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

I sip my coffee and stare at my laptop, a giddy smile playing on my lips. It’s been like this all day. Even this unexpected meeting my boss scheduled at the end of the day hasn’t ruined my mood. I’m happy. Ridiculously happy, actually, and it doesn’t even weird me out.

What exactly happened that caused me to feel like this? It’s obviously not the first time I had been fucked so good I couldn’t even move. Wasn’t my first time passing out from toe-curling orgasms. And it definitely wasn’t the first time I spent the night with a guy I was crushing on…and yet, I’ve never been this happy.

“Nevaeh?” I blink and set my mug on the table, raising my eyes to my boss, Kai. “Can you please tell us about the materials your department prepared?”

“Sure.” Daydreaming at work? During a very important meeting? A pat on the back for Nevaeh Lawrence.

“Nevaeh, can you please stay for a few minutes?” Kai asks, looking up from his laptop.

I nod and slump back in my chair, putting my laptop and notes on the table. The meeting ran late. It’s past seven p.m., and I want to go home, but I know better than to argue with my boss when he clearly has something on his mind.

“You wanted to discuss something?”

“I did.” He nods. His brown eyes focus on me, emitting warmth. “What are you planning to write for our special edition in December?”

I shrug. “My usual. Just need to figure out a theme.”

Running a hand through his hair, Kai watches me. His easygoing smile is still on his lips, but by the way he wrinkles his nose, I know he’s not happy with my answer. I sweep my gaze over the conference room and then bring my eyes back to my boss. His white shirt clings to his brown skin, highlighting his broad shoulders and toned chest. Kai is an incredibly handsome man, and I know quite a few colleagues who would want to get to know him in a much more intimate setting. For me, he’s always been a mentor, someone I can go to for advice if I need it. He’s also been a friend.

When I agreed to sing karaoke with my boss at the holiday party, I didn’t expect to gain a friend. But it happened; we just clicked.

“Do you remember our conversation a few months ago? When I put you in charge of your department?”

“How could I not?” I ask sarcastically, and he snorts. “You told me I was wasting my potential, and that I needed a more challenging job.”

“Correct.” Kai smiles. “You listened. You nodded. You said ‘got it’ several times…and since then, everything has stayed the same.”

“I thought being in charge was the more challenging job.”

“It is. And you’re doing great as a manager. But what about you being a journalist? About you finding joy in writing?”

“My last piece, about the best places for a date, did great. It got a lot of buzz on social media,” I argue. “And I enjoyed writing it. I promise, Kai. I love what I’m doing.”

He sighs and leans forward, placing his elbows on the table and locking his hands in front of him. “Nevaeh, I hired you because I saw potential in you. Your article about bullying in schools, the one you submitted when you applied for this job, is still my favorite. It’s powerful. It has a soul. Why don’t you want to go back to writing things like that? Moving stories are what you do the best.”

It’s so much more taxing to write about my personal experiences. About things I’ve witnessed myself. About things I’ve done myself…even if I’m not proud of them and won’t ever be. And writing those “moving” stories also makes me incredibly vulnerable. Opening up, letting people see me for who I am, judging me? It’s terrifying.

“Nevaeh, look at me.” I meet Kai’s gaze, biting my bottom lip in annoyance. I’m not annoyed with him though, only with myself. This isn’t the first time we’re having this conversation, and I always backtrack like a coward.

Instead of putting in the effort and pushing for more, I settle for the options that are within my reach.

“How about we do this,” Kai says. “For our special edition, I want you to write something different than what you’re used to. Something that will leave people in awe. Something that will leave an impact on them.” I open my mouth, but he tilts his head in warning, and I close it again. “I’m not going to tell you what to write about. I want you to figure that out on your own. To choose a story you want to tell and work your magic. Because even if you’ve forgotten, I remember how beautifully you can write.”

I turn my head and look out the window, following the cars driving down the street with my eyes. So many daring and ambitious thoughts swirl inside my head, it makes me dizzy.

Kai always keeps me on my toes, testing my abilities. He always encourages me and tries to motivate me to do more, to be more. He knows I’m hiding my true self behind lighthearted articles about art exhibitions, new restaurants, and local events. He’s giving me the chance to show what kind of journalist I can be. To prove not just to anyone, but to myself that I can be the person I’ve always aspired to be. Someone who can make people feel every emotion with just my words.

That I can be an author one day.

Bringing my gaze back to Kai, I nod. A smile breaks over his lips, and he leans back, relaxing into his seat. “Fucking finally.”

I laugh, shaking my head. “What happened to your ‘no swearing in the office’ rule?”

“My best journalist finally agreed to do what I’ve wanted her to do for months. I’m ready to do a happy dance right now, Nevaeh.”

“That would be quite a sight. I’m sure some of the girls would do anything to see it.”

Kai arches an eyebrow, and that’s all it takes for me to understand that I’m walking on thin ice. He acts like my friend on so many occasions, but he’s still my boss. I better remember that.

