The Hockey Player's Heart Read online

  Table of Contents

  Blurb

  Sneak Peek

  Acknowledgments

  Prologue

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Epilogue

  About the Authors

  Coming in February 2018

  Don’t Miss Dreamspun Desires!

  Visit Dreamspinner Press

  Copyright

  The Hockey Player’s Heart

  By Jeff Adams and Will Knauss

  A Hockey Hearts Book

  Hometown hero. Hockey superstar. Perfect boyfriend?

  When hockey star Caleb Carter returns to his hometown to recover from an injury, the only thing he’s interested in is a little R & R. He never expects to run into his onetime crush at a grade school fund-raiser . Seeing Aaron Price hits him hard, like being checked into the boards. The attraction is still there, even after all these years, and Caleb decides to make a play for the schoolteacher. You miss 100 percent of the shots you never take, right?

  Aaron has been burned by love before and can’t imagine what a celebrity like Caleb could possibly see in a guy like him. Their differences are just too great. But as Aaron spends more time with Caleb, he begins to wonder if he might have what it takes to win the hockey player’s heart.

  Even though Pam had mentioned that Caleb would be making a special appearance at their small-town event, it hadn’t prepared him to see Caleb for the first time in years, standing in the gym. It was good talking to him again after so long. What had surprised him was the visceral reaction he had to being close to Pam’s kid brother like that.

  One thing was for certain. Caleb Carter was no longer a kid.

  What the hell was happening?

  Acknowledgments

  WE must thank Lynn for believing in our idea, leading us to become Dreamspun authors. We’re proud that our first book together is a category romance. We also have to thank Cherry Adair for her guidance in refining our plot to make it stronger.

  Dreamspinner Press has a tremendous editorial team. The valuable work Trish, Kelly, and Jane put into this book is much appreciated. Caleb and Aaron’s story is better because of your efforts.

  Prologue

  IN his two years on the Foster Grove High hockey team, Caleb Carter had faced off against some of the biggest and baddest players in the state of New York. But nothing he’d ever encountered on the ice could prepare him for what he was about to do.

  Alone in his bedroom, Caleb tried to control the sudden, sickening panic that gripped him. Why was he freaking out so bad?

  Because he had zero experience talking to guys the way he wanted to talk to Aaron tonight.

  Practicing the positive visualization technique that Coach had taught the team, Caleb inhaled deeply, gulping down what should’ve been a calming breath. He glanced at the digital clock on his bedside table and knew he’d wasted enough time. It was now or never.

  He reached for the doorknob, then paused, brought his hand to his face, and breathed into his palm. Deeming his breath acceptable, he headed downstairs.

  Caleb stopped on the stairway landing and peered through the railing at everyone assembled in his family’s living room. Balloons and a giant banner hung above the fireplace mantel. Only a few pieces of the graduation cake his mom had made were left.

  Earlier that afternoon, Caleb and about a dozen members of his extended family had sat in the bleachers at the high school’s football stadium and watched his older sister, Pam, and her best friend, Aaron Price, graduate with honors. The ceremony seemed to go on forever. But when Pam took the stage in the middle of the field and gave her valedictorian speech, even he had to admit it was pretty inspiring.

  Afterward, everyone came back to the Carter home for a joint family graduation party. Caleb had hoped to find a moment to talk to Aaron alone, but Aaron and Pam dealt with a seemingly endless array of relatives. Each one had to congratulate them and discuss college plans and their respective futures.

  Aaron now stood at the bottom of the stairs, laughing at something his uncle was saying. When the older man eventually turned away, Caleb called down, “Hey, Aaron, do you have a second?”

  “Sure,” he answered before bounding up the steps to where Caleb stood. “What’s up?”

  “Can I talk to you?” Caleb asked, gesturing for Aaron to follow him into his room.

  At the end of the hallway, music blared from behind Pam’s bedroom door. Pam had escaped the party to change out of her dress. She and Aaron would be leaving soon for the Safe and Sober Grad Night party.

  Aaron stood expectantly in the middle of Caleb’s room, hands in the pockets of his dress pants. He wore a nice button-down shirt and tie, his dark hair combed neatly and parted on the side. Caleb thought he looked great.

  “You okay? You’ve been acting strange all afternoon,” Aaron said.

  Caleb’s mouth went dry. He tried to casually shrug off the question, but all that came out of his mouth was an aborted squeak.

  He had to get a grip. This was Aaron. His sister’s best friend. He had to be cool.

  “So, I, um. I got you something.”

  “You didn’t have to do that.”

  “Yeah, I did.” Caleb went to his desk, opened the drawer, and pulled out a brown paper bag. “Something to say thank you. Sorry I wasn’t able to get it wrapped. We only had Christmas paper and that seemed weird.”

  Aaron took the package Caleb offered and looked inside. A huge smile spread across his face, and it warmed Caleb far more than he’d expected.

