Page 6 of Breakaway

I nod. He stays on his side of the ramp, hands still stuffed in his pockets.

Clearing his throat, he glances my way. “Look, I wasn’t trying to interrupt anything, it’s just Clark wants to protect the team members from—from feeling….”

“Harassed? Threatened? Coerced? I appreciate that. I’m sure most of the women do.”

He relaxes. “I’ve known Clark for years. Please believe me when I say you can take any concerns to him. His rules aren’t lip service. He’s protective of his sister, of anyone who’s intimidated.”

“How about you? You have a sister, too?”

“Hell yeah. But I also made sure she could take care of herself. She’s a black belt in Jiu-Jitsu and is licensed to carry.”

I laugh. “I should have guessed with her attitude.”

“Do you have any training?”

“No. But I can be pretty mean with a hockey stick.”

“Talk to her. She can teach you. Or I can.”

“We’ll see.”

“Can I give you a ride somewhere?”

My heart thunders. Oh god no. I don’t want anyone to know where I live. I struggle to hold my head up around most of them. Tatum is so down to earth I never would have guessed her brother is a surgeon. She told me she worked in a coffee shop while she was going to college, before she dropped out to follow her dreams of playing hockey.

“Thanks, but I’m not that far. Are you coming to the game tomorrow?”

“Yeah. I’ll be there watching the team win.”

His smile almost takes my breath away. Sooo out of my league.

At the street he goes right, and I turn left. Waving goodbye, I wait until I’m sure he won’t see me back track and head toward the bus stop.

Damn, I’m late. I run, barely catching the next one. At my stop, I sprint the three blocks and race up the steps to my room, pull on my apron, and slide on my old tennis shoes. Grabbing my backpack I head downstairs. On street level I push through the back door of the diner, stow my pack behind the desk in the corner, and head to the wash area. Mel glances my way.

“Sorry boss. Practice ran late.”

He nods. “Heard you got a new owner. You gonna be okay?”

“I think so. He met with all the players today. He told me he was impressed with my play and to keep it up.”

“You got the talent, girl. I-ah scored tickets to the game on Monday.”

“You did? You don’t like hockey.”

“Never said that. Just never saw the need to go before. Now that you’re gonna be a star I’ll be there when I can.”

Tears fill my eyes, and I study the pan I’m supposed to be scrubbing. Meeting Mel was the best thing to happen to me. He found me in a bad situation and stepped in without a thought to the trouble it could cause him. He’s the closest thing to a family I’ve ever had. “You being at the game would mean a lot to me, Mel. Thanks.”

I hear him clear his throat before he rings the bell. “Order up.”

Hours later I glance at the clock and see its almost closing time. There’s about eight people still finishing their meals, but no more orders are coming in so I can finish up the pots and pans. One of the guys has been manning the dishwashers and he’ll do the grills. When the customers leave, I’ll clean tables and scrub the diner floor. If we’re lucky we’ll be done by midnight. I should get a solid six hours of sleep before I have to be back for the breakfast shift.

A few minutes later I hear the bell over the front door. Seconds later Mel’s growly voice reaches my ears. “I told you to stay out of my place. What the hell do you want?”

My heart drops when I hear the response.

“She’s got a payment due. I’m just here to collect,” Ratface replies.

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