Thawing Ava, page 13
Davis put down his menu. “You could have asked, Ava. You were always shy around guys you thought were out of reach. You deserve love, Sis. Look at Mom and Dad. They can’t keep their hands off each other after all these years.” He shuddered and pulled a face.
Ava followed suit. “Maybe I thought I couldn’t find something like that. How many happy married friends do you have? Dad looks at Mom like he’s gazing at the sun, in awe and a bit afraid. Like she’s not real. I think maybe I began to think of Mom and Dad’s love story like a fairy tale, not real. How can we find something like that? How did you?”
Davis nodded. “I get that, honey, but you have to try at least. Look at me. I found Egan.” His face lit up when he mentioned his fiancé. “Body like a god, intelligent as a whip, owns his own business, has excellent credit, and can fuck like the Energizer Bunny, and he likes hockey! Hands-down perfect. As for our friends, that’s their life, not yours. You have to find your own happy ending, literally and figuratively.” He winked. “Although looks like you have.”
“Not giving details, you perv. Anyway, so Brice really is focused again? Am I really helping? It’s only been six days, and the game is on Sunday.” She didn’t want to be a burden or to have them sugarcoat things for her. She really wanted to help him, focus him. There would be no “Lady Killer” in the papers as long as she was around, and he sure as hell wasn’t going to be playing like shit anymore. If that meant she tied him to the bed in order to make sure he slept, she would.
“Yup, like he’s gotten a new wind. He’s faster, more aggressive on the ice, making smarter decisions. Also, more giving, not as selfish with passing. He’s watching more game footage and takes criticism better. I think he wants to impress you, show you he’s the damn good hockey player that everyone says he is.” Davis picked up his coffee cup and took a sip.
Ava thought over his words. “I don’t want him to do this to impress me. I want him to do it to impress himself, the team. He’s got to do it for himself, not anyone else, most of all. I guess we have to have another talk.”
Davis nodded his head. “Understandable. But I doubt it’s just you in play too. Don’t worry. We’ll truly see if there’s an away game and you can’t make it.” Mischief danced in his eyes.
Ava held up a finger. “No. I’m not going to trick him into thinking I’m sick just so you can see if your hypothesis is right.”
Davis chuckled. “Just throwing it out there. So how do you like the updated Witch Fields so far? I have Sunday off; maybe I can show you around after the game? You and Brice can have dinner with Egan and me.”
Ava grinned. “I’d love it. Brice and I can do dinner. This place seems to have changed so much. I hardly recognize some of it, and the new stores that have gone up are huge. It’s been a major adjustment. But I haven’t gotten lost yet.”
Davis leaned forward, placed his elbows and forearms on the table, and looked at her. “Do you really want to do food? You have a marketing degree that’s going to waste. I don’t want to shit on your dream, but I need someone like you in the office. We’re rebuilding our PR team from the bottom up, and I really need fresh eyes. Well? Will you think about it?”
Her head spun. She had a few job opportunities already in the works. Do I really want to work that closely with my brother and father? How would Brice feel about this?
“It can be temporary if you want. Just try out the position, see if you like it.” His eyes glinted with mirth.
She grabbed a napkin and balled it up and threw it at him. “Dork. What do you need from me exactly? I’m not sure how I can help. It’s been ages since I’ve done any kind of marketing.”
He snatched the napkin out of the air and grinned. “Fresh ideas. New takes on things. We need to reach nonhockey fans. People that only watch when it’s the Olympics and we’re winning or the Cup and it’s their city.”
She shook her head. “Why would you want them? If they don’t like it, they don’t like it.”
Davis shook his head. “We’re talking locals here, not an international thing. The former owners fucked up with the money. The team does its best, goes out and talks to people, does appearances, interviews, but we need the town to give a fuck.” Disgust filled his tone.
