saints play from a private booth with Mom, courtesy of the team captain, my brother, Zach Brooks. But also, thanks to Zach, I had a reserved seat alongside the team’s crucial staff tonight, spending my first game observing as an official medical intern. After many bruises, gashes, and stitches, the Saints pulled through, winning the game by a solitary goal.

The locker room pulses with energy post-game, the air thick with the earthy scent of sweat and eucalyptus from liniment oils. Laughter and chatter fill the air as the team rides an adrenaline high, exchanging playful jabs while recounting key moments from tonight’s win. Graves, a familiar face, throws a towel over his shoulder, then animatedly mimics a particularly dramatic goal celebration, drawing a round of hearty laughs from his teammates. Another player against a locker, sweat dripping from his brow. He wipes his forehead, then quickly bobs right and left, reenacting a close call with the opposing team’s defense.

Amid the commotion, a few players focus on recovery, stretching sore muscles on foam rollers and submerging themselves in ice baths, easing their aches and pains. Another lies face down on a portable massage table, his ass loosely covered by a towel as a therapist rubs oils into his shoulders and back muscles.

Running water hisses in the background, washing away the blood and sweat from a well-fought battle. Steam wafts from the showers, lurking ghost-like across the ceiling. I’ve lived and breathed hockey through Zach’s eyes for years, but standing amid the post-game chaos as part of the team’s inner circle sends a thrill rippling through me. The entire experience is surreal and intense, yet lighthearted.

Doctor Evans, the team’s chief medical practitioner, clears his throat, garnering the room’s attention. After a few congratulatory remarks, he turns his attention to me. My stomach lurches, and I do my best to look anywhere but at the half-naked men in front of me. Especially avoiding Zach’s eyes and those of his best friend, Granger.

“Many of you already know Lauren Brooks.” Dr. Evans gives Zach a brief nod in case anyone has a lapse in memory. Mom, Zach, and I were guests of honor at one of the Saints’ fundraisers several years ago, shortly after we received the news of her cancer. “Lauren’s helping us out for the next eight to ten weeks as part of her nursing training. I expect everyone to keep things professional and respectful, mindful that there’s a female in the den.”

My cheeks flush warm, and my nerves tingle. It isn’t like this is the first time I’ve seen a male body. I’ve seen plenty of skin during my training, but none of that prepared me for the physically fit men in various stages of undress before me now. My gaze sweeps over the room––broad shoulders, six-pack abs, and muscles flexing as they change. The tinge of heat rising in my chest has less to do with their physicality and more with the athletes’ sheer presence and power in their testosterone laden element.

Eventually, my gaze lands on Granger, leaning casually against a locker like he hasn’t a care in the world. His confident demeanor draws me in as it has from the day I met him. Our eyes meet briefly, and butterflies erupt in my tummy. Instantly, my heart races and a flutter of excitement and nerves courses through my veins. His presence is magnetic, enticing me despite the surroundings. The playful spark in his eyes sends a jolt straight to my core, the kind of electric energy that makes everything else fade into the background. When he shoots me a playful grin, I quickly look away as more warmth rises to my cheeks.

Heat blooms from my chest, rushing swiftly up my neck. I’m suddenly hyper-aware of myself and the men staring in my direction, reading the emotion etched on my face. My stomach flip-flops, and I can’t shake the feeling that my thoughts are on full display.

I force myself to look elsewhere, trying to compose my thoughts, but the magnetic pull lingers, leaving me acutely aware of the charged atmosphere and the undeniable connection simmering beneath the surface every time I look at Granger.

My eyes flit to Zach, and I’m mortified. The realization hits hard as embarrassment and caution thread through me, unraveling the temporary thrill from Granger’s smoldering eyes. It’s one thing to feel the way I do about Granger, but it’s an entirely different feeling to have my brother’s watchful eyes on me while I girl-crush on his best friend.

“Not just a female.” Zach’s voice cuts through the room’s clatter. “My little sister’s in the room.”

Zach’s firm, unsubtle warning causes the commotion in the room to pause momentarily. The seriousness in his voice holds sway over his teammates, and all eyes shift to him–all but Granger’s, whose eyes meet mine and pin me in place. The room buzzes as players murmur and nod their assent. It only takes a brief moment for the room to once again break into lighthearted banter.

“Yes, sir!” Graves grins ear-to-ear as he stands to salute Zach. He clutches a towel to his groin, the only thing shielding what lies beneath.

A towel snaps on the other side of the room, causing more chuckles.

“We’ll treat her like family,” a voice rings out. “Like third cousins twice removed.”

“Yeah, yeah.” Zach takes the joke in stride, accepting a playful punch to the arm by a teammate sitting close by.

My hands sweat as my pulse raps wildly at my breastbone. A mix of emotions whirls in my gut. Zach’s only looking out for me, but I am more than his little sister. I’m a professional. The ice is my brother’s realm, but this medical internship is my opportunity to practice what I’ve learned and add practical knowledge to my skill set.

Dr. Evans clears his throat again. “Think of Lauren as family while she’s here. Keep it clean and treat her like a sister.” He nods toward me, reinforcing the message. “I don’t believe we’ll have any problems with undue fraternization with one of our own on the team.”

A playful smirk plays across Granger’s lips. His eyes find mine once again. A glint of mischief twinkles in them, a silent acknowledgment that the rules mean little to him. It’s clear he’s a rule breaker. That awareness sends another wave of heat cascading through me, this time lower with thoughts that are anything but professional.

I shouldn’t lust after him. His reputation as a heartbreaker is well-known, and his trysts have been documented ad nauseam in the tabloids. But the magnetic pull he wields over me is undeniable. My heart races, caught between excitement and a nagging sense of caution. Despite everything, the attraction simmers like a low flame, licking at my insides until I’m feverish with want. If I don’t ignore it, nothing but trouble lies ahead.

I can’t let anything derail me now. I’ve worked hard to reach my goal, and Zach put his faith in me by recommending me for this position. I won’t let him down or give him any reason to regret it, even if it means avoiding Granger at all costs and denying what my heart aches for. I’m determined to focus on my role here and soak up as much knowledge as possible.

“Lauren, why don’t you start by patching up Granger?” The doctor turns to me, a look of irritation on his face. “I’m sure he’s tired of me sewing him up.”

My heart skips a beat. So much for staying clear of the man who lights up my insides like the Fourth of July.

“Um, sure. I’m on it.” I try to keep my voice steady, but the thought of having my hands on Granger sends another wave of tingly nerves shooting through me.

“And Lauren,” Dr. Evans' expression softens. “You can come to me if anyone gives you any hassle. We have two unbreakable rules for medical staff and patients around here. There’s no personal involvement with players, and medical personnel are not allowed to treat family members outside of an emergency situation.” He places a reassuring hand on my shoulder. “Zach’s in good hands. Leave his medical care to the rest of us.”

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