Yearn For Me: A Hockey Romance (The Banks Sisters Book 2) Read online

  “So you’re just running away?” I should’ve known it would be Mickey.

  “I’m taking the vacation everyone wanted me to take.”

  “I can’t believe you thought you’d send some very vague text and just get the hell on?” Kaija questions.

  “You told her?!” I moan, and Mickey scoffs.

  “We don’t hide things from each other anymore.”

  “I’m going to chop his balls off and feed them to him.” Kai threatens, and I laugh, even though my eyes tear up a little.

  “It was my dumb mistake. It’s not like I didn’t know he doesn’t trust people. I just…”

  “You just saw the man. It’s easy to forget everything else sometimes.” Mickey says quietly, but I don’t push her on it. She’s obviously got some things going on that she isn’t ready to share.

  “Him having a daughter threw me completely for a loop.”

  The line goes quiet.

  “Now you’ve lost me.” Kaija breathes, and I hear rustling. She must be sprawled across her bed, eating Cheetos. Same habits with that one.

  “Damn, I just thought he was an inconsiderate douchenozzle.” Mickey whistles and I hear a lot of background noise.“Girl, I would run too.”

  “I’m not leaving because he has a daughter…it’s not something I would ever want to fault him for. It’s just…everyone’s right. I need the time away, I need something different.”

  “Need an even hotter fling to take your mind off him.” Kaija chimes in, and I shake my head.

  “I need to not see another man for a few weeks. Michael’s been leaving voicemails that I haven’t listened to.”

  “It’s okay, Kai. I’ll make sure she loosens up.” I whip around, because not only do I hear Mickey through the phone, it’s echoing like she’s in the same place.

  And she is.

  Part of me wants to snap at her for being presumptuous and thinking I’d want company, and another part is really, really grateful that she does whatever the hell she wants to do.

  “You are so damn annoying.” My voice hitches, and I hear Kaija laughing.

  “I learned from the best.” She smirks.

  “Have fun you two, I’d go with you but…I’m not single like you bitches and I’d like to be here to support my man.”

  “Are you really bragging right now?” Mickey plops into a lounge chair, holding her phone to her ear dropping her bags in the next seat. “Just for that, I’m not going to bring you back anything.”

  “Don’t bring back any diseases either, okay? Safe sex for both of you.”

  “Yeah, no thanks. Okay, I’m going to get off the lounge phone now, you weirdos. Love you, Kai.”

  “Love you too, Key. Love you, Mickey. Safe travels.” Kaija makes a smooching noise and I hang up the phone, walking over to sit next to Mickey and still shocked that she’s here.

  It’s no secret that I haven’t been the nicest person to her over the years, because of misplaced blame.

  I stare at her, blinking hard because I really don’t want to start crying. I’ve been doing way too much of that lately.

  “Thank you.” I grab her hand, covering it with both of mine.

  “For what? And stop looking at me like you’re about to break into song. I don’t like it.” But she doesn’t pull her hand away. “Oh, I changed your ticket.”

  “You what? I wanted to visit Sedona.” Oh my god.

  “We are not going to look at some rocks, as beautiful as they might be, for the first vacation you’ve taken in like - ever.” She purses her lips, looking at me like I’ve lost my mind.

  “So where the hell are we going?” I sigh. Honestly, anywhere but New York works for me. But because it’s Mickey…I’m not quite sure I’ll be able to keep up.

  A devilish grin spreads on her face and pure glee sparkles in her green eyes.

  Suddenly, I’m very scared.

  “Mickey…”

  “Just trust me. Can you do that, please? For once?”

  I press my lips together, considering her.

  “Just…no more pot brownies without me knowing.” I put up a finger, and then tick off another. “And no setting me up.”

  “Deal.” She pulls out her laptop, tucking a slim foot under her body in the chair. She opens her mouth to say something but snaps it closed and I roll my eyes.

  “What?”

  She tilts her head innocently. “What about weed lollipops?”

