The Love Chirp
The Love Chirp
A Metros Hockey Series Novel
Crystal Perkins
Contents
The Love Chirp
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Stay Tuned
What the Puck?
Author’s Note
Acknowledgments
About the Author
Also by Crystal Perkins
The Love Chirp
A Metros Hockey Series Novel
By Crystal Perkins
THE LOVE CHIRP
A Metros Hockey Series Novel
Crystal Perkins
Copyright © 2021 by Crystal Perkins
All Rights Reserved. This book may not be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission from the author. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights. All characters and storylines are the property of the author and your support and respect are appreciated. The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.
* * *
Cover Design: Kari March Designs
Editing: Twitching Pen Editing
Published by: Lady Boss Press, Inc.
For Jody, my fellow #hockeylovinggrandma, thanks for being the best game buddy ever!
Chapter 1
Rock
* * *
I had not expected to be woken up by a call from my agent, Casey, last week telling me a video of me had gone viral and that it wasn’t a good look. When I searched myself, I wanted to strangle the college kid who had been cut from development camp and thought he’d use me to gain some fame. I knew I couldn’t do that, but it doesn’t mean I didn’t still want to.
If I’d known he was filming me, I would’ve kept my comments about our new practice facility to myself—or just vented to Casey and Dad. This is bad, really bad. Like, management and the owner met with me, bad. It must’ve been a slow news day, and now, I’m in a little bit of trouble.
Social media and the news outlets are not letting this go, especially after both the team and the architect’s firm put out statements. They had said they appreciated my concerns, but they saw nothing wrong with a little luxury.
Dad and Nita said the same thing when they had called to chew me out. I expected it from my sister, who loves a little luxury almost as much as she loves me. Since Dad owns his own rink—which is about as far from luxurious as you can get—I thought he’d be on my side, but he wasn’t. He was disappointed in me for complaining about something he thinks shouldn’t matter to me. That was harder than the meeting with the owner because I haven’t been around much, and my reputation on the ice is that of an asshole who fights a lot.
I was finally turning that around, and then my team didn’t protect me in the expansion draft, and wasn’t that a wake-up call? I thought I was safe, but they kept the younger guys and tossed me to Seattle—my hometown and the one place I never wanted to live again. There are too many bad memories here. Which is why once I was resigned to coming back, I planned on doing everything I could to make new, awesome memories. Instead, I fucked up and put my foot in my mouth. All I want is to play hockey and pretend none of this media circus is happening.
Yet, here I am at Ascension Designs, about to meet with the person who designed the practice facility and the center surrounding it. The higher ups on both sides decided that we have to meet and figure out where to go from here. The team is ecstatic that I’m so popular, but they’re not loving that because of it, their architect and building are being attacked by the fans all over social media. Despite my remarks, I know people worked hard on all of it, and it’s not fair for them to have to deal with a bunch of shit just because I’m semi-famous. It’s a mess I made, and honestly, don’t know how to fix. I’m not going to back down about what I think are stupid choices for my workplace, but I don’t want to look like an ungrateful asshole. Yeah, my old team didn’t want me, but Seattle did, and I feel grateful—begrudgingly so, but grateful for that part of it all the same.
“Good afternoon, Mr. Roquemore. I’ll show you to the conference room and get you something to drink, if you’d like.” The woman offering has a look in her eye, letting me know it’s not just water on the menu.
A year ago, I would’ve taken her up on it, but growing up means also being a man Dad and Nita can finally be proud of. They’ve been embarrassed of my past reputation with women, and I honestly am not too proud of it either. I didn’t do anything wrong per se, but I wasn’t really right, either. I took who I wanted, when I wanted, and I didn’t care about the consequences. I never made promises, but I still broke hearts. I’m honestly done with all of that. I’m not ready to settle down, but I’m done playing around. I don’t know what this new “normal” for me will look like, but I’ll figure it out.
“Water would be great, thanks. That’s all I need,” I tell her, aiming for firm but nice. I’m not sure if it works, but she does pick up the pace.
As we walk to the conference room, I take in the smaller cubicles down here and the larger, more open ones, upstairs. I’m guessing the designer I’m meeting has one upstairs because they’re in charge of such a big project, but I’m not interested enough to ask. I’m here because I have to be, not because I want to actually know anyone here.
I only wait a few minutes in the conference room before two women enter. One is older than the other, with blond hair and wearing a business suit. The other one has her head down, poring over something on a tablet. My hands itch to touch her long brown hair, and that freaks me out a little.
