Love Faces Off

Chapter 8

6am comes early when you don’t crawl into bed until 4am. Raegan was sure there wasn’t enough coffee on the planet to make her body function right. She knew for a fact there wasn’t enough makeup to cover up the dark circles or swollen eyes from crying. When reality dawned on her last night, or rather this morning, of the repercussions of their actions, well Raegan would be the first to admit she didn’t react correctly. She hadn’t meant to push Nick away. She just needed time to process how her body, and frankly, her heart had thrown caution to the wind. She had laid there with her head on the chest of a Greek god more satisfied than she had ever been. Fear and doubt had came down on her like a lead weight. She liked to have plans, things clearly mapped out, before she acted. When she had seen Nick at the elevator it was like he had stepped out of the dreams that had kept her awake. Her body just reacted without thinking. Then overreacted without thinking after the glow had warn off.

Here she was having to walk out into the light of day and face up to her lustful ways. How would she face him? She would soon find out. As she rounded the corner for the elevator she froze. She was going to start taking the stairs from now on. There waiting for the elevator was Coach Collson, Pete, and the Greek god. She saw him flinch as she walked up but he never looked up from his phone. He had sunglasses on just like her and another hoodie. God that man could make a simple hoodie look so damn sexy.

Pete smiled at her and said, “Good morning. Are you okay?”

Raegan nodded avoiding eye contact, “Yup, I’m good. Nothing coffee shouldn’t fix.”

“Are you getting enough sleep? You look tired.”

“A little insomnia leading up to this series. This series always comes with a lot of injuries. You all play so hard against the rangers.”

Pete wasn’t buying it. He looked from Nick to Raegan and back again. She saw the moment it dawned on him.

“Yeah, seems sleepless night are going around these days.”

Nick just grunted. Pete and Coach exchanged a look while Raegan just looked at the ground. Just then the elevator arrived.

“You know I think I will take the stairs. Seems like it might get to crowded in there.”

Nick looked at her then. She couldn’t see his eyes but the hurt shown on his face.

What had she done….

Well, that was a first. He had screwed up so bad with a woman that she wouldn’t even ride a damn elevator with him. Clearly the name Ice Queen fit her perfectly. As they all piled onto the bus, Pete grabbed his arm.

“Why don’t you sit with me this morning?” Pete wasn’t really asking, but telling.

“I would really rather not.”

“It wasn’t a suggestion.”

“I didn’t think it was.”

Pete gestured toward the window seat and Nick crawled in. Nice to see this morning was starting of grand. He hadn’t gotten any sleep the night before. When Raegan had dismissed him from her room he had gone for a walk. He couldn’t tell you where he went. He just walked. When he finally returned to the hotel it was after 6am and Pete was already up. Nick had managed to avoid any of his questions but he had a feeling that wouldn’t be the case now.

The last person boarded the charter and the engine roared to life. Pete wasted no time. He leaned in and asked, “What the hell happened between you and Raegan last night?”

“I don’t know what you are talking about.”

“Cut the s**t. You both look like hell and neither of you will even look at the other. At least try not to be so obvious.”

Nick was over this already, “Look, Cap. I don’t know what to tell you. There is nothing there ok. Talk to your girl, she will say the same thing. I simply just walked around New York last night. Nothing else.”

“You’re lying. I’m going to guess its to protect her. Remember what I told you, if you hurt her…”

“What if the Ice Queen hurts me? What happens then? Did you think about that when you started spouting threats. Trust me on this, ice cuts deep. Deeper than I thought.” Nick pulled up his hood and starred out the window. Pete knew to back off. He didn’t know exactly what happened but knew it wasn’t good.

Reagan was seated a few rows back from them. She hadn’t heard what was said but she had a pretty good idea Pete was grilling Nick. This was not good. She was going to lose everything and still not get the guy. She turned toward the window and wiped away a tear before anyone could see.

The morning meetings and workouts flew by. Before they knew it they were back at the hotel to relax before game time. Reagan paced the hotel room. Should she nip this in the bud and go to management before they found out another way. Just then her phone rang. It was Carla.

Raegan answered, “Hello.”

“Rae? Am I bothering you?”

“Nope, just relaxing before the game. Whats up?”

Carla’s voice was a little shaky on the other end. “The attorney called today. The judge gave me a permanent restraining order. But denied the motion to allow divorce proceedings with me living out of state.”

