Edge(72)

“Cool.”

“You want to come?”

“I have to go hang out with the kids so Kate can get her hair done.”

I rolled my eyes. “Such a good little husband.”

“Damn right. Don’t even deny you’d do the same thing for your woman.”

I arched my brows and nodded. “How about Melody?”

“Sure, she can go.”

“I haven’t seen her in a while, I miss her.”

“She’s trouble, man,” Ryke said with a grin. “Smart and cute as hell.”

“Yeah, I’ll come by and pick her up.”

Kyler was talking to one of the other guys, and I called him over. “You ready, Big K?”

“Yeah. Can I get three different kinds, and sprinkles?”

I laughed and put him in a gentle head lock. “Your mom said one kind so we don’t spoil your dinner, Chief.”

“Aww,” he groaned. “Can we go back to the video game place?”

“Yep. But you know you can only play the games your mom said you can.”

His face dropped with disappointment. “I want to play the shooting one.”

“Nah. We’ll play the basketball shooting one, it’s more fun anyway.”

“I made a basket in gym class today.” He looked up at me with a gap-toothed grin.

“Way to go.” I bumped his fist and we made our way to the steel exit door. “Better zip up your coat.”

When I turned, I met Butch Price’s startled gaze. He looked away in a hurry.

“You need something, Coach?” I asked.

“No,” he said quickly. “Just, uh …”

It clicked in an instant that he’d been following us. I couldn’t help feeling sorry for him, even though he could be a prick.

“Hey, you want to get some ice cream with us?” I asked.

“Yeah, come with us, Grandpa!” Kyler said happily.

“Well, I don’t know … I guess I could.”

“You can ride with us,” I said. “We’ve got to make a quick stop on the way.”

He gave me a pointed look. “Right, I heard you talking to Ryke about someone you missed. Someone pretty.”

I shook my head and grinned at him. “She’s five, Coach. Ryke’s daughter Melody.”

“She’s my friend,” Kyler interjected. “And she plays hockey.”

Price actually had the decency to look sheepish. “I’m kind of set in my ways,” he admitted. “And maybe … a little quick to judge.”

I nodded, accepting his half apology. “You like basketball?”

“I still play,” he said. “Not quite as fast as I used to be, though.”

“We’re gonna play the basketball shooting game at the arcade. You want me to give you a head start?” I couldn’t help teasing him for once.

“Hell no,” he said indignantly. “You may be younger, but I’ve got experience going for me.”

“You shouldn’t say hell, Grandpa,” Kyler said solemnly.

“You’re right,” he agreed.

And that was the start of a couple hours spent with Butch Price by choice, something I never thought I’d do. But I could tell that he was nothing like my own lousy father. However misguided he was, Butch was driven by his love for Dell and Kyler and his desire to protect them. That was maybe the only thing we had in common, other than a deep competitive spirit, but it was a very big thing.

***



Dell





Was it my imagination, or had my dad just smiled at Luke? It was rare for him to smile at anyone but Kyler. Luke had made several good hits in the last few minutes. This was a last-second timeout at the end of a game that we were winning 2-1.

“Keep your fucking heads up and pull this out,” Dad said in a steady tone. “We’ve turned things around on this team, so let’s not fall back now. Let’s head into the playoffs with our heads high.”

It had been a rough game, with lots of hard hits by both teams. I’d be here late tonight working on the guys. I headed back to the locker room to see if the equipment manager had my ice bath ready.

The tub was filled with ice, and extra water bottles were lined up on a counter. I was ready to get to work. The dull roar of the crowd told me the game was over.

I turned to head back out and felt the heat of someone approaching me from behind.

“That was too fucking easy.” Powerful arms wrapped around my chest and neck. “I got you alone – just like that?”

John. I knew his voice, but it was slurred.

“John, what are you doing here?” I was trying for a casually surprised tone, but my panic was apparent.

“I’ve got nothing to live for now.” His tone was low an ominous. I swallowed as I felt something hard sitting against my windpipe. A knife? My worst fear had been that he’d rape me. I’d never even considered this.