Free Love on Ice (Cannon City Series Book 2) by Lauren Marie Page B

my appearance.
    “At one point, I read about my disappearance. My mother said I’d had a mental collapse due to the pressures I’d been under at Nationals. They were very concerned and offered a reward for any information. My name is Stacy Douglas, but I haven’t answered to that name for a long time. I don’t know if my mother still looks for me, but if I keep moving, I think I can keep one step ahead of her.”
    She stood up and moved toward the door. The tears rolled down her cheeks again. “Jay.” She looked back at him as he stood. “It’s a lot of baggage and I’ll understand if you’d rather not be involved with me. I’m not looking for pity. Frankly, I’m not sure what I’m looking for. Thank you for this evening. It was fun and a little mind-blowing.” She laughed. “I didn’t mean to break down. When I was seventeen and left the hospital, I swore I’d never cry again. I guess there were a few years stored up. I’ll need a ride home, if it’s okay.” It surprised her when Jay stepped up to her and lifted her into his arms.
    “Babe, I do feel sympathetic, but really want to beat the shit out of a couple of people. Preferably with my hockey stick. Up until now I’ve never wanted to hit a woman.” He gave her a tight hug.
    Kate wasn’t sure, but she thought she might continue to cry all night. He acted so sweet and although one of her major fears was being judged, he didn’t. He held onto her.
    “I think the first thing we need to do is get an attorney and make sure for some crazy reason that bitch you called mother doesn’t have any legal hold on you. How old are you, anyway?”
    “Twenty-five.” She leaned back. “Jay, I can’t afford an attorney.”
    “I have a friend I grew up with and I think he’d be glad to help for a cut rate. In fact, he’ll be at the rink for Broom Ball.”
    “An attorney who plays Broom Ball?”
    “Yep, he’s great with a broom. I’ll arrange to talk to him before the game, all right?”
    “Jay, you still want to do that and introduce me to your friends?”
    “Of course. This doesn’t change anything between us.”
    Kate got him to let her down. “I’m going back inside. It’s cold out here.”
    They went into the living room and she sat on the couch. Jay grabbed a blanket off an overstuffed chair and put it over her legs. He leaned over and kissed her. “I’ll be right back. Someone stole my sweatshirt.”
    “I can give it back.”
    “No, I have more. Stay put.”
    Kate put her feet on the edge of the couch and wrapped her arms around her legs. She heard him move around upstairs. She rested her chin on her knees and closed her eyes.
    Something clunked in front of her and she opened her eyes. Jay set two glasses on the table and poured whiskey from a bottle into them. He handed her a glass and sat back.
    “Drink this,” he said and tapped her glass.
    Kate took a sip and felt the warm alcohol run down her throat. “Thank you, that’s good.”
    “Now, please explain to me why I wouldn’t want to introduce you to my friends.”
    She set her feet on the floor and took another sip. “I have a tendency to let people down and...”
    “No, stop right there.” He set his glass on the table and put hers there, too. He took her hands in his. “It seems to me that a lot of people who should have supported you let you down. I think you know that, too.” He turned on the couch and looked straight at her. “I really think your mom should be held accountable, but I’m not sure about the legalities. We’ll see what Frank can tell us about all of that tomorrow night. Where was your dad in all this?”
    “After my mother and I moved to Colorado Springs, he sort of dropped off the map. I think I only saw him once after we left Portland.” She tightened her hold on his hands. “Jay, I need to apologize to you. The other night when we did the skate around I lied to you again.” She saw his eyebrows crease and he frowned. “You asked if I’d ever