Page 14 of Ice Block

“I’m not sure I can look Vladi in the eye anymore,” she mumbles, looking down to the floor as if that’s going to erase the thought of it from her memory.

“Olivia, you’re a grown-ass woman. I know you and Hayes are humping like rabbits all damn day, and if I have to know that, you have to know this.”

“Okay, fair. So why the hell is it so awkward then?”

“Because …fuck. He got in my damn head. Telling me I was perfect and calling me some damn name in Russian. I thought my vajay-jay would be in control, but my damn heart decided she needed to be a bitch and get involved.God…what am I? A fucking sap all of a sudden? I know how to do one-night stands. It’s a good time, then everyone moves on. But he’s just…fuck!” I take a deep breath, ready to admit what I’ve been trying to push from my mind every day since then. “He’s…he’s everything I’ve ever wanted in a man. But, I fell asleep at some point and when I woke up, he was …gone. No note. No goodbye. Nothing.”

“What?!” Olivia yells, louder than she normally does. She’s usually the quiet one at brunch, but her anger is now full force again. “He just left?! I am going to cut the net off his goal and strangle him with it.”

“Trust me, I know that feeling.” A soft smile peeks out beneath my anger knowing my bestie has my back. “Even worse when I see him now, even though I try to avoid it, he acts like nothing happened. Like we are two random people who met at the gala and know each other through mutual friends.”

Olivia sits stunned, her mouth slightly parted, looking like she wants to say something but can’t quite put the words together.

“Say it, Liv. I needed to spill my guts about this for months, andnow that it’s out, I need you. Dealing with this without my bestie has been the hardest part of all this.”

“So, what I’m hearing is—you got attached.” She looks at me, the slightest bit of pity in her expression as she takes a deep breath. “And he didn’t.”

I slowly nod, biting the inside of my cheek.What is it about besties that makes them able to hit the nail on the head about all your issues?

“Shit, Maggie. That sucks.”

“Understatement of the year.” I interlace my fingers with hers. “I’m sorry I’ve been so weird lately, and I’m really sorry I didn’t tell you about it. He asked me not to say anything, and I don’t know why I was keeping that damn guy’s secret. I’ll find a way to get over it. And listen, I will behave at the wedding. This is about you and Hayes. Not my drama with that jackass.”

“Maggie, you do realize you’ll literally be walking down the aisle together, right? You’re my maid of honor and he’s Hayes’ best man.”

I sit up in my chair, bile rising in my throat. “Oh, fuck me. Seriously?”

“Seriously. What did you think was going to happen?”

“Well, at your quickie wedding at the arcade bar, there wasn’t a processional, so it really hadn’t dawned on me. Or maybe I was blocking the idea out of my mind,” I grumble, knocking back another drink. “Listen. I will be on my best behavior. I promise. But Liv…swear to me you won’t tell Hayes.”

“Mags, I cannot keep a secret from that man. He reads me like a book! The other day I bought him an early wedding present and he knew theinstanthe walked in the door I was keeping something from him. So, I gave it to him because I was too damn excited to see his face when he opened it. And he loved it, of course, which ledto...well…you know. But now I’m going to have to buy him another wedding day gift…it’s like Christmas all over again!”

“Olivia Marie Larson.” I squeeze her fingers in solidarity. “I believe in you. You are strong. You are a vault. You can do this.”

She knocks back the rest of her drink, almost missing the table as she slams her glass down. “You’re right. I’m a brick wall. I can totally do this.”

She’s gonna crack like the Liberty Bell the minute she gets home. And Vladi’s gonna be pissed. I smother the smirk threatening to show.Dammit…it’s about time.

11

vladi

Ihate weddings. I am happy for the couple exchanging vows, of course, it’s the rest of the rituals and expectations I can’t stand. Standing in a hot, stuffy church with shitty, nonexistent air-conditioning for hours in an overpriced, too stiff suit surrounded by all the boring chatter about happily ever after and forever and the inane pomp and circumstance about being soulmates.It’s boring. I was ecstatic when Hayes asked me to help plan a spur of the moment wedding at an arcade bar. Good atmosphere, good ventilation, and a casual setting. It was perfect.All weddings should be that way.

Then he dropped the news they were having a destination wedding. So, now I have to stand outside in the Dominican Republic, on the sand practically on the equator during motherfucking summer, while I sweat to death under the blazing sun. My skin prickles with phantom sweat.I miss Russia.I miss the cold. I only want to exist on the ice.

Sitting in my house, the air is set to a cool sixty-five degrees. It’s not warm here in Milwaukee, but I like the cold. I just finished abook and am taking a few minutes to read the fifteen attachments about the upcoming wedding in this damn email. It’s a whole week of activities, parties, a rehearsal dinner, the ceremony, and the reception. Attachment after attachment about things to do, optional activities to sign up for, and mandatory events for the bridal party. Unless it’s in cool water or an air-conditioned luxury hotel room, I’ll pass. Hayes will understand my isolation. He’s asked me to be his best man, and I’m honored. I owe Hayes everything. He’s the only family I have left. I’ve been without my mother for decades, but my father died a few years ago. Larsy, and his mom Kristi, were there for me. Inviting me to every holiday event, welcoming me into their lives, and making sure I was never alone. Sadly, being around other people doesn’t take away the loneliness inside.

Then there is the other issue at hand. I could fake my way through a week of love and small talk if it weren’t for the hazel-eyed, brunette that will also be there.

The one who happens to be the best friend of the bride.

The woman whose panties I still have.

The same ones I take on every road trip, discreetly packed in my carry-on.I’m not chancing my luggage getting in the wrong hands with that precious cargo inside.I purchased a black silk bag to carry them so my teammates can’t see when I transfer them into my toiletry bag every game for good luck.

After our amazing night together, I brought them with me to the first game I was back in the net. We won. And now I can’t be without them. They remind me of her. Her feisty attitude. Her dirty mouth. Her gagging on my cock. I don’t know what she’s done to me, but somehow, after only one night, she clawed her way deep into my mind. My days are consumed with thoughts of her, the woman showing up in my dreams every damn night. And lately, they are getting more intense, and unfortunately not the type of dream where we are back in her apartment fucking. These arenightmares. I wake up in a cold sweat, screaming for her, reaching but not able to get to her. I can’t keep her safe. My throat tightens and my stomach churns, before I take a deep, calming breath.How do I make this go away?

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