Between a Jock and a Hard Place: A Romance Novella (9 page)

“That’s right.”

“What did that do to your ego?”

“Nothing.” He gave her a sideways glance
and realized she was kidding. “Come on, Sis. I’m trying to explain this to
you.”

“Okay, okay. Don’t be so touchy.”

Jack continued. “Her twin brother is a
hockey player in the minors and he got a concussion.”

“Is he available?”

“Cassie!”

“Lighten up, Logan. Okay, so she’s got a
brother who was injured, and she starts to blog about it. And in the meantime,
you’re thinking she just might be the one.”

Jack felt a blush creep up his neck.

She took his arm. “It’s written all over
your face, you big goof. I just wanted you to confirm it, that’s all.”

Jack gave his head a shake. “Let’s stick
to the facts.”

“Excuse me. Seems to me that my big
brother falling hard for someone is rather factual. But okay, we’ll leave that
for now.” Cassie held up her free hand, bending a finger each time she made a
point. She bent one finger. “She decides to ratchet it up on her blog.” A
second finger. “You post a flaming response.” A third finger. “You lose the
game and you’re out of the playoffs.” Another finger. “You charge into the
newspaper office where you learn she’s the one blogging on the other side.” She
looked at her hand. “I’m running out of fingers here, Boyo.”

He expelled a breath. “That’s about it.”

“Come on, Jack. You’ve got to be
kidding. I can understand that you were emotional about losing the series, but
get a grip! You’re going to lose someone you’re in love with over a silly thing
like this?”

“I didn’t say I was in love with her.”

“Jack Logan, you’re such an idiot. Of
course you’re in love with her. We wouldn’t be having this conversation
otherwise. As Cher said in that movie: ‘Snap out of it.’”

He stopped in his tracks and looked at
his sister. “Damn it, Cassie, you’re right. Why couldn’t I figure that out?”

“Because you’ve got your head so far up
your own ass you can probably see daylight.”

He pulled out his cell phone. “When did
you get such a potty mouth?”

“Since I started working with a roomful
of women. Just call her.”

Jack listened, then disconnected. He
stared at the phone for a moment. “There’s a message on there that she’s out of
town but I don’t want to leave a voicemail. I want to at least talk to her.”

“So who do you know that can tell us
where she’s gone?”

He gave her a blank look. “That’s just
it. I don’t know...unless...”

“Unless what?”

“Randy might know. He’s the guy at the
newspaper.” He checked his watch. “Let’s go over there right now. I’m more
likely to get an answer if we show up in person.”

* * *

Jack stormed into the Phoenix office and
took the stairs to the mezzanine two at a time. Cassie was close behind.

“Hi, Jack.” Randy’s gaze slid from Jack
to Cassie and recognition flared in his eyes.

“Randy.” Jack leaned on the desk. “Can
you tell me how to get in touch with Claire?”

The editor shoved back his chair. “I
don’t know if that’s such a good idea.”

Jack took a deep breath. He should have
known that he couldn’t just come barging in here and expect miracles. He backed
up a bit. “It’s personal, Randy.” There was that damn blush again. “I want to
apologize to her and there’s a message on her voicemail that she’s left town.”

“Look, man. I’d help you if I could. You
two boosted circulation by about two hundred percent not to mention the hits on
the blog, but I didn’t even know she was out of town.” He frowned, and looked
down to the floor below. “But there is someone who might know.” He picked up
the phone and punched a couple of numbers. “Could you come up to my office
please Zoey?”

Zoey’s eyes widened when she saw Jack
and the blonde, but she maintained her composure. “Hi,” she said, then turned
to her boss.

“Zoey, do you know where Claire’s gone?
Mr. Logan would like to contact her.”

Zoey looked directly at Jack. “I’m
sorry, but I can’t help.”

Jack watched her carefully. “I can
appreciate that you’re trying to protect your friend, but I don’t mean her any
harm.” He grinned. “Quite the opposite, in fact.”

No wonder she fell for him, Zoey
thought, faced with the full force of his charm. “For some reason she didn’t
even want me to know.” She was tempted to tell him what Claire had said about
needing to get over him, but managed to bite her tongue. She frowned. “Sorry.”

 Jack’s shoulders slumped. “Thanks
anyway.” He turned to the door.

Zoey shrugged. “She said she might send
one more blog.”

Randy almost levitated out of his chair.
“That’s great! How about you, Jack? One more?”

“No way.” He grabbed Cassie’s hand and
she looked at him sympathetically. “Come on, Cass. Let’s go home.”

Zoey and Randy watched them go down the
stairs and out the front door. “What just happened?” asked Randy. “I thought
they hated each other.”

“I’m not sure,” said Zoey thoughtfully.
“But things are definitely looking up.”

The power of takeoff slammed Claire back
in her seat and she watched the ground rush by. She’d read somewhere that this
was one of the most vulnerable times in a flight. She felt vulnerable too, and
could empathize. Last night she’d slept very little. Her mind had been too
active, trying to come to terms with what had happened. Much as she hated to
admit it, she had been wrong about a couple of things in her blog and she owed
it to the readers to admit that. It was difficult, it was humbling, but it had
to be done.

