Lucky Bounce: Game On, Part 2 by Jennifer Lazaris

14

Eli bent over, holding his stick across his knees, sucking in gulps of air as Coach blew the whistle, ending the final drill.

It had been a tough practice, both physically and emotionally, and he was ready to call it a day. Trying to focus after what had happened to Fally last night was next to impossible.

Eli, Ryder, Shaw, Brandon, and Sam London stayed on the ice after West and the rest of the team headed off.

"Has anyone heard anything about Fal?" Eli asked the guys, taking a shot at the net. "Anyone talk to Nic?"

Ryder removed his glove and scrubbed a hand over his beard. "Yeah, I talked to her. I'm sure Coach will give an official update soon, but the injury to his knee is significant. He's had issues with that knee before but has always been able to bounce back."

Brandon bounced a puck on his stick, then fired it down the ice toward the opposite goal. "Fuck, man. Just... fuck."

"My sentiments exactly," Ryder muttered, his face grim. "Nic told me he was going to get more tests today. Things are pretty torn up in there. He's going to need surgery for sure."

"What are you saying, Ry?" Eli asked. "Obviously he won't be back for the playoffs. We know that. But is this the end of the line for his career? Is his knee too fucked up for hockey? Stop bouncing around the fucking subject."

"D, enough," Brandon snapped. "Don't go off on Ry just because you're stressed. We're all fucking stressed."

"I know. Sorry," Eli grumbled, shaking his head. "But it's Fally, man. Fuck."

"Yes, there's a chance that he won't play hockey again. I'm not going to lie about that. Fally's my best friend, and this might end up being tough news for him, career-wise," Ryder said. "But the thing is, we still have to get through this series and focus on the end goal. Coach will obviously be switching things up with the lines, but I'm guessing that Sam will probably move up to Fal's position. Though I know there will be adjustments on the fly. And Tyler Quinn might be moving to the second line to fill in there. We'll have to see how it all plays out, but there's no question we will have to adapt, and quickly."

"This fucking sucks," Sam grumbled. "I don't want to see Fal go out like this."

"We don't know anything for sure yet. Nothing is written in stone, so we just have to wait it out for now. But we can't let it distract us from the job we have to do." Ryder pointed his stick at Eli. "I get that you're fired up after what happened, D. We all are. But going forward, you need to try and keep it controlled. Yeah, that hit last night on Fally was bad. But it was the awkward clash afterward with their other player that caused the knee issue. Not the hit."

"I know. I just hate that fucking asshole." Eli fired another shot at the net. "Bradiere has been a dirty player his whole life. He deserved what he got last night.”

"Everyone wanted to beat Bradiere's ass when Fal went down,” Shaw said. “If Bradiere wouldn't have hit him, then there wouldn't have been a clash. Seeing Fally in that much pain was fucking brutal. Eli did the right thing. The officials didn’t even see the hit, and Bradiere had to answer for it."

Eli closed his eyes and gave his head a shake. He knew pain, but what Fally had gone through last night had exceeded any injury he'd ever dealt with during his career. Fally's screams of pain had been too much for any of them to take.

"Did you see Bradiere's face?" Eli asked. "He was fucking smirking when Fal hit the ice. Smirking. What the fuck is wrong with that guy?"

"He's a piece of shit, and no, I didn't," Ryder admitted. "But we can't change the past. Let's use our anger to get on the goddamn board. I know you guys are still going to be hot out there after what happened, and the officials will be watching for it. But let's use our anger to hit them where it counts, that's all I'm saying. Because if Fally really is done with hockey, I don't want him to miss his chance to lift the Cup. And I know you wouldn't want that, either." Ryder clapped Eli on the back. "Okay, D?"

He inclined his head. "Yeah, I hear you."

"Good. Now let's hit the fucking showers."

* * *

Eli opened the front door of his penthouse and tossed his car keys into the bowl on the table next to the door. The delicious scent of roasted chicken hung in the air, making his stomach rumble.

"Holly?" He walked toward the kitchen.

"Hey." She stood at the counter. "I was going to make this meal for dinner, but I'm starving. Roasted chicken, mashed potatoes, and steamed veggies. Are you hungry?"

