Power Play: A Second Chance Hockey Romance (Sinners on the Ice)
Power Play: A Second Chance Hockey Romance: Chapter 3

Now, August

“Yes, I’m sure,” I tell Dad. I’m sitting on the porch, holding a glass of apple juice. My eyes are focused on my car parked in the driveway of my new house. This shiny black Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon was the only thing I wanted to bring with me to California. I didn’t care about anything else, not even the expensive pieces of furniture I bought over the years. I brought this car, some clothes, a few personal belongings, and a ring I got three years ago and have carried with me ever since. “You can totally give the TV to Grandpa. I already have a new one.”

“Thank you, Son,” Dad says, his voice sounding relieved in my earbuds. “I still don’t get why you decided to take so little with you, but whatever. Most of your things have already been sold, and some are on their way to our storage unit in Michigan.”

“That’s great. Thanks.”

“You’re welcome.” Dad clears his throat, and I hold myself back from chuckling. This call was never about my things. “What are your plans for today? Still going to Thompson’s?”

“Of course. It’s Ava’s birthday party. I can’t miss it.”

“But isn’t⁠—”

“Layla’s going to be there, yes,” I interrupt him, preventing him from saying the things I’ve already heard way too many times. “We’re bound to see each other. We have friends in common. It’s fine.”

“I don’t want that woman near you.” Mom’s voice suddenly rings in my ear. I shake my head in disbelief. I should’ve known she was listening. “The only thing she does is hurt you. I honestly can’t understand how she and Drake are from the same family. Your friend is kind and respectful, while his sister⁠—”

“Mom,” I warn her. Anger bubbles inside me, making me clench my hands around my glass. “Don’t talk about Layla like that. Ever.”

The silence on the other end of the line has a calming effect on me. I know my parents mean well, and they’re just worried about me. But I’m tired of repeating myself, and I want them to finally understand that criticizing Layla isn’t going to fly with me.

I take a sip of my juice, and the cold drink slides down my throat and cools my insides. It’s going to be a hot and sunny day in Santa Clara, which is something I’m slowly getting used to after living in Chicago for six years.

At twenty-eight, I packed up my whole life and moved across the country because I got traded. Good thing it was the California Thunders who wanted me. In other circumstances, I don’t think I would’ve found at least one positive thing about it.

Playing on the same team as my best friends Colton and Drake has been my dream for years, since I graduated college, and I’m determined to do anything to make it work.

“Did you replace someone to take a look at your car?” Dad asks, changing the subject.

“Yup. I have a good friend in Chicago whose cousin has a car shop out here in California. I need to schedule a visit before preseason starts, but it’s all good.”

“That’s great to hear.”

I talk some more with Dad, then say goodbye and hang up. Considering Mom’s silence after my comment, I know she’s still fuming, but she’ll respect my wishes and not say anything. At least, not today. I’d be naïve to think that was the last time she’ll say something like that about Layla.

Standing up from the porch, I’m ready to go back inside, but movement to my right catches my attention. It’s my neighbor. A blond girl with a high ponytail, in tiny black shorts and a matching sports bra, walks out of the house with her headphones on. Closing the door, she sways her hips, quietly singing along to some song. The corner of my mouth quirks up as I watch her.

The second she turns around, our eyes collide. Her lips part, and the surprised look on her face makes my smile broader. I’ve been here for barely two weeks, but I’ve seen her almost every day. The only thing I can say…the girl has a thing for revealing clothes. I don’t think I’ve ever seen her in anything that covers her midriff. Though with how toned her body is, I probably shouldn’t be surprised.

“Hey, neighbor,” she says, taking off her headphones and walking down her front steps.

“Hey, neighbor,” I mimic her.

She smiles and strolls up to my house, leaning her hip against the railing as she stops. Her green eyes slowly trail down from my face to my chest, checking me out without an ounce of shyness.

“So you’ve been here for a week.” She finally brings her eyes back to my face, a seductive smile spreading across her full lips.

“Almost two.”

“Almost two, and we still haven’t introduced ourselves.”

I nod.

“I say it’s a crime.”

I chuckle. “Is it?”

“Duh, of course.” She licks her lips, then pushes herself away from the railing. She climbs up the stairs, stops in front of me on my porch, and extends her hand. “I’m Dylan.”

I take her hand in mine and shake it. “It’s nice to meet you, Dylan. I’m Clay.”

“Likewise,” she says. “Do you work with your hands? Your calluses kinda give it away.”

I laugh. She’s bold. “I play hockey.”

“Oh my God! Are you for real?” She puts her hands on her hips, sticking out her chest so her tits are in my face. “I’ve been dreaming about meeting a hockey player, and one as good-looking as you are?! It’s like I won the jackpot.”

“Do you watch hockey?” I ask, trying to change the subject. She’s hot, for sure, but I’m not interested, and I don’t want to lead her on. Not her or anyone else.

“No, I read.”

I frown, and it makes her burst into laughter.