As soon as it was allowed, she opened
her laptop and started typing.

I’m writing this blog under my name for
several reasons. First to admit that I was wrong not to research my facts more
thoroughly in last week’s blog. Secondly, to tell you that the individual I
spoke of in my first blog is my brother Cameron, who suffered a concussion
about a month ago. Cameron will recover to play hockey again, but I freely
confess that I was incensed by what I still perceive to be lax interpretation
of the rules.

As was pointed out by the blogger
posting from the opposing side, the league has appointed a Head of Discipline.
This is a difficult position in a sport that is known for its hard-hitting
action, and I wish him every success in implementing the new rules designed to
protect our players.

As for insulting the fans, that was not
my intention. We’re all fans in one way or another, and if we make ourselves
heard, we will have a voice in how the league polices itself. Let’s make that a
voice for the good.

Thank you for listening and I look
forward to following the continuing discussion here at Phoenix. Claire Collins

She read over the blog, made a few
punctuation changes and saved it. The condo was equipped with Wi-Fi and she
intended to send it as soon as she arrived. The weight on her shoulders lifted.

* * *

Five and a half hours later Claire
claimed her bag, rented a car and studied the map. The trip to the North Shore
was easy from the airport. She traced the route with a finger. Past Schofield
Barracks, past the Dole tourist facility and on down into Haleiwa. The sun was
low in the sky when she pulled into the parking lot at the condo. She fumbled
with the combination to the lockbox but it finally opened and she got the key
out.

She dropped her suitcases in the hall
and headed directly out onto the lanai. Waves thundered as they broke onto the
shore and some distance away surfers bobbed in the swells, waiting for the next
big wave. To the right, a group of people were clustered around something on
the shore. She went back inside and grabbed the binoculars that had been
provided for whale watching. The people appeared to be looking at gently
rounded rocks; it took a few moments for her to realize that they were grouped
around sea turtles that had hauled out onto the beach.

She smiled to herself. She’d been right
to come here. With a sigh of contentment, she turned slowly back into the condo
and began to unpack.

* * *

“What time is your flight again?” Jack
glanced across at Cassie as they sped toward the airport.

“Three o’clock. We’re a bit tight for
time, but I’ll make it. Just drop me off at Departures.” She glanced sideways
at her brother. “I’m glad I came, Jack. I only wish things had turned out
differently between you and Claire.”

He nodded, not trusting himself to
speak.

“You know” she said, “that friend of
Claire’s... Zoey is it? She knows where Claire is.”

Jack’s head snapped around.

“Keep your eyes on the road.”

“Why do you say that?”

Cassie looked up with a disgusted sigh.
“Because I’m a woman, that’s why. They’re best friends, and she knew. I could
see it in her eyes. Besides, she never did actually say that she didn’t know.
She said she was sorry she couldn’t tell you, and something else equally vague,
but she never came right out and said she didn’t know.”

Jack thought back, replayed the
conversation in his mind. “You’re right.” He smiled for the first time that
day. “Do you think Randy knows?”

“No. He doesn’t know.”

“How can you be so sure?”

She glared at him.

“Okay, I believe you. Randy doesn’t
know.”

“Go back and talk to her again, Jack. So
what if you make a fool of yourself? She’s worth it, isn’t she? Claire, I
mean.”

He slid into a parking space in front of
YVR. “Oh, yeah.”

“Then give it another try. What have you
got to lose?” She looked affectionately at her big brother. “Or maybe I should
say what have you got to lose if you don’t try?” She opened the door and
stepped out. Heads turned as she strode into the terminal on long shapely legs,
blonde hair flying.

He watched until the crowds swallowed
her up. “Let’s hope you’re right,” he said to himself, and then pulled back
into traffic.

* * *

By the time Jack got back to the Phoenix
building, staffers were leaving. He walked into the lobby and looked around,
trying to remember which direction Zoey had come from when Randy called her up
to his office. He was about to ask someone when he spotted her. She was on the
phone, and her eyes widened when she saw him. She said a few hurried words and
disconnected.

He paused at the door to her office.
“May I come in?”

She nodded and sat up a little
straighter. “What can I do for you?”

He noticed that she didn’t call him by
name. Was that a bad sign? He forged ahead.

“I was hoping to find you here,” he said
with a tentative smile. “My sister said you know where Claire is.” He gave an
embarrassed shrug. “She says it’s a female thing.”

Zoey frowned. “Your sister?”

“Yes, Cassie.” He turned as though she
was standing next to him. “The blonde who was with me yesterday when we barged
in here.”

“That’s your sister?” He wasn’t sure,
but it looked as though the ice was beginning to thaw.

“Yes. She lives in Toronto. She came out
to be with me after we lost.”

Zoey nodded.

“She told me to come here and make a
fool of myself if necessary.” He raised his hands, palms out. “She seems to
think that if I don’t make one more effort to find Claire, I don’t deserve her.
I love her, Zoey. I know guys aren’t supposed to say stuff like that, but I
don’t care. I want another chance.”

Tears welled up in Zoey’s eyes. “You
don’t play fair, Jack Logan. You know that, don’t you?”

