Goalie Interference (NHL Scorpions) (6 page)

“Really? Dating, as in, seeing someone you might actually have chemistry with?” When Zoe told her that she and Sebastian had decided to just be friends, Lacey wasn’t surprised at all. She told Zoe that she thought the only reason she even agreed to go out with him again was because she already
knew
there was no chemistry between them—he was safe.

Zoe looked up at the ceiling. “Yes, Lacey. You’re right. I need to step out of my comfort zone and really give dating a chance. I don’t want to be alone, you know.”

“I know, but I don’t see the Vlad situation changing anytime soon. There’s no reason you shouldn’t be enjoying a guy or two.”

“I think those days are long gone. I’m not looking for a casual fling. I’m tired of being the one night girl, you know?”

“Jeez, Zoe. You make yourself sound like a tramp. There’s nothing wrong with having a couple of casual relationships every year if that’s what you want to do.”

“That’s the thing, Lace. I don’t think that is all I want anymore. I’m just not sure how to move forward when Vlad’s always around. It seems like everywhere I look, there he is.”

Jody walked in then with yet another bouquet of flowers. “Hi, girls. Don’t mind me.” He handed Lacey the flowers, kissed her on the cheek and started to walk out of the room.

“You don’t have to go, Jody. I have to head out anyway. I have an appointment in about an hour.” Keith Lambert had actually made a voluntary appointment with her. She hoped everything was okay with the captain. She’d soon find out.

Keith showed up right on schedule. Zoe led him back to her office, and they got down to business.

“I’m here about Vlad.” Before Zoe could stop him, he put up his hand. “Wait. It’s not about the two of you. I’m worried about him. Something’s not right. You know Vlad. He’s the happy guy—the guy that’s always easy to talk to, and fun to be around, but lately he’s been a total ass. It’s like his personality has totally changed. There has to be a reason. I don’t know what to do with him, and it’s starting to affect my locker room. I can’t have that.”

Zoe sat there chewing on her pen. “Keith, you know I try my best to help everyone who walks through my door, but I can’t help Vlad if he won’t talk to me. This whole situation is getting out of control. I’m going to have to go to management. If Vlad is really having a problem, and he won’t talk to me, he’s going to have to go talk to someone else.”

That was Zoe’s greatest fear. She’d have to talk to management and hope they didn’t let her go. It was the exact situation she’d been trying to avoid. But the players had to come first. Logically, she understood that, but shit, she was mad. She told Vlad no. She did the right thing, and he still might cause her to lose her job.
Dammit!

“No, Zoe. Don’t go to management yet. Maybe we can tag team him. Better yet, maybe you and Jody could do that. He probably won’t open up with me here. Even though it’s blatantly obvious to everyone, including management, by the way, that you two have a, shall we say,
connection
, I don’t think you should inform them that there’s a problem there. That’s not fair to you.”

“The idea has merit. At this point, what do we have to lose? I’ll talk to Jody and see what he thinks. Do you have any ideas what his problem could be?”

Keith thought about that for a minute. Gesturing toward her he said, “Aside from the obvious, I can’t think of much. I know that Cage annoys the hell out of him, but Cage annoys the hell out of everyone. He’s been riding Vlad pretty hard lately with the snarky comments. All age related, of course. Cocky little shit. I’m honestly afraid that Vlad might physically hurt Cage, and that’s not Vlad, you know? Normally, he would give Cage a taste of his own medicine, or just turn the other cheek. He’s really changed.”

“Okay. Since this is more of a friendly visit, and not a session, I’ll be honest with you. I’ve obviously noticed the difference, too. Not to toot my own horn or anything, but I think a lot of it has to do with me. You should have heard how he talked to me when he found out I had a date. He was downright nasty. Vlad has never been anything but flirty and nice to me. What we need to figure out is if it is
just
me or if there is something else going on.”

“Yeah, I know. It’s frustrating. I don’t know what do with him, but I can’t let his attitude infect the rest of the team. If I let that negativity fester in the locker room, it will begin to affect the other players. I’m at a loss. Coach doesn’t like his attitude any more than I do.”

“Have you talked to him?”

“Yeah, but he doesn’t listen. He just gets pissed and tells me everything is okay, which it obviously is not.”

“All right, Keith. I’ll talk to Jody and see what he thinks. He’s the closest to him, so hopefully he’ll be able to help.”

Keith got up to leave. “Thanks. What do you say we don’t document this visit? I want to help Vlad, not stir up a shit storm, you know?”

“Absolutely. You’re a great captain, you know that? I knew they made the right choice when they made you captain.”

Keith stood a little taller at her praise. “Thank you. That means a lot to me. This team is everything. They’re my family, you know?”