Ava let his offer sink in. Taking a job with her father and Davis would allow her to keep close to them. After being in town for a few days she realized how much she’d missed being near her family. And besides the offer wasn’t forever, so she still had options. “Okay, it’s a temporary position. I need to think on it. This does change my plans, and I still don’t know how things will end up with Brice. Let me talk to Dad and Brice. See what they have to say. I know Dad will be thrilled, and I’m sure Brice will be happy, but I don’t want to make him feel like I’m everywhere, watching him. But this does give me more options than I had when I came into town.”
Davis nodded and launched into all the gossip about the Talons until her head spun and worry tightened her stomach. She hoped things wouldn’t turn violent between the two teams. For the rest of the early afternoon she and Davis talked and caught up on family gossip until it was time to fetch Brice from practice.
* * * *
Brice packed the last of his things. Worry gnawed at his gut. He wanted to stay behind and work on skill drills or maybe watch more footage. Alexi wanted him to turn in early and get as much sleep as possible. They had to be up bright and early for practice as well as game-day press. Stop thinking, he ordered himself, but his brain wasn’t having that. Instead, it went through all the strategies Coach Nelson had given them, every note and suggestion he’d gotten. Doubt crept into his mind. None of what he’d just learned made any sense. Nor could he remember the advice Alexi had just given him. His head was so muddled he was going out of his mind. He wanted to escape, to run away. Nervous energy jittered along his legs and arms. Thirst rolled over his taste buds. He’d been avoiding alcohol all week. He could taste the yeast in the beer, the bitterness and sweetness, the deep rich flavor that hit him like a punch to the face.
As he walked down the hall, the need for a beer and to be surrounded by people increased.
Ava. I need Ava.
The thought slammed into him as he shoved through the arena doors into the player and employee parking lot. Anger roiled inside of him as he remembered Alexi’s words to him: “Don’t lose your temper. Don’t end up in the box. Let Marsh handle any shit going down.” The Talons would push him and try to get under his skin. He didn’t need them for head games; his own brain was filled with doubts and insecurities, thank you very much. He didn’t even want to think about Ava being there to watch him. If he went down in a blazing pile of all-out shit-balls horrible, then so be it, but to have his woman there? No!
He spotted his SUV immediately and went to it, avoiding all the groups talking and some of the wives and girlfriends completely. He felt like punching something and slugging down as much beer as humanly possible. He got into the truck and slammed the door. He barely noticed Ava sitting in the driver’s seat. His mind was so cocked up with crap that he could barely function. Once he was buckled in and slumped into his seat, they took off. As the vehicle wove through late-afternoon traffic, he found himself noticing all the bars that were downtown. He used to know each of them intimately; now he felt as if they were long-lost friends he’d stopped talking to years ago.
“Don’t. Not now. I will strap you down to your own bed if I have to. You’re not going out tonight,” she growled.
He glanced over at her. She glowed and looked less stressed. Regret tugged at his heart, and tears formed in the corners of his eyes. He jerked his head away before she could see that he was about cry like a baby. Do I really want to burden her with my shit? As much as he didn’t want to and would have preferred talking to one of his teammates or Davis, she was here. Everyone else would be spending their time relaxing and trying to clear their heads. He clenched his jaw; the words were there, but he refused to let them out.
Ava slipped her hand over his. “Hey, talk to me. Tell me what’s going on please. I want to help you, and you clearly are struggling with yourself. Is it pregame-day jitters?”
“I need help, honey. I’m going out of my mind. I need to calm down, and I’m like a cat in a room filled with rocking chairs. I want a drink, to be in a bar with other drunk slobs and just not care. I…I want to lose myself in a meaningless fuck that won’t mean much come morning. I just—” His words trailed off.
“Okay, how about we start with some yoga? Then you can help me cook. I’m thinking steak with new potatoes and a side of…not sure. Nonalcoholic beer, just one to take the edge off and give your taste buds what they crave without getting drunk. No masturbation or sex. You can use the frustration for the game. You’ll take a soak in the whirlpool tub, and then we’ll do some meditation, visualization of success before you hit the hay. No mindless TV. How’s that?” She turned into the apartment complex parking lot.
He mulled over her plan. “Doesn’t sound… I’m not sure.”
