Face Off Read online

  “None taken.” Lana chuckled. They watched the game in silence for the rest of the period, which ended with the Wolves up by two. Lana turned her body slightly to face Savannah. “How are things with you and Maddie?”

  Savannah hesitated before answering, and realized it was a mistake. The look of concern on Lana’s face was obvious. She looked down at her hands and sighed.

  “What’s going on?” Lana asked, a hand on Savannah’s knee. “You know you can talk to me, right? I promise I won’t say anything to Maddie if you don’t want me to.”

  “I’d appreciate it if you didn’t,” Savannah said, meeting her eyes. “It just goes back to an old hang-up I have about relationships. It’s nothing serious.”

  “You’ll forgive me if I’m skeptical, because your demeanor says it is a big deal.”

  Savannah wasn’t sure why, but she told Lana everything. She was just so easy to talk to, and she now understood why Court had fallen so hard for this woman. She was happy for Court, and for Lana too, and she’d be lucky if she could someday find the same kind of love. She’d found herself believing it might be with Maddie, but she wasn’t so sure now.

  “I can see why your guard would be up,” Lana said. “But with everything I know about Maddie, she isn’t the type to look elsewhere. Her ex cheated on her, and she’s told me it’s the one thing she could never forgive. If Maddie’s with someone, I don’t see her cheating. I think it might just be she wasn’t looking forward to being apart from you for a whole week because things are so new between the two of you.”

  “Kelly said basically the same thing.”

  “I think if you’ll look deep inside yourself, you’ll agree with both of us. Am I right?”

  “Yes,” Savannah said, somewhat reluctantly. It wasn’t so much she didn’t want to agree, it was simply because she wasn’t sure she could trust her own instincts any more. She should have realized on her own it was due to the newness of their relationship, and not anything to be worried about, without having other people pointing it out. “See? I told you it was nothing serious.”

  “But it could be if you allowed it to keep eating away at your thoughts.” Lana turned back toward the ice as the Wolves returned to their bench. Court waved at Lana and smiled, before sending a nod in Savannah’s direction.

  Savannah settled in and readied herself for the second period. She found herself looking forward to returning home on Friday and seeing Maddie. She smiled to herself just as Jen Hilton looked at her, a frown on her face. Savannah stuck her tongue out at her quickly before turning her head away and smiling again. It was childish, yes, but it gave her a certain amount of satisfaction.

  * * *

  The Warriors lost the game to the Wolves, and it was the first time in two seasons they’d dropped two games in a row. Gail wasn’t happy, and she let the team know it. She called out Jen Hilton for her abysmal giveaways in their own zone which led directly to two of the Wolves’ goals. As usual, Hilton was in a surly mood after being singled out, and no one wanted to be anywhere near her.

  Savannah was back in the lineup for the game in Charleston two nights later, but she saw limited ice time because Gail didn’t want her suffering any further injury with a big home stand coming up when they returned. Even with reduced playing time, Savannah managed to score two goals in the win.

  They made good time on the ride back to Kingsville, which was good because a major snowstorm was forecast. They arrived almost an hour before they were scheduled to. Getting there early caused all kinds of problems for the people who had arranged to have someone pick them up. Not to mention the fact it was snowing like a bitch. There were at least two inches on the ground already.

  “My truck’s here,” Kelly said, pointing toward the lot in back of the building. “I can give you a ride home if you want to save Maddie the trouble.”

  “Yeah, probably not a bad idea,” Savannah said as they began walking. She pulled out her phone and found Maddie’s number. It only rang once before she answered.

  “Hey, you,” Maddie said, and Savannah was surprised at the surge of excitement coursing through her body at the sound of her voice.

  “Hey,” Savannah said, lowering her voice and slowing down so she was a couple of steps behind Kelly. “Listen, we just got to the arena, and I’m going to catch a ride with Kelly. I should be home in about twenty minutes.”

  “Oh, okay.” Maddie sounded a little disappointed. “I’m at Dana’s right now.”