“Yes. I see how you all are. I think it’s cute.”

“Cute? Christ girl, I’m a man. It’s not cute. It’s, well, more like—maybe sweet is a better word? Yeah, not really. Shit, I need to go shoot some pool now or maybe go lift some heavy things for a while.” Keith winked at her and let himself out.

Zoe called Jody to talk about Vlad. Lacey answered the phone, and Zoe could tell she was in one of her pouty moods. She loved Lacey more than almost anyone in her life, but she would be happy as hell when she was back to her normal, self-sufficient, confident self.

Sounding pissed off, Lacey asked Zoe why she wanted to talk to Jody.

“I wanted to talk to him about Vlad.” Taking a deep breath, Zoe continued, “What’s wrong, Lace?”

“Nothing. Jody is perfect. He made a really nice dinner, although since he can’t cook for shit, it sucks. I wanted pasta alfredo with zucchini and black olives. Addie is all over me tonight, and I just want to eat!”

In her most smoothing voice, Zoe said, “Okay, how about this? I’ll come make that for you. I actually have a batch of alfredo sauce that I made a couple of weeks ago in the freezer. I’ll thaw that out and stop at the store to buy some great veggies. What kind of pasta do you want, hun?” Zoe didn’t mind cooking for her. She liked that she could make Lacey feel better.

“Zoe, you are the best. How about fettuccine? And can you add hot chili peppers in there, too?” A strange combination, but what the baby wanted, the baby got. “And maybe some Rocky Road ice cream? With crème de mint sauce?”

Zoe held back a gag. “Anything you want. Don’t be offended when you see that I’ve made me and Jody something a bit tamer, okay?”

Lacey finally gave her a laugh. “That’s fine. I know my eating habits are pretty strange these days. Thanks, Zoe. See you soon.”

Zoe and Jody talked while she cooked in Lacey’s kitchen.

“So what do you think about Keith’s idea? Do you think it might work if you and I tag team him, or do you think it’ll just piss him off?”

“I’m not sure, but I think we have to give it a shot. He seems to be getting worse and worse. How much damage could we do? But I think you’re the one he’s going to go after.” Jody walked over to her and gave her a squeeze. “I think you need to wear your thickest skin. You know how much he loves you. He only speaks to you like that out of hurt and frustration.”

“I know. Would you believe I’ve actually thought about leaving the organization? This thing between Vlad and me isn’t healthy for anyone. But I don’t see a solution, do you?”

“Well, it is the last year of Vlad’s contract. No one knows where he’ll be next year.”

“I don’t even want to think about that. Not seeing him would be even worse than this fucked up thing we have going. Jesus, I need my
own
therapist. I know better, but it’s hard to make your heart listen, you know?” Zoe wasn’t stupid. She knew that some of the things she told her clients were next to impossible to follow through with. She still believed she told them the right things; she just had a better perspective now on how hard it was to
do
the right thing.

“Well, I don’t know exactly what you guys are going through, but I remember Lace telling me that she didn’t want a relationship in the beginning. She only wanted to casually date. I wanted her to change her mind so bad that I lost sleep over it. I’d lie awake at night and think of things that I could do to weasel my way into her heart. I got lucky. I mean, this pregnancy aside, she’s damn near perfect. I really don’t deserve her.”

Zoe knew how much Jody loved Lacey. And she knew he was ecstatic that Lacey was pregnant. “Awww, Jody. Yes, you do. And you know I don’t say that lightly. Lacey is closer to me than even a sister could be. You do deserve her.”

Jody smiled. “Thanks.” Looking over her ingredients for dinner, his smile vanished. “Zoe? Do you think Lace would freak if I ordered a pizza?”

Zoe laughed and shook her spoon at him. “Jody LaGrange! Do you really think
we’re
eating this crap? I already told Lacey that you and I were not eating her weird shit. We’re safe. We’re having simple shrimp alfredo. Does that work for you?”

“Zoe, I love you.” He kissed her head and went into the living room to check on Lacey and set the table for dinner.

“I can’t wait to eat. It smells awesome in there. How are you feeling, Lace?”

“Good today. I’m hungry though, as usual.” She pushed herself up off the couch. “I’m going to see if I can help Zoe. I’m tired of sitting here.

“Okay. I’ll set the table.”

Dinner tasted as good as it smelled. Talking with a mouth full of the bread, Lacey said, “Oh my God, Zoe. This is the absolute freaking best garlic bread you’ve ever made. Addie hasn’t kicked me since I started eating!” They all laughed at that.

“Good thing we’re not having twins, huh, Angel? You’d be as big as a house with the way you need to eat now.” Zoe kicked him. Hard. Was he insane making remarks like that?

Lacey looked at him with eyes wide and full of tears.