Match Penalty (Utah Fury Hockey Book 2) Read online

  Contents

  Also By Brittney Mulliner

  Exclusive Content

  Match Penalty:

  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

  Chapter 30

  Thank You

  Exclusive Content

  Coming Soon

  Line Change

  About the Author

  Learn More

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, organizations, places, events, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

  Copyright © 2018 Brittney Mulliner

  All rights reserved.

  ISBN-13: 978-1726227759

  ISBN-10: 1726227758

  No part of this book may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without express written permission of the author.

  Also By Brittney Mulliner

  Romance::

  Utah Fury Hockey

  Puck Drop (Reese and Chloe)

  Match Penalty (Erik and Madeline)

  Line Change (Noah and Colby)

  Young Adult:

  Begin Again Series

  Begin Again

  Live Again

  Love Again (Coming Soon)

  Charmed Series

  Finding My Charming

  Finding My Truth (Coming Soon)

  Standalones

  The Invisibles

  For exclusive content and the most up to date news, sign up for

  Brittney’s Reader’s club here

  Match Penalty:

  Rule 405 (a)

  A “MATCH” penalty involves the immediate removal of a player or Team Official for the balance of the game and a five minute time penalty shall be assessed.

  (per USA Hockey Rulebook, https://www.usahockeyrulebook.com/)

  Chapter One

  Madeline

  Not everyone loves the smell of locker rooms, but to me it was home. I’d grown up in several, watching my dad move from college to semi-pro and finally to the NHL.

  Hopefully, the guys were gone. I didn’t want any awkward encounters on my first day back. I peeked into the main locker room and found it empty. Perfect. I hurried past it, reciting the directions Dad had given me. Go past the locker room, last door on the right.

  The black and red tile next to the door read “Bo Romney - Head Coach.” Pride swelled deep in my heart. This was everything he’d been working toward since he left the league when I was a baby. Once again, his dreams were coming true.

  I knocked but didn’t hear a reply. I checked my watch. It was noon. I was right on time.

  Not wanting to interrupt, I sat down on the leather couch across the hall.

  I pulled out my phone and sent a text to my boyfriend letting him know we would probably be a few minutes late for lunch. He wouldn’t like that. Clark was very prompt. Tardiness was rude. But sometimes things couldn’t be helped. I’d tried to tell him that, hoping he’d relax, but we’d been together for four years and he’d yet to budge.

  He sent me a single word response and I knew he was annoyed. I should cut him some slack. He’d uprooted his entire life when I mentioned wanting to be closer to my family. He gave up an incredible job opportunity and had to take the bar exam over again in Utah just to be with me. I was ready to be close to my family again, and in a very un-Clark move, he’d agreed to move with me. He actually mentioned moving first. His parents connected him with the attorney general’s office in Utah. Clark wanted to work in a major city, Los Angeles, Boston, New York, or Chicago. He was willing to start his career in Salt Lake because that’s where I wanted to be. If he could do all of that for me, I could be patient with him. Even when he didn’t return the favor.

  Clark’s job wasn’t as flexible as mine or Dad’s. His previous mentor called in a few favors and got him in with the state’s attorney general. Working on capitol hill wasn’t easy. He had a lot to prove to his colleagues and bosses. A ten-minute delay meant cutting lunch short or missing a meeting.

  I stood and knocked on the door again. This wasn’t like Dad. He normally at least texted me if he was falling behind.

  The door swung open revealing a very angry man. He was at least six inches taller than my five-seven. His face was twisted with irritation, but that didn’t take away from how handsome he was. I looked up at him and tried to apologize, but he shoved past me and hurried down the hall.

  “Excuse you.”

  I watched his back, wanting to call out to him. He’d been rude. He owed me an apology.

  “Ignore him, Madi. He just got some bad news.”

  I stepped into the office and smiled at Dad. He looked good. I worried this job would cause too much stress, but he looked happy with suspiciously less grey hair than the last time I saw him.

  “Is the team okay?”

  He nodded and opened his arms. “It’s good to see you, sweetie.”

  I hugged him and felt like a little girl again. His bear hugs were one of my favorite things in the world.

  I stepped back and adjusted my purse on my shoulder. “Are you ready?”

  “Yeah. Are you driving or me?”

  I laughed. “As if you’d give up an opportunity to show off your baby.”

  He smiled. “Fine, I’ll drive.”

  He led me through the hallways to the parking garage. His Tesla was parked in a front stall—a perk of being the head coach.

  I slid into the passenger seat and rolled my eyes. This was more like a spaceship than a car.

  Dad hit the start button and pulled out of the garage faster than necessary.