  Aaron removed a small trophy from the bag. It was a cup, with handles on either side. The wood base had a gold plaque that read: Aaron Price—World’s Best Tutor. Caleb had bought it at the pro shop located next to the ice rink where he practiced every morning. He even spent the extra money to have it specially engraved.

  “I wouldn’t have made it through geometry without you, and if I’d flunked, I’d be off the team.”

  “You’re the one who did the work.”

  “But you spent all those hours helping me, drilling it into this thick skull of mine.”

  “Caleb, I wish you wouldn’t say things like that. You’re a lot smarter than you give yourself credit for.”

  “Anyway, you’re the reason I know the difference between equilateral and isosceles triangles. I wanted to give you something to show you how much I appreciate it. You’re a seriously good teacher.”

  Aaron held the little trophy up, admiring it, turning it so it glinted in the late-afternoon light that shone through the bedroom window. “I love it.”

  Before he could second-guess himself, Caleb stepped toward Aaron and gave him a hug. He’d intended for it to be a quick embrace and clap on the back, but to Caleb’s surprise, Aaron wrapped his arms around him and didn’t let go.

  Time seemed to momentarily stop. He wanted to squeeze Aaron and hold on tight, but fear threatened to overwhelm him. His stomach summersaulted and he didn’t want Aaron to get the wrong id
ea.

  Caleb needed to let go.

  But he liked the warm feel of Aaron’s body underneath that dress shirt.

  What was happening?

  A moment later Aaron began to pull back.

  As Caleb stepped away, without thinking, he turned his head a fraction of an inch and brushed his lips across Aaron’s cheek.

  Caleb immediately jumped back, his face burning hot with embarrassment. “So yeah, thanks… for the tutoring, I mean,” he blurted out. “You really helped me a lot.”

  “You’re welcome. I’m glad I could.” Aaron smiled, his eyes warm and kind. He absently pushed his glasses back up the bridge of his nose. If he felt any of the awkwardness Caleb did, he didn’t let on.

  There was a loud knock. Caleb glanced over his shoulder as Pam opened the door and poked her head in. “Come on, Aaron. We need to get going.” She disappeared down the hall, leaving his door open.

  “Be right there.” With the little trophy in hand, Aaron turned to leave but paused briefly in the doorway.

  Caleb’s heart pounded in his chest as he waited expectantly for Aaron to do something, say anything. The moment stretched out for what felt like an eternity. It had taken every ounce of courage Caleb had to give Aaron that trophy. If he gave the gift back, Caleb knew he would literally die of embarrassment.

  “Thank you, Caleb,” he finally said. “I’ll see you later.”

  Caleb stood by himself and listened to Aaron’s footsteps as he returned downstairs to join Pam and take her to the after-hours Grad Night party.

  Caleb unconsciously brought his fingertips to his lips. Had he really just done that? Had his lips actually touched the skin of another guy?

  Caleb had kissed Aaron Price.

  He’d never been so happy in his life.

  Chapter One

  SOME things never changed.

  Caleb drove his luxury SUV down the familiar streets of Foster Grove on his way to grab breakfast.

  “Gotta love small towns.”

  He’d arrived at his parents’ house late last night, just before midnight, after a three-hour drive from New York City, where he’d run out of patience with the sports media shadowing his every move, asking when he’d be back on the ice. The team doctor had already provided them the date he was expected back from his broken foot, but the media seemed to think something magical would make it earlier.

  Six weeks ago, all it had taken was a fast slap shot to the inside of his left foot. It’d felt like he didn’t even have a skate on as the puck slammed into him, sending searing pain up his leg.

  He still didn’t know how he’d kept from falling over. He’d managed to keep his wits about him, maintain control of the puck, and clear it out of his team’s defensive zone to send the Rangers on a breakaway. Afterward he’d made the slowest trip to the bench he’d ever taken because any weight on the foot was excruciating.

  Now the cast was off and it was time to get out of town.

  His phone rang, and Caleb clicked the button on the steering wheel to answer. He smiled when he saw the name on the dashboard display.

  “Big sis!”

  “Little brother!” Pam shouted. “I’m guessing I didn’t wake you.”

  “Nope. I’ve been awake for a while. And, before you ask, I’ve already done today’s rehab exercises and my foot’s doing fine.”

  “Good to know.”

  “I’m headed to Paxson’s right now. Care to join me?”

  “You’ve gotta meet me at this new place. I’m already on my way there. FG Café . It’s on Fernwood and Main.”

  “Better than Paxson’s? But that’s always—”

  Pam cut him off. “You have no idea. Meet me.”

  “Okay.” He was dubious. “I’ll be there in few minutes.”

  “You won’t regret it.”

  She disconnected, and Caleb couldn’t help but chuckle. Pam had always been the bouncy—and somewhat bossy—one. When they were kids and went to skating practice on ridiculously early winter mornings, she was a chatterbox when all he wanted was a few more minutes of sleep in the car. At least today he was already awake, though he’d never match her energy.

  It was weird to be home, especially at this crucial point in the season.

  Pam was getting out of her car as Caleb pulled into the parking lot.