He nodded. "Wow, it smells amazing. Yeah, I could eat. I didn't have anything after practice."

Holly smiled at him, and just like always, it warmed him up and turned him on. She looked adorable standing there in a flowered apron, her purple and black hair pulled into a high ponytail.

"I didn't know you cooked."

"I'm not the greatest cook, to be honest," she admitted as she carved the chicken. "But this is one meal I know how to do well."

"I'm looking forward to it." Eli got down two plates from the cupboard and placed them on the counter. "What are you drinking?"

"Iced tea, please."

He poured her a glass and grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge. "Should we eat at the kitchen table?"

"Sure. No need to get all fancy."

Holly fixed them each a plate while Eli set the rest of the table.

"Voilà." She placed their meals down on the table. "There's plenty more for seconds if you like, too."

Eli took a seat across from her. "I haven't had anyone make me a home-cooked meal in years," he told her, pouring gravy onto the chicken. "Not since my mom got sick."

"I'm sure nothing can beat your mother's food." Holly took a sip of her iced tea. "But this is a good comfort meal, at least."

"I just want you to know that I appreciate it. Coming home to this..." Eli shrugged. "It's just nice." He took a big bite of the chicken and potatoes, then gave her a nod. "It's fucking great, Wilkes. Seriously."

She looked pleased. "Good. I'm glad."

They ate in companionable silence, and it was the first time he'd felt at peace since last night. When they finished eating, he started to clean up, but Holly shook her head.

"Leave it. I don't mind cleaning up."

"You shouldn't clean up if you cooked," he argued.

"Sit and relax. That's an order, Mr. Donnelley." She gave him a playful wink. "Wow, your cheek is really turning colors." She frowned as she stared at his bruise. "Are you okay?"

"Better than the other guy, so I'll consider it a win."

"That was a brutal fight."

"Yeah, because it was a brutal situation," he shot back. "Someone needed to hand him his ass."

"I know." Holly raised her eyebrows. "I'm not arguing that fact." She picked up their plates and carried them over to the garbage disposal. "Have you heard anything about Fally? I haven't gotten a text back from Nic yet, though I'm sure she's got a lot on her plate right now."

"It's... not good," he said, swallowing hard. "We don't know much, but his knee is torn up. He's gone for the rest of the playoffs. But we aren't sure if this is a career-ending injury."

Holly turned around, a stunned look on her pretty face. "Career ending? Oh, no."

"Yeah," he muttered. "It's totally fucked up."

She sat back down at the table. "Fally's a tough guy. If anyone can get past something like this, it's him."

"Maybe." He balled his napkin up in his hand. "Maybe not. We'll find out soon enough."

"Well, don't give up on him yet," she said. "I know it's hard, but—"

"No, you don't know," he snapped. "You don't know anything. This is a huge fucking deal, okay? He might never get back out on the ice again. Ever. He might be done for good. And to go out now, when we're—" He shook his head, then jumped up from his seat when the look on her face turned from bewildered to hurt.

Fuck. If he didn't leave, he was going to take all his frustration out on her, and that was the last thing he wanted to do. "I'm taking off. I need to get out of here for a while."

"The hell you are," she declared, standing up from the table. The hurt expression had been replaced by one of fury.

"You don't get to talk to me like that, Eli Donnelley. Fally is my friend, too. And Nic is a very good friend of mine. I may not know what you're going through when it comes to your team, but I'm worried about him. We're all worried. You don't own this fear alone, understand?"

Eli ran his hands down over his face. "Fuck. Holly, I was totally out of line to snap at you. I'm sorry. It won't happen again. You didn't deserve that. You made me this nice meal, and I just..." He sighed. "I really am sorry."

She studied him for a long moment, then gave a quick nod of her head. "Apology accepted. You're just so used to dealing with stuff alone, Eli, that you shut other people out. Stop walling yourself off, okay? You have to let someone in. You can't carry the burden of things all by yourself."

"I'm not sure I even know how to do that." He sank back down into his seat and scratched his beard. "I've never done it before."

Holly sat down on his lap and wrapped her arms around his neck. "You start like this," she said gently. "You let people comfort you."

