LIGHTNING (2 page)

“He shoots and he scores! Lightning Logan is on fire tonight with his second goal of the game.”

It was the last period, and we were tied two to two. Face off was between me and Machard. We stood there, in position, waiting for the puck to drop. His blue eyes burned into mine and I could see the anger in them as if he was waiting for the perfect opportunity to tear me apart.

“Dude, I’m sorry about your knee.”

“Fuck you, Jackson.”

The puck dropped, and as I hit it with my stick, Machard threw his stick down, took off his gloves, and came after me. Remembering what the coach said to me yesterday, I couldn’t just stand there like a pussy and let him beat the hell out of me, so I threw my gloves off and we circled around each other.

“This is the last period of the game and we’re tied. Wait until the game is over and then we can do this,” I said. “Let’s not get ourselves thrown into the penalty box.”

He glared at me as we circled around each other.

“Seriously, Gavin. Let’s just finish the game.”

“Fine. But once the game is over, I’m coming after you, Jackson.”

He skated over and picked up his gloves, putting them back on and picking up his stick. The crowd booed us, but I didn’t care. I’d welcome a fight anytime, and believe me, I’d started plenty of them. Now wasn’t the time and I needed to make sure we won this game. With ten seconds left, I came up behind Tommy as he passed me the puck. Skating down the center, dodging the opposing team, I shot it right into the net so fast that the goalie didn’t even see it.

“And Lightning Logan does it again! The New York Rangers beat the Washington Capitals, three to two, winning their second straight game of the season.”

The crowd cheered and I prepared myself for Gavin’s warning. As soon as the game was announced, the gloves came off and he came after me, grabbing on to my jersey and throwing the first punch. I retaliated as my fist hit his jaw and his hit mine again. Holding on to each other, we both went down as he landed on top of me, punching me with his hard fist. The refs pulled him off and broke up the fight. The crowd went crazy and Tommy helped me up.

“Nice fight, Logan. What the hell were you doing? You weren’t fighting back.”

I wiped the blood that was dripping from my nose with my hand. “It’s the least I could do for breaking his knee.”

When we got into the locker room, the doc walked over and examined my face. “Your nose isn’t broken and you don’t need stitches. You’ll survive.” He grinned as he put a butterfly bandage across the cut above my eye.

“Jackson,” I heard Coach Gene say as he walked into the locker room. He placed his hand on my shoulder. “I’m proud of you for what you did.”

“Thanks, coach.”

“Excellent game, boys. What a way to start off the season. We don’t have a game for a couple of days, so take that time to rest up before we head to Michigan to the play the Wings.”

After showering, Tommy asked if I was going to Louie’s to celebrate.

“Nah, I think I’m just going to go home. Why don’t you come over and we’ll kick back some beers? Maybe order a pizza.”

He shrugged. “Sure. Sounds good, but I was hoping to get laid tonight.”

I looked at him and raised my brow. “What the fuck? Don’t be looking at me, dude.”

He chuckled. “Tonight will be bros before hos.” He patted my shoulder.

Tommy Goodwin and I had been best friends since I was first drafted to the NHL. He was scouted by the Rangers around the same time I was when he played hockey for Boston University. Being thirty-one years old, he had the same views about relationships I did, except he was in a three-year relationship once with a girl named Maddie who constantly cheated on him, claiming that he was never around as much as she needed him to be. That was five years ago. She had since married, had a kid, and from we heard, was now divorced.

****

Keeping my eye on the puck, I made an inside pass over to Nate, who took it and passed it to Tommy. Jones, on the other team, slammed Tommy against the board, pushing his head into it several times before the refs could get over to break it up. Tommy fell to the ground and I skated over to him to make sure he was okay. As I looked up, I couldn’t believe what I saw. My dad and Maggie were sitting in the third row, center seats. Our eyes met and my dad gave me a small smile and a nod. I hadn’t talked to him since that night at his house. He didn’t call and I didn’t bother. I gave him a slight nod as I skated away and the game continued.

Eight games played so far with eight straight wins. We were on fire this season, and not just me, but my whole team. There was no doubt in my mind that we were going to play in the playoffs once again and the thought elated me. As Tommy and I stepped out of the locker room, I saw my dad and Maggie standing outside the doors.

“Hello, son.” My dad smiled.

“Hey, Dad. Maggie.” I nodded.

“Great game.” He placed his hand on my shoulder.

“Thanks.” I looked down.

“We better head out. I just wanted to tell you how great you were out there on the ice.”

“Thanks, Dad. I appreciate it.” I gave a small smile.

