Page 64 of The Cutting Edge
Anyone who spent more than five minutes with Logan would find it pretty tough not to fall for him.
Maybe we’re meant to be together, maybe not. But it’ll be on my terms, and in my own time. I’m not about to give my heart away so easily, not after everything I’ve sacrificed.
Logan Rivers is worth a lot, but no man is worth everything.
Logan leads me over to the bleachers behind a tall wall of safety glass, where a handful of women lounge and chat. “Ladies, this is Coco. Coco, meet the team wives and girlfriends.” He quickly introduces everyone and a chorus of hellos ring out as I’m ushered onto the bench.
Logan taps his index finger hard on the plexiglass wall that separates me from the rink. "Puck proof, so you're safe here." He presses a quick kiss to my cheek. “I’ll be back after practice. Yell if you need anything.”
“Will do.” I smile, hoping it looks more confident than I feel. Logan jogs off toward the locker room, and I’m left facing a circle of curious, expectant faces.
A statuesque blonde with a heart-shaped face stands and holds out a manicured hand. “I’m Shayna, Ricky's fiancée. Welcome to the club!”
“Thanks.” I shake her hand, pulse thrumming. “Logan’s told me so much about all of you. I’m Coco, by the way.”
“Oh, we know.” A brunette winks from beside Shayna. “Word travels fast around here.”
My cheeks heat at the implication. Just how much has Logan told them about me? About us? Before I can ask, the locker room door bangs open. A young woman with long dark hair in a fitted green pantsuit strides through, her friendly gaze homing in on me.
“You must be Coco!” Her heels click-clack across the floor as she approaches, hand extended. “I’m Lana, the team publicist. It's a pleasure to finally meet you.”
“Likewise.” I shake her hand, pulse skipping. “Thank you – Logan told me about your help with Mrs. Markham on the night of the…puck.” I wonder, does she know the truth behind why I’m here today? Her face is a mask of polite interest, giving nothing away.
“You’re so welcome, I was happy to provide the assist. Logan’s told me wonderful things.” Lana glances over her shoulder, lowering her voice. “The press isn’t aware of your relationship yet, but I wanted to let you know I’ll do whatever I can to respect your privacy. Or not, if you’d prefer to go public. Obviously, the story of how you met, an Olympic figure skater and an NHL player...it's bound to get some interest...” She arches a brow, awaiting my response.
My throat tightens, but before I can stammer out a reply, Lana pats my arm. “No need to decide now. Enjoy the practice, and we’ll chat more later.” With a brisk nod, she strides off toward the rink exit.
The knot in my stomach twists tighter. What have I gotten myself into?
I settle onto the padded bleachers with the other significant others, pulse racing. Suddenly everything feels like it’s moving so fast.
A blonde woman scoots over, extending her hand. “You must be Coco. I’m Jenny, Cam’s girlfriend.”
“Oh, Cam! Nice to meet you.” I shake her hand, forcing a smile. At least she and Lana seem nice, despite the semi-awkward situation.
“So how did you and Logan meet?” Jenny asks.
My cheeks flame. "Uh, well, I teach figure skating to Logan’s daughter Poppy at another rink in the building, and a couple of weeks ago Logan was late to pick up Poppy and I was in a hurry so I brought her here."
Shayna jumps in, "Coco's the one. He hit her with a puck, sent her to the ER. Fell madly in love to the tune of beeping heart monitors and 'code blues.' You know, a tale as old as time."
Madly in love? "Yeah, something like that. Long story short, Logan hit a slap shot just as we came in, and I was in an unprotected area of the rink and it hit me in the head. I was in the hospital for a couple of weeks, and he kept coming by to check on me, and one thing sort of led to another."
“That’s amazing. You two seem perfect together.” Jenny gives me an approving smile.
Shayna scootches in closer to me on the other side, nodding towards Jenny, and whispers, "Jenny's new and just about to hit her sell-by date so she's not really up to speed. Cam's a total sweetheart, but not really a settle-down kind of guy. We'll probably meet her replacement next week. Or maybe in Philly tomorrow night."
“So tell me more about yourself.” Jenny leans closer on my other side, clearly eager to bond. "Cam and Logan are tight. We should double sometime!" I plaster on another smile, fretting over lucky charm protocol. Coach Rocco said to just keep doing what I was doing before -- but should I really be dating Logan? Letting him kiss me at practice? Spending time with his daughter? And if I don't, how am I ever going to do this job? This is quickly turning into a way bigger can of worms than I bargained for.
Logan glides onto the ice with beefy grace, stickhandling the puck as he leads his teammates through a few warm-up drills. He's completely in his element here, movements precise and powerful. Seriously, the man is a vision in his hockey gear, all muscle, and intensity.
Sitting in the bleachers is a whole lot different than working out on the ice, and my feet are already getting cold. I dig into my bag and swap out my cute silver flats for my fluffy pink flamingo slippers, inviting giggles from the wives and girlfriends seated nearby. I don’t care what they look like. They’re super warm and my students love them.
“I need some of those,” says Trixie. “My feet are always freezing.”
“Me too,” laughs Shayna.
Watching Logan skate ignites a slow burn of desire in my belly. Well, maybe lower. I'm mesmerized by the sight of him, losing myself in fantasies I have no business entertaining. I have a deal with Coach Rocco, and I absolutely can't afford to lose it. I need to remember that, even if my traitorous body refuses to cooperate.
