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“Nate can handle it,” Piper says comfortingly, but I can see the worry in her eyes.
“Maybe that’s why he’s been seen in the papers lately about his anger problems. Getting paid to get beat up in every game can’t be fun. Could be he’s lashing out at everyday civilians because he needs an outlet for all that unpent rage,” Laurie chimes in with his own two cents.
“Nate isn’t like that. He’s a professional,” Piper counters assertively.
And with just that one comment, I can tell that Laurie has officially stepped down from the small pedestal she briefly had him on. Say what you will about my best friend, but she’s nothing if not loyal.
“That he is,” Trent backs up her claim with the same stiff tone. “Any hockey team worth its salt needs a balance of good offensive players as well as grinders, and the Guardians have both in Donovan and Wilder.”
“I stand corrected.” Laurie smiles, but it never reaches his eyes.
The referee’s whistle pulls my attention away from Laurie and back onto the ice. Nervous energy flutters around my stomach as I watch grown men fight their way to grab a puck. Just as Piper explained, when it glides over to the sidelines, Naterushes in its direction, but my amazement at how effortlessly he’s able to get it is tainted by the loud boos of the crowd. Every time Nate so much as breathes in the puck’s direction, the Guardians fans hiss out their displeasure, booing him at every turn.
“I think your player is in trouble,” Laurie says to Trent. “Seems to me like your star grinder is no longer the fans’ favorite. That’s very telling, don’t you think?”
“It’s the first game. He has time,” Trent scolds, unimpressed with Laurie’s assessment.
“Does he?” Laurie counters, less certain. “Seems to me the fans have made their sentiments quite clear.”
“Then I guess it’s a good thing that I’m the GM and not one of the fans,” Trent replies, his lips pressed to a thin line.
“For now,” Laurie cautions.
Rocks sling at the pit of my stomach as I watch Laurie’s scrutinizing gaze lock back on Nate’s jersey.
And then it dawns on me the real reason why Laurie is here.
Rumor has it that the club’s owner is considering selling the team.
Laurie didn’t come to the Guardians’ arena to watch his home team start the hockey season.
He’s here assessing his next business venture.
And if that’s the case, then Trent Nichols isn’t the only one who might be out of a job, as Piper forewarned.
Nate will be out of one, too.
Laurie will see to it.
Chapter 14
Charlotte
“Tell me again why we are stalking Wilder?” Piper asks as we step into the crowded restaurant.
“Because,” I reply back, “he needs our help.”
“Wilder needs more than our help, babe. Poor guy needs a fucking miracle.” She sighs.
“Yes, I’m well aware. But since neither of us can perform one, we have to stick to the next best thing.”
“And that’s stalking?” She laughs mockingly.
“No, not stalking,” I reply defensively. “None of the dates I’ve set up for Nate have been successful, so I want to see for myself why that is.”
“By going to dinner at the same restaurant he’s taking his date to?” She smirks. “Sounds a lot like stalking to me.”
“It’s not stalking!” I say a little too loudly, gaining the attention of the couple in front of us.
