I love Jake.
She touched trembling fingers to her mouth, to keep the words from bursting out. They couldn’t be contained.
“I love Jake.” The wonder in her hushed voice made Jenny smile mistily.
“It’s worked out perfectly. Two of my favorite people will be together and you can stay here in New Jersey.”
Maggie tried to ignore the frisson of unease that slithered down her spine. There was no such thing as perfect. “It’s a long way from being settled.”
“I know.” The mist faded from Jenny’s expression. “But it’s a great start and the future looks promising. You can be levelheaded and realistic, but I’ll keep hoping everything will turn out as I predict.”
With Jenny’s words, Maggie realized that alongside the steady flame of love burning inside her was another, smaller glow. One that had been missing for so long she could barely recall when it had last been alight.
Hope.
* * *
“HOLD UP, BAD BOY.”
Jake stopped at the urgency in the trainer’s voice. “What’s up, Steve?”
The guy jogged toward him. “Coach said to remind you to give your sample for the drug test after tonight’s game.”
He frowned. “Again? I only gave one ten days ago.”
“Just passing on a message.” Steve shrugged. “The league’s been edgy ever since investigators started naming names in that internet pharmacy case. Some big sports stars have been accused of buying steroids from the site. It’s only a matter of time before they name an NHL player.”
“I don’t get it.” Jake shook his head. “That junk can seriously damage your health.”
“Not to mention your career. At least you’re not one of those idiots.”
“Damn straight.”
“Anyway, don’t forget.” The trainer started to walk away, then turned back. “Oh, and the media’s desperate to get at you, but we’re holding them off.”
“I appreciate the heads-up. Perhaps Charlie Sheen will do me a favor and go crazy again.” Jake stalked into the empty locker room.
He tossed his bag on the floor and slumped by his locker, rolling his shoulders to relieve the tightness. The past few days had been rough.
He’d been dogged by journalists at home, at his parents’ and at practice. His cell was permanently diverted to voice mail. It was great that his version of events was getting out there, but it was taking its toll on him. Not just personally but also on the ice.
Luckily, the Cats hadn’t had a game until tonight, so his poor play had only been during practice. He needed desperately to be back to normal, and fast.
To cap it all, he hadn’t seen Maggie since the gala evening, and it was killing him. Their brief phone conversations weren’t nearly enough. Something had changed between them. He sensed it in the way she spoke, her tone of voice. Jake hoped it meant she’d forgiven him. A warm glow filled him, wrapping around his heart. Images danced through his head— golden-hued happy pictures that resonated in his soul.
Maybe some good had come of this crap with Tony—not that he’d thank the jerk.
Jake touched his fingers to his lips, recalling her taste from their last kiss. Reliving the feel of her mouth beneath his. Her body in his arms.
He puffed out a frustrated breath. He had to find a way to see Maggie after the game.
Voices echoed in the corridor outside the locker room. Jake straightened, trying to pull it together. He had a game to prepare for.
Not just any game, either. Though the season wasn’t halfway through, a win tonight against the second-place Flyers would widen the gap between them, putting the Cats firmly in control of their division. Two points closer to securing a play-off berth. Two points closer to lifting the Stanley Cup.
Several teammates entered laughing. When they saw him, they came to an abrupt stop.
Unease crept down his spine. “What’s going on?”
Juergen and Vlad exchanged uncomfortable looks while Larocque headed for his locker, avoiding Jake’s gaze.
The creeping turned to a stampede. “Fellas?”
The Russian swore. “Have you seen the latest pieces from the U.K. about Maggie?”
“I haven’t had a chance—they only came out late last night. Why?”
Juergen said quietly, “You should take a look.”
His stomach nosedived to his Nikes. “It’s that bad?”
“They regurgitated every piece of salacious gossip about her, going back to when she was single.” Juergen pulled out his phone, tapped in some details then turned it to show Jake. “Check this out.”
“It’s a blonde dancing on a table.” A hot blonde in a low-cut top, micromini and skyscraper heels that showed off her fabulous legs.