Holiday Face-off Read online

  HOLIDAY FACE-OFF

  PUCK BATTLE SERIES

  BOOK ONE

  A Holiday Hockey Romance

  By: Kristen Echo

  Holiday Face-off

  Puck Battle Series Book One

  Copyright © 2017 by Kristen Echo and Kristen Publishing

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without the prior written permission of the above copyright owner of this book or publisher.

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is coincidental.

  Website: http://www.echoromance.com

  Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/authorkristenecho/

  eBook ISBN:978-0-9952712-2-7

  TABLE OF CONTENTS

  CHAPTER ONE

  CHAPTER TWO

  CHAPTER THREE

  CHAPTER FOUR

  CHAPTER FIVE

  CHAPTER SIX

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  CHAPTER NINE

  CHAPTER TEN

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  EPILOGUE

  AUTHOR NOTE

  SNEAK PEEK

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

  CHAPTER ONE

  I t sucked being single at Christmas. The holidays could be a lonely time of year even when by choice. Carly Saint had her reasons, but that didn’t make the ache in her chest any less real.

  A snowflake from the darkened sky landed on her nose. The sun wasn’t due to make an appearance for another hour. With any luck, it would push the storm clouds away. Thirty percent chance of flurries. For once she wanted the weatherman to be right. She needed him to be right.

  The city looked festive and peaceful on her drive to work. Snow blanketed every inch with shimmering sparkles. A winter wonderland that Carly couldn’t appreciate yet. Not until her shift at the diner was over and she was sailing thousands of feet in the air would she get to enjoy the beauty of the Christmas season.

  There were no cars on the road as she drove outside the city limits. She lived in the campus dorms, but worked at a rural diner because it reminded her of home. She could have worked on campus like everyone else, but not with that hectic pace. Plus, she fell in love with the owners the first time she set foot in the fifties style truck stop diner. In six months of employment, this was the first time she wished it was closer to school.

  Every direction was snow covered prairies and white, frosted buildings. The snow made the road slick, forcing her to drive slow. Thirty minutes became an hour. Despite the icy conditions, she arrived on time.

  She popped into the back office to punch the clock. “Morning, Carly. Thanks again for taking this shift,” Mr. Richardson said when he spotted her tying her apron. “You look nice today.”

  She had styled her shoulder length hair into a messy ponytail with cascading tendrils around her face. A touch of light make-up and heavy mascara completed the effortlessly chic look. Unfortunately, she couldn’t say the same for the black t-shirt and blue jeans uniform.

  Perry Richardson was a kind boss who noticed small details others overlooked. The compliment made her blush. He looked like a younger version of Santa Claus. Exchange the brown beard for white and he was a shoe in for the job. When he asked for something, like working on Christmas eve, she felt compelled to help.

  “Um… Thanks and no problem; my flight isn’t until five thirty.” Her shift ended at two thirty, leaving her enough time to make it to the airport even with poor conditions. She leaned over his desk to peek out the window for a view of the near empty parking lot, praying the snow would stop. It hadn’t.

  Mr. Richardson settled into his chair and switched on the small TV which hung on the wall by his desk. “This is your first visit back in a while, right?”

  The news was broadcasting the face of a missing teen. Lately, it seemed as though a new face was being shown every week. Criminals were taking over, giving Carly an uneasy feeling. He flipped through the channels until he reached the sports network.

  City crime rates were at an all-time high, providing another reason to head back to her small northern Saskatchewan home town. A place she’d been happy to leave at the start of summer. It’s not like she had extra time to spare or the money to go back, but her parents expected her home for the holidays.

  “Yup.” She hoped her curt response would stop the questions.

  “Your folks must be happy to get you home.” The statement hung in the air, making Carly question the reality of it. “They still on your case about the ex?”

  Mrs. Richardson loved to gossip. The nice older woman was like a second mother, and Carly appreciated having her shoulder to cry on when they first met. Only her secrets weren’t secrets for long. Everyone heard she had an ex from hell, and parents who worshiped him.

  She plastered on her fake smile; the one she’d perfected for customers. It oozed charm with a dash of sass, but also said don’t mess with me. “Things are fine. Thank you for asking.” She switched her focus to the thirty-inch flat screen. Carly wondered how he got any work done with the distraction. Highlights of last night’s hockey game were being shown.

  “Did you catch the game?” He asked, and she was happy for the change in subject. She was a hockey fan. One of the few things they had in common.

  “Sure did, we slaughtered the Penguins. If we keep this up, we may have a shot at playoffs.” Carly couldn’t skate to save her life, but still loved to watch the game. Her father was a diehard Jets fan and his love rubbed off on her at some point.

  The points flashed across the screen. The night’s top spot went to Theo Montagne; last year’s Rookie of the Year. The announcers showed last night’s hat-trick. Not his first of the season. Each of his three goals looked effortless. He had serious talent. They displayed a picture of Theo with his wild mop of brown hair, piercing blue eyes and killer smile. Carly stared at the picture, tuning out the announcer’s commentary.