  Dealing with Mickey, I’ll be lucky if I recognize myself when this trip’s over.

  Is that really a bad thing?

  12

  Dane

  Two Weeks Later

  No one’s here yet and I’m just trying to get that feeling back.

  The feeling I usually get when I’m skating around with not too many people out here. Feeling the cool wind in my face. Picking up speed and racing down the ice.

  But I can’t find it.

  It’s not relaxing me, centering me like it usually does. All I feel is a crushing sense of nervousness, of fear, of a strange excitement that’s mingling with everything else.

  Fuck, this is unreal.

  It’s unreal and the one person I wish I was able to talk to about it…isn’t here. She’s not answering my calls, Kaija won’t tell me where she went and I just…

  Fuck, I need Keyra.

  My skate skids the wrong way on the ice and I lose my stride, stopping and dropping to the cold area.

  I just sit there. Wondering how the fuck I got here and how the hell I’m going to figure things out going forward.

  Tomorrow. Tomorrow is when my life will really change.

  And I don’t know if I’m ready.

  I reach up to adjust my tie absently, but Michelle smacks my hand away.

  “Will you stop that?”

  “Stop what?”

  “You adjust that tie one more time and I’m going to tie your hands with it.” She scolds, and I blow out a breath.

  I’m waiting outside the arrivals terminal, waiting to meet Addison for the first time.

  My daughter.

  It’s still crazy for me to wrap my head around, let alone this moment being real.

  I’ve been trying to deal with my anger first and foremost since I know that’s the least productive thing to feel.

  It’s just so fucking hard when people I thought I could trust left me out in the cold on something so important.

  “Whatever you think about your ex, remember, this is about Addi.” Michelle tucks a curl behind her ear and I hug her on impulse, making her laugh as her feet leave the ground.

  “What was that for?” She’s Harlan’s mom, but she’s a part of my family too and she called me asking if she could tag along today.

  “Just grateful you’re here. I don’t think I’ve sweat this much since draft day…shit, not even then.” I start to pull at my collar again, but she raises a brow and I lower my hand.

  “If your ex is the dragon you boys say she is, then I’m sure you’re not done sweating for today.”

  “She’s being nice right now, but I don’t believe for a second that she’s changed.” My fingers curl and I force myself to relax them. Just thinking about Natalie…God, it makes my blood boil.

  The worst thing about Natalie is that she’s the equivalent of a silent killer.

  The minute you get comfortable, all hell breaks loose. She’s a viper masquerading as a rabbit, and that’s why I fucked up the first time.

  Never have I looked into someone’s eyes and seen the malice I did in hers back then.

  I just hope that none of her malicious influence has rubbed off on Addison yet.

  There’s a new crowd of arrivals headed our way and I search it anxiously, looking for the familiar.

  “They should’ve been here by now.” I murmur. “What if something happened?”

  “Da—.” Michelle starts, but I interrupt her.

  “Shit, I knew I should’ve gone there. Do you think I should call the airline or somethi
ng? Maybe they didn’t get on the flight. Ma—.”

  “’Scuse me.” There’s a tug on my slacks and I look down.

  Way down.

  My knees almost buckle.

  “Yes?” I whisper, crouching as low as I can so I’m eye level with the dark-haired, green-eyed little sprite.

  “What’s your name?” She asks, brow wrinkling.

  “I’m Dane. What’s your name?” I clear my throat.

  “Addison.” She turns around. “MOMMY, I FOUND DADDY!” She yells in the general vicinity and I look up, seeing Natalie stop short with a large suitcase in tow.

  Addison turns back to me and smiles proudly, and I feel a hand on my shoulder.

  It’s Michelle’s and she’s misty-eyed, same as I am.

  “You are my daddy, right?”

  “Yeah, sweetheart. I’m your daddy.” I croak, and she slides a hand in mine and I close my eyes, overwhelmed.