  “Does Mom let you drive like that when she’s in the car?”

  Mom was not a fan of speed or danger or risks. She was the type to stay home with a glass of wine and her favorite book.

  “Of course not.” He laughed. “I hit one-ten on the freeway once and she started yelling. I swear she was about to call the police on me.”

  I laughed and shook my head. “Poor Mom.”

  “Hey! What about poor Dad? I’m the one that has to suppress myself around her.”

  I shot him a look. “She let you get the car, didn’t she?”

  He nodded. “Fair enough.”

  “Plus, you have me to go skydiving and racing with.”

  He reached across the consul and squeezed my hand. “I’m glad you’re back. I missed my partner in crime.”

  “I missed you too, Dad.”

  He pulled the car into the parking lot of Restaurant X. Yes, that was the real name. Clark swore everyone in his office was raving about it and we just had to go. I had a feeling it was going to be one of those places that served tablespoons of food and charged fifty dollars a plate.

  Dad held the door open for me and made a face. The interior supported my suspicions.

  “Can we drive through somewhere after?”

  I laughed and nodded.r />
  “Madeline. Bryan, nice to see you.” Clark greeted Dad with a handshake before placing his hands on my shoulder and quickly pecking my cheek.

  I was disappointed, but he probably didn’t want to show too much affection in front of my dad.

  “Our table is right over here.” Clark led us toward the back and pulled my chair out for me. I leaned in for a proper kiss, but he pulled back slightly. Why was he behaving like this? I wanted to ask him, but knew I’d get a lecture about it later. He didn’t like public disputes. Or affections, apparently. But he never minded in Chicago.

  I sat and looked over the menu. Four items were listed and I could pronounce exactly none of them. I looked up to see Dad grimace. I almost laughed but bit my lip to keep it from escaping.

  The waiter came by and Clark took the initiative to order for all of us. Dad caught my eye and made a face. The laugh exploded out of me, but I quickly recovered with a cough.

  “Madeline, do you need more water?” My glass was full but I got the hint. I took a sip and smiled at Clark.

  “Thanks, honey.”

  He nodded once before turning to Dad and talking to him about work. I was surprised he made the effort. He hadn’t been shy with his feelings about hockey, especially on the professional level. He didn’t believe it was a real career.

  He seemed to be playing nice right now, so I didn’t try to change the topic.

  “The team is doing great this season. If they keep it up, we’ll be set for playoffs.” Dad was grinning, but he was probably just as confused as me by Clark’s sudden interest.

  “That’s great, Bryan.” He took a sip of water. “You know, the attorney general is a fan.”

  Dad nodded.

  “He mentioned how much he’d enjoy going to a game.”

  I watched their exchange wondering who would cave first. Clark rarely asked for things, and Dad rarely made things easy for him.

  “I’m sure he would enjoy it. The games have been entertaining lately.”

  I lifted my glass to hide my smile.

  “Great. Great.” Clark looked at his watch. “Maybe we could get him some tickets to the next home game.”

  “I’m sure we could.”

  The waiter returned with our petite lunches. That was the nicest word I could use to describe the minuscule slice of salmon, three potato wedges, and two carrots.

  “Just have them sent to my office and I’ll deliver them.”

  There we go. Clark got his way without having to directly ask for it. Dad was shaking his head, but really, he had set himself up.

  Clark wasn’t a good attorney because he was kind about getting what he wanted. He was strategic and relentless.

  Before I’d even finished half of my food, Clark stood and tossed a few bills on the table. “Sorry, but I’ve got to run. I need to be back at the capitol before one.”

  I stood to kiss him goodbye, but he was already walking away. I slumped back down and sighed.

  “He seemed like he had a lot on his mind, sweetie. Don’t take it personally.”

  I forced a smile and nodded. Mom and Dad loved Clark. They looked past his quirks and strong personality and had accepted him as part of the family. I was grateful for it. I don’t know what I’d do if they didn’t love who I was with. But sometimes I wanted them to take my side.

  “I know. I just wish the job wasn’t so consuming. I feel like we haven’t had a moment to ourselves since we got here.”

  It wasn’t this bad back in Chicago. No matter how swamped we were with studying or classes, we always made time for each other. Clark used to surprise me at school with lunch when he knew I was too busy to think about eating. We used to meet every Wednesday morning for coffee or breakfast. We made the effort to show each other we cared.

  What happened to that?

  Dad gave me a sympathetic smile. “That always happens with new jobs. Once he gets used to it and doesn’t feel like he has to prove himself so much, things will slow down.”