  “Good looking kid, don’t you think?” Mr. Richardson’s question caught her off guard. “Looks like a nice guy too.”

  She didn’t know how to answer. Yes, the man was attractive, okay smoking hot, but he was also a hockey player which she found unappealing. “If you like hockey players, I guess.” She shrugged her shoulders. “I’ll be up front if you need me. Try not to work too hard, boss.” Carly winked and finished signing in. As much as she hated gossip, she loved the owners like family.

  Mr. Richardson nodded, shuffling papers on his desk. “Don’t leave today without coming to say bye. The Mrs. and I got you a little something.” Carly put her hands out, hoping to get whatever the present was now. Chocolate was always welcomed since her sweet tooth was never satisfied. He swatted them away. “After shift; don’t forget.”

  “Sure, I won’t forget.” Carly would never leave chocolate behind. She closed the office door and made her way up front. Those two were so generous, another reason she worked out in the middle of nowhere.

  As expected, there weren’t many customers when the doors opened. A slow morning meant few tips. The shift was a favor, but in reality, she didn’t mind. She needed every penny. Plane tickets nearly doubled around the holidays, but going back was important. She felt guilty enough for choosing a school that was thousands of miles away. She didn�
�t want to add yet another disappointment in their eyes.

  Her parents acted like they were happy with her decisions, but she could tell they wanted their only child closer. They supported her with bright smiles, which only made her feel worse. Behind the fake grins, she was breaking their hearts. She stuffed those thoughts away as the hustle and bustle of serving customers picked up.

  “Don’t look so glum, your tips suffer when you’re not smiling,” Miranda said with a big ear to ear grin. Her co-worker didn’t have to remind Carly of that fact.

  Her shift was coming to an end and the small amount of change jingling in her apron was enough of a reminder. She forced a toothy grin. They were getting harder to fake as the day progressed. She wanted to go home, but dreaded seeing certain people.

  “Why are you so cheerful?” Most people were delighted that Christmas eve had finally arrived, but Carly knew Miranda’s big smile had nothing to do with the holidays.

  “Chuck surprised me last night with an after-game hat-trick of his own. A three orgasms performance. And then again this morning. I am one lucky lady.”

  Carly sputtered the coffee she’d snuck a sip of. Miranda had no filter. “OMG. Keep it down! I’m not sure the tables in the back heard ya.” Carly giggled.

  Miranda’s husband was another Jets fan who took the game too seriously. He played the sport in a rec league and thought he was God’s gift to women.

  Every hockey player she’d ever met thought that way. On more than one occasion she’d debated the merits of dating hockey players with Miranda. Carly wasn’t convinced they weren’t all egotistical maniacs with daddy issues.

  “Hush yourself. If the team keeps playing this good I might end up pregnant before Easter.” Miranda rubbed her flat stomach.

  The couple wanted a baby but according to Mrs. Richardson; Chuck was a cheater. Miranda confirmed as much the last time she worked. Men like Chuck fueled Carly’s bitterness.

  “Sounds like you’ve patched things up then? Last time we spoke, you were kicking his lying ass out?” It was impossible to mask the irritation in her voice. Chuck didn’t cheat habitually, which made him more faithful than any other hockey player she had ever known.

  Miranda bit her lip and looked down. “I was angry when we talked. Chuck explained everything. It was all one huge misunderstanding, and we’re all good now.”

  Carly wasn’t sure who she was trying to convince. “How exactly did he explain the fact that he had sex with someone other than his wife?” She kept her voice low to keep their conversation private, but she wanted to scream. Cheating was unforgivable. It had happened to her, and she vowed it would never happen again.

  Miranda straightened her apron and came closer. “You’ve met Chuck. My man’s easy on the eyes and a damn good hockey player. No one can handle a stick like he can.” She waggled her brow and Carly wanted to hide under the counter. “There is nothing to explain and I don’t want to talk about the past. He promised it—.”

  “Would never happen again. And you believe him?” Carly believed Chuck deserved to be benched; permanently.

  “Don’t give me that look, Miss Saint. I’m not an idiot, but I do love him. He’s a good man and I’m not interested in becoming a thirty-year-old divorced woman, searching for love again. When you find the right one, you’ll see what I mean. You’ll grab on with both hands and never let go. He’ll make you think anything is possible. Besides, I want to start a family, and Chuck promised me a happy life. Today, I am a happy woman. When was the last time you said that?”

  It had been a long while since Carly had allowed herself that kind of happiness. “We’re not talking about me. If you’re happy, then I am too.” She truly meant her words. Carly lived vicariously through her friends. She just hoped he’d keep his promise this time.

  “Thanks. Your prince is out there too. A man who can make you come so hard you’ll be seeing stars, my girl. Hey, maybe we’ll have babies around the same time. Christmas miracles happen all the time.” She winked before sauntering off to clear a table.

  An ache in her chest nearly stopped her heart. Her hand moved to her stomach as she took a few deep breaths, but it left her off kilter. Carly doubted her friend; she didn’t deserve the kind of miracle Miranda mentioned.