“I know you’re busy but don’t be a stranger, son. Stop by some time and we can talk.”

“Sure, Dad.”

He and Maggie walked away and Tommy stood there with a blank look on his face.

“What?” I asked.

“I think that was the first time I ever saw your dad sober.”

“Me too. At least over the past eighteen years.” I sighed.

Placing his hand on my back, Tommy spoke, “Come on; let’s get out of here, go get drunk, and find some hot chicks to fuck. My dick is screaming for a little attention.” He smiled.

One Month Later

The crowd roared as the puck glided across the ice and straight into the net, giving us the win of the night.

“And Lightning Logan strikes again,” the sportscaster announced with excitement. “There is no doubt in my mind that if the Rangers keep this up, they’ll be playing in the playoffs.”

As my teammates and I congratulated each other, the roar of the crowd sent a rush through me. My fans chanted my name as I skated around the ice with a smile while I held my stick in one hand and gave a polite wave with the other. Heading to the locker room, celebratory drinks were in order. Sprays of champagne flew through the air as we passed the bottle and each of us took a swig from it.

“Let’s go do something different tonight,” Tommy said.

“Like what?” I pulled my shirt over my head.

“Let’s go over to Angel Sent on Long Island. Angelica is working tonight.”

“Dude, are you still trying to get her to go out with you?”

“Fuck yeah.” He smiled.

“You’ve already seen her tits and ass. What’s left to the imagination?”

“How my cock would feel inside her when I’m pounding her ass from behind.”

I rolled my eyes. “Fine. But to be honest, I don’t think the girls there are very attractive.”

“Says you. I think they look just fine.” He smirked.

We told the team we were going to skip Louie’s tonight and Tommy and I headed to the parking garage where his Porsche GT3 was parked. As Tommy drove us to Angel Sent, he pulled his phone from his pocket and made a slight left onto the I-495 E ramp. He glanced at his phone for a second when I noticed bright lights heading towards us.

“What the fuck!” I shouted. “Tommy, that car is heading straight for us.” He looked up and tried to swerve.

CRASH
was the only sound I heard as the car rolled, landing upside down in the middle of the expressway before another car smashed into the driver’s side and everything went black.

****

Beep. Beep. Beep.
I could hear the sound in the background, but I didn’t know where it was coming from. My head hurt, making it impossible to open my eyes. The faint sound of a voice I recognized seemed close.

“I’m so sorry this happened to you, bro. Please wake up.”

It was my brother, Owen. What happened? Where was I?

“We’re here for you, Logan. You’re going to make it through this.”

Another familiar voice. My brother, Brandon. Make it through what? What was he talking about? I felt like I was trapped in a dream. A dream where I couldn’t wake up.

“Son.” My dad’s voice was close to my ear.

I wanted to wake up, but something was holding me back. A shadow in the distance. A shadow that called itself fear. If I woke up, I would have to face whatever happened and my mind wasn’t ready to deal with it yet.

I couldn’t tell you how long I was like that, but suddenly, my eyes opened, pierced by the bright lights that fell upon them.

“Thank God.” Owen jumped up from the chair. “Bro.” His face was inches from mine.

“Where am I?” I whispered.

“You’re in the hospital, Logan. You were in a bad accident,” Brandon spoke as he stood next to Owen.

Headlights took hold of my memory. The sound of a crash and the feeling of flying through the air gripped me. My breathing became restricted. I was losing air and my heart was pounding out of my chest. My brothers screamed for the nurse. A burning sensation filled my body as a blonde-haired woman stood over me. Suddenly, everything went black.

****

Two Days Later

“Welcome back, Mr. Jackson.” The blonde-haired woman gave me a small smile as I slowly opened my eyes.

“How long have I been out?”

Before I knew it, Owen was at my side. “Two days, bro. You’ve been asleep for two days.”

I looked up at the three IV bags that were hanging to the side of me and then at my leg, which was in a cast and in traction. My lip felt fat and I could feel bandages around my face.

Suddenly, the door opened and Brandon walked in. He looked at me and all I could see was the pain that resided in his eyes.

“The accident. How’s Tommy?” I asked.

Brandon and Owen looked at each other and Owen squeezed my hand.

“I’m sorry, bro. He didn’t make it.”

A heaviness infiltrated my chest as a tear fell from my eye. A single tear turned into multiple ones as they streamed down my face. My best friend and teammate was gone. A man that I’d known for the past nine years, and a man that was always there for me. I sank back into my dream, a place where I felt safe. I slept for another day until my mind was ready to deal with more of the aftermath of the accident.

