Page 1 of Cold as (N)ice

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COEUR

Dallas,Texas

“Are you insane?”

Barrett Coeur’s blood boiled as the words left his mouth. He knew he wouldn’t take them back, not for a second, no more than he’d give up his skates or his hockey stick.

Hockey was his lifeline, his constant, his escape—and he loved it fiercely. Just like that love, his sharp tone lingered, unapologetic. He stood his ground, glaring at Theo Batiste, who stared back at him with infuriating calm. The contrast between Barrett’s fire and Theo’s ice only added to the tension brewing between them.

“Non,I amdésespéré,”Theo said bluntly, the other hockey player on the Coyotes spoke with a heavy mix of French and English that carried a sharp edge, matching his desperation. “She’s nice, sweet, and stuck. I just need you to ‘ire Irene for a little bit so she can get on her feet and…”

Barrett cut him off, incredulous. “Why can’t you keep your own housekeeper? Why me? Dude, you know I live in a nice place that stays that way because it’s empty. It’s just me. Other than a few fast-food wrappers and a couple of Coke cans—it’s clean.”

Theo didn’t flinch.

“She needs a job,” he said firmly, his eyes holding a silent plea that made Barrett uncomfortable. “And I need someone who will be nice to ‘er.”

Barrett scoffed, gesturing to himself. “And you want me?!”

“Yes,” Theo interrupted, his cool demeanor giving way to nervousness. “And I need Aimee not to get so upset about me ‘aving a single woman as my ‘ousekeeper.”

The pieces clicked into place, and Barrett narrowed his eyes. Theo wanted him to hire some female maid because his fiancée didn’t like her being around? Why? “Did you sleep with her? Is she hot?”

“Aimee?Oh, mais oui!”Theo’s offense was palpable. “She’strès belle, but I wouldn’t—oh—you meant Irene?” He shook his head, his expression turning to one of utter disbelief as he curled his lip in disgust. “No, not at all. She’s not ‘hot’ to me, and I would never jeopardize what I have with Aimee.”

Barrett folded his arms across his chest, trying to process. “Look, I know you’re some soft, fragile flower…”

The words barely left his lips before Theo’s fist connected with his jaw in a clean, practiced motion. Barrett staggered back, his jaw throbbing as he rubbed it, glaring at his friend. They weren’t on the ice and there was no call for that bit of zest to get his point across.

“Are you kidding me right now?”

Theo shrugged, unapologetic. “I’m notune petite fleur. I’m nice off the ice, but if you’re going to be a?—”

Barrett held up a hand, cutting him off.

“All right, all right. No need for another punch. But seriously, why me? What about Boucher or Lafreniere?”

Theo hesitated, his confidence faltering for the first time. “They don’t speak sign language,” he said quietly, almost reluctantly. “Irene has a son. He’s seven. And he’s deaf.”

The words hit Barrett like a slap. He froze, his mind racing. “How did you?—”

“I saw you signing to someone at lunch about a year ago,” Theo admitted, a small, knowing smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. “It’s ‘ard to learn another language—English, French, or ASL—so I figured you might be smarter than you look.”

“Gee, thanks,” Barrett muttered, but his voice lacked its usual bite.

“Think about it,” Theo pressed. “She’s under a lot of stress, and I need to give her some peace of mind.”

Barrett’s walls started to crack, but he reinforced them with sarcasm. “Doing your dishes is that rough, huh?”

“No,” Batiste said simply, looking at him as if he was measuring him up. “It’s not my story to tell, and if you do this for me – I would owe you one. Let me know in a few days so I can put ‘er mind at ease, and you can meet ‘er.”

“You’re not gonna change my mind in two days, bro.”

“You never know.”

“Are you two coming or what?” Boucher asked, glaring at them angrily, and he understood why the other man would be so angry. The press had been coming down on him hard, and because of all the negative press – his job was now on the line. The higher-ups were talking about cutting his contract and letting him go if he didn’t change his image – and drastic discussions were flying around the locker room in an attempt to help the hockey player.

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