Raegan could hear the disappointment in her voice.

“Awe, honey I’m sorry. How long do you have to wait to file?”

“Six months after I change my ID but there is another option. I’m just not sure about doing it.”

“Well what is the option?”Raegan was relieved to have a moment to concentrate on someone else’s issue other than her own.

“The attorney was contacted by the FBI. The agent indicated that if I would agree to testify against Mark that they could get the divorce fast tracked. They can’t force me because we are married.”

“How do you feel about that?”

Carla sighed heavily, “I don’t know. I just want it all over with. I’ve got a few days to decide. But there is something else. And I want you to be honest with me.”

“Of course what is it?”

“Did Pete LeBlanc pay for my attorney?”

Raegan rolled her eyes. The jig was up, “What makes you think that?”

“The attorney said he was glad Pete retained him for my case. These were the kind of cases he became a family law attorney for. He had been stuck doing celebrity divorces for so long he forgot who he was as an attorney. Did Pete pay for the attorney? Why would he do that?”

No reason to pretend any longer. Raegan reluctantly answered, “Yes. Pete paid the retainer and has said he would pick up the bill. He didn’t want your options to be limited by money. As to the why, because he is a good friend that wants to help a friend of mine.”

“It’s because he is in love with you.” Carla said matter-of-fact tone. “He thinks if he does enough great things you will see him differently.”

“Pete is not in lo……oh my God.” she whispered.

“You are honestly just now seeing it?”

“I never meant to hurt or lead him on. I was clear up front we were just friends.”

Carla tried to reassure her, “I’m sure you were, but it was clear the other day he had hopes it would change with time.”

“He is going to be so hurt if he finds out.” Raegan said this more to herself.

“Finds out what?”

“Nothing, its nothing. I can handle it. How is Riley doing?” Raegan needed to change the subject before she had a total meltdown.

“Well, all things considered. She says she misses her friends but once we get settled she will make new ones I am sure.”

They chatted for a few more minutes before ending the call. Raegan had really zoned out after she had realized how Pete would react if he found out she had slept with Nick. What a mess she had made. She had to talk to Nick and convince him to not talk about their evening to anyone in the locker room. She had worked to long in men’s locker rooms. She knew it was just like middle school, they continue to try to one up each other. And letting the boys know you got laid by the Ice Queen would be to hard of a story to keep quiet.

Raegan was waiting beside the bus early. She wanted to pull Nick aside before they left for the stadium. She had noticed he liked to be early, a trait she actually admired in him.

She had been there for about 5 minutes when she saw him walk out of the hotel lobby. He stopped when he seen her, so many emotions played across his face.

Raegan approached him, “Can we talk before everyone gets here?”

“I don’t like drama before a games. Messes with my focus.”

“It will only take a second.Please?”

He softened his tone, “We both know I can’t say no when you ask nicely, Angel.”

Raegan blushed and for a moment a smile came to Nick’s face, like he was pleased he had that effect on her. He went with her to the far side of the sidewalk away from anyone heading toward the bus.

She was suddenly nervous, “I was hoping. I wanted to ask you…” She started chewing her lip. This was harder than she thought it would be.

“Angel, you need to say whatever it is before I nibble that lip myself. As much as I don’t want to, I still want you.”

She was shocked and suddenly hot for him all over again. She cleared her throat, “About that. Is there anyway that what happened can stay between us? I don’t really want to be the subject of locker room talk. I still don’t know what to do about disclosing it to the team management. And I don’t want Pete to learn of it from anyone other than me.”

He placed a finger under her chin and tipped it up. “Angel, what happens between us stays between us. Pete isn’t as blind as you think. He already asked me if something happened last night. I denied it of course. I told you before I’m not here to hurt you, get you fired, or use you. I do have some fun ways I would like to use the body and mouth of yours. Perhaps another time.”

On that note he turned and walked toward the bus. Raegan was left starring after him and imagining what he want to do with her body.

Raegan remained a little off her game the rest of the afternoon preparations. Every time she looked around the room she saw Nick staring at her. His eyes told her he was thinking of them together. Raegan made the mistake of making eye contact with Pete. The hurt there shown loud and clear. She tried to pull Pete aside to talk but he made a point to avoid her.