It Had to Be You (Christiansen Family) by Susan May Warren Read Free Book Online Page A

“Got ya, old man.”
    Jace leaned over, catching his breath, his stick across his knees. “I didn’t know you knew how to fight dirty, kid.”
    “I learned from the master.” Owen laughed and skated away. And then, as Jace straightened, he saw Owen approach Graham.
    The kid dropped his gloves, glad-handing the agent like they might be cousins.
    So that’s why Graham had shown up. For Owen. Probably to check up on his superstar.
    Jace watched, sweat trickling down his back, across his chest. His jaw ached where Owen had elbowed him. And in the front of his head, a tiny knot began to form.
    Without looking back, Jace skated off the ice. He dumped hisstick, slipped on his guards, and walked up the ramp to the locker room.
    Inside, his teammates were lacing their skates, some of them still dressing. He sat down on the bench in front of his locker and leaned his head back, closing his eyes.
    “You okay, Hammer?” Kalen, their new goaltender, stood over him. He’d recently decided to shave his hair into a Mohawk, as if that might get them into the Stanley Cup play-offs.
    “You look ridiculous. No hockey player with any self-respect has a Mohawk.”
    Kalen grinned. “See you on the ice.”
    Jace closed his eyes again, listening to the rest of his team empty into practice. Then, finally, quiet. Blessed quiet.
    He should just take the team’s offer and be done. Or find a new career. Sell insurance, maybe, for dopes like him who thought they were invincible.

T HE J ANUARY CHILL had warmed to a miserable drizzle, the air foggy with melting snow, as Eden left her apartment.
    Please let this night end better than the day began.
    Two days of not talking to Owen had worked her into a full boil this morning. “You need to grow up and take some responsibility!” Of course her words, echoing across her tiny apartment, had lacked any oomph thanks to the piles of clean, folded laundry on the kitchen table.
    “I am grown up! I have my own car and my own apartment.” Owen shoved the folded laundry into his bag. “I don’t need your hovering, Eden.”
    His black eye had turned to green around the edges, and he’d looked fierce, even triumphant, the look he got on game day or after a good practice.
    “Being a grown-up is more than paying your bills. It’s about making wise choices and having healthy relationships. Neither of which apply to you.”
    “I have plenty of healthy relationships. Trust me.” He flung the bag over his shoulder and winked.
    She wanted to smack him. “You make me sick. Is this how you want to make a name for yourself? You’re turning out just like every other hotshot hockey player. Think about how this affects your family. Mom and Dad, and everything they raised you to be. What about your beliefs? I thought you called yourself a Christian! Either change your name or change your ways.”
    He picked up his keys. “Fine. I’ll change my name.” He walked out the door.
    She stood there, her heart clogging her throat. “Owen   —”
    But he didn’t turn around.
    Have a good game. She’d wanted to say that   —wanted to stop, rewind, and enact their pregame ritual, the one where she prayed for his safety and then told him to make at least one goal.
    Instead, she’d stood at the window and watched him drive away. And been late for work, again.
    She couldn’t keep doing this   —she knew it. Which was why tonight would be different. Tonight, she’d simply be a fan, out on a date with a nice guy.
    Perfect.
    Russell was climbing out of his car as she stepped out of the brownstone. “I was going to come up and get you.” He wore a ski hat with long tassels and an oversize black parka. Perfect attire for a hockey game.
    “I’m early.” She slid into the passenger side. He had turned on her seat heater   —thoughtful. “Thanks for driving. My batteryseems to have given up the ghost. I’ve jump-started it three times with AAA and even tried plugging it in, but it’s dead. Lately I’ve had