  “Good.” She nods her head once, in that final way that children do and I laugh through the lump in my throat, shaking my head.

  This is my life now.

  13

  Keyra

  My breath catches in my throat when his strong hands run over my back and follow the curve of my ass, brushing over the backs of my thighs and calves.

  I can’t remember a time when I was touched so reverently, so carefully.

  Luckily, I can have him anytime I want, however long I want.

  Talk about heavenly.

  I can’t stop a moan from escaping even though I’m supposed to be keeping quiet since we’re not alone.

  I wish we were.

  “Your moaning is interrupting my fantasies.” Mickey sighs from the table next to me, and a relaxed grin spreads across my face.

  “I almost forgot you were here.” I stifle another moan when Devon kneads the perfect spot on my foot. Magic hands. I want to pack him up and take him with me.

  “Told you getting a massage just a little stoned would change your life.”

  “I resent that.” Dev laughs, pressing his thumbs into the ball of my feet. “My skills don’t need any help.”

  “Of course not.” I murmur, sighing again. “Everything just feels even better.”

  “So you’re leaving me at the end of the week?” He massages his way up my calf and my mind goes blank for a second.

  I can’t believe I didn’t take any vacations before.

  I want to stay in St. Lucia and never leave. We’ve been here three weeks and I have made myself completely disregard the fact that the price tag must be astronomical.

  It really makes me wonder what the hell Mickey has been up to for the past few years. I know she’s done a few things here and there.

  She did get a very good business degree.

  The only actual venture I know of is her lingerie business that she’s had for awhile, but that can’t be what’s paying for everything.

  I’ve learned a few things about minding my business though, and it’s not my place to ask.

  Relaxation and immersion have been my goals. Our sanctuary is in the southwest part of Jade Mountain and has almost panoramic views of the island.

  I sit in the infinity pool as the sun sets sometimes, looking out over Soufriere Bay and the Piton Mountains, just appreciating the silence. The peace. Phone’s turned off, no computer…just being in the moment.

  I’m almost scared to go back home to the bustle and hustle of NYC.

  Scared to lose this feeling, at least.

  “Yeah, back to the regularly scheduled programming,” I confirm, turning over when he puts a guiding hand on my shoulder. He holds the towel up so I can turn comfortably and keep the essentials covered.

  “I’ve gotten used to you, I might miss you a little.” My eyes are closed but I can hear the smile in his lightly accented voice and it warms me. Not in a sexual way, but in a friendly way.

  “I’ll miss you too. You should let us know if you come to NYC to visit your sister.”

  “Or come to NYC just to bang Keyra’s brains out.” Mickey interrupts, and she and her masseur Ché laugh. I’m too relaxed to do more than narrow my eyes a little. Her face is pressed into the massage table anyway.

  It’s not polite to hit on someone when they’re doing their job.

  My face does begin to burn when Dev laughs and folds my towel back over my thighs, patting me gently to let me know he’s finished.

  “Maybe I will.” But he doesn’t specify which one.

  I turn my head to the side and watch his t-shirt clad back and his biceps flex as he cleans up his oil bowl.

  Either one would work.

  “She’s totally checking him out right now,” Ché whispers loudly and I turn my head back to the ceiling, closing my eyes with a smile.

  Do I have to go back?

  “You okay?” Mickey is folding clothes to go back into her suitcase, a flowing baby pink maxi dress skimming her figure, hair clipped up.

  “Hm? Oh…yeah. I’m fine.” I’m curled up on the couch, turning my phone in my hands.

  I haven’t turned it on since we got here.

  “You know you want to.” She says softly.

  “Want to what?” I look over to where she’s standing at the end of our bed.

  “Check to see if he’s said anything.”

  “No, I don’t.” I deny, tossing the phone to the other end of the seat.

  “What are you going to do when we go back tomorrow?”

  “Maybe I’ll just live the life of a socialite until I hate it. Yoga, biking, and shopping here were fun. I don’t know where you can snorkel and scuba dive in NYC so those are out.” I get up and head to the little fridge, grabbing a bottle of water.