He pulled her close and buried his face in her shoulder, inhaling the lily-scented strands of her hair. "I'll try."

"I'm sorry about what happened to Fally," she whispered. "And what you're going through because of it. With the team, and because you're worried about your friend."

Eli closed his eyes and sucked in a breath. "Thank you, kitten. Forgive me for earlier?"

"Yes," she murmured. "Of course I forgive you."

His limbs and body felt so heavy that he wasn't sure how he was going to make it into the other room for a nap. "I'm exhausted."

"You should sleep." She traced her fingers gently along his bruised cheek. "It will help."

"Come with me," he urged. "Leave the cleanup and come lay down with me."

"Are you sure?"

"Hell, yeah. Maybe it's selfish, but I want you in my arms."

"I thought I snored?" she teased. "Won't that keep you awake?"

"Nah, you don't really snore. I was just teasing. Come on. Let's go have a nap."

Holly nodded. "Okay. I'm going to feed Miss first, and I'll meet you in your bedroom."

Eli pressed a gentle kiss to her lips and was pleased to see that when he pulled away, there was a dreamy expression on her pretty face.

Only he got to see this romantic, soft side of her. And if he got his way, no other man would ever see it. He couldn't stand to think of her in someone else's arms.

"Sounds like a plan." He kissed her again, but this time with purpose. "See you in there, kitten."

* * *

Holly let out a soft sigh and rolled over as Eli's phone rang with a video chat request. He struggled to sit up and sighed, running a hand over his hair before grabbing it from the nightstand.

Shit. It was his mother. He quickly hit the answer button.

"Mom?" He tried not to appear panicked when her image popped up on the screen. "What's wrong?"

Holly rolled over; her eyes heavy as she peered up at him.

"Eli?" His mother's face was pale and frightened as tears flowed down her withered cheeks.

"Mom, where's Irena? Is she there?" Panic seized him as she sobbed her heart out.

"Y-yes, she's here. She called you for me. Where are you, Eli? I've been waiting and waiting for you to come home."

"I'm staying here at my house because I need sleep for the playoffs," he said gently. "I'm okay, though. I'm safe at home."

"Oh. Oh, right. That's right," she said, sniffing. "But I'm lonely, Eli. I miss you. And your father isn't here. Do you know where he is?"

Holly put a hand on his arm, and he swallowed hard. It always came back to Ethan Donnelley. He should find the sonofabitch and give him a few well-deserved punches to the jaw.

"Don't worry about Dad. He's away on business."

As always, there was little sense in breaking her heart and telling her he wasn't coming home. She'd likely forget the entire conversation in ten minutes.

"Mrs. Donnelley?" Holly said, easing into the frame. "Hi, I'm Holly Wilkes. Eli's friend."

She gave his arm a gentle squeeze, as if to reassure him.

"Holly." His mother studied her intently, as if she were trying hard to remember. "It's nice to meet you, dear."

"I don't want you to worry about Eli, okay? I'm taking extra good care of him while he's playing hockey. I'm sure as soon as the playoffs are over, he will be able to visit you a lot more."

"Are you two dating?" His mother stared at him. "Eli, is Holly your girlfriend, honey?"

He opened his mouth to reply, but Holly beat him to it. "We're just good friends. But I'm staying with him while the playoffs are going on. I'm making sure he gets a lot of sleep and eats right. I know you'd want that."

His mother smiled. "He likes meatloaf and mashed potatoes. Don't you, Eli?"

"Yep, I do." Some of the pressure in his chest eased as his panic subsided. "But nothing compares to your cooking, Mom."

Holly gave an easy laugh. "Of course not. Nothing can ever top a mom's cooking. That's a lot to live up to. But if I get a chance, I'll try to make it for him."

Irena entered the picture and waved. "Hello, Eli. It's time for a bath before dinner, Mrs. Donnelley."

"Okay. Bye, Eli." She blew him a kiss. "I love you, honey."

He forced a smile. "I love you too, Mom."

"It was nice meeting you, Holly. Take care of my little boy."

"I will. I promise," she said softly, waving. "Goodbye, Mrs. Donnelley."

Eli ended the call and set his phone down on the nightstand. "You got her calmed down better than I could. Thank you, Wilkes."