She unbuckled her belt, turned in her seat, grabbed his chin, and moved his head toward hers. Without a word she leaned forward and kissed him. A simple closemouthed kiss that banished his thoughts. He parted his lips, allowing her tongue access, but she didn’t take advantage of it. His hands scrabbled against the seat belt as he tried to get it unlocked. She pulled back just as the damn thing unlocked and the strap zipped up to hit him in the shoulder. Smooth move, Casanova, he admonished himself silently. With a smile she opened the door and got out. “Come on, Romeo. I’m hungry.”
She slammed the door shut as he unhooked himself from the safety belt, grabbed his bags, and got out of the car. Ava stood near the door, leaning against the frame, waiting for him, a cocksure smile on her face. Seeing that grin hit him square in the chest. So much support, so much comfort and warmth. In that moment he knew it was love. If he had any doubts before, they were erased. He opened his mouth to say something, but nothing came out.
“Hurry up, big boy. Let’s get you upstairs so you can stop thinking.” She slid the apartment guest card into the slot and opened the door.
He rushed toward her and caught the door before it slammed shut. Already his mind was a blank and his soul felt buoyed by her confidence in him. Before she opened the second door that led to the main lobby, he grabbed it and shut it, stopping her from walking through. “Thank you,” he blurted out.
She cocked her head to the side. “For what?”
“You look at me, and I see your confidence in me. You believe in me even though I’ve fucked up and in the past I’ve let the gossip rags have more stories than they needed. I just… Thank you for not judging me.” He bent down and gave her a soft kiss on the lips. Simple and sweet, undemanding, an expression of his appreciation. He pulled back and caressed her cheek with his fingertips, savoring the silken heat of her skin.
“Thank you for letting me into your life and not making a fuss. Now, upstairs with you. You need to start relaxing.” She turned the knob and yanked it open, grabbed his hand, and led him through the lobby. He didn’t think the walk would be anything special, so it was shock when a few people came up to him and shook his hand and wished him luck, gave him an encouraging word or just smiled at him. All he could do was smile and nod his head. There were no words to express how much it meant to him. The community was wishy-washy when it came to supporting the Prowlers.
Their fan base was small but passionate. Both Davis and James were trying to get more attention after the fiasco of the last investors, where they blew the money and left the team near broke. It warmed Brice’s heart to see such outreach. It made all the talks and interviews worth it. By the time he got into the elevator, he was close to tears for a new reason. Ava leaned over and wrapped an arm around him, rubbing his side and murmuring words he couldn’t understand. They got off on his floor and walked to his apartment. Ava opened the door and ushered him in. She got started on dinner, pulling out a steak that was already marinating. When the phone rang, he picked it up, avoiding the evil eye from Ava.
End it quick, then bath time, she mouthed.
He nodded. “Hello?”
“Brice, sweetie, it’s Mom. We’ll be in town, in time for your game even. Already have tickets. We’ll see you for dinner afterward. Have to go. The plane is about to take off.” Marion Douglas hung up before he could respond.
He clicked the End button and just stood there. Frozen. His parents were coming to town, and they wanted to have dinner. Panic and dread filled him. His mother was a Christmas freak. Would they come here? He looked around the apartment. They needed more tinsel and lights and everything! “Ava, we have to decorate more. I need more balls and tinsel and lights, and shit, what else?”
His heart hammered in his chest. His hand shook as he tried to think past the fear of his mother’s face when she saw how simple everything was. “We need a tree!”
“Brice.” Ava’s voice snapped him out of his panic. “Go soak in the tub. I’ll do dinner. Afterward I’ll get more decorations, but you need to relax and de-stress. Off with you!”