  There wasn’t much time to dwell on her conversation since customers came in to get out of the storm. The lunch rush had Carly hopping. Most of their clients were truckers and nearing the end of her shift the place was packed.

  “Double espresso,” a deep, male voice said.

  Carly looked up from the register into the face of none other than Mr. Hockey-Star himself, Theo Montagne. She rubbed her eyes, thinking she had to be mistaken because celebrities never came to the diner. But he was real and standing inches from her. Her thighs clenched, and her cheeks blushed. She gulped. He was even more attractive up close and personal than he was on the TV screen.

  CHAPTER TWO

  H er heart fluttered at the sight of him, which ticked her off. Good looks and money didn’t make him more special or significant than any other customer. Thick, dark brown locks fell across his forehead shielding his eyes. Even without seeing the crystal-clear pools of blue, she recognized him. He shook the melting snow off his black baseball cap before quickly putting it back on and pulling the brim low to hide his identity.

  Carly suspected he wasn’t in the mood for a fan moment, though her heart beat a mile a minute in his presence. She’d never been this close to someone famous before. Hockey player or not, he was a customer. She flashed an extra-large smile, not that it mattered. He didn’t look up from his phone. Arrogance rolled off him in waves.

  “Feel free to grab any vacant table, although there aren’t many left.” She pointed around the diner, but his eyes remained glued to his phone. Carly rolled her eyes and hoped he sat at one of Miranda’s tables.

  Miranda wasn’t the only lover of hockey players. Carly’s roommate would swoon if she was this close to Theo Montagne. Beth had an addiction to hockey and an unhealthy attraction to hockey players. The past six months, Carly watched her date four different hockey players. All of whom used and tossed her aside like a piece of garbage. Beth was a sweet girl, but her fixation on the sport clouded her judgment regarding the men.

  Being an athlete didn’t give these guys the right to treat people like crap. Her own dating history revealed similar conduct. They treated women as though they were lucky to have a moment of their time. Beth was on a mission to marry a hockey player. She had a list of men from the National Hockey League she planned to seduce. Theo Montagne was on that list.

  “Do I order here or at the table?” The hockey player asked. The deep timbre of his voice sent shivers down Carly’s spine.

  “Depends which table you take. If you take the only one open next to the window, then I can take your order now, otherwise you’ll have to wait for the other waitress to get to ya.” She could have kicked herself for not directing him towards the two empty tables on the left.

  She didn’t want to serve him, right?

  “Thanks. I was kidding about the espresso by the way.” He smiled, his straight white teeth sparkled like the freshly fallen snow. Carly wished he’d look up but he kept his head down. “I’d like a cup of coffee and the lunch special, please.”

  At least this ego maniac was polite. “Sure thing.” Carly smiled again, but her efforts were in vain.

  The hockey player walked away, never having looked at her once. He was a tall guy without being imposing. Carly admired his broad build. Over six feet of lean muscles lay hidden under a black leather jacket. Carly punched his order into the system and watched him from the corner of her eye. He had the most firm and round ass she’d seen in ages. Her mouth salivated as he flaunted that perfect behind, making his way to the table in her section and disappearing from her view.

  It was a shame he never noticed her. He couldn’t be bothered to acknowledge her existence, which didn’t surprise her even though it stung.

  If
he was too busy to spare her a glance, then he could wait for his caffeine fix. Carly was busy too. She checked on her other tables and waited another minute before fetching his cup of coffee. When she approached his table, he typed on his phone with purpose. Whatever conversation he was having must have been important. His full lips thinned into a straight line and his jaw clenched as he concentrated on the device in his hands. He had huge hands, making the phone seem tiny by comparison.

  Carly wondered what it would feel like to have those big paws on her. Touching her in places she hadn’t been touched in far too long. Would they be rough or gentle?

  She cleared her suddenly dry throat. The coffee felt too warm in her hands and her face became rosy. She placed his cup on the table in front of him with yet another smile that was not returned. Theo mumbled a word of thanks, effectively dismissing her.

  Leaning against the counter, she wondered why she cared if he looked at her or not. It’s not like he would fall in love at first sight like in the movies. But damn it, she wanted to get a peek at those stunning blue eyes she’d seen on TV.

  “How are you still standing upright, girl?” Miranda asked, leaning next to her, fanning her face.

  “What?” Carly’s cheeks heated as she turned to face her co-worker. She tucked a few loose curls behind her ears before tugging on the hem of her black t-shirt. The uniform shrunk in the dryer, exposing a tiny slice of midriff on the sides where the apron didn’t cover.

  “Theo Montagne talked to you, and your knees didn’t buckle. What’s wrong with you?” She giggled like a school girl.

  Anyone who knew anything about hockey would be able to recognize him. Hat or no hat, he was a big deal around these parts. He was that good on the ice, and judging by the size of those giant hands, he was good off it as well. His first-year points beat records created by some of the greats. His second season was more of the same. Drafted right after high school, he wasn’t much older than Carly. He could retire tomorrow with more zeros in his bank account than anyone needed in a lifetime.