The Penalty Box (Vancouver Wolves Hockey #3)(29)

It made no sense to me at the time, and it still didn’t. But I swore when I was a kid that I would never marry, and the older I got, the harder I held onto that promise to myself.

This marriage wasn’t even a guarantee that I could help my career. It was a long shot, and I was starting to believe it was an over-the-top move that would accomplish nothing. Krista believed Mark would change his mind about me. I failed to see how something as stupid as marriage would make that happen.

All I knew is that I didn’t want to get married.

Still breathing hard, and without taking off my runners, I walked into the kitchen. Charlie sat at the island, eating a bowl of yogurt.

“I can’t marry you,” I said, my breath heavy from exertion.

She blinked up at me, and for a second I thought I saw hurt. Then nothing. She put her spoon down. “Okay.”

Hands on my hips, I tried to calm my breath as I spoke. “Yazimoto is taken care of. He won’t hurt you or your brother. I’ll get you set up in an apartment. You can keep the clothes and the ring. I just can’t marry you.”

Her wide eyes clung to my face, but understanding and care infused her voice. “That’s fine, Mica.”

She said it was fine, so why did I feel like such a dick? “You okay?”

She looked conflicted by my question. “Yes.”

She didn’t speak, but her eyes held all her questions.

I worked to explain my change of heart. For some reason, it was important to let Charlie know that this wasn’t about her. It was about me. “Krista said this would be a fake marriage. Just a piece of paper. But that’s bullshit. This would be a real, legal marriage. Husband and wife. If we go down to city hall, that’s real. A judge will marry us. That is not pretend.”

I couldn’t even put in words how much aversion I felt towards marriage.

“I understand.”

I added for good measure, “This is me, not you.”

Her expression became thoughtful, even concerned. “What will happen with your career?”

“I don’t know.” I ran my hand through my wet hair. “I’m not even sure if this would’ve helped.”

On the island between us, my phone started to ring. I had zero intention of answering it, but her eyes dropped to the screen.

“It’s Mark Ashford.”

I swore under my breath.

She gave me a look that reminded me of Krista. “You should talk to him. Try to figure out your next move.”

I knew she was right. With reluctance, I reached forward and swiped the phone on, not caring that I put him on speakerphone.

“Petrov speaking.”

“Mica.” His voice boomed. “Am I catching you at a bad time?”

“No, sir.”

“Good. Good. I’ll keep this short because I know you have a big day ahead of you. Krista told me your news. I couldn’t be happier to hear that you’re marrying Charlie Watt.”

I looked at Charlie. She was sitting there, wide-eyed, staring at the granite in front of her.

I should tell him the truth. “Uh, thank you.”

“You know, I was worried we wouldn’t be able to extend your contract. I was having issues trying to overlook this recent event, Mica. It was too much.”

My heart dropped as he sealed my fate.

“But Krista has really gone to bat for you. She said that you’ve been so determined to not let your past define you. And when she told me you were willing to settle down and get married, that you wanted to make some serious lifestyle changes, I went to bat for you too. I talked to the board and convinced them we need you back. How would you like to suit up for tomorrow’s game?”

I could feel my heart pounding in my throat. “I’ve only served two games of my six-game suspension.”

“Well, that suspension was a directive of our team, not of the league, so we can do whatever the hell we want.”

I wanted to play so bad. My time away from the Wolves had felt like torture. Now he was offering to forgive and forget. But that wouldn’t last if I didn’t marry Charlie. As soon as he figured that out, I would be as good as gone. “I don’t know what to say.”

His voice softened. “You and I have had our differences. I know how it feels to be young with nonstop women and money at your disposal, but I think our team is better than that. When we have a strong family foundation, both at home and in the locker room, that is how we win championships.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Do you think your wife will forgive me if I ask you to come back tomorrow night?”

I couldn’t bring myself to look at Charlie. “I think she’d be more than okay.”

“Good, good. And I might have slipped your happy news to the team. There will be some players happy to see you back on the bench.” He chuckled. “Give Charlie a heads up: they might be planning a little celebration for you both after tomorrow night’s game.”

“Thank you.”

“No need to thank me, Mica. This is all your doing. You’re showing me you’re capable of commitment. You’re stepping up.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Now don’t let me keep you. Go enjoy your day.”

“Thank you.”

I pressed the off button and could barely bring myself to look at Charlie. She sat with her sleeves pulled down over her hands, which were fisted over her mouth.