Brice placed the phone in the charger and shuffled off, not wanting to defy her. She was right; he had a lot to concentrate on. Worry still nagged at him. This was the first time they’d ever expressed interest in having dinner with him when they were in town. Sure, they said they’d love to come, but that was when they were in a different state or country. He felt like a kid all over again hoping that this time his parents would stay. Nervous energy flitted through his body as his brain spewed out questions. Did they have enough time for a tree? Were the lots well stocked? Did they have any pine trees left? What about evergreen? Would his mother be okay with plastic or fake? As the water filled the tub, he stripped out of his clothes and tried to relax. This was the first time his parents would see his new place. He was nervous as hell to make sure things were right. Despite their absence in his life, he wanted to show them that he was doing just fine. The fear of failure lurked in the recesses of his mind as he remembered all the times they’d disappointed him. This was first time they were acting as if they were interested in his life. Emotion overwhelmed him.
The bathroom door opened, and Ava came in. She grabbed a small bottle of purple crystals, popped the top, and poured some in. “Lavender and sage bath salts. Don’t whine about it being too floral. It will help. I’ve called my mom. She will bring home some decorations. No worries, baby.” She stood on tiptoe and pressed a kiss to his shoulder before smacking him on the ass. “Now get in.”
The heat burned through his ass, lit up his nerve endings, his semihard cock filled with blood, and his balls grew heavy. Fuck! He looked back, but she’d already closed the door. Hmmm, maybe a spanking from her might not be so bad, but first she needed her spanking. He shook his head and stepped into the basin. “Fuck,” he groaned as the sole of his foot made contact with the water. Ignoring the pain, he stepped in fully and settled into the tub.
He rested his head against the lip and sighed. Tension began to float away as the heat soaked into his muscles. Christmas music floated from under the door. A smile tugged at his lips. He closed his eyes and tried to let go, stop worrying, stop thinking, and just feel. The doorbell sounded, followed by voices. The door shut again, and Brice drifted off to sleep.
* * * *
Ava tried not to fume as she paced in the hallway.
“We were waiting to disembark from the airport when we called. You’re his babysitter, yes? Your services are no longer needed. His parents are here to make sure he stays on the straight and narrow.” Marion Douglas peered at Ava as if she were a bug under a microscope. “You’re James and Josie Johnson’s adopted daughter. Davis is your natural brother.”
Ava pressed her lips together and tried to find a response that wouldn’t insult Brice’s mother. “Yes, my brother and I were adopted. Until my father tells me otherwise, I’m staying with Brice.”
Marion’s forehead creased. Annoyance flashed on her face. “I’m sure James will be understanding. We’ll be in town until the play-offs. You’re assistance isn’t needed or wanted here. As investors in this team, we have final say. I’ll see to it your things are sent to you at Josie’s home. Now please leave before I call security. I really don’t understand James’s thinking, having his vulnerable daughter—you have to be susceptible since you just left your fiancé—staying with a man who clearly needs more than just a babysitter to deal with his issues. Anyway, Merry Christmas. I’m sure your father will pay whatever is left on your salary, although if you think Brice or my husband and I will pay you, you are sadly mistaken.” She turned on her heel and left Ava in the hallway with only her jacket and anger for company.
Ava slipped her phone out of her pocket and dialed Davis’s number. Not since her childhood had anyone brought up the fact that she and Davis were adopted. James and Josie may be white and their only children black, but that didn’t matter. When her parents realized they wouldn’t be able to have children of their own, they hadn’t hesitated to adopt two children who needed love and a home. Close friends and family hadn’t made too much of a fuss. Josie had learned quickly how to deal with all issues that came with having African American children and, when stumped, turned to friends and professionals for advice.
In one conversation Marion Douglas had devalued Ava’s parents’ love and generosity. Ava slipped on her jacket and flexed her hands, resisting the urge to go back to Brice’s apartment and slap that woman silly. She couldn’t go home to her parents like this; Josie would have a fit and want to come over here. What am I supposed to do now? How is Brice going to handle this? This is a clusterfuck.
Davis answered after several rings. “I hope you have a good reason for this. I was about to get a blowjob.”
“Brice’s parents just kicked me out of his apartment. You have to come get me before I go back there and kick her ass.” She got down to the lobby, only to be met by the apartment complex manager. “Davis, gotta go.” She hung up.
