A Perfect Trade (Harlequin Superromance) (23 page)

“You’ve forgiven me?” Wonder filled his eyes.

She nodded. “We were young and we were manipulated by an evil predator. The person who deserves the blame is Uncle Douglas.”

Tru put his arm around her shoulders and touched his forehead to hers. “Thank you.”

Jenny savored the moment, knowing that the hard part of their discussion wasn’t over. Tru wanted answers she wasn’t sure she could give.

After a couple of minutes, he sighed. “So if this isn’t about the past, what’s the problem?”

She tried to put her thoughts into words. “I care for you a lot. It’s just this—” she waved her hand between them “—is so new and fragile. Meanwhile, my life is topsy-turvy, with too many question marks.” Jenny tried to calm the note of panic creeping into her voice. “I need more time...to be sure.” She begged him with her eyes to understand. “Does that make sense?”

Tru slumped back against the sofa. He stared at the ceiling, his jaw working. “Yeah.”

“Have you changed your mind about being willing to wait?”

“Not as long as there’s a real chance you’ll return my feelings.”

Jenny sidestepped the question. “Can’t we carry on as we were? One step at a time?”

He lifted his head and gave her a serious look. “I want to start dating more seriously. Move beyond lunches to evenings. Maybe even spend a whole weekend together.” His mild tone didn’t hide the hurt. “Besides, for our plan to work, people need to see us as a couple. That way, it won’t be a surprise when you announce you’re pregnant, and there won’t be questions about who the babies’ father is.” He held up a hand before she could speak. “I know. That depends on the babies making it through the first trimester. Let’s assume they will, until we know otherwise.”

He wasn’t asking for a lot. Maybe, in time, it would even give her the confidence to say what he wanted to hear.

“All right,” she said. “My schedule will get busier with free agency opening up next Monday—my work shifts from player features to team news—but I’d like to have dinner with you soon.”

Tru’s expression brightened. “How about when I get back from Boston? We can check out that new Greek restaurant and either celebrate or commiserate, depending on how things work out.”

She hoped, for his sake, it would be a celebration. “Sounds perfect.”

Tru snagged her arm, tugging her toward him until she was practically in his lap. She laughed, but didn’t resist. His lips touched hers. Her mouth opened, instantly deepening the kiss.

Heat flared. There was no teasing, no games. She matched him touch for touch, caress for caress. Clothes were shoved aside or tugged off.

Naked, their bodies pressed against each other. Rubbing. Sliding. Urgent.

As she sought his erection, so he found the sensitive core of her. They each drove the other frantic with need and desire.

“We could...” she gasped against his mouth.

“Soon,” he growled.

Then there was no need for words.

* * *

T
RU
WOULD
HAVE
recognized his father anywhere.

Radek Jelinek hadn’t changed much. Older. Grayer. Paunchier. His salon-tanned face was lined, his blue eyes were washed-out. He had the same flashy clothes and the same flashy smile, even if both were slightly shabbier than before.

Watching from the cover of a potted plant, Tru bit back his disappointment as the old man laid on the charm for a waitress in the restaurant where they’d agreed to meet for lunch.

Anticipation had strung his nerves tight all last night and this morning. He’d been restless, edgy. Conflicted. Torn between anger and curiosity, he’d reminded himself that no matter how he felt about his father, he had to be objective. For the sake of his mom and his brothers, he had to give Radek Jelinek a chance to prove he’d changed.

Tru couldn’t deny that deep inside, there was a bit of hope his father would pass the test.

“Excuse me. Are you Tru Jelinek?”

He turned to find a lanky boy, maybe ten years old, looking at him with awe in his brown eyes. A fan, judging by the well-worn Ice Cats T-shirt and ball cap.

“Yes.” Tru smiled. “What’s your name?”

“Eddy.” The boy turned back to his father. “See, Dad. Told ya.”

“Good to meet you, Eddy.”

“Can I have your autograph?” Eddy thrust a pen and paper napkin forward.

