Filed to story: Luci Forrester and Easton Reed: Hockey Romance Story
“No, but looking back, I can see how he manipulated me. He made little comments about how hard it was for him to wait for me. I hesitated to move too fast, but I did because I thought… I thought someone finally saw me for who I was, not the labels I’ve carried my whole life. He saw me, but only as a challenge to conquer.”
I swallow hard, pushing down the furious shame that threatens to rise as I continue.
“The reason why some of the team hates me is because of Brooklyn. She’s the golden girl, the beloved princess of the football world. When she found out about the cheating, it shattered her beyond repair. And now, he blames me for everything.”
Easton
After a long, exhausting day at the zoo, Cole was finally in bed, his small frame already succumbing to the sweet embrace of sleep. I had barely made it back to my room before I felt the urge to grab the monitor and head to the kitchen. My plan was simple: gather some snacks, then retreat to the game room for a little workout followed by a cozy movie night. I had sent Luci a few pictures of Cole earlier, but I knew she was preoccupied with her girls’ night, so I didn’t expect a reply anytime soon.
As I made my way to the kitchen, Jackson and Becker trailed behind me, their banter echoing in the air. “So, Easton,” Jackson teased, a smirk playing on his lips, “do you have another date lined up yet?” I couldn’t help but glance at my phone again, hoping for a response from Luci.
Becker chimed in, his grin widening. “Yeah, does she even know she’s off the dating market?” I nudged him playfully, rolling my eyes at his antics.
“I haven’t had a chance to get into any of that,” I admitted, my honesty spilling out. “I think I overwhelmed her enough yesterday.”
In the kitchen, Kingston was already there, his presence a silent warning. With Baker by his side, he shot us a knowing look. “Your mother has company again tonight,” he murmured, his tone low and serious.
“Again?” Becker echoed, his eyebrows shooting up in disbelief.
The sound of heels clicking against the floor sent a shiver down my spine, and I felt an urge to turn and flee. I had a sinking feeling it was Vivienne, but as I turned, I realized it was someone far worse.
Ambra Dennis.
My rebound girlfriend from hell.
She stood there, a coy smile plastered across her face, exuding an air of confidence that was almost suffocating. Ambra was undeniably stunning; tall and leggy like a model, with a figure that could stop traffic. Her flawless complexion, big green eyes, and thick, red hair that fell gracefully to her shoulders were enough to turn heads. Tonight, she wore a jade green silk dress that hugged her curves and fell just above her knees, paired with gold heels that wrapped around her ankles. It was ridiculous for a casual visit to my mother, but then again, Ambra always had to make an entrance. To the untrained eye, she was a vision, but beneath that beauty lay a monster. I felt a wave of nausea every time I recalled our time together.
“Hi, Sexton, how are you?” she purred, her voice dripping with seduction. The cringe-inducing nickname made my stomach churn.
“Ugh, we all just ate, so keep that crap to yourself,” Becker growled, his disdain for her evident. He had never liked her from the moment we started dating.
She shot him a tight smile, hands resting on her hips. “Becker, still the mouthy bastard, I see?”
“At least I use my mouth for wit and not the trash you spew,” he shot back, his tone icy.
In that moment, her mask slipped, revealing the temperamental witch she truly was. “No wonder why no one wants you-only your brother.”
“Why the hell are you here? Did hell grant you permission to roam among normal people?” I retorted coldly, my voice steady despite the simmering anger inside me.
“I came to see you. I heard you might be missing me,” she said, her voice laced with false sweetness. My mind raced back to the first time Cole had met her; she had angrily shoved him away when he innocently touched her dress, and I had nearly lost it.
Jackson nudged me, a smirk on his face. “Missing misery and despair? I thought you were doing pretty well.”
“Funny… always the brotherly solidarity. Where’s the kid tonight? Did the little dormouse take him home with her?” Her bright red lips curled into a sinister smirk, and I felt a chill run down my spine. Luci’s demeanor from last night resurfaced in my mind.
“You saw them?” I asked, my voice turning icy.
“Her and the boy. He’s grown a lot. You chose well. The maternal type who shielded him from me when I tried to say hello. She was practically spitting nails at me with those ordinary eyes and had the audacity to tell me not to speak to him. Your mother made sure she knows her place. But she still defied her and sent him to Baker, afraid of what he’d hear. I told him I’d be seeing a lot of him soon. He could be advantageous for photo ops,” she said, her tone casual as she examined her nails.
My mind raced with anger, debating whether it was acceptable to hit her, regardless of her gender.
“Step the hell off, Ambra! If you don’t, I’ll go see what damage a hockey stick and a few flying pucks can do to that precious convertible of yours parked outside,” Kingston breathed out, fury radiating from him. He had a protective streak when it came to Cole.
“Whatever. Your mother won’t allow that. Easton, you should think about what we could offer each other right now,” she said, her tone dripping with delusion.
“You mean like the unending darkness you bring and my overwhelming urge to shove you off the nearest cliff? Get the hell out, or I’ll make sure my father takes care of any future you hope to have, no matter where you go.” I rarely invoked my father, but in this case, it felt justified.
Her mask slipped completely, and she sneered before unleashing her rage. “You’ll wish you had me on your arm. I’m the most up-and-coming model in the U.S. right now.”
Becker scoffed, shaking his head. “Not sure if anyone told you, but it’s a big, big world out there, Ambra. And it’s easy to travel from continent to continent these days. Why should Easton limit himself to the U.S.?”
Jackson crossed his arms, his expression unimpressed. “And if you’re so up-and-coming, what do you need Easton for? Maybe just his last name?”
Kingston glared at her, recalling how she had tried to seduce him during our relationship, a move that had backfired spectacularly. “Sounds like she might not be able to live on her up-and-coming budget.”
Ambra’s expensive tastes were well-known, and her father had cut her off financially more than once.
She shot Kingston a glare as he laughed, attempting to leave with a haughty air, only to nearly slip on the floor as she turned into the foyer.
“Sorry, Miss Dennis, I didn’t realize anyone was coming, and I had to mop up a sticky spot,” Baker said mildly, eliciting a roar of laughter from Becker. I waited, listening for the door to close, knowing where I needed to go.
Becker shut his eyes, then spoke in a high-pitched voice. “Ahhh, now this house is clean. All evil spirits have left.” He waved his hand dramatically in front of him, grinning.
“Listen for Cole for me. I need to check on Luci.” I could only imagine the nonsense Ambra had spewed to her last night. No wonder Luci had seemed subdued after dealing with a dragon and a damned succubus that the devil wouldn’t want around.