Page 116 of Forbidden Forward

My eyes are glued to the ice, its shiny surface reflecting the harsh glare of the arena lights. Terra Blue, Angie Durbin, and I are in our usual seats beside one another, and Angie grasps my wrist. “Oh no! Looks like Chaser’s done it again.”

We’re watching tempers flare during a stoppage in play. Nothing unusual, especially as teams battle for position right before the All-Star break. Still, breath stalls in my lungs. Colby has been zeroing in on one of the top six players on the opposing team, making it his personal mission to burrow under the guy’s skin. Right now he’s jawing at him, something he’s been doing all night, and the player’s emotions boil over. The guy lurches for him, and Colby deftly avoids him. Nothing unusual in that move either. The linesman wraps an arm around the player and drags him backward, talking to him the whole way. Colby looks on with that maddeningly amused smirk on his face. And his mouth is still moving.

He is a master at his job, and I couldn’t be prouder to call him mine.

We’re in the third period of the last game before the break, and I reflect for a moment on how much has changed. For one, the Surge sit at third in their division. Last year at this time, they were dead last. Also at this same time back then, I couldn’t hide my disdain for the team agitator and his prick vibes. Now? I’m a huge fan … of the prick and the vibes.

Other improvements these last nine months include Randy coming clean about how he set me up at Roscoe Biotech. Exposing every detail about the ways he manipulated the company and got away with hundreds of thousands of dollars. He’s been ordered to repay all of it, though I doubt he’ll live long enough to settle those debts, especially with that conviction that pops up every time he applies for a high-powered position.

Revealing all was part of a plea bargain his attorney struck with the DA. As a result, Roscoe Biotech has new systems in place so that can’t happen again. Speaking of systems, my former boss, Jeff, contacted me and asked me to come back. I’ve got to admit it warmed my heart hearing how much in disarray they were after firing me and how much they needed my skills. Having the monies I’d paid them land back in my bank account didn’t suck either. We agreed to explore how I might consult with them in the future.

But I’m not moving back.

The reasons why have everything to do with staying in Raleigh: my brother, the people in this city, my job at New Horizons, the WAGs who are my friends, Peggy, the Gail Force.

The biggest reason for sticking around, though, is a certain hunky boat captain who happens to skate as well as he sails—the one giving it to the other team’s top player at the moment. The love of my life.

Watching Colby as an uber pest on the ice is a treat, but I adore that I get to see him transform into the other Colby. The kind, caring one with a bottomless well of patience, especially around his kids—and me when he’s teaching me to sail or use the correct nautical terms. Lord knows it’s a chore, but he never complains—maybe because I usually make it up to him in the berth … or on the table … or …

I peer down at the scene as the refs get players sorted. “Is he being called for anything?” I ask.

Terra shakes her head. “Looks like he might have gotten away with one.”

“Again,” I chortle.

Grinning, Angie turns to me. “He’s gotten really good at that.”

“He’s the consummate professional sneak,” I agree.

Terra drops her voice and leans in. “So … any updates you care to share?”

“About what?” I scoff a little too loudly.

“Oh, I don’t know,” she sing-songs. “A proposal or a ring or a wedding date.” Angie giggles.

I feign outrage at their audacity. Terra and Angie have become my dearest friends, and I adore them, but one downside is they know me well enough to know which buttons to push. Terra throws her head back and laughs at my scowl, and Angie is soon howling too.

Thing is, Colby bought a house I helped him pick out, and we moved in together before training camp last September. Everyone—except me—expected an announcement at Christmas. Then at New Year’s. Even Donny thought we’d get engaged, and though he grumped about the possibility it would happen, he declared he’d tolerate Colby as a brother-in-law. Like he has a say in the matter. Then again, ever since Colby and I moved in together, Donny’s been grousing about everything from sunny weather to the color of his new quarter-of-a-million-dollar car. He claims it’s got nothing to do with my moving out—or in with his teammate—and to prove it, he hangs out with Colby and actually seems to enjoy himself. He’s even joined us on the Gail a few times. Terra says Cam believes that newfound harmony is one of the reasons the club is exceeding expectations this year. Team chemistry is a real thing.

The ref announces matching minor penalties for each team, and we settle back as the game continues four-on-four.

Angie sips her drink. “Decided what you’re doing for the break yet?”

“Colby wants to take it easy. Go to Beaufort if the weather’s nice and get in some sailing. I got the week off, so whatever we do, we’ll get to spend it together.”

“That’ll be a nice change after the pace of this season so far.”

“And the upcoming push to the postseason,” I add. “We had planned a trip to Southern California to visit his sister, but something came up. Not sure what exactly.” I lean in conspiratorially, bumping Terra’s shoulder. “Personally, I think he’s avoiding meeting her boyfriend, Sean, because he’ll want to pound him.”

Terra arches a graceful eyebrow. “Any particular reason?”

“Nope. The fact he exists and is into his sister is reason enough for Colby.”

“Sounds like Cam.”

“And Donovan,” I snort.

“Sam too,” Angie agrees. “But you’ve met her in person, right?”