Cold as Ice by Charlene Groome Page A

home that had two parents. Secure. Loved. Happy.
    Devin closes the box and carries it into the spare room. It’s more of a storage space, a place he wasn’t sure what to do with. When he bought the house, he thought the five-bedroom bungalow was the right size, considering it had a game room with a bar and a Jacuzzi. Maybe the house was too big for a single guy who is constantly on the road. Thankfully, he has a housecleaner who comes every week, and a gardener to keep up his maple trees and wild flowers. It’s the perfect house for a family.
    He shuts off the TV and decides to take a shower and get ready to meet Brittany at The Landing. He takes out a pair of jeans and a shirt. He could call her and cancel, say he’s just too tired from being on the road, that he needs to catch up on his sleep. Is there a future with Brittany? He likes her, but not enough to want to see her every weekend.
    His phone rings as he takes off his shirt. The shower is running hot, steaming up the bathroom. He picks up his phone to see the number. It’s a local one, but he can’t place it. Whoever is calling can wait. He undoes his belt buckle and loosens his jeans so they drop to the floor. His phone beeps, indicating a message. He wonders if it’s one of his teammates, but then, he doesn’t talk to any of them on the phone that much.
    He listens to the message. It’s Carla. His chest tightens as he hears her voice. Sweet yet to the point. “If you’re available for an interview, I’ll be in the office tomorrow afternoon,” she says, leaving her number.
    â€œDamn!” Devin says, putting down his phone. “I have practice tomorrow afternoon.” One of these days they’ll talk. He wants to talk. It’s as close as he’s going to get to her. He’s sure of it. So sure that he tries to forget about her as he gets ready for his date, but the petite blonde keeps entering his mind. The only way to forget is to think about Brittany and what was in store for tonight.
    His phone rings again and Devin jumps to answer it. “Hello?”
    â€œUh, hi, Devin?”
    â€œYeah!”
    â€œIt’s Carla. Sorry to bother you. I just called and realized that tomorrow afternoon won’t work for me. . . . I was seeing if you were available for an interview.... I know it’s last minute.... Is there a day that works best for you?”
    â€œNext week is fine. The afternoon is usually good, except tomorrow, I have a game.”
    â€œRight! I knew that. Okay, we can look at the day after—” She stops in midsentence and the line goes quiet.
    â€œCarla?”
    â€œYes?”
    â€œI thought I lost the call.”
    â€œI’m looking at my day planner.”
    â€œYou can call me back with a time,” he says.
    â€œSure. Sorry. I probably caught you at a bad time. You’re probably out, it being Friday.”
    â€œIt’s fine. Really. Um, we could do it Monday. You work Monday?”
    â€œUh-huh.”
    â€œAre you working right now?”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œDo you always work late on Friday nights?”
    â€œIt’s not too late,” she says.
    â€œIt’s nine o’clock,” he says. “Can’t imagine much goes on in sports at this time, unless it’s a hockey game.”
    â€œIt’s nine o’clock!” She gasps. “Sorry, I didn’t realize the time. I wouldn’t have called you so late.”
    Devin laughs.
    â€œI had a bunch of stuff to do and lost track of time. We can finish this up on Monday, then.”
    â€œWe could do this now,” he says.
    â€œNow? No way! Not over the phone. I need a cameraman and I don’t have one. Look, I shouldn’t have called so late. My apologies. Can I meet you at the rink on Monday before practice?”
    â€œYeah.”
    â€œOkay, great. That’s perfect.”
    â€œCarla?”
    â€œYes?”
    â€œHow late were you planning