“Sure.” Tru scrawled his name.

“What are you doing in Boston?” The kid’s expression became worried. “You’re not signing with the Bruins, are you?”

Tru hesitated. “Not a chance,” he said cheerfully. “I’m here to see someone I know.”

“Cool. You’re my favorite player and I’d hate it if you left.”

Tru couldn’t lie to a kid. He took the boy’s details and promised to send him some Ice Cats gear. Unfortunately, Eddy’s dad then asked him to pose for a photo. The last thing he needed was speculation because the kid posted his picture on some social media site. Maybe Eddy was too young for Facebook.

After he said goodbye, Tru made his way over to his father’s table.

“Good to see you, son. Thanks for meeting me.”

Not sure what to say, Tru nodded and took a seat.

“Have a drink.” His father waved the waitress over. “Melinda, this is my son Truman. He’s a famous hockey player. Get him whatever he’d like to drink and I’ll take a refill.”

Very generous, given the old man wasn’t paying the tab. Something else that hadn’t changed, Tru thought sourly as he ordered a beer. His dad had always been generous with other people’s money. Mainly because he hadn’t been able to hang on to any of his own. First strike.

The two men stuck to small talk as they perused the menus and ordered, but the moment Melinda served their food, Tru cut to the chase. “What do you want?”

“I thought it was time I got back in touch with my boys.”

Tru wasn’t moved. His father’s smile was a tad too bright. “Why now?”

“I’m not getting any younger. I didn’t want to leave it too long...in case.”

Despite his father’s tendency for melodrama, Tru couldn’t help the spike of concern. “Are you all right?”

“The usual complaints of an old man, but you can never tell.” His father’s expression became earnest, almost humble. “I’ve kept tabs on you boys.”

“Really?” Tru said casually, despite the small spark of pleasure the words gave him. “Yet you never got in touch until now.”

“I didn’t think I had the right.”

“You didn’t even try.” The cry of a young boy, delivered in the cool tones of a man.

A telltale spark of anger lit his father’s eyes. He didn’t like that he wasn’t getting things his own way. That was more like the Radek Jelinek of old.

“I should have made the effort. But things didn’t work out how I’d hoped.”

Tru ate some steak before asking, “What happened?”

“Margot’s family hated me. Accused me of being after her money. They threatened to disown her if she married me. I didn’t want her to have to choose between us.”

His father could pretty it up, but Tru spotted the lie. “Are you with anyone now?”

“I’m seeing a woman. A waitress.”

“Is it serious?”

His father shook his head. “I didn’t want to make another mistake. I suppose I’m looking for someone like Karina.”

Tru’s gut tightened at the mention of his mother. Thankfully, Melinda came over to check on how their food was, saving him from having to respond—from pointing out the damn obvious that his father had been the one to leave. Radek Jelinek’s cheating had broken his wife’s heart. Strike two.

Tru pushed his plate aside; he’d lost his appetite. “Why did you really get in touch?”

His father then took a long drink of his scotch. When he looked up, the charming smile was gone; a bleak look in his eyes. Tru’s stomach dropped. Was this where his dad admitted he was sick, even dying?

“I told you, I’ve made some mistakes and want to put them right.”

“Why now?”

His father sighed heavily. “A couple of buddies passed away recently. They were estranged from their kids. Made me realize that only you and Ike would remember me properly. Kenny and Linc were too young.”

He didn’t want the emotion in his old man’s words to matter. “Whose fault was that?”

“I know. I just don’t want to die without seeing you all again.”

Tru hated the way his throat tightened. “What do you want from me?”

“One meeting. If, after that, you all decide not to see me again, I’ll accept your decision.” His old man leaned forward. “Talk to them for me.”

“Give me one good reason why I should.”

“Because it’s the right thing to do and you always believed in doing the right thing.”

Hoist with his own petard. “It wouldn’t work.”

“If you don’t want a formal meeting, we could make it a surprise.”

