Trial by Fire: A Florida Glaze Hockey Romance Read online

  Trial by Fire

  Copyright © 2022

  By M.E. Carter

  eBook ISBN: 978-1-948852-39-5

  Paperback ISBN: 978-1-948852-40-1

  Cover design and Formatting by Uplifting Author Services

  https://www.upliftingauthorservices.com

  Editing and Proofreading by Gemma Brocato

  https://www.gemmabrocato.com

  Front cover photo by iStock

  Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. No part of this publication may be stored or introduced into a retrieval system or transmitted, in any form, or by any means.

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, locations, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locations, people – living or dead – is entirely coincidental.

  The author acknowledges the copyrighted or trademarked status and trademark owners of various products, characters, businesses, artists, and the like which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.

  Created with Vellum

  CONTENTS

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Epilogue

  BONUS EPILOGUE

  Acknowledgments

  Also by M.E. Carter

  About the Author

  CHAPTER ONE

  PRESTYN

  It has been a shitty day.

  Dropping my keys in the bowl next to the front door, I sigh at my own bad luck.

  I really thought I’d found a good guy this time. I should have known better.

  It’s no secret that online dating is its own special circle of hell. No one likes doing it, but in a world where electronics take the place of the real world every day, there’s not much choice if you don’t want to be single forever. I thought meeting Gary confirmed that it was the way to go, but I was oh so wrong.

  I wander through my small apartment, wishing I had the ingredients for a martini but knowing I can either settle for wine or just to go to bed. I’d love to drown my sorrows in a breezeberry Alani Nu, but I’m already going to have a hard time sleeping tonight. Adding an energy drink would cement that problem.

  Settling on the couch while weighing my options, I’m annoyed by how quiet it is in my apartment. Normally it doesn’t bother me that I’m alone, but tonight I’m lonely. Sure, I’ve got friends and a demanding job, but that’s not the kind of relationship I desire. I’m not even sure what kind of relationship I want, but it’s something different than this.

  I shake my head. What I need is a full body massage and a new boss, but clearly I’m not getting either of those tonight. Hell, I can’t even get a normal, decent guy to show up for a date.

  I’m not heartbroken or anything, just disappointed. It didn’t matter to me that he was just an average white collar guy with average looks. He seemed nice. And he had no idea who I am.

  I hid the fact that my family is one of the wealthiest in the Tampa Bay area, courtesy of the Caine Resorts and Conference Centers that my great-grandfather founded all those years ago. I’m not ashamed of being the youngest member of the Caine family or that I’m photographed regularly during our high profile events. It just makes it hard to determine who likes you for you and who likes you for your family’s clout. So I just don’t volunteer that information unless it’s necessary.

  It's why I use a nickname online and make sure my profile picture is one of me with a hat on, in the middle of a hike I took last year. Makes it harder to do a reverse search on me.

  It’s also why I jumped on Gary’s invitation to have dinner tonight. He gave no indication he had any idea I’m not your average everyday girl. He didn’t push too hard or move too quickly. And he was nice. So I took a chance and agreed to a date, even buying a new dress for the occasion.

  And then he didn’t show.

  I waited for over an hour, the server getting more and more impatient the longer I nursed my martini, until I finally gave up. I’m sure the twenty-dollar tip I left on the table doesn’t make up for what he would have made off two meals and drinks, but it’s the largest bill I had on me.

  As disappointed as I am, I can’t get rid of the feeling that it seems so out of character for Gary not to have at least told me something had come up. Or at least, out of character for what I know about him, which isn’t much. Maybe I should message him.

  Yeah. Just to make sure he’s okay. If he stood me up, I’ll know pretty quick, but I’d feel terrible if he was in an accident on the way to dinner and I didn’t at least check on him.

  I fish my phone out of the large handbag I had dropped next to the couch, searching and finding his contact information.

  Sorry to have missed you at dinner. Hope everything is okay. Let me know if you’d like to reschedule for a later date.

  There. Done. Not too desperate, gives him an out, and shows I care all at the same time. Covering all my bases.

  Not wanting to sit around waiting for a reply, I head to my small bathroom to get ready for bed. It’s still early enough I can catch up on the new novel I downloaded yesterday. I’m not a huge reader, but I’ve made it my new year’s resolution to change that. Gotta stop rotting my brain with reality TV and all that mess. I’ve never read a time-traveling book before, but I’m willing to give it a try. Soon enough, I’m settled in my bed, enjoying the exciting adventure that comes with vampires and werewolves.

  Our heroine has just begun tracing the portal with her finger when my phone rings, making me jump.

