Page 112 of Stick Side
Ben eyed his teammate with curiosity. “What do you mean?”
The look Cassidy directed Ben’s way suggested that his meaning should have been obvious. “As protective as Coach McGuire is of Mel?” Cassidy lifted his eyebrows dramatically. “Hell. The man practically chewed me a new one just for daring to be her friend. I thought you’d get shipped off to Siberia when he learned you were actually dating her, not given a shot at the first line—especially so soon after being traded to the team.”
Ben abstained from mentioning that Coach McGuire’s reaction to Cassidy getting chummy with his daughter might have had more to do with his teammate’s reputation as a playboy than their coach being an overprotective father. He also didn’t think it was the time to remind Cassidy that he’d played first line center for the Flyers—and the Capitals before them—either.
Cassidy shook his head. “Dating Melody definitely hasn’t screwed up your game the way I thought it would,” he reiterated.
“I don’t think Melody has been anything but good for me,” Ben offered up circumspectly. “And my game.”
“You just better keep it up,” Cassidy instructed. “No one appreciates a slacker,” he stated. “But what people really don’t appreciate is a slacker who tries to ride on the coattails of nepotism.”
What the hell? First, he was lucky not to get traded or benched for dating Melody, but now he was using his relationship to advance his career?
Cassidy’s comment poked at Ben’s pride, but he tried not to allow himself to be provoked by the other man’s opinion. It took a little bit of effort, but Ben kept his voice calm and steady when he responded, “Never in my life have I tried to benefit from preferential treatment.” Ben crossed his arms over his chest in what he was sure was a defensive pose. “And I certainly don’t see that changing now.”
Cassidy grunted in a way that sounded only slightly less monosyllabic than Coach Dodds. “Good,” Cassidy said, “because you’re still a new guy around here, and despite your years in the NHL, you still have something to prove.”
Cassidy lifted his head and pinned Ben with a look so intense that laser beams seemed to practically shoot out of his eyes. “And no one would take kindly to your dicking Melody around,” he declared darkly.
Ben couldn’t stop himself from bristling at that dig. “I have zero intention of mistreating Melody in any way.” He made sure to enunciate his words so there would be no misunderstanding them.
“You say that,” Cassidy observed with a penetrating look, “but this industry seems to have a way of effing up even the most promising relationships.”
Cassidy’s eyes cut away before he added, “It’s just one of the many reasons why I never thought Mel would date a player.”
A weird sort of foreboding skated over Ben’s skin. He had to consciously fight the urge to shiver.
“I’m not going to let anything happen to Melody and me,” Ben said with more conviction than he was currently feeling.
“If you say so,” Cassidy returned flippantly before wrapping his towel around his waist, slipping on his flip-flops, and striding off in the direction of the showers.
Now that he was alone, Ben found himself giving into the urge to rub at the gooseflesh still visible on his arms. He only hoped Cassidy’s prediction could be as easily brushed away.
Chapter 56
Melody
Melodypulledopenherpurse and rummaged around for her phone while she waited for the elevator that would take her up to her apartment. When her fingers finally found purchase on her cellphone case, she pulled her phone out of her bag and clicked on her messaging app. For a moment, she just stared at the screen.
She still needed to answer Nolan. She just wished she knew what to say.
Text wasn’t always the best way to communicate and convey sentiments, but it’s what she had at the moment. Biting down on her lower lip, Melody tried to marshal her thoughts and at least reply with something. What to say, though?
After a few more moments of thought, Melody decided she was overcomplicating things. She took a deep breath and started typing a response to last night’s messages.
Melody:Hi, Nolan. Thanks for reaching out. I’m happy to hear your schedule is settling. That must be a relief after suchlong hours. Just let me know when you’re free and we’ll see when we can arrange a friendly get-together.
Melody bit back into her lip and gave it a nibble she imagined might leave it looking pinkened. Her response wasn’t perfect, but she hoped it wasn’t too bad.
She sighed and rolled her shoulders in an attempt to release some of the tension she had stored there. She didn’t want to lead Nolan on, but was there a good way to say that since she’d gone out with him and his friends, she’d tumbled into a whirlwind romance and found herself falling hard and fast for another man? Melody would make sure Nolan knew she was now only available for friendship, but surely that would come across better if expressed in person? Maybe? Hopefully? She really wasn’t sure.
Surprise lit her insides when a response came in.
Nolan:Hey, Melody! It’s great to hear from you. Would you be free to meet tomorrow at 1 pm? How’s The Daily Grind on N. Wells St?
That would work well. It was both a good time and a short walk from The Winchester.
Nerves made her heart rate accelerate, but she forced herself to type.