"Distraction is sometimes the best thing for someone who's upset."

"Well, it worked like a charm." He rubbed his eyes. "Christ, I hate seeing her like that."

"I know you don't want to do it, but you have to make the decision to move her into a full-time facility soon. It's stressful for you to keep getting these calls, and the nurses can only handle so much. But honestly, Eli, so can you."

He nodded, his throat growing tight. "Yeah, I know."

"If you want, I can visit your mom's nurses and get more information from them about the process. I know you don't have a lot of time now, but maybe if I help you get started it won't seem like such a herculean task later."

He stared at her, completely stunned. "You'd do that for me?"

"Yes. I hate seeing you so ripped apart by all of this. And maybe starting the transition might help lessen some of your anxiety about it."

"Yeah, maybe. It's so fucking tough, Holly. I don't know how much longer I'll have her," he muttered, trying not to choke up. "Even if she's still physically here... it's not the same. Her memory loss and health are going to get worse. I know that's coming."

She took his hand and gave it a squeeze. "I'm so sorry, Eli."

"Pretty soon, I'm going to have no one left."

It was his biggest fear, and he'd never told anyone before, except for Holly.

"I try not to think about it, but I can't help it. I don't talk to my stepdad. I don't have any brothers or sisters. When I lose her, I'll lose everything."

Holly leaned her head on his shoulder and wrapped her arms around him. "I know it's not the same, but you've got friends who love you, Eli. You have a wonderful career, and teammates who care about you. You have a support system, but you have to let them in. You need to tell them eventually, and they will be there for you. I know it's tough, but I promise, you'll get through this."

"I can get through it as long as I know that you're one of the people that will be there," he murmured, running his fingers down a lock of her purple hair. "If I know that, I can deal."

"We're friends, and friends are there for each other." She reached up and gently stroked his beard. "Don't worry. I've got you, Donnelley. You can count on that."

He closed his eyes as she cuddled closer to him. Having her near helped calm him, and that was something he'd never expected.

"We're friends with benefits," he told her, his voice sounding gruff to his own ears. "Don't forget about the benefits."

Holly lifted her head and glanced up at him, her pretty hazel eyes soft and kind beneath long, dark lashes. "Like you'd ever let me forget."

"You're right, kitten. I won't."

He moved in to kiss her, and when their lips met, her soft intake of breath stirred his blood. He leaned her back against the pillows, threading his fingers through her hair, and she let out a soft sigh.

The light, feathery touch of her hands skimming along his stomach got him instantly hard. He bit back a groan and slid his fingers down to the waistband of the tiny pair of shorts she wore.

To his surprise, she grabbed the edge of his t-shirt and bit down on her lower lip as she roughly pushed it up. "Off," she ordered.

Desire hit him full force at the lust-filled look in her eyes. He straddled her and sat up, ripping the shirt over his head and tossing it to the floor.

Holly dragged her gaze over his chest, sucking in a breath as she ran her hands down over his biceps.

Eli unsnapped the button of her shorts with one hand as she lifted her hips and pushed them down over her thighs, along with her satin blue underwear. She kicked them off as he stripped out of his cargo shorts.

Holly reached for him again, and they fell back onto his bed, kissing desperately. He couldn't get enough of her mouth and the soft, sexy sounds she made.

"Holly," he whispered, pressing his forehead to hers. He moved his hand between them and lined his cock up with her body, anxious to be inside of her.

"Do it," she begged. "Take me now."

Eli sank into her with a groan, and the sharp cry that spilled from her lips fueled his own lust.

"I'm not gonna last," he gasped. "I can't go slow."

"I don't care. Just fuck me."

She clung to him, lifting her legs high around his back as he drove into her.

"Yes," she cried, reaching down between their bodies to play with her clit. She bit down on her lower lip and made soft, desperate whimpering noises every time he went deep.

He lifted her leg over his shoulder and sank in even deeper, and she arched her back with a low moan.

Fuck, she was hot.

"Tell me you love fucking me," he said. "Tell me, Holly."

"I love when you fuck me," she whispered. "I love being with you like this."

He'd slept with hundreds of women, but he'd never felt as wild and out of control as he did right now. He'd never wanted anything or anyone as badly as he wanted her.