  Picking it up, I see it’s Gary calling. My heart beats even faster than it already was from the sudden jolt of adrenaline. He’s never called before. We’ve only recently upgraded to texting after chatting through the website for several weeks. This is exciting. And a little nerve wracking.

  I stare at his name on my phone for a little too long before shaking myself from my stupor and swiping to answer.

  “Hello?”

  “Hi, is this Pres?”

  It’s a woman’s voice. And she used the name I go by on the dating app. That’s not what I was expecting. Maybe it’s someone from the hospital? Or his sister?

  “This is she.”

  The woman on the other end sighs deeply. “I was afraid of that.”

  “I’m… what?” Confused. That’s what I am.

  “I was hoping you were some old man who likes to catfish people for kicks.”

  Now I’m really confused. “I’m sorry… who is this?”

  “My name is Delaney. I’m Gary’s wife.”

  Wife?!

  I can barely breathe as I process what she’s saying. Gary is married? The sweet man who oohs and ahhs over pictures of my niece and nephew is married to someone else?

  “I’m sorry… did you…” I rub my forehead which is suddenly starting to hurt. “Hang on, I’m trying to process this.”

  “I know. And I’m sorry to drop this bomb on you.”

  Now I’m even more baffled. “You’re sorry? I’m the woman who your husband was planning on cheating with and you’re sorry?”

  Delaney sighs like she’s exhausted. “This isn’t the first time this has happened.”

  I hear what I assume is Gary’s muffled voice in the background. I can barely make out words that sound like, “That’s no one else’s business,” when Delaney cuts him off with, “If you don’t want people to know you’re a serial cheater, stop being a serial cheater.”

  I blink rapidly, not quite sure what to do. I feel like I’m intruding on someone’s private conversation, and yet, this is the man I was falling for. Or at least I thought I was. Actually, that’s getting way ahead of myself, but it wasn’t out of the realm of possibility for the future if tonight had gone okay.

  Now that I know I’ve been snowed, though, I’m not sure I care about invading his privacy.

  The indignation hits me like a punch to the gut.

  I’ve been duped! By a married man!

  Granted, I wasn’t totally honest with him either. I never told him I’m technically a hotel heiress. But protecting myself from opportunists is a little different than being married.

  “Delaney,” I interrupt their arguing. “I need to assure you I had no idea he was married. Er… is married. I would have stopped talking to him immediately if I’d known.” I don’t
owe her an explanation, I’m not the one in the wrong here, but I feel like it’s the right thing to do.

  “That’s what I love about you, Pres.”

  Wait… what?

  “You have so much integrity.”

  “Um… thanks?” This conversation has just gotten weird.

  “I’m making things weird,” she says, as if she’s read my thoughts. “Let me back up. I found Gary’s online account today by accident and started doing some reading. Of all the women Gary was talking to—”

  All the women? That cheater was cheating on me, too!

  “—your messages were so kind and genuine. And you’re so smart and beautiful. I just think you’re a really great person.”

  “Thank you?”

  I have run the gamut of emotions today, from excitement and irritation to disappointment and anger. But right now, I’m at a loss as to what I should be feeling as the catfish’s wife sings my praises.

  “When I saw that he had made plans with you for tonight, and when he stood you up, I felt like you needed to know what happened. And I want you to know it’s not anything to do with you. I’m sure you are lovely and if I wasn’t married and a heterosexual woman, I’d be half in love with you from these conversations alone. Please know you did nothing wrong and you are not responsible for any of this. But you do deserve to know the truth.”

  I’m stunned. This is possibly the nicest thing that has ever happened to me with online dating. It would figure that a woman is involved. “I wish I knew how to respond to that.”

  Delaney laughs. A deep chuckle that makes me think she’d be someone fun to hang out with, if circumstances were different, that is. “I know. I’m sure this feels really odd to have this conversation with me, but I am a firm believer in holding the person who is responsible accountable, not sharing blame with innocent bystanders, so rest assured I have no ill will toward you. I just thought you should know so you can move on and find someone who is truly worthy of you. Unlike my asshole soon to be ex-husband.”

  More muffled voices in the back to which Delaney replies, “Yes, I alluded to the D word. How many times did you think you could get away with this before I finally kicked you to the curb?”

  “Um, Delaney?”

  “Yes?”

  “Are you going to be okay?” I really mean that. From the sound of it, this isn’t the first time she’s caught her husband cheating and I can’t imagine how heartbreaking that must be. She was so kind to reach out to me, I feel it’s only fair to reach out to her as well.