“All I know is that I want to find her.
Please?”

Zoey turned to her computer, grabbed a
piece of paper and scribbled down a phone number and address. “She’s on the
North Shore of Oahu.” She pushed it across the desk. “She’s my best friend,
Jack. Do right by her or I’ll have to hurt you.”

He shoved the paper in his pocket
without looking, stood up and offered her his hand. “Thank you, Zoey. You won’t
regret it.”

“I wouldn’t turn down tickets to the
season opener next year.”

He grinned. “You’ve got it.”

* * *

Jack was throwing a few things in a
carry-on when his phone rang the next morning. He looked at the display,
hesitated, and then answered.

“Just thought I’d say Aloha” said Randy.
“Listen, pal. I sent you an attachment. Thought maybe you’d want to read it on
the plane going over.”

Jack groaned. “What now?”

“Let’s just say you’ll be surprised.”
The newspaperman chuckled and hung up. With a few keystrokes Jack opened the document,
saved it and then turned off his computer. There’d be plenty of time to read it
when he was airborne.

* * *

Claire slept in until almost noon, then
sat on the lanai with a coffee and braced her feet against the railing. For the
first time in days she felt as though the wild roller-coaster ride she’d been
on was slowing down. A few more days like this and she’d be back to normal.

But did she want normal? Did she want to
go back to the way things were before she met Jack Logan?

Jack was the most exciting man she’d
ever met. It had nothing to do with his fame and everything do with the way she
felt when she was with him. From the moment they met, the attraction had been
electric.

She still wanted him, no matter what had
passed between them. The harsh words spoken in Randy’s office seemed like a
lifetime ago. When she’d sent the blog last night she’d closed that chapter.
She had no control over what others thought, but she’d stated her case simply
and honestly. That was the best she could do.

Mynah birds flitted in and out of the
trees near the condo; their constant chatter a reminder that it was time to get
active. The small amount of groceries that had been supplied with the condo had
been welcome but wouldn’t last long. She’d noticed a grocery store on the way
in last night. She’d head over there now, stock up and then take a walk on the
beach.

* * *

Time slipped by and it was several hours
before Claire made it down to the beach.

“Looking for turtles?” An older local
man stood beneath a tree, a long stick in his hand. She’d noticed him
yesterday, drawing circles in the sand around the turtles, keeping the tourists
at bay.

“I was hoping to see them, yes.”

“They no come up today.” He lifted his
shoulders. “Maybe tomorrow.”

“I’ll come back,” she said. “Thanks.”

She wandered back toward the condo. Tall
coconut palms arched out over the sand, offering scant shade, but making up for
it by looking graceful.

An older couple walked toward her, hand
in hand. The sand was soft here and it was slow going but they didn’t seem to
notice; they plodded along happily. “It’s going to be a lovely sunset tonight,”
the woman said in a distinctly Australian accent.

Claire looked off to the west. The woman
was right. The sky was already painted with a palette of pinks and reds. She
settled down on the sand to watch the show.

What had Jack said about that pond near
his home in Saskatchewan? ‘It helps to get my head straight’ he’d said. Sitting
here now, she knew what he meant.

And then she saw him. She stood up
slowly, afraid that her eyes were deceiving her. He was walking down at the
water’s edge, shoes in his hand and his slacks rolled up. He stopped,
silhouetted against the kaleidoscope of colour, tall and broad-shouldered.

She raised a hand to shield her eyes.
“Jack?”

He nodded, exhaled, and the tension went
out of his shoulders. “Claire.”

“What are you doing here?” She looked
past him and then back up the sand toward the condo.

He grinned. “I came to find you.”

“But what about that woman you were
with? The blonde. There was a shot of you kissing her at the airport.”

He took a few steps closer, frowned.
“Cassie?”

“I don’t know her name.”

“Cassie is my sister.”

“Oh.” For some reason, her eyes filled
with tears.

He crossed the remaining distance in a
few strides. “Don’t cry, Claire.” He dropped his shoes and put his arms around
her.

He stepped back and took her hand. “Is
it too late to start over?”

She shook her head, unable to speak.

He gave her that killer smile. “My name
is Jack Logan and I’m a hockey player.”

She found her voice. “Are you any good?”

He grinned. “I’m not bad.”

She stepped back into his arms. “I’ve
heard that.”

“I’ve missed you Claire.” He raked his
fingers through her hair and cradled her head with both hands. “And I love
you.” His lips met hers, leaving little doubt that he meant every word.

She pulled back. “I love you too, Jack
but what about the drivel?”

He couldn’t seem to stop grinning. “I
read your last blog on the way over. No drivel there.”

“I know I have a lot to learn but I want
to keep on trying to protect young players.” She looked at him playfully. “Old
players, too.”

He clutched at his heart. “Me? Old?”

“Not now maybe, but you will be.”

“You’re right, but I want just one more
shot at the Stanley Cup.”

She smiled up at him. “There’s always
next year.”

“Will you be there?”

She smiled into his eyes. “I’ll be there
as long as you want me.”

He picked her up and swung her around.
“In that case my love, welcome to forever.”

* * * * * * * *
* *