Tru held up his hand. “No way. I won’t let you blindside them.”

“So you’ll talk to them for me?”

Trust his father to twist his words. “I’ll think about it,” he hedged.

“Do Gio and Tina still have that Fourth of July party?”

“Yes.” Tru frowned. “Why?”

“I could show up there and see you all in a neutral setting.”

Hell no. “That won’t work.” He stood, signaling Melinda. “I said I’ll think about it. I’ll let you know what I decide.”

“Don’t take too long.” There was that urgent note again. His old man was definitely holding something back.

Tru tamped down the concern. Radek Jelinek hadn’t earned the right to his sympathy. “Don’t push me.” He handed his credit card to the waitress. “Dinner’s on me.”

His father didn’t argue. He simply nodded, then raised his scotch in a farewell toast.

Tru mulled over the situation on the flight back to New Jersey. With a sinking feeling, he realized that Jake and Jenny were right. He’d been stupid to keep the situation with his dad from the rest of the family. Meeting his old man hadn’t clarified a thing. All it had done was put Tru between a rock and a hard place.

It wasn’t Tru’s place to decide something so important. His mom and his brothers each had to make up their own minds about what to do.

As the plane landed, he decided to call a family meeting and tell them what had happened. Linc and Kenny would be back for the Fourth of July and Tru could get everyone together after the party.

Satisfied he’d come up with the best strategy, he stared out of the window while the plane taxied to the gate and let his thoughts return to Jenny. So much had happened over the past thirty-six hours that he still had difficulty processing it all.

By the time he’d left her house, late last night, he’d felt as though he’d played a triple-overtime game. He thought he’d blown it when he’d blurted out his feelings. Especially when it had seemed they weren’t reciprocated. After the way they’d made love he’d found it hard to believe she wasn’t as crazy about him as he was about her.

Sure, once his brain had separated itself from his dick, he’d realized what a huge step it would be for her and changed tack before things had been damaged irreparably. She still hadn’t said the actual words, but he felt she was closer than she had been. He’d even got a bonus—she’d agreed to dating for real. Dinner tonight—and whatever followed.

Tru grinned. He had plans that would keep them pleasurably occupied for several hours, at least. He couldn’t wait.

The sudden movement of people around him snapped him out of his reverie. As he followed the shuffling line off the plane and into the terminal, he turned on his phone to call Jenny.

Tru was surprised by the
ping, ping, ping
of text messages, voice mails and missed calls.
What the hell?

He looked at who’d been trying to reach him. Sports journalists, teammates, friends from around the league.

His stomach flipped. The last time his phone had exploded like that was when the news had broken about Jake coming to the Ice Cats. Tru stopped and studied his phone. He scrolled through the messages searching for a couple of names and swore when he found them.

Three from Jake, three from Ike, five from Andy. Plus five texts and a dozen voice-mail messages from Callum Hardshaw.

Tru didn’t read the texts or listen to the messages. He didn’t need to.

Anger boiled inside him. It would have been nice if he’d had a heads-up from management before they’d announced his impending departure from the team.

Across the way, he caught a video on a news screen. Sure enough, it was a press conference. The GM, the coach and Troy Davidson sat in front of the snow-leopard logo.

Tru turned away. He wasn’t sticking around to hear what ESPN had to say. He strode out of the terminal and through the parking garage to his car. It was only as he unlocked the door to his Range Rover that a thought occurred to him.

Press conference. Jenny’s job. She’d have been called in to cover the announcement.

Crap.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

“W
HAT
’
S
THE
CONTRACT
status for your unrestricted free agents?”

Jenny’s question quieted the buzz among the gathered media squashed into the conference room at the Ice Cats’ arena. Everyone leaned forward, waiting for Callum Hardshaw’s reply.

The late-afternoon presser had taken them all by surprise. As had the big trade with Vancouver for star defenseman Troy Davidson, whom the Ice Cats had acquired for a package of prospects, draft picks and two fourth-liners. They’d all done the math. The Cats now faced major salary-cap issues, so there would be casualties.