  She sighs deeply again, sounding emotionally exhausted, and why wouldn’t she? “To be honest, it really sucks to know that he has screwed me over so many times, lied to me so many times, it doesn’t even hurt anymore. But at least I’m ready to go now, right?”

  “Right.” I actually don’t know if that’s right. I just don’t know what else to say.

  “Anyway, I just wanted to let you know what was going on. I didn’t want you to worry about someone who wasn’t worth worrying about.”

  My lips quirk up on the side a bit. “That really was nice of you. Thank you. And again, I’m so sorry.”

  “Think nothing more of it. Frankly, I think you’re a doll. Please don’t let this taint your idea of relationships. There is someone out there who is waiting for you. I just know it.”

  Warmth fills me. Probably from the deep blush I feel on my cheeks. I’m not used to this kind of compliment from a stranger who isn’t trying to get something out of me.

  “Thank you. And please keep my number. You know, in case you need me to testify during the divorce or whatever.”

  A laugh that can only be described as maniacal comes from the other end of the line. “That is a fabulous idea, Pres. Thank you. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to throw my husband’s shit in a car and light it on fire.”

  “Hold on… don’t—”

  I don’t have time to discourage her from committing a felony before the line goes dead.

  Putting my phone down, I find myself staring at the wall, thinking about the man who screwed me over. But maybe even more so, thinking about the woman who has enough strength of character to call a stranger and give her a heads up.

  I wish I had strength like that. Right now, I feel more deflated than anything.

  CHAPTER TWO

  NICK

  “Push deep into warrior two. Now hook your right arm behind you and raise your left arm up, looking to the sky.”

  I follow my yoga teacher’s instructions and twist my body until I feel my spine relax into the stretch. I’ve been really tight lately, so I’m glad to be here in the studio.

  “Can you push a little further?” Jackie asks and gently adjusts my body so my hips are square to the front.

  I take a deep breath in through my nose and push it out slowly, relaxing my muscles even further, centering my body and my thoughts.

  A grunt next to me uncenters me real fast.

  “How the fuck do you do this?” my teammate Anthony, also known as Tiger whisper-shouts. “This is fucking brutal, man.”

  “Shh!” someone whisper-yells next to him.

  “Sorry,” he responds quietly before turning back to me. “No seriously. I’m about to rip my dick in two.”

  “Then you’re pushing too hard.” I come back through warrior two as instructed, then swivel my body into a runner’s stretch, chaturanga, and end up in downward dog, making an extra effort to stretch my calves.

  Out of the corner of my eye I see Tiger skip all the necessary steps to end up in what looks like a bear crawl more than a downward dog.

  “Ohhhh. I get it now.”

  I glance over to figure out what he’s talking about, only to see him paying less attention to his form and more attention to all the leggings-clad butts in the air.

  “You’re gonna get me kicked out of here, you ass,” I remark and lift my right leg as high as I can get it. “I’m not here for women. I’m the fucking goalie. My job is to keep myself limber at all times.”

  I neglect to tell him the part about trying to get a strong handle on controlling my breathing through the crazy anxiety plaguing me. That’s grounds to be razzed regularly and I don’t like the amount of chirping I have to endure in the locker room as it is.

  “Then why am I here?”

  Bending my knee, I adjust my hips to open up my core more. “I thought you were here to loosen some of those joints that have been tightening up on you and maybe get a little stress relief. Clearly, I was wrong to think you wanted any actual help.”

  “Are you calling me a crybaby?”

  “Pretty much.”

  “How are we doing over here?” Jackie approaches with a too-tight smile and a too-chipper voice. If she’s trying to mask her irritation with our conversation, she’s doing a shitty job of it.

  “Just trying to concentrate,” I reply, squaring my hips and pulling my knee to my chest before placing my foot on the floor and moving back into warrior two.

  “I’m doing my best to—oh shit! What are you doing? Why are you leaning on me?” Tiger practically squeals.

  “Sometimes it takes a second person to make sure we’re pushing our bodies to the limits.” Jackie is resting her body weight on top of Tiger, forcing his hips back and his calves to stretch more.

  Surely she’s not torturing him on purpose. Then again, he’s been a big baby the whole time we’ve been here so she could be trying to discourage him from coming back. Hell, I’m ready to discourage him, too.

  Except for the occasional “son of a bitch” I hear whispered next to me, I do my best to go back to ignoring my teammate as I center myself.

  As I move through the motions I’ve been working on for the last few months, I let my thoughts drift to the ice. The swivel of my hips when I drop one knee to the ground. The stretch of my obliques when I reach to stop a goal. The placement of my ankles when I’m upright, waiting for the next puck to come sailing at me.