Looking as bad as he did, Hannah wasn’t sure whether it was a good idea to leave him alone, but she knew he’d surely have something to say about it if she refused.
When she came back with the drinks, the two sat in silence for a moment drinking their beverages, until Ward spoke again.
‘I never wanted to be famous, you know. I just liked playing ice hockey. No, Ilovedplaying – and the more I loved it, the more time I spent doing it and the better I became.’ He shook his head. ‘Next thing I know, I’m having scouts approach me and one thing led to another. Before I knew it I was a “professional athlete” and everyone seemed to think that entitled them to a piece of me – either money or my autograph or my time, and yeah, even my goddamn body.’ Hannah tried to ignore his pointed sidelong glanceas if trying to unsettle her. ‘It was like I wasn’t even myself anymore. Just some kind of … commodity. And that’s why I hate this crap. I’m not just a product, a cereal box that needs rebranding.’
‘That’s not why I’m here though,’ she said, now resisting the urge to put a gentle hand on his shoulder. ‘I genuinely want to help you. Your agent said you’re on your last chance with the team and—’
He shook his head. ‘That’s only ’cos of my injury. Once I’m good, the top brass don’t care what I do off the ice.’ But Hannah could tell he was trying to convince himself more than her.
‘Regardless, you want to consider income potential down the line too,’ she encouraged. ‘Endorsement deals, maybe some TV work. An athlete’s playing life – no matter how good they are – has an expiry date; I’m sure you know that.’
‘I’m into some stocks and real estate, I’ll be OK.’
‘Maybe, but why not kill two birds with one stone? Get back on the team, yes, but there’s another game you can play just as well. You think you already know the rules, but honestly, there are lots of different ways to win at that too. I just need you to trust me and let me guide you through. Like a teammate, a wingman or whatever.’ She laughed. ‘Sorry, I’m not familiar with ice hockey.’
‘You want to turn me into some new improved fake version of myself? Take some pictures of me at an orphanage this time – doing a “Make A Wish” tour or something?’
The mocking smirk was back on his face as he spoke, and again remembering Ed’s words of wisdom about straight talking, this time Hannah set aside her restraint.
‘Maybe I could set up a camera crew at an AA meeting instead. How does that sound?’
He stared at her, eyes wide with surprise at her tone or the words, she wasn’t sure.
‘I’m not an alcoholic,’ he growled with a much sharper edge to his voice too. ‘Yeah, right now, I’ve got some booze in me. So what? I’m having a rough morning – or afternoon. I’m not sure which it is if you want to know the truth. But having a beer doesn’t make me an alcoholic. Being Irish, you of all people should know better than to make that kind of leap.’
He was right. Realizing that particular jibe had truly upset him, Hannah just as quickly backtracked, feeling all over the place herself now. How did this guy so effortlessly scramble her best intentions purely by proximity? ‘I’m sorry. That was unprofessional and unacceptable and I shouldn’t have said it. And yes, I’ve had enough fightin’ Irish stereotypes thrown at me over the years,’ she added, nodding softly. ‘And people making assumptions. You’re right, it’s not fun.’
He stared at her for a few moments and there was something else in his gaze this time, as if they’d finally arrived at a kind of impasse. He wasn’t lying; while he was definitely in pain physically there was more there too. Whatever it was, it again made something in her soften.
Bloody hell, Ward McKenzie truly was a conundrum.
His level of emotional intelligence was unexpected for a jock, and Hannah also got the sense that despite all the tough guy talk, he was lonely. Plus she still couldn’t forget how charming he’d been on their first encounter, to the point that she’d been completely flustered.
But then she recalled all those articles and mentions of him boozing and scrapping and pap shots with women of varying ages and items of clothing. Didn’t necessarily mean anything either she knew, though it bothered her that she kept thinking about it.
‘Hey, success always comes with a price,’ Hannah remarked gently, ‘but no one believes it until it happens to them.’
He looked at her then and she saw a flicker in his eyes as he met her gaze. Uncertainty, coupled with hesitation about whether or not to trust her? Then he snorted and reached for his crutches to stand up, as if still in two minds whether to stay and listen or walk away.
But somehow he misjudged his footing and next thing Hannah knew he’d crashed to the ground, this time landing square on his face.
‘Oh!’ she cried out, rushing over, unable to believe what had just happened.
Again.
Before she could reach him though, he’d pushed himself back up, his face red with embarrassment and he held his hands out as if to forcibly keep her away.
‘I’m fine!’ he growled. ‘Don’t worry about me.’
With that, he stormed off, leaving Hannah to stand there wondering which version of this guy actually was therealWard McKenzie.
And why she felt so inexplicably drawn to find out.
Chapter 16
WARD
Ward would have done a better job of indignantly leaving Hannah there, but he’d landed on his bad knee and the pain shooting through it had almost made him want to break down and cry. Not to mention the embarrassment. Good thing he’d managed to keep it in. The thought of showing weakness, especially around her, was too much.