Jenny had been relieved, for both professional and personal reasons, that Tru’s name hadn’t been in the mix, but knew it might only be a temporary reprieve. Hardshaw was expected to make a statement about which players he intended to re-sign and which he’d let walk. The GM’s serious expression sent a shiver of unease through her.

Callum Hardshaw cleared his throat. “Cap restrictions mean we’ve had to make some tough decisions. Unfortunately, not all the players we’d have liked to retain will be with us next season—” Before he’d finished, questions peppered him about who was staying or going.

“Our first priority is re-signing Jean-Baptiste Larocque. Once that’s done, we’ll see where we are.”

The room erupted again. This time, with queries about Tru and Ralinkov.

Hardshaw held up his hand signaling the conference was over. “Thanks for coming.”

The crowd surged forward as journalists battled to get quotes.

“What about Tru Jelinek?” the guy from the
Post
called out.

“We’re grateful for Tru’s service to the organization and will work to find a deal that’ll enable him to continue his NHL career with another team.”

Jenny’s stomach lurched. Though she’d suspected from the repeated delays that the Cats wouldn’t re-sign Tru, she was shocked to hear the confirmation.

Did he know? He’d been out of touch all day on his Boston trip. Certainly, last night, he hadn’t given any indication he was being cut loose.

Her phone rang. It was Tru. “Are you back?”

“Yeah. I’m on my way home from the airport.” He sounded weary. “I’m guessing you’re at the presser.”

He knew. “I’m heading out to my car. Are you okay?”

“Peachy. For someone who’s about to be unemployed.”

“Only for about five minutes. Once the clock strikes twelve noon on July 1, you’ll be swimming in offers. You’ll have your pick of teams.”

“But none of them will be the Ice Cats.”

“I know,” she said softly. “I’m sorry.”

“Yeah, well, it’s the icing on a crappy day.”

That didn’t sound good. “The meeting with your dad didn’t go well?”

“It was all right.”

“That’s a shame. I know you were hoping for something more positive.” Her heart ached for him. Tru must be feeling battered from all sides. “Would you like company?”

“Sure, if you’re up for it.” The hopeful lilt in his voice touched her.

“I’ll meet you at your place, in thirty minutes.”

“Thanks.” The single word resonated with relief.

As she drove, Jenny thought about the implications of the afternoon’s news.

Tru was definitely leaving New Jersey. In a week, he’d be at his new team’s press conference, being introduced to the fans, then house-hunting in his new city. By the time the babies were born, he’d be finishing up the season with his no-longer-new team.

This was what she’d wanted. So why wasn’t she happier? A few weeks ago, she’d have been counting down the days until he was gone. Instead, she felt disappointed.

She’d grown used to the idea of Tru sharing her babies—maybe even sharing her life. She was even starting to look forward to it. What would this mean for their relationship? The agreement they’d signed seemed unsatisfactory now. But what did she want in its place?

She was no closer to an answer by the time she pulled into Tru’s driveway.

Tru had the front door open before she’d turned off the ignition, and his arms around her before she’d crossed the threshold.

Tension hummed through his body. Her hands rubbed his back, trying to soothe his taut muscles. His chest rose and fell with each ragged breath. Gradually, his breathing evened out and his rigid body began to relax.

Tru gave a shuddering sigh. “I’m sorry. I should’ve said hello before I grabbed you.”

Jenny smiled. “It’s nice to be needed.”

She realized suddenly how much she meant that. Tru had always looked after her. For the first time, their roles had been reversed, making their relationship feel more balanced—like a partnership.

Which was perfect—except he was leaving.

She eased out of his arms. “You look like you could use a stiff drink.”

“Several.” He led her through to the living room. “But not now. We’re going out later.”

“Let’s cancel the reservation and order takeout.”

“I promised...”

Jenny interrupted, “You’ll still owe me dinner at the Greek place. We just don’t need to go there tonight.”