****

Three Days Later

I pushed the button, calling for the nurse and screaming out in pain. The meds were wearing off and I needed more. Walking into the room, Cassie, my day nurse, inserted a syringe into my IV.

“You’ll feel some relief in a few seconds, Logan.” She smiled.

Why was she smiling? This was fucked up. I was fucked up and she was smiling at me. The excruciating pain started to subside.

“Don’t fucking smile at me, Cassie.” I turned my head and looked out the window.

“Be nice, Logan, or you won’t get any more pain meds.”

“Yeah. Like you could do that.” I shook my head. “Get the hell out of here.”

Shaking her head, she walked out of my room just as all my teammates walked in. Today was Tommy’s funeral and I couldn’t be there. It angered me. Everything angered me. The guys meant well, but I didn’t want to see them. I didn’t want to see anyone. Not even my brothers. My dad walked in and placed his hand on my arm.

“You’re alive, son, and that’s all that matters,” he spoke as he sat down in the chair next to my bed.

“I’d be better off dead.”

“Logan. Don’t say that. I already lost your mother and I won’t lose you too.”

I ignored him. He stayed a short while and then left. My Aunt Vanessa walked in with a tin full of her homemade chocolate chip cookies. That always put a smile on my face. But not now. Nothing could make me smile ever again.

“I brought your favorite cookies, Logan.” She smiled as she set them down and kissed my head.

“Thanks, Aunt Vanessa.”

“Talk to me, honey,” she softly spoke as she placed her hand on mine.

“There’s nothing to talk about. My life is over. I wish I would have died in that accident.”

“You don’t mean that, Logan.”

“YES I DO!” I snapped at her. “What the fuck good is my life if I can’t play hockey ever again? I would have rather died than to live a life I hate.”

“You have people who love you. Do you understand how bad it hurts us to hear you talk like that?”

Did I care? No. Not in the least. I no longer cared about anybody or anything. Playing hockey was my life and, without it, I had no life.

Brooke

It was a beautiful day in Laguna Beach and I had just come home from shopping with a few of my girlfriends when my dad called me into his office. Setting my bags down, I stepped inside and saw a younger gentleman, an incredibly good-looking gentleman, sitting across from him.

“Darling, I would like you to meet Brandon Jackson. He’s the CEO of Jackson Software, the company that is designing the new software program for my company.”

“Nice to meet you, Mr. Jackson.” I smiled as I extended my hand.

“Please call me Brandon. It’s nice to meet you too.”

“You wanted to see me, Dad?” I asked as I took a seat next to Brandon.

“Brandon would like to talk to you about something. He has a job offer for you. Naomi says that dinner will be ready shortly and I have a meeting to attend. Why don’t the two of you go sit out on the patio where you can talk in private?”

This was strange and I was feeling confused.

“Yeah. Okay. Just let me go upstairs and change and I’ll meet you out on the patio,” I spoke to Brandon.

After changing into a pair of comfortable leggings and a long cotton shirt, I threw my long brown hair up into a ponytail. What the hell was going on and who was this Brandon guy? He owned a software company. What kind of job could he offer me? Stepping out onto the patio, I sat down at the round glass table across from him. Picking up my glass of wine, I took a sip and spoke, “I’m really confused about what’s going on here.”

He smiled as he cut into the chicken Naomi prepared for dinner. “I have a job offer for you and I’m hoping that you’ll accept.”

“Okay. Why don’t you tell me what this job is and then I’ll let you know if I’m the least bit interested.”

“My brother is a professional hockey player and plays for the New York Rangers. Perhaps you’ve heard of him. His name is Logan Jackson.”

“No. I’m sorry. I don’t follow hockey.”

“Okay. Well. Two months ago, he was in a serious car accident that left him with a broken leg and severe nerve damage. The doctors told him that he’d never play hockey again and he’d more than likely walk with a cane for the rest of his life.”

“I’m sorry.” I sipped my wine.

“I spoke to your father about my brother and he told me that you might be able to help him. He’s going to need physical therapy and he’s resisting. He’s given up, so to speak. He doesn’t leave his bed. He doesn’t talk to anyone. He’s irate, agitated, angry, pissed off at the world, and I don’t know how to help him anymore. The nurses that I’ve hired to take care of him have all quit within a couple of days because of his attitude and violence.”

“Violence?” I cocked my head.

“He likes to throw things at the hired help. He’s a good man and this accident has destroyed his heart and soul. This isn’t my brother, Brooke. I’m desperate and I need your help. My family needs your help and I’m willing to compensate you extremely well for it.”