“Nice to meet you. I’m guessing you’re Michelle Frezza.” I stand to shake the blonde’s hand. I recognize her since her picture has been showing up everywhere, even though it’s been reported that she didn’t design the facility. I’m not sure how she’s managed to keep the actual architect’s name out of the media, but she has. I admire her for trying to protect them from the craziness.
“Yes, well, I just wish we were meeting under better circumstances. Like a ribbon cutting.”
I don’t miss the dig, or the subtle glare she sends my way.
Before we can say anything else to each other, the Metros GM, Ike Harrison, enters the room. “Good, we’re all here. I’m hoping we can work something out today.”
“As am I,” Michelle tells him, her tone more than a little chilly.
“Have you met Sarai?” he asks, ignoring her tone.
My breathe freezes in my lungs as the woman looks up from her tablet, her hair no longer obscuring her face—one that haunts me in my dreams and has made anything more than a few dates impossible with other woman. Her brown eyes haven’t changed, and though her trim figure has filled out a little, I still would swear I know her body better than my own. She’s fucking stunning, and I can barely breathe.
“Yes, Rock and I have met. He used to play hockey with my brothers when we were kids.”
She’s purposely downplaying our connecti
on, and I can’t blame her. I hurt us both ten years ago. If hindsight regarding my career and reputation is something I’d love to have, hindsight with Sarai is something I crave. I’d do everything so differently with her. Every fucking thing. How I treated her back then is honestly my biggest regret in life.
“It’s good to see you, Sar.”
“Really? Because after what you said about the facility I designed, I’d think I was probably the last person you’d look forward to seeing.”
And there it is. I was holding out hope that she was just an assistant, but I should’ve known better once I saw her here. I watched her draw and create from the time she could hold a crayon. She designed everything from her little playhouse to her brothers’ treehouse and then her own. And then she partially built them, once her dad taught her how to use his tools. I’d heard she graduated with a double major in architecture and interior design, and I wasn’t the least bit surprised she was at the top of her classes. She’s brilliant, beautiful, and everything I’ve ever wanted but never allowed myself to keep.
Is it any wonder I’ve already insulted her?
Sarai
* * *
I hate that he looks so good. Why does he have to look so good, when all he ever did is hurt me so badly that I can barely breathe? It’s not fair.
“I didn’t know it was you,” he blurts out. “I saw the 3-D video renderings of the finished complex and the list of all the specifications and amenities, but your name wasn’t on anything. I swear, I didn’t know.”
“Well, now you do. Are you going to tell the public you were wrong and you love my design?” I ask, knowing he won’t. I’ve seen his public persona on the news over the years, and he doesn’t back down from any type of fight.
Ike answers before Rock can. “It’s too late for that, I’m afraid. The fans and most of the other guys on the team are behind Rock on this.”
“We have a plan,” Michelle tells me, not unkindly. “Why don’t we all sit down and discuss it?”
She’s not surprised I know Rock because I told her. No way could I keep something like this from her, not when it was all blowing up in our faces. I assured her this wasn’t some weird vendetta against me, without telling her I would be the one looking for revenge if that’s what this really were. I didn’t even know who would be on the team when I started the designs for both the buildings and the interiors.
Ike looks a little shell-shocked by the news that we know each other, but he seems to recover quickly. “We want the two of you to work together and come up with a new plan. We’re not going to do away with the luxurious feel of Sarai’s plans, but some concessions can be made. Tweaks here and there.”
Okay, I can work with that. We’re not scrapping everything. I was really afraid they’d ask me to do it, and I knew I’d have to if they did since it’s their money. But they aren’t asking me to change everything. My vision will still be there. There’s just one problem, and it’s a big one.
“Will we have time for this? Training camp is starting in six weeks, and I’ve already ordered everything for the interiors now that the exterior is almost done.”
“No, we don’t have time for it, but we also don’t have a choice. Hockey is about the fans, and right now, the Seattle fans are not okay with this building, because you’re not okay with it, Rock. I knew you were popular, but I had no idea just how popular until this…situation. If we’re going to get them to shop, dine, and come to watch practices, we need to fix this,” Ike tells us both.
Michelle reaches over to place her hand on my arm. “If the two of you can get preliminary plans done in the next week, we can hire extra crews and iron out the rest as we go. It’s not ideal, but Ike is right. We have no choice.”
“When you’re not training, you’re going to need to be with me, working on this. Can you commit to that, Rock?” I’m back to feeling like the silly teen girl who asked him for a commitment all those years ago and then got her heart shredded shortly after.