  “Don’t rush home, all right? The roads don’t look too good right now,” Savannah said. She waited while Kelly opened the back of her SUV so they could throw their bags in. “When did this start?”

  “Just a couple of hours ago. They say we might end up with a foot or more before it’s over by tonight.”

  “As much as I want to see you, maybe you should stay at Dana’s for the night,” Savannah said, hoping Maddie would listen to her and not risk getting stuck somewhere. “I’ll pick you up there tomorrow.”

  “Dana’s been telling me the same thing so I guess I will, but I really want to see you.”

  “Me too.” Savannah got in the passenger side and buckled herself in as she held the phone between her ear and her shoulder. “I’ve missed you more than you know, but one more night won’t make too much difference, right?”

  “I suppose you’re right,” Maddie said quietly, and Savannah imagined Dana and probably Amy were close by. “I can’t wait to see you.”

  “Neither can I,” Savannah said with a sigh. Since she’d decided to give Maddie the benefit of the doubt, she’d really been looking forward to seeing her again. They talked for a couple more minutes before they hung up. “She’s at her sister’s. I talked her into staying there for the night.”

  “I gathered as much from what I heard,” Kelly said, leaning forward to try to see the road better. “I’m thinking I might just crash at your place if it’s all right with you.”

  “Of course.” Savannah tried to think of whether or not she had any food in the house, and came to the conclusion she did not. At least not enough for more than one person. “You think we could make a pit stop at the grocery store for supplies?”

  “No problem.”

  They made it to the store without any major difficulties, but the parking lot was so empty, Savannah worried maybe they were closed. Kelly let her out at the front door so she could make sure they were open. When the automatic door opened, she waved at Kelly to indicate she should park the SUV.

  She was at the butcher counter to get a couple of steaks when a woman walked up to her and smiled. Savannah smiled back, knowing she probably looked frightful with the huge bruise and stitches on her cheekbone.

  “Hi, you’re Savannah Wells, right?” the woman asked.

  “I am,” she replied as the butcher handed her the package he’d gotten ready for her. She turned and faced the woman then. “Do I know you?”

  “No, but we have a mutual…friend.” The woman smiled again and Savannah cocked her head to the side, waiting for her to elaborate. If this was one of Kelly’s one-night stands, she was going to kill her BFF. “My name’s Mary.”

  “Okay, I’m sorry, but that doesn’t help.”

  “Don’t tell me Madison never mentioned me,” Mary said, and it all became clear. This was the ex. Savannah shook her head and started to walk away from her, but Mary put a hand on her forearm. “Don’t go, please. I think we need to talk.”

  “I have nothing to say to you.”

  “Are you sure about that?” Mary raised an eyebrow as she asked the question.

  Savannah decided she would listen to what Mary had to say but wouldn’t put any credence in her words. She resisted the urge to look around for Kelly and kept her eyes squarely focused on Mary.

  “See, the thing you have to understand about Maddie’s and my relationship is we always have these falling outs,” Mary said as she urged Savannah to move away from the butcher counter. “One of us always leaves, and the other always goes t
o find the one who left. It took me a few months to figure out she’d actually left Chicago this time, but I finally found her. She’ll be going back with me, so I’m sure you’ll understand when I ask you to stay away from her.”

  “Are you through?” Savannah asked after a moment.

  “Yes, I think I’ve said everything I needed to say.”

  “Then I’d appreciate it if you’d please leave.”

  “Oh, there is one more thing,” Mary said, her hands on her hips. “Maddie isn’t the kind of woman you leave alone for an entire week while you’re off playing a game. She gets to feeling neglected, and well, she might look for companionship elsewhere, if you know what I mean.”

  “Enough,” Kelly said as she stepped up to stand next to Savannah.

  Savannah’s pulse was pounding in her head, making it difficult to hear what was being said, but it was obvious Kelly was giving Mary an earful. Savannah started to feel light-headed, and she turned to walk away from them to lean against the butcher counter for support. She knew she shouldn’t believe a word Mary said, and she silently cursed Shauna for doing such a number on her. Or maybe it had been her own damn fault. She knew she needed to talk to Maddie, but right now, she just needed some time to think.

