Page 77 of Wallflower
Violet
DAY 41 AT SILVER LEAF... ONLY 45 TO GO
I stand at theentrance to the ice arena located twenty minutes outside Aster Springs and welcome the San Francisco Fury as they arrive one by one. As a junior marketing executive, I don’t have much contact with the players, but that changed when I became Chord’s assistant. This is session number four in the summer training schedule, and the process is familiar enough that I’m not a bundle of nerves anymore. Today I’m directing players to the locker rooms inside so they can get ready for today’s sessions, but there’s a lot of standing around to do, and I spend the lulls anxiously scanning the parking lot for Chord’s family. So far, none of them are here.
Coach Campbell and Chord are already inside, and we’ve rented the entire place out to give the team time together on the ice. It probably would have been easier to do this at the home arena in San Francisco but with eight weeks until the official start of the season, Coach liked the idea of keeping things low-key and informal by using a small-town venue.
I send another player inside just as a sleek black SUV pulls into an empty space, followed by a similar model in white. Hayden steps out of the first car, then Weston out of the second, just as a convertible jeep with the top down screeches into the lot. The driver swings into an available space, barely coming to a stop before Breaker, Theo, and Jake jump out—literally. They don’t bother to open their doors before launching themselves out of the vehicle, landing on the asphalt with the ease of wild cats.
I tilt my head and admire how good-looking they are. Athletic, obviously. Tall, hard, strong. Different ages and different features—tattoos and scruffy, clean cut and boyish—and without exception hot.
As they draw closer, I stand straight, clear my throat and smile, but there’s nothing I can do to stop the heat creeping up my neck. “It’s nice to see you all again. I hope you didn’t have any trouble finding the place?”
Hayden flashes a cocky grin. “Set my GPS tonearest beautiful womanand it led me straight to you.”
I cover my snort as West smacks him over the head, and the other boys groan, but then an unimpressed grunt sounds behind me, loud enough to make me jump. I spin to find Chord scowling over my head, and I take a small but subtle step away from Hayden.
“These guys just got here,” I explain. “They’re about to head inside and find the locker room.”
Hayden’s grin gets wider as he mock-salutes his captain. West shakes his head, and I roll my lips as Chord crosses his arms over his chest and glares while his teammates file inside.
Once they’re gone, Chord takes my hand and pulls me away, rounding the corner of the building, and then pinning me against the wall the moment we’re out of sight. His hips press against me, and his big arms cage me in as he dips in to kiss me.I kiss him back, my tablet clutched to my chest until we’re both breathing fast.
“A little reminder of who you belong to,” he says, dropping a gentle sweep of his lips against mine before brushing the tip of my nose with his.
Goosebumps ripple where his warm breath hits the side of my neck.Who I belong to.
I close my eyes and give over to the warmth that pools in my core whenever Chord’s mouth is on my body, even as a whisper of anxiety swirls in my chest. My life is perfect, and perfection is so foreign to me that it’s becoming uncomfortable.
For years I wanted to design couture and travel the world. I never once dreamed about being a personal assistant for the NHL’s hottest player, and I never imagined falling in love with him. I never pictured being happy out of the city on a California ranch. Never dreamed I’d find a place where I could live a life all my own, my dad close enough and happy enough that I wouldn’t worry about him every minute of the day. I never knew I wanted this, but now that I have it, I don’t want to let it go.
And I know Chord said our summer together doesn’t have to end, and it’s a sweet promise, but no amount of money or sentimental words can stop time. October will be here before we know it and what will happen then? I don’t want to ask and break our magical summer bubble, but I think about it every day.
Chord will leave the ranch, and I assume Dad and I will move back to our apartment in the city. I’ll return to Fury headquarters under Courtney’s rule. Chord will be at away games half the time, driven and focused on getting to the playoffs, and I’ll spend my nights without him, sketching and listening to music. Nothing to keep me warm at night except a blanket and my dreams.
I close my eyes and rest my head on Chord’s broad chest, soothed by the warmth of his body, the smell of his skin, and thebeat of his heart, before he rubs his palms up and down my arms and presses a kiss to the top of my head.
“Okay, Wallflower. I know you’re busy. I’m going to check in with Coach and get things started. I’ll see you in there?”
I offer him my upturned lips, and the corner of his mouth tips up before he takes my face in both hands and kisses me gently. We walk back around to the front of the building side by side, Chord brushing the back of my hand with his and giving me a quick wink as he disappears inside.
I stand at the front of the arena and check my list for the hundredth time to confirm that everyone who is supposed to be here is already accounted for. Everyone who needs to be here is already inside, but still, I wait and stare out across the parking lot, hoping that hope alone will conjure a Davenport. It doesn’t, and my stomach drops as I go inside.
I speak to a couple of staff members on my way through the complex to make sure everything is under control, then enter the arena and make my way over to my dad, who sits in the stands with youthful exuberance brightening his face.
Dad is thriving at Silver Leaf—he’s a little stronger, fitter, and happier every time I see him—and I love the change in him, but a flutter of anxiety catches in my throat. How will he manage when it’s time to leave?
“I needed this,” he says as I hand over one of the coffees I picked up in the foyer. “Thank you, Blossom.”
“No problem.” I settle into the seat next to him, take a sip from my own cup, and check the time. “Shouldn’t be long now.”
“That’s okay. I don’t mind waiting. It gives us time to catch up.”
I frown mid-sip and swallow my mouthful of coffee. “Catch up?”
Dad gives me a reluctant smile. “I wasn’t going to say anything because you didn’t bring it up, and I know you’re happy with Chord, but…”
I lower my coffee to my lap, ignoring the way the air suddenly feels uncomfortably warm and my stomach hollows out. “But… what?”