“Yeah. I know I made this mess, and I’m willing to help clean it up. But I have a responsibility to the fans and my teammates, so I’m not just going to let you have your way.”
I roll my eyes. “When have I ever gotten my way with you?”
He starts to respond but just shakes his head. “I’m free after I work out tomorrow. I don’t have a place here yet, so I’m staying with Dad.”
“I’ll be there.”
“One more thing,” Ike tells us as we both start to stand. “We need you to be seen out together. We got word that Sarai is going to be outed as the designer on the news tonight. With the vitriol that’s being spewed toward the designer online, you being seen with her will help to keep her safe. I’ve been honestly shocked by how crazed some people are getting over a building, and it has PR worried, too. ”
“Who leaked it?” Michelle asks, looking so angry I’m worried about the person who did this.
Ike shakes his head. “We don’t know. It could’ve been someone here or from our side. Does it really matter at this point?”
“No one is going to touch her, or they’re going to deal with me,” Rock promises, and in this moment, I see why he’s been called one of the bad boys of hockey. He looks like he could murder someone.
He’s standing up for me, and while part of me is thrilled, the more sensible side of my brain reminds me of how he’s hurt me more than anyone else ever has. I can’t forget that. I won’t forget that. Because, once this is all done, I have no doubt he’s going to disappear from my life for a second time. I’m going to have to be professional and not let my feelings get involved because while I survived it once—barely—I can’t again.
Chapter 2
Sarai
* * *
Why are there clothes strewn all over my bed like this is a date? Why am I nervous about meeting Rock at his dad’s house when I’ve been there a million times? I’m not going to look too far into the reasons because I know the answer. It’s one I’ve buried deep down and pretended didn’t exist, but I know.
“Ugh!” I yell, to no one but myself, falling back onto my bed.
I need to just put on some clothes, get in my car, and go. With that thought in mind, I grab the first thing my right hand can reach and put it on. Yeah, it’s a little low-cut, but I didn’t exactly pick it, so I’m not going to feel bad about it.
I’m still sticking to that story when I pull up to Nelson Roquemore’s house and see Rock already getting out of his car. The t-shirt he wears molds to his chest and biceps, and yeah, my mouth goes dry. And then, it starts watering as I look lower to his thick thighs and bubble butt. Hockey butts are a thing, and his is the perfect specimen. I could sit and look at it all day—and also remember how good it felt to have my hands on it, but I’m a professional woman now. I cannot allow my lust to get the better of me, so I’m not even going to think about his blue eyes or sexy mouth. Nope, not going there.
“Hi, Rock.” I climb out of the car and walk toward him. He’s already at the door, but he stops, turning to look at me. He isn’t exactly smiling, but he isn’t not smiling, either.
“Hey. Thanks for being on time.”
Oh, he wants to play it this way, huh? Sure, I had an issue with time management when I was a teen, but he can fuck right off if he thinks he’s going to hold my youth against me. Two can play this game.
“I’m just glad you showed up at all.”
Yep. I went there. We’re already at war, and if he’s going to make little digs to keep it going, I’m going to be right there with him.
“So that’s how this is going to be?”
“You started it.”
And not just today.
I don’t say the words out loud, but we both hear them anyway. Rock clenches his jaw so tight he might crack a tooth, but he just nods. We both knew this wasn’t going to be easy, or pretty, or whatever word a person might use to describe this partnership. After all, nothing has ever been easy for us over the last ten years.
Rock
* * *
I knew this was a bad idea. I don’t have a choice, but that doesn’t mean I have to like it. Or engage with Sarai. Because, our little exchange right now was all me. I knew bringing up how she was always late before would piss her off. I knew she’d retaliate. Yet, I did it anyway. Fuck if I know why. Or maybe I do know, but I don’t have enough self-preservation left in me to pretend I don’t.
“You two aren’t even in the house yet, and you’re already fighting?” Dad asks, shaking his head and opening the door fully.
“He started it,” Sarai reminds him.
“And you can’t help but finish it, can you?”
The smack to the back of my head isn’t unexpected, but it stings just the same.
“You know you’re in the wrong here, son. If you’d just kept your opinions to yourself, the two of you wouldn’t be in this mess.”
“It’s not that bad,” I insist. I haven’t checked social media, but the guys were still cheering me on today, so I’m good.
“No, not bad at all. I mean, threatening to throw me in the ocean with weights attached to me legs, or offering to ‘fuck some sense into me’ are just totally awesome.” Sarai shoves past me into the house.