  “You know I’m talking about Dane.” She crosses her arms.

  “Why? It wasn’t a big deal, I’m over it.”

  “You’re over it? Really?” She closes her suitcase and pulls it off the bed, sitting it near the wall.

  “Yep. Can’t have everything. I read the situation wrong, but hey, I’ve got the memories.”

  “So it wouldn’t bother you if he’s seeing someone?Brings her around?”

  I hesitate just the slightest when I’m raising the water bottle to my lips, and I wonder if she catches it.

  “How is that my business?” I ask casually, finishing the motion and swallowing.

  “So you’re going to Nico’s birthday barbecue then? And the rest of the games?”

  “Of course. Listen, we are two adults. We don’t need to avoid each other and no one needs to walk on eggshells just because of a night that didn’t mean anything.”

  I hope I did a good job of keeping the bitterness out of my voice. Mickey doesn’t remark on it so I assume I’m in the clear.

  “Alright, champ. I stand corrected. Do you want to go on the sunset hike tonight?” She changes topics.

  “Let’s do it.” She goes up the little side stairs to the bathroom to shower and I walk to the open wall, sitting on the stone edge of the infinity pool and brushing my hand softly over the surface.

  The jade green tiles at the bottom glint and I sigh deeply.

  Here we go.

  14

  Dane

  I know before I open my eyes exactly who’s perched on my chest and it’s not Nova.

  “Daddy,” Addison whispers, and I think she’s sitting criss-cross applesauce on my stomach.

  She’s a tiny little thing.

  I pretend like I’m still asleep and gently roll to my left side with a fake snore, forcing myself not to laugh when she gives a small gasp as she tumbles to the bed.

  I can almost hear her thinking hard in that far-too-clever little head of hers.

  Natalie’s decided to stay longer and she went back to Minnesota for more of she and Addi’s things. I told her she could buy whatever they needed, but in a move completely unlike Natalie, she said there was no need to waste money.

  Her behavior has been throwing me for a loop, and I’ve started to wonder if I’m being unf
air by second guessing everything she says.

  “Daddy, I know you are not sleeping.” Addi puts her small hands on my cheeks and I peek open my right eye to see her little frown right in front of my face.

  “How do you know I’m not sleeping?” I close my eyes again.

  “Because you opened your eyes!” She says seriously, and I give up the ruse, wrapping my arms around her while she giggles and sitting up.

  I settle her in my lap and kiss the top of her head, my heart completely full.

  “Do you have to go to work today?” She asks, squealing when Nova jumps up on the bed and starts licking her face.

  They’re very nearly the same size.

  Not really, but damn, feels that way.

  “Nope. We’re going to see Miss Michelle and Auntie Kai and Nico and everybody today for Nico’s birthday. Is that okay with you?” I smooth a curl behind her ear, scanning my eyes over her.

  It’s habit. The kid has gotten into so many small scrapes that I automatically check her over every time she’s near. She still has a band-aid on her knee from running and bumping into the table.

  “Of course, Daddy. I want to go wherever you go.” She leans her dark head on my chest, stroking Nova, who’s sitting quietly in her lap.

  My heart melts.

  “Alright kiddo, what are we eating for breakfast?” I rub the remaining sleep from my eyes.

  “Chicken nuggets!” She slides to the end of my bed and slowly slides herself off, Nova running after her as she takes off towards the kitchen.

  I should’ve known that would be her answer since I swear for every meal, she just wants macaroni and chicken nuggets.

  I follow after her after I pull on a shirt. I’ve started sleeping in shorts, but not a shirt. It’s a hard habit to learn to sleep in clothes again.

  I learned quickly that Addi will pop in whenever she wants to.

  I’d prefer not to have to explain male anatomy to her just yet.

  “I’m going to pretend you said waffles.” I ruffle her hair as I pass and she drops to the floor to play with Nova more.