Tru frowned. “Are you sure you don’t mind?”

“As long as we get pizza—hold the olives—I’ll be fine.”

He kissed her. “You’re a wonderful woman.”

“Can’t argue with that.” She laughed.

After ordering the food, they settled on the sofa to wait for the delivery. His arm lay across her shoulders, as if they’d been together for years.

“Which do you want to talk about first?” she asked softly. “Boston or the Ice Cats?”

“Boston, for sure. I have a better handle on that.”

He told her what had happened with his father. “You were right. I can’t make this decision for my family.”

“Because you’re not sure whether he’s trying to hose you?”

“It’s not as cut-and-dried as I thought. Whether it’s right or wrong to bring him back into our lives, everyone needs to know and come to their own conclusions.”

“You’re doing the right thing, Tru.”

He squeezed her shoulder. “The way Ike feels about Dad, we probably won’t need fireworks on the Fourth.”

“Wouldn’t it be better to speak with them right away?”

Tru shook his head. “I want to tell everyone at the same time. Besides, they’ll be distracted over the next few days with the news about my career.”

She laid her hand over his. “I can’t believe the Ice Cats screwed you on that contract.”

“Me neither. I should’ve trusted Andy’s instincts.” He repeated what his agent had told him. “I was dumb to think the deal with Davidson had fallen through just because I hadn’t heard anything and there was talk about him re-signing with Vancouver.”

“You suspected, but you never mentioned it?” She was a little hurt he’d kept it from her.

“I didn’t see the point, unless it was a sure thing. I expected to hear about a move or deal from the Cats
before
it was released to the media.”

“Hardshaw didn’t give you a heads-up?”

“Nope. First I heard of it was when I landed. He claimed he’d tried to reach me earlier, but my phone was off. Like it was my fault. Apparently, they announced the news quickly to preempt rumors hitting the social media sites.” He shrugged. “I’m glad it’s finally done, so I can figure out where I’m going and move on.”

Her chest twinged. It sounded so final. Would he be moving on from her, too? The thought hurt more than she’d expected. He’d come to mean a lot to her in such a short space of time. She couldn’t imagine her life without him in it. “What did Andy say?”

“The pool of free agents—especially puck-moving defensemen—is light, so I’ll get to choose the offer and location that suits me best.”

She heard the hurt beneath his casual tone.

He continued, “After this afternoon’s announcement, he’s heard from pretty much everyone on the list I gave him and they’re all keen to upgrade their blue line with me.”

“What list?”

“I had to give the Cats a list of teams I’d be prepared to move to.”

“Oh.” Though it was common practice, she felt put-out that he’d decided on a list without talking to her.

Why
would
he have consulted her? She’d made it clear she didn’t want him around and she wouldn’t go with him if he left. Tru wasn’t a mind reader. If she wanted him to know her feelings had changed, she had to tell him.

“Who’s on that list?” she asked casually, as if it didn’t matter.

Her heart sank as he told her the teams.

“Mainly Western Conference because I want to verse the Cats as little as possible. I know a team from the East would mean I could visit more during the season, but I don’t want to play for a divisional rival, so that limited my choices.”

“I don’t blame you.” She added softly, “I’ll miss you.”

He turned to study her face as her words registered. Jenny met his gaze squarely, letting him see in her eyes what she struggled to put into words.

His smile lit up his face. “I promise I’ll find a way to make this work.”

“I know you will.” And she did.

“You could move with me.”

Jenny started. “That wasn’t what we agreed,” she hedged, to cover her surprise.

His words spilled out, like a kid negotiating for a new toy. “This could be a fresh start for both of us. I know it would mean big changes for you, with your house and your job, but we could figure it out as we go.”

His eagerness faded when she didn’t respond. “You don’t want to?”

“It’s not that. It’s just... It’s not something I’d thought about.”

“Now that our relationship has developed, it makes perfect sense.”