“Sorry, I got carried away.” I start collecting my things and slowly stand up from my chair. “Can I go now?”

“Of course. Sorry for keeping you late.” Kai stands up as well, grabbing his laptop from the table. “I’ve been meaning to ask, but haven’t had the chance: Are you and that developer still together?”

“Why?”

“He usually waits for you after work, bringing you flowers or coffee at lunch. I haven’t seen him in a while.”

Kai and I walk out of the conference room and stroll down the hallway. I peer at my boss, craning my neck a little. I swear, every man in my life lately makes me feel short…because they are all so darn tall.

“We broke up.”

“Why? If you don’t mind me asking.”

“Travis is a good guy; he’s just not the one for me.” I stop at the door to my office and put my hand on the doorknob. “It’s for the best.”

My boss pauses too, looking at me calmly. “If you think so, then I’m happy for you.” Kai nods and walks down the hallway to his own office. “Bye, Nevaeh.”

Walking to my car, I keep my eyes glued to my phone. I’ve been texting with Angie about lunch tomorrow, trying to decide where to go. She wants to know everything about Roman and me, and I’ve avoided talking about it at all costs. At least until I see her.

Roman isn’t some dirty secret. He’s not a conquest either. Whatever this is between us it feels larger than life. And I’m here for it…as long as he is too.

I quickly slip my phone into my purse and take out my car keys. Looking up, I freeze in my tracks. Travis is leaning on my car, his hands hidden in his pockets.

“Travis?” I mutter, clearing my throat. “Hey. What are you doing here?”

My ex pushes himself off of my car and pads over to me, stopping within arm’s reach. I frown, shifting a little to create more distance between us. For some reason, seeing him now makes me anxious. A chill runs down my spine, and it takes a toll on me to force a smile on my face.

“Another late meeting?” he asks with a bored expression on his face.

“Yeah, um, Kai wanted to discuss our December edition.”

“Your boss has always been awfully fond of you,” he remarks, his eyes boring into mine.

Pinching my eyebrows together, I tsk, feeling anger overwhelm me. I don’t like his implication. “He’s not just my boss. Kai is my friend. We just talked about my assignment.” I cross my arms over my chest. Travis was never like this when we were together, and it’s confusing me. I didn’t think he was the jealous type. “Why are you here?”

Travis narrows his eyes, scowling. He shuffles his feet, the sound rattling around the parking garage. He’s aggravated, and it shows. His body language is tense and stiff.

“Whose car did you get into yesterday?” he blurts.

My mouth opens, and no sound follows. With how far away Roman parked, there’s no way Travis could’ve seen him. Unless…he followed me outside.

“A car?”

“A BMW X4,” Travis states. “Whose car is it? And please, Nevaeh, don’t tell me it was Uber. I won’t believe it.”

“It wasn’t an Uber.” I fake a laugh. “My car wouldn’t start, so I asked a friend to give me a ride.”

Travis furrows his brow, his eyes full of distrust. “I’ve known you for over a year, and none of your friends have such a fancy car.” He tilts his head, his teeth are deep into his bottom lip. “Maybe Drake, but he drives a Lexus…” Travis mumbles.

“It’s—”

“One of Drake’s teammates? The one you always watched during the California Thunders games we went to?” He steps closer, hovering over me. “That Russian dude. I don’t remember his name. Was it his car?”

“Of course not. Why would Roman give me a ride?”

Silence hangs between us. I stand my ground, trying to act nonchalant. But the tiniest doubt forms in my chest, and the longer Travis keeps quiet, the bigger it grows. I always knew if the truth about my marriage to Roman came out, Travis would be hurt. But lying to his face would make it a thousand times worse.

When he finally breaks the silence, hurt drips from every word. “Did you leave me because you met someone else?”

“Travis, no, please don’t think that.” I take a step closer and let my hands fall to my sides. “I broke up with you because I realized that we’re very different. I’m not the right person for you. But there wasn’t anyone else. I swear.”

His gaze drifts from my face to something behind my back, and then he focuses on me again. “What about now? Are you seeing someone now?”

“No,” I lie, hating myself for how easily the word slips out of my mouth.

Travis sighs and lowers his head, staring at his feet. “I’m sorry, Nevaeh. This is wrong. I’m acting like a jealous ass, and I have no right to. Waiting for you, demanding an explanation…” He looks up, and our eyes meet. “I guess our breakup affected me more than I thought. It’s messing with my head, and I act like a damn stalker. Sorry. It won’t happen again. I promise.”

“Thank you, Trav.”

“I better go. Happy is all alone, and…Bye, Nev.”

Storming past me, Travis hurries away, disappearing behind a corner. I stand still, my heart beating violently against my rib cage. With trembling hands, I unlock my car and quickly slide inside. I can only hope my lies won’t come back to bite me in the ass.