  He knew what he was talking about. He and Mom had struggled with the same problem for most of his career.

  “I hope so.”

  “Let’s get out of here and go get some burgers. I’m starving.”

  I laughed and stood. I’d been thinking the same thing.

  Chapter Two

  Erik

  Coach blew the final whistle ending practice. I was covered in sweat and wanted to start stretching so I could get to the showers first.

  “Gather ‘round, Fury.”

  I met Reese’s eyes and he shook his head. Guess I wasn’t the only one that wanted to get off the ice.

  I turned around and waited for Coach to get through his speech. We hadn’t lost a game in a month, and I hadn’t heard of any of the guys causing trouble, so what could he possibly have to say?

  Coach looked around, and when the entire team was waiting, he cleared his throat. “We have a new addition to the Fury family.”

  I looked to Hartman. As the captain, he had to know what was going on, but his face revealed nothing.

  “My daughter just moved here and joined a physical therapy practice downtown.”

  So that was who’d been blocking me from leaving his office yesterday. He’d just told me my contract was up this season and management was watching me. As if I’d forgotten. It was my best year yet. I never missed a practice. Even during the off-season, I was working out. I never took a vacation. I’d dedicated my entire life to hockey and to this team. If management didn’t see that, they were blind.

  I don’t know why he felt the need to call me in. I hadn’t been slacking off. I’d scored at least one goal in each of the last six games. Was he trying to get in my head? Push me harder? I was the number one left wing in the league.

  That did put a price tag on my head. Was the team willing to lose me? Trading me could get them their choice of players. They could get three decent players for what they were paying me.

  I shook my head and focused back on Coach. “I want to make sure you guys make her feel welcome, but not too welcome.” He glared at each of the single guys, landing on me for a few beats longer than the rest. Yeah, like I had any interest in her.

  I didn’t do girlfriends, and I definitely didn’t date anyone related to someone from the team. Even if their hair was like sunshine and their eyes reminded me of Lake Louise, my favorite spot back home. That was one road I would never go down. Especially not when my contract was on the line. Pissing off Coach would cement my trade.

  Chloe, my sister, called me a player. I didn’t bother correcting her. I went on casual dates, sure, but it’s not like I led them to believe they were the only one. Every girl knew in advance that I didn’t do serious and probably wouldn’t call them ever again. We both had fun and went on our separate ways.

  A serious relationship didn’t appeal to me. Not while I was still in the NHL. My focus needed to be on my game. I couldn’t worry about not giving a girl enough time or attention. I knew I wouldn’t be able to give them what they deserved. Somehow, other guys on the team did it. Even Reese, who had only been on the team for a few months, and Chloe were somehow making it work, but it just didn’t seem fair to me. If and when the time came that I was ready to get tied down, I’d want to be able to spend time with her. I’d want her to know she was my priority. Right now, that couldn’t happen.

  So that left me with casual dating.

  It worked for me. It worked for the girls. Both parties were happy and I didn’t have to worry about hurting their feelings when I didn’t call them while I was traveling for games. Win. Win. Win.

  “Come on, Schultz.” Reese bumped my elbow breaking me out of my thoughts. I guess I’d missed the rest of Coach’s talk. Oh well.

  I followed him to the locker room and took off my skates and pads. Fifteen minutes of stretching was all that stood between me and a much-needed shower.

  I went through the motions on autopilot. Reese and Brassard, one of the defensemen on our line, were talking about some
event we had to go to. I didn’t bother paying attention. Chloe got me to where I needed to be when I needed to be there.

  “When are you going to ask her?” Brassard was smirking at Reese who swatted him with a resistance band.

  “Not for a while, dude.”

  I eyed him. “Ask who what?”

  Reese just smiled at me and walked away. I looked to Brassard. “What are you guys talking about?”

  He laughed. “Maybe if you pulled your head out of your—.”

  “Just tell me,” I nearly growled.

  “He and Chloe are getting serious. Most of the guys are wondering when he’s going to make it official.”

  “They are official.” Idiot.

  He looked at me almost like he felt bad for me. “I mean legally official. Like married.”

  He had to be kidding. Chloe wasn’t ready for marriage. We were twenty-five. Practically still kids. She couldn’t possibly be considering marriage.

  “Dude, your face is pale. Are you okay?”

  I nodded and dropped my foam roller.

  Chloe wasn’t getting married. She wasn’t. I wouldn’t let her.

  She was my only family. We haven’t been apart since our parents’ deaths seven years ago. I couldn’t lose her too. I wouldn’t let Reese take her.

  I went to the showers and hurried so I could talk to my sister. We needed to clear this up now.