Chapter 82

Carol’s POV

“Are you kidding me, Daniel?! How dare you throw me under the bus like this when this was your idea in the first place!” Sophia growled, fury rolling off her in waves.

Coach Bower drops his hand from around her waist and takes a step back.

“What is he talking about, Sophia?” Coach asks and the hurt in his eyes is evident. “Is what he’s saying true? Did you trick me into thinking you’re my fated mate?”

Sophia, still glaring at Daniel, says through her teeth, “It wasn’t personal. It was business. We needed this major house sold and Daniel over here thought that if I were to trick one of the lonely rich men at this banquet into thinking they were my true mate, then they’d buy the house without any questions asked. I took a pill when I got here that made the first guy, I made eye contact with see me as their fated mate. That person happened to be you.”

Coach Bower let out the breath he’d been holding in and I could see the pained expression crossing his features. I hate that he’s hurting because of her; she’s done enough damage and it’s time for her to leave.

“We will give you your money back,” Daniel says, sympathy clear in his tone, but that green glow is still around him. The last couple of times I’ve seen that green glow, people start spilling the truth and acting uncharacteristically. Like when Aiden’s mother stood up for me or when Katrina spilled the entire truth about how she stole that money from the Freeze private funding account.

Something wasn’t sitting right in the pit of my stomach, and I had a feeling it had to do with whatever that green glow was.

“We will get out of your hair now,” Daniel says, grabbing onto Sophia’s arm and pulling her away from a very distraught Coach Bower. “I’m sorry for the trouble.”

Sophia doesn’t even spare Coach another look as she’s pulling out of the venue. I looked up at Coach and I could see the pain still etched on his features as his shoulders droop and his eyes were downcast.

“I feel so stupid,” he whispers. “How could I fall for that?”

Aiden approaches him and puts a hand on his shoulder, giving it a tight squeeze of reassurance.

“It wasn’t your fault, Coach. It was the pill she took. It couldn’t have been helped and it could have been anybody at this place,” he told him.

Coach sighs, running his fingers through his hair.

“I spent most of my life savings on that house,” he murmured, his face growing an impossible shade of red. I knew he was embarrassed, and I hated that he was going through this because of her.

“You will get every single penny you spent back,” I assured him, trying my best to give him a reassuring smile, but knowing it doesn’t quite reach his eyes. “Daniel said so himself and if he doesn’t stick to his word; I’ll make sure of it.”

Coach meets my eyes and for a brief moment, I see a flicker of hope. Then he nods his head and gives me a tired smile.

“I think I’m just going to go home. Tonight did not go as I thought it would and I’m kind of tired.”

“Understandably so,” Aiden says. “Do you want a ride? I think you’ve been drinking some.”

Coach Bower shakes his head.

“I came with Mr. Whitlock, so I’ll leave with him,” Coach informs us, motioning with his head to Mr. Whitlock who was finishing his conversation with a few guests.

We nodded in agreement before looking back at Coach Bower.

“For what it’s worth, Coach. I was hoping I wasn’t right about this. I’m sorry you got hurt in the process of their games,” I say honestly.

He nods.

“Thanks,” he murmured. “I’ll see you both Monday morning for practice.”

We say our goodbyes and watch as he joins Mr. Whitlock with some of the others at the banquet. I turn back to Aiden who meets my eyes.

“We should go now. I’m really tired and I just want to snuggle in bed,” I admit.

He grins at me and wraps an arm around my shoulders, pulling me close to him.

“Your wish is my command.”

By the time we get back to Aiden’s house, I can barely keep my eyes open. I’m not sure why I suddenly feel so drained after the banquet. I was fine before that altercation with Daniel and Sophia, but after we finally got the truth out of them, it’s been difficult to stay on my feet. I tiredly leaned against Aiden as we reached the front door, and I felt my legs buckle beneath me.

Aiden quickly wraps his arms around my body and lifts me off the ground. I barely even notice him carrying me into the house and into bed. I snuggle my head against his broad chest and take in his comforting and sweet scent, loving how he smells and how he feels towards me.

I have no idea when I fell asleep, but in the midst of my slumber, a familiar soft voice sounded in my head, causing my whole body to freeze.

“It’s coming!! Your destiny awaits! You must be prepared!”

I wanted to call out to the voice and ask who it was and what it meant. What destiny could be waiting for me and what was coming? I had so many questions, but my lips refused to work, and that infuriated me more than anything.

“Be ready!” The voice whispered. “Embrace your destiny!”

Then the voice disappeared, leaving me in complete and utter silence once again.

When I woke up the next morning, I smelled the fresh scent of eggs and bacon cooking in the kitchen. My stomach was growling, and my mouth watered from the aroma. As I got out of bed, I was surprised to see that I was wearing one of Aiden’s T-shirts that went down to my knees. He must have changed me out of my dress from last night and put me in his shirt before he tucked me into bed.

My heart warms at the gesture and I can’t help the goofy grin on my face as I walk into the kitchen to see Aiden slaving over the stove.

“Hey,” I say as I grab a pot of freshly brewed coffee.

He looks over his shoulder and grins at me.

“Hey beautiful,” he says as he takes me in. “You look so hot in my clothes.”

“I guess I have you to thank for this,” I said, motioning for the shirt.

He shrugs.

“I didn’t think you’d be comfortable sleeping in your dress,” he tells me.

I smile at the thoughtfulness.

“Thank you,” I manage to say.

“You don’t have to thank me for that,” he assures me before turning back to the stove.

He finishes cooking breakfast and then puts the food on two separate plates. He hands me one along with a fork.

“Figured you might be hungry after all that wine last night.”

I chuckle.

“You figured correctly,” I tell him. “I feel ravenous.”

We start to eat, and the flavors practically explode in my mouth. Such a simple meal, and yet it tasted so delicious. I can’t help the moan that escapes my lips as I take in the flavors of this food. I don’t even notice Aiden staring at me with his fork halfway to his lips and his mouth dropped open. His eyes are dark with something that I could only describe as lust.

My cheeks flush.

“Sorry,” I murmur, biting back the grin. “It’s just really good.”

He smirks.

“I should cook for you more often then,” he teases, his voice dropping to a seductive whisper.

I chuckled, unable to help myself.

After we eat, we get dressed and then we go to the stadium so Aiden could get some practice in. It was Sunday, so the rest of the team wouldn’t be there today, but Aiden insisted on getting a bit more time in on the ice considering he’s been out of the commission for over a month. I didn’t want to deny him that and I also didn’t want to stay home alone all day, so I agreed to go with him.

I watched him from the sidelines as he swirled around the ice with ease, slamming the puck with his stick into the net. I clapped and cheered each time, making him smile brighter and stand a little taller as he skated around effortlessly.

Even through his helmet, I could see he was red in the face and sweaty from working so hard all day and I really didn’t want him to push himself. I tried to get him to settle down for the rest of the day and take a break, but he refused. He kept saying he just needed a few more minutes to perfect the play before he took a break.

I sigh and I decide to leave and grab some lunch while he continues to practice. I grab Tai food from the place up the street and a couple of cups of boba tea. When I returned, I helped up the bag and tea for him to see and he grinned happily.

He steaked to the bench I was sitting at and together we ate and drank the tea with mindless conversation.

Just as we finished eating and I threw away most of our trash, he was about to go back to practice, but I grabbed his arm to stop him.

“Hey, Aiden. Do you think maybe you could teach me?” I asked him, raising my gaze to meet him.

He raises his brows.

“Teach you what?”

I bite my lower lip, embarrassed to ask, but also very curious about what it’s like.

“Teach me how to play hockey? And teach me how to skate.”