“We had some concerns about our coach at the time. And when I say we, I mean the top five on the team. Macintire wasn’t in that group, that’s for goddamn sure. He’s always been second or third string, and he resented our first offensive line. Thought he was better than them.” He picks up the bottle and takes another drink. “So anyway, our captain decided we needed to bring the rest of the team in on the conversation about our coach. He was drinking a lot. Had alcohol on his breath at practices and games. We found him passed out in his office more than once. He wasn’t doing his job, and the team was suffering for it. We had to decide whether we were going to have an intervention and try to force him into rehab, or talk to the GM.”
“Max Gregory,” I say softly.
Anyone who follows hockey knows what happened to Max Gregory. It was a tragedy.
Lucien nods grimly. “It was a tough situation. We cared about him, of course, but also, our team was playing like shit because our coach was checked out. There was a group text that was for players only, and we discussed it there. Macintire leaked the texts to a reporter.”
My jaw drops. “It was him? I remember when that happened.”
“It ended Hartford’s career. No coach would touch him. And it fucked a lot of other guys over, too.”
I’m stunned. But now that I think about it ...
“Kyle moved up to the first line when Gregory quit.”
Lucien nods. “That’s why he did it. Looking out for number one, like always. And Gregory died of alcohol poisoning within a week of quitting. He didn’t deserve that—to have his shit blasted all over the internet, and to know—” He looks away. “It’s hard for me to talk about it. All of us feel partially responsible for Gregory’s death.”
I can’t stop myself from walking over and hugging him. He’s rock solid, and he smells amazing, his cologne carrying notes of pine and cedar.
“I’m so sorry.”
He holds me tightly. And when we finally pull apart a few seconds later, I’m not terrified anymore.
“Thank you for coming with me. Fuck him, and fuck Audra. We’re going to have a great time.”
His hand is still on my hip. Friends touch each other’s hips, right?
“Maybe we’ll get to see some fireworks,” he says.
I grin. “If not, we’ll just have to start some.”
Chapter Twelve
Lucien
* * *
“Talia. We’re so glad you’re here.”
Audra says her sister’s name with a note of pity, and I slide an arm around Talia’s waist and pull her against me, saving her from Audra’s hug.
“You must be Audra. I’m Lucien Beaumont, nice to meet you.”
Audra’s expression brightens as she shakes my hand. “I had no idea Talia was seeing someone! And a hockey player!” She shoots Coach Turner a mock look of surprise. “I can’t believe you’re okay with this, Dad.”
“Beaumont’s a great guy,” Coach says.
Audra met us as soon as we arrived at the front entrance to the resort everyone is staying at for the wedding. We’re on the Big Island, where Audra and Kyle’s beach ceremony is planned for the day after tomorrow.
A bellhop arrives to take our bags and we follow Audra into the resort’s lobby.
She’s a little taller and not as pretty as Talia. Talia has sexy curves and expressive eyes, but her sister is forgettable.
A concierge greets us and offers to handle our check-in. Coach Turner and I both reach for our wallets, and he shoots me a glare.
“I’m paying for both rooms,” he says.
“I appreciate that, Coach, but I’ve got ours.”