“I read hockey romances, the books where the main guy plays hockey. It’s my favorite genre.”

“Oh, I see.”

“Do you play pro or…?”

“NHL.”

Dylan’s green eyes sparkle, and I instantly regret saying anything. Instead of keeping it friendly, it feels like I’m encouraging her to flirt with me with every answer.

“I honestly can’t believe this is happening. My new neighbor is a handsome NHL player, and he’s single. Can you please pinch me?” She sidles closer to me, her fruity scent hitting my nostrils. Knitting my eyebrows together, I take the tiniest step back, and she notices. Pinkish color climbs up her cheeks, and she backs away. “Sorry, Clay. That was inappropriate. I didn’t even think twice about what I was doing.”

“It’s fine.”

“No, it’s not. You’ve been polite, and I was full-blown hitting on you simply because you play hockey.” She starts fiddling with her headphones, her eyes trained on the ground. “I promise I’m not usually like that. I don’t know what came over me, or why I even assumed you were single. It’s not my business.”

“Thanks, Dylan,” I tell her with a smile. “It was really nice to meet you anyway.”

“Yeah, you too. Er, I better go. Hopefully, a run will help me clear my head from my idiotic ideas.” She gives me a smile and then goes down the stairs, throwing over her shoulder, “Bye, Clay.”

“See you around.” I nod, watching her run away from my house.

With a chuckle, I go back inside. That was entertaining, and at least now I can say I know my neighbor. The first step of starting my new life in a new city is complete.

“Hey, Rodgers!” Colton greets me, keeping the door open wide. It’s the first time we’ve seen each other since I moved to Santa Clara because he and his family have been in Michigan, visiting their parents.

“Hey, Thompson.” I walk inside. “How are you?”

“Good. You? Getting used to your new house?”

I shrug. “It’s just a house.”

Colton shoots me a look but says nothing. When he closes the door, he turns to me with a wide grin on his face. I smile back as he steps to me and hugs me briefly, clapping me on the back. “If only you knew how happy I am that you’re finally here.”

“I know because I feel the same way.”

“Clay!” I glance over my shoulder and see Michael barreling over to me from the backyard. Colton’s son is my godson, and I love the boy to bits. He stops right in front of me, a bright smile lighting up his face. His deep brown eyes, the same color as his dad’s, shimmer with mischief. I bend down to him, and we quickly fist-bump, but then I wrap my arm around his shoulders and pull him into me for a hug.

“Missed you, buddy,” I tell him as I take a step back. Coasting my gaze over his form, I smile wider. “You’re growing way too fast, man. I wouldn’t recognize you if I saw you on the street.”

“That just means you should visit more often,” a feminine voice says, and when I look over Michael’s head, I see his mom. Ava stands in the hallway with her daughter, Meghan, perched on her hip. “Hey, Clay.”

I saunter over to her and hug her gently, kissing her on the cheek before I lean away. “Happy birthday, Ava.”

Her emerald-green eyes sparkle with warmth. As she tilts her head to the side, her chocolate brown hair cascades over her shoulder like a heavy curtain. “Thank you, Clay. I’m so happy you’re here. We missed you.”

“I missed all of you too,” I say, bending down and catching Meghan’s gaze. Those deep brown eyes she got from her dad stare at me intently. This is my third time seeing her, and I bet she doesn’t remember me. After all, she’s just eight months old. Meghan presses her cheek to Ava’s chest; her little pink pacifier moves faster as she continues watching me.

I extend my pinkie to her, waiting for her to make a decision. The corners of her mouth lift up, and she takes my finger in her little fist.

“Hey, sweetheart. I’m Clay,” I coo softly. “Such a beautiful little girl you are.”

“Rodgers, I swear you’re a baby whisperer.” Colt stops beside me. “Even Benson needed a little more time to win her over.”

“She was smaller when she met Drake for the first time,” Ava counters, rolling her eyes at her husband. “But yeah, I agree. I’ve yet to meet a kid who doesn’t like you, Clay.”

“Don’t jinx it,” I say with laughter, a shiver running down my spine. There’s another kid I’m going to meet today, and I can only hope she likes me. It will be a disaster otherwise.

I feel Ava’s eyes on me, but I focus my attention solely on her daughter. They will be watching me once Layla gets here no matter what, and I don’t want to give them more reasons to.

“Clay, I want to show you something.” Michael comes closer, and I squint at him. “Dad bought me a new helmet.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, and there’s something else…I’m sure you’re gonna like it.” He smiles at me.

I glance between Ava and Colton, and she nods.

“You’re the first one to arrive, so you can totally go with him. He’s been waiting for you to visit so he can show you his new possessions.”

“Great.” I turn to Michael. “Lead the way.”

As Michael and I head to his room, I take a deep breath and square my shoulders. The tension in my muscles becomes more apparent, and I want to get rid of it. Seeing my ex-girlfriend for the first time in three years is a challenge.

A challenge I intend to overcome. Because there’s no other option when it comes to her.