"Oh, fuck." The last shred of control he'd been hanging onto snapped, and he grabbed her ass, holding her tightly against him as he fucked her hard and fast.

A few seconds later, he felt her tremble in his arms as she cried out with her own release. Her pussy was like a vise, pulsing around him as she came.

"Holly," he gasped, the rush of pleasure from his own orgasm taking him down.

When he finally caught his breath, he was dimly aware that he'd buried his face in the lily-scented locks of her hair. She gently stroked his back, and he felt a deep sense of peace.

He lifted his head to look at her, and she gave him a contented smile. "Hi, handsome."

"Hey, kitten." He couldn't stop himself from kissing those soft lips one more time. "Are you okay? I wasn't exactly the king of foreplay tonight."

"I don't care; I didn't need foreplay. Sometimes, you just need a hot, quick, bang. And that was so hot. Really, really hot."

"Yeah, it was. I lost control," he said hesitantly. "Just totally lost it."

"You're really sexy when you lose control," she said softly, brushing a lock of hair out of his eyes. "I was so turned on."

"Showering me with compliments is a fantastic tactic to get more orgasms."

"Is it now?" she teased. "Hmm. Well, you've also got the hottest body, and the biggest cock, and you're the best-looking guy I've ever slept with..."

Eli huffed out a laugh. "Too transparent, babe, but nice try."

He slipped from her body but didn't let her go. Instead, he rolled onto his side and pulled her close.

"I just want to stay here like this with you, okay? I'm not ready to move. I like you right here like this, in my bed."

She pressed a kiss to his chest. "Sounds good to me."

Her phone buzzed with a text, and she sighed, rolling over to grab it from the nightstand. "Hold that thought."

Holly frowned down at the screen, then quickly typed something. She turned it over and settled back down next to him.

"Everything okay?"

"Yeah, it was just some guy I went out with once or twice, ages ago, looking to hook up."

Despite his best intentions, he instantly grew tense. "And?"

Holly frowned. "And what?"

"Did you tell him to fuck off?"

"Basically," she said, shrugging. "I told him I was busy."

He struggled to sit up against the headboard. "Busy?"

"Yes. Why? What did you want me to tell him?"

"How about telling him to lose your number?" he asked, fighting to maintain his composure.

Holly grew still.

"Unless you've decided to keep your options open."

"Eli, that's not what that was." She placed a hand on his arm. "Really."

"You sure?"

Holly picked her phone up from the nightstand. She pressed a button on the screen and began to speak. "Casey, I should have been clearer in my previous text. I'm kind of seeing someone right now, so any chance of us hooking up is totally off the table. Take care."

"Kind of?" Eli asked, raising an eyebrow.

Holly rolled her eyes and tapped the screen again. "To be even more clear, I'm definitely seeing someone right now, so lose my number. Ciao."

She put the phone down on the nightstand. "Better?"

Eli pulled her against him. "It would have been better if you told him your boyfriend would break his fucking legs if he texted you again."

"Maybe, but you're not my boyfriend," she said, poking him in the chest.

"No, but I'm the someone that you're definitely, not kind of, seeing."

"We're friends with benefits," she reminded him. "Exclusive friends with benefits, but that's all. That's not a boyfriend."

He closed his eyes. "Not a boyfriend yet."

"What about you, Eli? Have you told your fan club that you're seeing someone and you're not available to meet their sexual needs?"

He opened one eye. "Fan club?"

"Your groupies. The gold-digging puck bunnies. Feel free to pick your descriptor."

"Yeah, I have. Check my phone if you want proof. I've got nothing to hide." He stifled a yawn. "I told you before, I don't want anyone but you. Now come closer. Your boyfriend wants to cuddle and take another nap. I'm totally worn out after meeting your sexual needs."

"Argh," she grumbled. "Eli—"

"Uh huh. I know. Not your boyfriend," he repeated, closing his eyes again. "Got it."

"Good."

He turned and kissed her temple. "But just so you know, I'm going to do everything I can to change your mind about that, kitten. And sometimes, I don't play fair." He grinned, then nuzzled her neck. "But I always play to win."