Breakaway: An Accidental Marriage Hockey Romance (Sinners on the Ice)

“So, how was Cancún?” Colt asks. The sound of the kids’ laughter gets louder. “Michael, Isla, can you please go in the house?” he shouts. “Sorry, man. Bella and the kids came to visit Ava. And while they are drinking coffee and talking about books, I’m looking after the kids. Meghan and Ian are fine, but the oldest two drive me up the wall.”

“Kids will be kids,” I tell him, looking out the window as my Uber stops at a traffic light. “I would be more worried if they were hiding somewhere in silence, plotting God only knows what.”

“Well, yeah, you have a point.” The kids must go inside, because it gets quiet. “Tell me about Cancún. How on Earth did you end up there with Crawford?”

“I wanted to go somewhere before preseason starts, and it just happened that I saw his post when I was scrolling Instagram. I DMed him, and he invited me to join him. That’s all.”

“Based on the Stories I saw, seems like you had a lot of fun.”

“You’re lucky you’re on my Close Friends list. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have seen anything,” I tease him as we enter my neighborhood.

“I’m honored.” Thompson laughs. “Is your wife also on your Close Friends list?”

My smile slips away, and I take a deep breath, hoping to get rid of the anxious feeling in my gut. I’ve been fine most of the time, but Colton’s words instantly bring my worries back. They’re proof that my whole trip was just me trying to run away from the situation I got myself into and its consequences.

My wife…More like the girl I can’t stop thinking about, no matter how off-limits she is.

“No, she’s not. I haven’t talked to her…since Ava’s birthday.”

Colton doesn’t say anything at first, and I start tapping my fingers on my thigh. Then I hear him sigh.

“What happened after Ava’s birthday?” he asks.

“Nothing.”

“Sorry, but I don’t believe you. You didn’t even mention that you were taking a trip when you were at my house, and then suddenly, the next thing I know, you’re flying to Cancún.”

I prop my head against the window and close my eyes. “I kissed her.”

“Was it so bad that you felt the need to run away to another country?”

“Fuck you, Thompson,” I grit through my teeth, and he chuckles. “It was perfect.”

“Okay, that makes even less sense.”

“Her ex texted her. She was planning to see him the next day.”

“Was it a date?”

“She said it wasn’t, but he wanted to make a reservation at some restaurant she’s been wanting to go to,” I mutter as the car pulls into my driveway. “I know she’s not responsible for his actions, but she kept bringing home flowers he gave her. She was still talking to him, agreeing to see him whenever he wanted. I don’t get involved with taken girls, or girls who have no idea what they want.”

“Because of Maksim.”

I nod, even if he can’t see me. “Yeah.”

“Sorry to be the bad guy, but I don’t think you’re being fair to Nevaeh. You know how some people are. They don’t take no for an answer. If her ex-boyfriend isn’t ready to move on and forget about her, how can she control that?”

“She still⁠—”

“For fuck’s sake, Pashkevich. I know how hard it is for you to trust people. How much easier it is to keep everyone at an arm’s length, or even farther,” Colton says. “I was just like you years ago. If I’d continued to think like that, I would still be alone, without any chance at a happy family. And I can’t imagine my life without Ava and my children.”

“Just a few minutes ago you were complaining about your kids,” I joke, trying to dismiss this nagging feeling of hopelessness his words brought me.

“Very mature, Roman,” he retorts snidely. “Just stop making assumptions and talk to her.”

“Sorry, Colt. I know you’re right,” I tell him as the car idles to a stop. “I have no idea what’s going to happen once I get home.”

“Start with an apology. And maybe flowers. Just don’t buy roses.”

“Why? Roses are her favorite.” I pinch my eyebrows together.

“You know, in case she slaps you across the face with them.”

I laugh, getting out of the car and taking my suitcase from the trunk. “I bought something for her in Mexico. I hope she’ll talk to me at least.”

“I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you.” Colt chuckles. “Good luck.”

“Thank you. Bye, man.”

“Bye.”

Tucking my phone in my pocket, I thank the driver and head inside my apartment building, straight to the elevator. There’s a popular old song that anyone who plays hockey in my country knows; “Cowards don’t play hockey,” the lyrics go. But I handled the aftermath of our kiss like a coward. Running away, not saying a word to her. Immature behavior at its finest.

When the elevator stops at the sixth floor, my palms start to sweat. I’m a mess just picturing how seeing her will go. I like her so damn much, it’s maddening. The feeling I get when she’s around is a thousand times stronger than it was with any other girl I’ve been with. Even in Cancún…there were always girls, making small talk and flirting. Beautiful girls. Hot girls. But I couldn’t care less about any of them.

They weren’t her.

I open the door, and the first thing I hear is the sound of the TV. The Peaky Blinders theme song is playing, and my lips lift into an involuntary smile. She’s watching my favorite TV show, even without me, and it makes me unreasonably happy.

Taking a step forward, I psych myself up to see Nevaeh. But a loud bark makes me freeze. I blink, stupefied, as a small French bulldog barrels out of the living room.

What the hell is this?

“Happy!”

Nevaeh runs out of the living room and catches the dog in her arms, lifting it and pressing it to her chest. Our eyes lock, but I’m unable to say even a fucking word. The barking is high-pitched, and I grimace at how unpleasant it sounds.

“Why is there a dog here?” I ask in a low voice.

Her eyes roam over my face, and she pouts, lifting her chin. “Hi. Nice to see you back home.”

I shift, clutching the handle of my suitcase harder. “Um, yeah, hi.” Pointing at the dog in her arms, I ask again, “Why is there a dog here?”

“You said I could invite some guests over.” She adjusts her hold; the dog is probably too heavy for her. “This is Happy, and he’s my guest.”

