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A GOOD BAD DAY FOR BRAX
It was the first time in years that I moved outside my comfort zone and took a risk. Reaching out to Reid Griffin, the owner of the Action Institute charity was a gamble, but it’s for a good cause. I pitched my idea to Reid, and he agreed that setting up a fund to help support single dads after loss was worth exploring further.
When my sister and brother-in-law died in a car wreck, their son, Chase, came to live with me. I was lucky I had enough money to stop working and could support us both. Not many people have the kinds of resources I did. People have different needs. Some live far from the support network of their families. Others have no family support at all.
Reid set up a meeting with a new account manager, Sara Douglas. She happened to be on Canada’s Sunshine Coast for a marathon, and though I was grateful for the opportunity, I was nervous as hell. I ended up arriving early and waited for what felt like eternity.
I checked my cell a hundred times. Nothing to say she was running late or needed to cancel or reschedule. Just nothing.
Fueled by the three cups of strong coffee I drank while waiting, I grew restless, sick of staring at the walls, and stormed out. I asked a few people for directions to the service elevator, but no one could help me. I felt as though the concrete walls were closing in on me, and I had to get out of the building.
Fast.
I know I should have kept my temper under control, but I was in a foul mood. I was ready to bite the head off the next person who got in my way when I bumped into the curvy beauty cowering beside the elevator. Ashen-faced and shivering with fear, she fainted. Thankfully, I caught her before she hit the ground.
My mouth went dry the instant I gazed at her full, sweet lips. Her alluring scent and her soft curves scrambled my brain, turning it to mush.
In all the years I played professional hockey, I’d never felt anything like that before. Plenty of puck bunnies threw themselves at me over the course of my career, but that just wasn’t for me. I never indulged. I was determined to wait for the right woman. Unfortunately, she never arrived, and before I knew it, everything in my life was turned upside down.
I should not be imagining a vulnerable stranger naked. Make that a cute, curvy stranger with a dusting of freckles across the bridge of her nose. A dark-eyed stranger who stared up at me with gratitude and admiration when I helped her calm down.
When we walked outside, I asked if she needed a ride. I didn’t want to leave her on her own. Truthfully, I didn’t want to let go of her, period. She gazed up through her lashes, smiled sweetly, and declined my offer.
Making her smile made me feel ten feet tall and bulletproof. I just wanted to pick her up, toss her over my shoulder, and take her home with me.
I didn’t get the chance to ask what triggered her anxiety attack. I wanted to ask for her number, but the timing was all wrong. She would have thought I was being a jerk, trying to take advantage of her. I didn’t even have a business card with my number on it or I would have given it to her. But it doesn’t matter. It was a no-win situation. She’s gone. Out of my life, just as quickly as she appeared.
When I reach my car, the phone buzzes in my pocket, yanking me out of my thoughts. I dig it out and wince. It’s my aunt Annie.
“Hey Annie.” Rather than calling her aunt, she insists I call her by her name. The title makes her feel old.
“How did the meeting with the hotshot exec go?” Her voice holds a note of hope. She knows how much I had riding on the meeting.
“It didn’t. And I don’t want to talk about it.” My response is curt, and I have to bite my tongue to hold back a string of curse words that want to come out. So, I recall the curvy, beautiful stranger’s sweet scent to help me.
“I baked a pudding cake,” Annie tuts knowingly. She’s seen my temper flare plenty of times when my blood sugar dips, but that’s not the cause of my grumpy temper this time. I had high hopes and hate to let her down. “Never mind. Celebrate or commiserate, it still tastes the same,” she muses.
I rub my belly, practically salivating at the thought of the sweet buttery goodness of Annie’s pudding cakes. She’s an excellent baker, and it really isn’t doing my waistline any favors. I’m not a defenseman anymore. I’m not burning calories like I used to.
“I understand it’s been a rough day. What with taking Chase to see his grandparents and all.”
My late brother-in-law Justin’s parents rented a cabin near Powell River for the summer so they could spend time with their grandson. It meant Chase wouldn’t need to fly to the States as an unaccompanied minor. He’s only ten.
As much as we dislike each other, I respect their wishes. They are Justin’s parents, and they lost their only son. It’s natural they want to spend time with their grandson, but the thought of spending the next couple of weeks without the kid has me twisted up inside. This will be the first time Chase and I have been apart for any length of time since he came to live with me six years ago.
“I’m heading back to the resort, Annie. Do you need me to do anything for you on the way? I have time.” In fact, I have so much spare time, I won’t know what to do with myself.
“As a matter of fact, can you swing past the wharf and collect a guest? I’ll text you the details.”
“Sure thing,” I answer, before telling her I would see her soon and ending the call.
If you’d told me a few years back that I’d go from being a high-income professional athlete to hotel porter, I would have laughed. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that life is full of surprises. Some good, some bad.
Today kinda sucked though. I was hoping that working with Action Institute would give me a renewed sense of purpose, and I’m disappointed the exec was a no-show. Whatever. I’m sure there’s a good reason for it, and I’ll find out in time.
I remind myself that I’m content with the way things are. Chase and I are happy living withAnnie near Saltery Bay on the Sunshine Coast.
At least I thought I was content, until I met a beautiful stranger who made me want more.
Now I’m not so sure.