  Caleb grabbed his cane and carefully maneuvered himself out of the car. “Pammy!” he called, waving at as she strode toward him, her smile wide.

  For the next week, he had to make sure he walked with measured strides, using the cane until he got used to putting his full weight back on his foot. He knew the drill. It wasn’t his first broken foot, but it was the worst break he’d had in nearly twenty-five years of playing.

  “It good to see you.” Pam hugged him, careful not to disturb the cane.

  “You too, sis.”

  “You look well. Rest and rehabilitation must agree with you. Though you could use a haircut,” she said, reaching up and ruffling his hair. “A bit shaggy around the edges.”

  Caleb let out an exaggerated groan. “Not even five seconds and you’re already critiquing me. Is this cane up to your high style standards?”

  “Oh, stop.” Pam gave him a playful swat on the shoulder. “It’s good to have you home. Come on. Let’s get inside so I’m not late for school.”

  “This is impressive. Doesn’t even look like it belongs here.” He took note of the changes on the block. Apparently at least a small part of his hometown had changed.

  A shoe store had anchored the busy street corner when he’d been here last summer. The overall shape of the building was the same. New stonework on the facade gave it a classic but updated look.

  “It opened in the fall. The café runs late into the night, with coffee and pastries, which are to die for. The restaurant serves lunch and dinner. This block has transformed, adding galleries and even a small theater,” she explained as if she worked for the Chamber of Commerce instead of the local school district. “Foster Grove attracts tourists now, especially to the restaurant. People from Albany come here to eat.” Pam opened the door for Caleb.

  “Thanks,” he said, not the least bit embarrassed for the assist. As they stepped inside in the café, he was assaulted with the most tantalizing scents—dark roasted coffee, rich aromatic cinnamon, fragrant vanilla. He turned to Pam with wide eyes.

  “Yes.” She nodded. “When I tell you something is going to be good, you better believe it.” At the counter, she ordered their coffees and a cinnamon bun. “You know, you could’ve stayed at my place.” Pam maneuvered them to a table, and Caleb settled in a comfortably upholstered chair.

  “I’m fine,” he assured her. “I’m perfectly comfortable in my old room at Mom and Dad’s. I don’t want to be in anybody’s way.”

  Four years ago, when he’d signed a huge contract renewal with the New York Rangers, Caleb had given their parents open-ended tickets for an around-the-world cruise. His mother had always talked of traveling, and his father loved boats. Now that they had retired, Caleb was happy to offer them an opportunity to try new things and see different places. They’d already sailed through several European ports of call and had three more weeks of their voyage left. From the pictures his parents had posted online and the phone calls he and Pam had received, they were having the time of their lives.

  Before he and Pam could discuss anything else, their drinks and cinnamon roll arrived. The decadently iced treat was massive.

  “That’s incredible.”

  “It’s bigger than your head,” Pam joked, though it was only a slight exaggeration. They wasted no time pulling off chunks of sticky bun. “So, how long are you in town?” she asked.

  “A couple of weeks. I’m scheduled to return to the ice for the first playoff game. If things keep going right, I’ll be on skates Monday. I’m going to call the rink and see if I can get some practice time.”

  “I doubt that’ll be a problem. You know people will be glad to help. What made you come
up here anyway?” she asked, taking a careful sip of her dark roast.

  “Even though we’ve already clinched our playoff spot, everyone’s obsessing over whether I’ll make it back to the ice in time, wondering if I’ll be ready. The sports media has been more like paparazzi lately.”

  “Well, you are the leading scorer.”

  Caleb nodded. “It’s not like the team has been hurting in my absence.”

  “They probably miss their captain.” Pam made sad eyes at him that nearly made him laugh.

  “And their captain misses them.” He frowned and tried not to sound too grouchy. These conversations were why Caleb escaped the city. “You know I hate not being able to play.”

  “I’m glad you’re not rushing it like you did after that sprain in eighth grade,” Pam said before rolling her eyes at him.

  Caleb couldn’t help but grin at the memory and Pam’s expression. “I can’t put one over on the team doc like I could on Mom and Dad. It was stupid, of course, since I ended up out far longer than if I’d just let it heal.”

  “Well, you’re an athlete. Not usually a group known for exhibiting the smartest behavior when it comes to injury.”

  Caleb raised an eyebrow at her and ripped off another huge portion of the roll.

  “So, I was wondering, since you’re here, could you do me a huge favor?”

  Pam sounded like she was making a request rather than a demand, and he was immediately suspicious. Though they were only eighteen months apart in age, his sister had always had a strongly protective streak when it came to him. Pam, however, wasn’t afraid to exercise her position as eldest whenever she needed something.

  “What’s up?” He decided to play along to see what she’d ask. He was as much intrigued as afraid of what she’d pull him into.

  “The school carnival is Friday afternoon, and it would be amazing if you’d sign a few autographs. It’s a fund-raiser for the after-school sports program. It’d be so perfect if the hometown hockey superstar could be there.”