“I didn’t mean dogs.”

“You don’t like pets?” She arches an eyebrow, her eyes narrowing.

“I do! I have a dog and a cat at home. That’s not the point.”

Nevaeh stares at me for a long minute, then wheels around and disappears into the living room. So, we’re done talking? Really? I stand in the hallway like a fucking statue. Hiding my fingers in my hair, I huff, trying to make sense of all this.

It’s just a dog. Why am I reacting like this? Would it have been better to walk in on her spending time with her ex in my apartment? Of course not. I should be grateful it’s just the dog. But it’s her ex’s dog, dammit!

Taking a deep breath, I take off my sneakers and pad into the living room, pulling my suitcase after me. Nevaeh sits on the couch, petting the dog, who lies beside her. Not paying me any attention, she continues to watch Peaky Blinders with an unreadable expression on her face. Except maybe anger. That is clear, given how quickly her chest rises and falls. I pissed her off. Again.

Voz’mi s polki pirozhok, Roma⁠1. You deserve it.

After putting my things into the washing machine and taking a quick shower, I get dressed and walk out of my room, holding my hands behind my back. My hair is still wet, sticking out in all different directions no matter how many times I try to tame it. I need a haircut.

Nevaeh is on the couch, watching TV and holding a mug with something steaming between her palms. The dog lifts its head, its beady eyes following my every step.

Coming closer, I stop in front of the couch and extend a box of Sour Patch Kids to her. “This is for you.”

She looks up, her lips twisting in a scowl. “It’s kinda small for a peace offering.”

“Then how about this?” I show her the plush toy I bought for her. A Sulley.

Nevaeh’s eyes grow wide, her pupils dilating. Slowly, she puts the mug on the coffee table and takes the toy in her hands. A smile quirks up my lips as I watch her in silence. Looks like I was able to surprise her…in a good way.

“Roman…” She peers at me. “Thank you.”

“I hoped you’d like it.”

“Like it? I love it. It looks exactly like my Sulley.” Nevaeh grins at me, the toy pressed tightly to her chest.

“Am I forgiven?”

Her melodic laughter fills the room. “For now.”

Chuckling, I glance at the dog, who’s standing on the couch, his two front paws on her knee. “Think you can introduce us?”

Nevaeh meets my gaze, her teeth sinking into her bottom lip. It’s simple eye contact, but everything in me comes to life. I’m so attracted to her, it’s like an obsession. No one else matters. Nothing else matters. Only her and what she wants. And damn if I don’t want her to want me.

“Happy, this is Roman,” she tells the dog with an adorable little beam on her lips. I extend my hand to the dog and let him smell me. He studies me with a very serious expression. “This is his apartment, Happy. He’s a good guy.”

The dog tilts his head to the side, as if trying to figure out what she just said. The quickest glance in my direction follows, and he starts wagging his tail.

“Good boy,” Nevaeh says, petting the dog. Looking up at me, she smiles, fire dancing behind her irises. “I think he likes you.”

“I think he does.” I put my hand on the dog’s fur; its softness forces a smile onto my face. “My mom has a Pomeranian. I gave it to her for her birthday two years ago because she wanted one so badly. Not sure our cat was happy about it though.”

“You never said you had a dog and a cat back home.” Nevaeh shifts a little to let me sit down beside her on the couch.

“Didn’t think it was important.” I shrug as Happy starts licking my fingers, making me ticklish. “The dog’s name is Adele, because my mom loves Adele’s music.”

“And what’s the cat’s name?”

“Mickey. My niece suggested it, and my mom agreed.” I lean back against the couch, and the dog climbs onto my lap and puts his paws on my chest. “You’re quite a resourceful little fella, aren’t you?”

“Oh, he is. He knows all the ways to make you do whatever he wants.”

“Talking from experience?” I arch an eyebrow, and she gives me the cutest smile. She’s still clutching Sulley to her chest.

“Maybe.”

“How did he end up here?”

“After I met with Travis in the park, he promised to keep his distance,” she says, holding my gaze. My fingers absentmindedly move along the dog’s fur. “And he has. But it just happened that I ran into him in the elevator after work on Friday. I was lonely, and I told him I missed this little furball. So Travis let me take him home.”

“When do we need to bring him back?”

“We?” Nevaeh asks, fighting a smile.

“We. I’ll go with you.”

Her tee rides up, barely hiding her tits. She takes her mug from the table and presses it to her lips, holding my gaze. “Whatever you want, Roman.” She looks me up and down with a seductive smile. “We need to take him back tomorrow.”

“Awesome,” I say, right as the dog nestles on my lap and lies down. “Do we need to take him for a walk tonight?”

“In two hours. For now can we watch Peaky Blinders? Is that okay with you?”

“I’ll never say no to Tommy Shelby and his family.”

Nevaeh laughs. “You and your love for this show.” She shakes her head. “In all honesty, I understand. I thought Game of Thrones was good, but this one is a masterpiece.”

“Wait till you watch Vikings. That one⁠—”

She presses a finger to my lips, silencing me. “Stop. One show at a time, okay?”

I raise my hands in front of me in surrender. “Sure.”

We sit in silence for a few minutes, watching the fourth season. Suddenly, she leans over, her hot breath fanning over my skin. “Don’t think you’re off the hook. I still have questions about your trip to Cancún.”

I turn my head, meeting her gaze. The tension between us is palpable, and it takes a lot for me to not touch her.

“Looking forward to it,” I whisper, fully acknowledging that the dog is the only reason why I haven’t kissed her.

And probably why I haven’t done more than that.

1 Возьми с полки пирожок, Рома. — Pat yourself on the back, Roma.

Not the literal translation.