One Timer: An Nashville Assassins Novel Read online

  Welch does as he’s told before we all rush the net. Shea and I wait at the blue line as our forwards fight for the puck. When it comes to me, I send it to Shea for the one timer. He shoots, but it goes wide. I rush to it, getting there first and sending it to Welch, who is by the net. He shoots from his knees, but the goalie snaps it up like it’s nothing. As we head to the bench, we’re all frustrated. We’ve been fighting for a goal for the last ten minutes. They haven’t even entered our zone, but their goalie decided to come to play today.

  I reach for my Gatorade bottle, squirting some into my mouth as I watch the game. From beside me, Shea leans over the bench, yelling, “Guys! Tighten up. Fight! You got this. This is our game to lose!”

  He isn’t wrong. I draw in deep breaths as I watch our boys stay in their zone, not allowing them to leave. A minute passes before the goalie finally gets the puck, holding it to provide relief for his guys. Coach taps my shoulder, and I hop over the boards to go line up.

  When Shea comes up beside me, I look over as he leans in. “One timer, left.”

  I nod. We’ve done this play before, and I’m stoked. Hopefully I can make the shot. Unfortunately, we don’t win the face-off, and they carry it up the ice. I skate backward, watching the puck with laser focus. I read the play before the guy even has time to make it. He’s trying to hit his forward.

  Not on my watch.

  I break the pass, getting it on my blade before I haul ass up the ice. What I don’t see is their goon coming right for me. All I see is the world spinning before I hit the ice face first. I feel my teeth hit the back of my throat, pain explodes up my legs, and then everything goes black.

  Completely black.

  I blink a few times before I’m able to focus.

  I feel like I’m flying, almost like I’m not even in my body. I feel pain, but it’s numbed, if that makes sense. My damn face hurts like hell, though, and when I move my tongue along my gums, I realize my front teeth are gone. Fantastic. I’m sure that will turn Harper on real well. I roll my eyes in their sockets, trying to figure out if anything is broken in my face, but I don’t feel anything. I move my fingers, but I can’t feel if I’m moving my toes. That’s not good. I sit up a bit to see my leg up in stirrups with a brace around it. Wow, this is awesome.

  I then notice that someone is lying on my chest. I’ve seen this view many times before, and my heart soars.

  She’s here.

  I move my hand to her head, threading my fingers in her hair, and she sits up quickly. Her eyes are bloodshot and drool is on her chin, but the stricken look on her face takes my breath away.

  “Oh, Jakob,” she cries before wrapping her arms around my neck as gently as she can. I hold her with one hand, kissing her jaw as she holds me close to her. “I was terrified.”

  “I’m sorry, kiska. I never saw that jackass coming,” I say, and my voice sounds very fucked up. Groggy.

  She kisses my neck, my jaw, my cheek, before pressing her lips hard against mine. “I thought I would never see you again. You hit the ice so awkwardly, it scared the hell out of me. I’m so sorry it took me so long to get here.”

  I make a face. “I just woke up. How long have you been here?”

  “Um, about eight hours now. I got here when you were in surgery,” she says, holding me close, her nose still nuzzled in my neck. “I tried to get here before you went back, but Shea promised he would keep an eye on you.”

  “I don’t remember any of this,” I say, confused. “When did he leave?”

  “When I got here. They had to fly out,” she says, still not moving or letting me go. “Please don’t ever do this to me again?”

  I try to smile, but it sort of hurts. “Can’t promise you that, my love. It’s the name of the game.”

  “Ugh. I was worried you’d say that,” she says, and I feel wetness then.

  “Kiska, don’t cry.”

  “I was so scared.”

  I kiss the side of her face. “It’s all fine. I’m fine,” I promise. “Do I look okay?”

  She pulls back, such love on her face. “You’re gorgeous.”

  I laugh. “I don’t have teeth.”

  She waves me off. “Nope, they’re gone. But you’re a hockey player, so it’s okay.”

  I give her a gummy grin. “Is my face broken?”

  “Small hairline fracture on your nose, but your teeth took the brunt of the hit.”

  I nod before pointing to my leg. “What about that?”

  “Torn MCL. The surgery was long.”

  I make a face, which stings a little. “How long am I out?”

  She glares. “Who cares? You need to heal.”

  I shake my head. “Harper, how long?”

  She looks broken as she whispers, “It’s possible you won’t play the rest of the season.”

  My heart sinks into my stomach as I shake my head. “Well, that’s some shit.”

  She lays her head on my chest, and I tangle my fingers in her hair. “Don’t worry. I truly believe you’ll get back on the ice sooner rather than later. I’ll work with you, go to everything. I got you.”

  I cup her face. “Thank you. But I’m not worried. I’m just hoping you still love me after a while.”

  She pulls in her brows. “Why wouldn’t I?”

  “I’m a huge baby when I’m hurting, and I’m sure I’ll be annoying as hell.”

  Her lip wobbles as she reaches out, pinching my chin. “I don’t care. I’m not leaving your side.”

  “No?”

  She shakes her head. “Never.”

  She leans up, kissing my lips, and I hold her there. When she pulls back, I stare into her eyes. I’m convinced there is no woman I could ever love more. And while I want to believe her, I don’t. She’s a busy chick, and I’m sure she has better things to do than sit and nurse me back to health.

  She proves me wrong, though, because she never leaves my side.

  I stay at the hospital in St. Louis for several days before I am able to go back home. We’ve played more games of Uno than I thought she’d ever have the patience for. I even started letting her win. She worked while I slept, she entertained me, and she made sure to keep my parents updated every step of the way. Harper was a godsend and, honestly, my saving grace. There were many times I wanted to give up because the pain was too much, but she wouldn’t let me. She was patient, she was encouraging, and I didn’t think I could love her more than I already did.

  Bryan Fisher, Elli’s uncle and the owner of the team, sent his plane to bring me home, so it will be a nice ride back to Nashville. I’m pretty sure Harper pulled those strings, since Bryan doesn’t do that for anyone else. I am already comfortable, but I let Harper fuss over me and make sure I’m settled. When she sits beside me, she pulls out her phone and sends a few texts. I assume they are to my mom, hers, and Elli.

  “I wish I could text.”

  She looks over at me. “Do you need your phone?”

  “No. I can’t text, remember? Bad English.”

  She smiles. “Well, we’re about to have a lot of downtime. I’ll teach you.”

  I reach over, taking her hand to keep her from texting. She looks back at me, a small smile on her face as she threads her fingers through mine. “I’m texting your mom and dad that we’re on our way home.”

  “I know, but I gotta tell you something,” I say, bringing her hand to my lips. “I love you, Harper Allen.”

  She beams over at me. “I love you.”

  I kiss her hand once more. “I want us to move in together.”

  She nods. “I figured I’d just come to you since it would—”

  “No, I want us to find a place together. Our home.”

  Her lips part a little as her eyes search mine. “Our home?”

  “Yes, ours. I want to plant our roots, kiska. I love you, and if these last few weeks proved anything, it’s that I don’t want to be apart from you unless I have to be.”

  Her eyes start to water a bit, and she nods slowly.