  “Come on, Van, let’s go,” Kelly said, gripping her elbow and leading her away from Mary. “You know you can’t believe a word she said, right?”

  “Yeah, I know,” Savannah said.

  “I’m taking you home, but we have one more stop to make along the way,” Kelly said. When Savannah looked at her questioningly, Kelly shook her head. “The beer store.”

  Chapter Thirty-one

  Savannah opened her eyes but didn’t move her head. She didn’t think she could with the way it was pounding. Plus, there was a body pressed against her back, and an arm around her torso, holding her tight. Her heart began to race. She remembered Kelly bringing her home the night before, and they ate dinner, then started in on the twelve-pack of beer they’d bought. She was pretty sure they finished it off, and drank the few bottles she’d already had in the fridge when they ran out.

  Fuck, she thought as she swallowed hard. Had she slept with Kelly? There was no doubt it was her pressed against her, but why? She closed her eyes and took a deep breath before looking down and seeing she still had all her clothes on. Thank God.

  She groaned as she tried to extricate herself from Kelly’s grasp, but Kelly tightened her hold on her and sighed. It soon became clear she was going to have to wake Kelly up if she really wanted to get out of the bed.

  “Kel,” she said, but it came out little more than a croak. She cleared her throat and tried again. “Kelly, come on, I have to pee.”

  “What?” Kelly said, then groaned herself as her own hangover must have made itself known. Savannah was happy she wasn’t the only one. “Shit. What the hell happened?”

  “I have no idea.” Savannah slowly got to her feet and looked down at Kelly, who was also completely clothed, just minus the sweatshirt she’d been wearing. At least she’d had a tank top on underneath it. “I think it’s safe to say we both got shit-faced last night. I need water.”

  “And aspirin,” Kelly said, sounding weak. “Lots and lots of aspirin.”

  Savannah finished in the bathroom and made her way to the kitchen to make some coffee. She heard Kelly rummaging around in her bedroom and then the shower coming on. She was sitting on the couch with her coffee when Kelly finally emerged from the bedroom.

  “You’re my hero,” Kelly said, pouring herself a cup of her own and finding the aspirin Savannah had set next to the coffee maker.

  “Why were you in my bed with me?” Savannah asked when Kelly joined her on the couch.

  “You asked me to stay,” she said, her head resting on the back of the couch and her eyes closed. She chuckled. “I don’t remember much of last night, but I do remember that. You didn’t want to be alone. You know you’re the only woman I’ve ever woken up with in the morning?”

  “We didn’t…you know?” Savannah knew Kelly would understand what she asking.

  “No, we didn’t,” Kelly said, chuckling. “Even drunk we both know we’re just friends, and not friends with benefits.”

  Savannah’s phone was sitting on the coffee table and it began vibrating, skittering a few inches away. She reached for it but saw Maddie’s name on the display and quickly pulled her hand back. Her encounter with Mary the previous day came rushing back to her.

  “Fuck, I can’t talk to her,” she said, glancing at Kelly.

  “You’re supposed to pick her up today.” Kelly got up and walked to the front window, pulling the curtain back so she could see outside. “I don’t think you’ll be doing that without a four-wheel drive though. I could go get her if you want. I could tell her you aren’t feeling well because of your cheek.”

  Savannah thought about it for a moment, then decided it might not be a bad idea. Kelly was brash sometimes, but she could be discreet when she needed to be. She doubted Kelly would let on about what had happened in the grocery store, and that would be for the best as far as Savannah was concerned. She needed time to process things. She knew she shouldn’t take Mary’s word for anything, but her old insecurities were playing a huge part in her current way of thinking.

  “I’d really appreciate that,” she said when Kelly came and sat down again. “You won’t tell her about Mary, right?”

  “Hell no, it’s between you and her. I can buy you some time though, so maybe she won’t try to see you until tomorrow.”

