“Beaumont, why the hell are you touching my daughter?”
I know that voice very well, but I’m not used to it being so lethally calm. My father, the coach of the Cleveland Crush, is far more furious than I am right now.
Lucien’s hand flies away from me like I’m on fire and he’s getting burned.
“Coach, I’m sorry.” His swagger is long gone as the apology spills out of him. “I didn’t know she was?—”
“You’re at a bar trying to pick women up? After that piss-poor performance tonight? You should be back at the rink practicing—or sleeping. But instead, you’re here touching my daughter.”
I’d forgotten how much fear Noel Turner instills in his players. He was once a pro hockey player himself, and even though he’s forty-seven, I’d still put my money on him in any fight. He’s six foot two and he and Lucien are eye to eye.
“I’m sorry,” Lucien repeats, a couple of his teammates coming over to stand behind him. He looks at me. “I’m very sorry.”
“Hey, Talia,” Carter Stanton says, nodding at me.
“Hi.”
I haven’t seen him in years, but he’s a longtime Crush player, and we’ve been at the same functions a few times when I was still in college. Since I graduated three years ago, I’ve been in San Francisco, and I haven’t made it back for many games or events.
“This was a misunderstanding, Coach,” Carter says, stepping forward so he’s beside Lucien. “Lucy’s gonna go home now, right?”
Lucien nods. “That’s right. I’m going home, and again, I’m sorry, Coach.”
I’m not smiling outwardly, but I’m enjoying his discomfort. A lot.
My dad nods toward the bar’s exit. “Get out of here, Beaumont. We’ll talk about this at practice tomorrow.”
Lucien starts to walk away, the blonde sliding off her stool to follow. He turns to look at her, his eyes wide.
“Who’s this, Beaumont?” my dad asks.
“It’s, uh ...”
“Kelsey,” she supplies, giving my dad a little wave and a smile. “I’m a big fan.”
There’s a moment of awkward silence as my dad bitches Lucien out with just his expression. I’ve gotten that look from him before, and it’s ... well, terrifying.
“It was nice meeting you, Kelsey,” Lucien says. “But I have to go now.”
She frowns. “But what about the anesthesia thing? I thought ...”
Carter shoots Lucien a glare. “He’s leaving with me. Have a good night, Kelsey.”
My dad watches as the two men get their black wool dress coats from the backs of the chairs they were sitting in at the table. Carter leans down to say something to Leo, a player I’ve only met once, and then they head for the door.
“Let’s go somewhere else,” I say to my dad.
He nods and waits for me to lead the way. I glance back at the three women and the brunette is giving me the finger. I blow her a kiss and finally allow myself to smile.
Chapter Two
Lucien
* * *
Once we’re safely outside the bar and away from Turner’s fury, I look over at Carter.
“What the hell, man? Coach has another daughter?”