“I just finished my residency and I have two job offers I’m considering from very well respected hospitals.”

“I know. But I hope you’ll give my offer great consideration.”

“Is his leg still in a cast?”

“Yes, but he’s getting it off in about a week. He’s a mess, Brooke.”

“You say he plays for the New York Rangers, so if I considered taking this job, that would mean I would have to relocate to New York for a period of time.”

“Yes. Do you have a problem with New York?” he asked as he arched his brow.

“No. Not at all.” I smiled. “Let me give this some thought and I’ll let you know in a couple of days.” I extended my hand to him.

After Brandon left, I found my father had returned from his meeting and I walked into his office.

“Hello, darling. How did it go with Brandon?”

“Fine. But you know I have two job offers at the moment. Why would you have him talk to me?”

He removed his glasses and set them on his desk.

“You know why, Brooke.”

“This is a temporary job, Dad. What do I do when it ends?”

“Sweetie, you know you will have no problem finding a job. Remember why you got into physical therapy in the first place. You like challenges, and I think Brandon’s brother could be the ultimate one for you.”

I sighed and walked over to him, kissing the top of his head.

“I’ll think about it.”

“You have your whole life and career ahead of you, baby. You’re only twenty-seven. This man desperately needs someone like you to help him.”

I gave him a small smile and went up to my room. Grabbing my laptop and sitting on my bed, I googled Logan Jackson.
Whoa!
I bit down on my bottom lip as I stared at his picture. He had a disconnected haircut, where it was short on the sides but longer on the top. In some pictures, he had the messy beachy look, which was totally sexy, and in others, he wore it slicked back for a more professional look, which was equally sexy. Too sexy. His brown hair matched the color of his eyes and his strong masculine jaw, which enhanced his square-shaped face, sported just the right amount of stubble that I found incredibly attractive. After studying his drop dead gorgeous face, I read up on his career. Even though I didn’t know this man from Adam, there was something about him that tugged at my heartstrings. After reading about his career and what a phenomenal hockey player he was, I read about his accident and what the press called “The end of a short-lived professional career.” I tossed and turned all night while thoughts of Logan Jackson invaded my mind. This was the perfect opportunity to get out of California for a while.

The next morning, I placed a call to Brandon and met him for breakfast at The Boathouse Diner.

“Good morning.” He smiled as I sat down in the booth across from him. “I was surprised to have heard from you so soon.”

“I am going to accept your job offer and I’ll try to help your brother, but I can’t make any promises.”

A smile graced his handsome face. A face that resembled Logan’s.

“Thank you. It won’t be easy.”

“I know it won’t be.” I smiled. “But I can handle him and whatever he throws at me.”

Brandon chuckled. “When can you start?”

“When do you want me to start?”

“As soon as possible. He lives in a four-bedroom apartment on West 50
th
Street. So I was thinking that you could stay there since he really needs to be looked after at all times. Right now, my brother and I have been taking turns staying with him. I hope that won’t be a problem for you.”

“I don’t have a problem with it, but I’m sure he will, especially if he’s in the state of mind you say he is.”

“That’s too bad. He’ll just have to get used to having a beautiful woman staying at his place. If he has a problem with that, then he’s worse off than I thought.” He grinned.

I felt my cheeks heat up after he said I was beautiful. Brandon Jackson was definitely a sexy man like his brother. They looked alike with the same color brown hair and almost the same haircut, but Brandon’s eyes were blue instead of brown. I remembered him mentioning there was another brother, so I was curious.

“You said that you and your brother were taking turns staying with Logan. So there’s the three of you?”

“Yes. My other brother, Owen, is a lightweight champion boxer. He’s training hard for the heavyweight title.”

A small smile crossed my lips. “Logan is a hockey player and Owen is a boxer. You’re not into any sports?”

He chuckled. “No. My dream was to own my company. I leave the sports to my brothers.” He winked.

Taking a sip of my coffee, I held the cup tightly in my hands. “Okay, just give me a couple of days to pack and get things sorted and I’ll hop on a flight to New York.”

“Excellent. I’ll be wrapping up some business here in the next couple of days so we can fly out together on my private jet.”

I stood up from my chair and held out my hand.

“Thank you for the opportunity, Brandon.”

“No, thank you, Brooke. You have no idea how much this means to me and my family.”

“Just so you know, I can’t make any promises that I can help your brother. I’ll do the best I can, but if he doesn’t want to be helped, it’s his choice.”

“I understand that. But just you trying is good enough.”