Why was she hesitating? Because it sounded too good to be true? “Do you need an answer right away?”

“No.” His smile looked forced. “But if my family’s coming with me, that’ll affect how I look at offers and locations.”

Happiness fluttered inside her at being part of his “family.” She wanted to reach out and grab the wonderful dream he offered, but something held her back.

“I want to,” she admitted. “But there’s a lot to consider. Can I risk such a large upheaval while I’m pregnant?”

“We’ll get Making Your Move to relocate us. They’ll ensure everything runs smoothly.”

“That would make things easier.”

Disappointment filled his face. “You’re not sold on the idea?”

If she wasn’t careful, she’d lose this chance to get everything she’d always wanted. “We need to be sure our relationship can work longer term before making such a big commitment. You said we’d take it one step at a time. We’ll have enough pressures on us over the next twelve months, as it is.”

A muscle twitched in his jaw. “You know how I feel about you. That won’t change, whatever the pressures. But you’re not sure of your feelings, so I won’t push.”

His stiff words nipped at her heart. “I care about you a lot and I want to give our relationship the best chance of working. All I’m suggesting is we see how next season goes and then think about making the move.”

Tru brightened. “That would work. You could visit and we’d be able to figure things out together, like where we want to live.”

His enthusiasm melted away the worst of her concerns. “I like the sound of that.”

“Great.” Tru sobered. “You realize this means I’m off the memorial committee, too.”

Her stomach rolled. She hadn’t considered that ramification of the news. “I suppose that’s a silver lining, of sorts. Although, it’ll mean the project will likely go ahead now.”

“Just because I’m not involved directly doesn’t mean I’ll give up trying to stop the memorial,” he said earnestly. “I don’t know how, but I’ll find a way. At least Sherman and his cohorts will continue to fight the plans.”

“There are enough powerful people who want it to happen that I doubt they’ll be able to delay the inevitable for long.” Bitterness edged her voice.

“I still think the best way to stop the memorial is to tell the committee the truth about Douglas Boult,” he said gently.

She knew he was right, but bile burned her throat at the thought of people knowing what her uncle had done. At the thought that no one would believe her; just as he’d warned. She’d rather they built their damn park, than have to go through that humiliation.

“I’m sorry, but I can’t. Please, drop it.”

Tru studied her face, clearly wanting to push. After a few moments, he touched his forehead to hers and said, “Okay.”

Relief filled her. “Thank you.”

“So,” he said brightly, “you should’ve heard what Andy had to say about Hardshaw. I’ve never heard so many expletives used so creatively in one sentence.”

Jenny laughed shakily, grateful for the change of subject. “Go on, surprise me.”

* * *

T
HE
CLOCK
IN
Andy’s office edged a minute closer to noon.

With fifteen minutes to go, all was quiet, but Tru knew once the free-agency window officially opened, it would be chaos. Andy’s assistants were in the conference room, ready to field calls and messages. Meanwhile, he and his agent were reviewing their strategy for the next few days.

Tru tried to calm his nerves and get his game head on. He wished he’d had longer to convince Jenny that they could make things work if she moved with him. He was thrilled she thought their relationship might have a future, but he wanted her thinking “when,” not “if.”

He’d tried to involve Jenny in the selection process; as an important part of his life, her opinion mattered. But while she’d been happy to be his sounding board, she’d insisted he had to decide based on what was best for him.

Tru puffed out a frustrated breath. It still felt like two steps forward and one step back—as if she was holding a part of herself back.

“Are you okay?” Andy’s voice broke into his thoughts.

“Yeah. I’ll be happier when the whole thing kicks off.”

“The waiting is the hardest part. Once the madness starts, you won’t have time to piss.” His agent laughed. “The key is don’t rush your decision. We’re not in a hurry to sign on anyone’s dotted line. This may be the last deal of your career and you have to be 100 percent happy with what you’re getting.”

Tru drummed his fingers on his thigh. “I still feel like a cow about to be auctioned.”