  “I’m so happy you’re my best friend,” Savannah said with a grin. Her stomach growled, and she realized her headache had subsided enough to consider getting some food into her belly. Nothing too fancy though. “Want some toast?”

  “That’s all you have to offer your best friend?”

  “I think it’s all I can handle at the moment. If you want anything else, you’ll have to make it yourself.”

  * * *

  Maddie was surprised when she looked out the window and saw Kelly pulling into the driveway of her sister’s house. She saw there was no one in the passenger seat and wondered what was going on. She’d tried a couple of times last night to call Savannah, and again this morning, but her calls always went to voice mail. Seeing Kelly eased her anxiety a little bit. Since she’d given Savannah a ride home, at least she knew they weren’t in an accident.

  “Is she okay?” Maddie asked when she opened the door to let her inside.

  “Yeah,” Kelly answered with a wave of her hand. “She just has a bit of a headache from her injury. Plus, she doesn’t have a four-wheel drive, so I don’t know what she was thinking when she offered to pick you up today.”

  Maddie nodded, but it seemed Kelly was a little off. Like she was hiding something. Could Savannah be hurt more than she’d let on? She wanted to get home as soon as possible so she could see her for herself. She began getting her coat on, but her quick getaway was thwarted by Amy, who came bounding down the steps, probably expecting to see Savannah.

  “Oh, my God, Kelly Rawlins is in my house!” she said, her eyes wide.

  “Where?” Kelly asked, looking behind her. “Where is she?”

  “You’re her,” Amy said, laughing. Maddie smiled. She had no idea Kelly had a playful side, and that she was so good with kids.

  “Me?” Kelly placed a hand over her chest and looked at Amy. “Are you sure?”

  “You’re funny,” Amy said, then looked at Maddie. “Maybe you should be dating her instead of Savannah.”

  “Savannah’s funnier than I am,” Kelly said seriously. “And I’m going to tell her you said that.”

  “No!” Amy looked horrified.

  “We have to go,” Maddie said to Amy. She gave her a hug then opened the front door after getting Duke on his leash. “Tell your mom I’ll call her later, okay?”

  “Sure.” Amy turned and walked toward the kitchen.

  They went to Kelly’s truck without a word, and Maddie got Duke sit
uated in the back seat. As Kelly began to drive, Maddie wanted to ask her what was really going on, but she wasn’t sure how to phrase it. She didn’t have to think too long about it though, because Kelly said something to make her even more suspicious.

  “Listen, I think you should probably just let Savannah sleep today and not bother her until tomorrow.”

  “What?” Maddie turned in her seat so she could see Kelly better. “She’s not okay, is she? Tell me what’s going on.”

  Kelly clenched her teeth, causing the muscles in her jaw to twitch, and said nothing for a few moments. It was difficult, but Maddie forced herself to wait for her to speak.

  “It isn’t my place,” she finally said, staring straight ahead.

  “Kelly, please tell me what’s wrong.” Maddie hated begging for anything, but she wasn’t sure how good Kelly was at keeping secrets. “I really care about her. I need to know.”

  “If you’re really going back to Mary, then you should just forget about Savannah.”

  Maddie felt as though she’d been slapped. Her breath caught in her throat, and her vision turned a bit hazy. She shook her head and put a hand on Kelly’s arm.

  “What are you talking about?” she asked. “Mary cheated on me. I would never go back to her. Savannah knows this.”

  “Yeah, maybe she did before Mary ambushed her in the grocery store yesterday.”

  “What?” Maddie’s pulse sped up, and she worried for a moment she might pass out. The feeling passed quickly as her anger took over. “She talked to Mary?”

  Kelly told her what Mary had said to Savannah, and how Savannah had reacted to her news. She also told her the two of them had gotten drunk the night before, and how Savannah was on the verge of not wanting to see her ever again. Maddie swallowed the lump in her throat and had the very real urge to kill Mary. Almost a year after she’d blown up Maddie’s life, and here she was trying to do it again. She’d mistakenly thought Mary left town because she hadn’t heard from her since the night at her sister’s.