The Risk Read online

  The Risk

  Mia Ford

  Copyright © 2018 by Mia Ford

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  Created with Vellum

  Contents

  Blurb

  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

  Epilogue

  Epilogue

  Epilogue

  Part 2

  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

  31. Sneak Peak: Come for Me

  About the Author

  Also by Mia Ford

  Blurb

  Part 1

  A Best Friend’s Brother Romance

  I’ve lost my goddamn mind.

  I slept with my best friend’s brother.

  This has to stop. Now. Except I’m hooked.

  I wanted a fresh start for college. New town, new people. Right?

  My new best friend made me part of her family.

  I’ve never felt so welcome.

  Then I met Logan. Her brother.

  Playboy reputation. Star player. Gorgeous everything.

  His sky blue eyes locked on mine and shot a love-struck bullet right into me.

  I was so totally screwed.

  If my best friend finds out, I’ll be on her naughty list for good.

  So she can’t find out.

  Except now I’m pregnant.

  Time to run.

  I never thought I’d see Logan again,

  But there he is on the city street.

  I know I should tell him the truth, but I just can’t.

  It’s too late for us. We missed our chance.

  Do we really deserve a second one?

  Chapter One

  Holly

  I slipped out of the car, gazing around at the crowd that was heading towards the small entrance of the massive arena with wide eyes. They were loud and getting aggressive already and I looked at my roommate Shelly with a doubtful expression.

  “Are you sure about this?” I asked her as she laughed and gave me a reassuring smile.

  “I am. This team is everything to this town, Holly. They’re excited but they’re not going to kill you or anything like that. Promise.” Her deep blue eyes were warm and sparkling and I bit my lip, making her laugh.

  Shelly grew up in Calgary with her family and her brother signed on with the pro team last year. She lived hockey her entire life since Logan was a few years older than we were. The pride that she felt for him was like a halo around her every time she mentioned the team or Logan. Shelly was a vibrant person to begin with though. She led the way to the doors, and we waited in the crowd until we walked inside.

  Shelly took an immediate right, and we walked to box seats that were located at center ice. Her dad already had season tickets as a hockey fan and just upgraded for this year. I marveled at the large space with seats, a large glass window for watching, and access to a buffet and drinks just a few feet away. Her parents were already there, and my heart dropped as I met them for the first time. We went to college a few towns over and I usually visited my family in New York for the holidays. We were still in our first year of college and this was so new to me. So overwhelming.

  Her mom hugged me, and her dad did the same. They were walking around the generous space as other family members arrived and I inhaled slowly and walked to the glass to look down at the ice. The team was skating out there in their uniforms but no helmets. It was obviously a practice before the actual game but still intense as I let my eyes move over them. I knew that Logan was number 23 and found his jersey, taking in the gorgeous man in person as he grinned at one of the players. He resembled his family with the same blue eyes and warm smile and I watched him for a moment as I took in the moment alone. His hair was more of a chocolate brown, but Shelly had hers colored into a bright red. She had since I met her. It was anyone’s guess what her natural hair color was, and I’d never asked.

  I jumped as she popped up beside me, handing me a cup. I glanced at her to see her smiling down at the ice.

  “What is this?” I asked as she giggled.

  “It’s iced tea. I want to keep our good seats, Holly. I also don’t need to be drunk to feel the high of being here.” Her joy was written all over her pretty face and I laughed before sipping the drink.

  I came here for college to get away from New York. It was beautiful in Canada and I had an aunt living here in case I needed anything. It was far enough away from home to feel like I was independent with the comfort of my wonderful aunt nearby. I liked it.

  I sipped the tea, relieved to find out that it was just that. Shelly loved to have a good time and when I first met her, I didn’t think that we’d get along. She liked to go out and have fun without being a complete drunk and bashed. I liked her. I was just the shy girl out of the two of us. Shelly was also responsible and wouldn’t drive us home after drinking. I trusted her that way. I did within the first week of living with her.

  The arena darkened, and everyone gathered at the glass as the introduction to the game began. It was all lights in the team colors and an enthusiastic announcer. I couldn’t help but feel the excitement in the room as well as the entire arena and I watched as guys started to skate around in the dim light.

  The family was bouncing with excitement as they announced the guys playing, one of which was Logan. They screamed, and I jerked in surprise and Shelly grabbed my hand. She told me about how much everyone wanted this for Logan for years. They weren’t pressuring him to achieve it but were thrilled when he did.

  The lights came up, and the teams moved to the middle of the rink. I dropped into one of the seats and took it all in, joined by Shelly. I didn’t get the specifics but loved watching the guys move flawlessly on their skates in sharp turns and fast movements. I picked up on the way they communicated on the ice and watched as they passed the puck to one another. It was addictive.

  By the first intermission, I was as jumpy as everyone around me. Logan was a good player, and it showed. He missed his first goal in the NHL by mere inches, but the shot was incredible. Shelly dragged me to get some food at the buffet and we discussed everything over our plates. She explained what I was uncertain about and her parents joined us, explaining even more. I fell in love with the entire family by the end of the game and we all left together to meet Logan for dinner. He reserved a room at Vine, a popular steakhouse in the city.

  “Doesn’t he go out with the team after a game?” I asked Shelly as we walked to her car in the parking lot.

  “I guess so. Tonight, he wanted to celebrate with all of us. First game and all.” She smiled as the wind blew the hem of her oversized jersey boasting his name up slightly, making her look tinier than she already was. “He got the private room for us. He might bring some of the guys along. I could only hope so!! Did you see some of them? Hotter than hot.” She laughed, and I joined her as she unlocked her door.

  “T
here were some cute ones out there. They’re so… capable? I don’t know.” I slipped into the passenger seat and watched as cars sat in lines around us.

  “They’re hot as fuck,” she barked out as I gave her a surprised look. “Seriously. I have had several crushes since I could see. Logan forbid me to ever date any of his team members or anyone involved in hockey at all. I’m sure he’ll still try to pull that card with me.” She laughed. Shelly looked around at the cars. “If we ever get there. At this rate, I’ll never meet any hockey players ever again.”

  Within an hour, we were on the street and heading towards the restaurant. It was in a great part of the city with open windows to see all the lights of the buildings surrounding it. I looked around the crowded dining room as we walked through to the private room. Even that had a window to highlight the city. I recognized all the family from the game and there were a few other faces filling the space.

  Logan was leaning against the wall, sipping something in a glass. Shelly ran across the room and he managed to hug her without spilling it as I watched with a smile. His love for his sister was evident on his face and she pulled back to tell him something.

  Shelly turned to gesture at me to join them as my heart dropped in my chest. His eyes locked on mine as I stumbled forward on shaking legs.

  Chapter Two

  Logan

  I was feeling the high in the room at the restaurant. The game was amazing and the two goals I’d scored were going to keep me high from adrenaline all night. Having my family there was the icing on the best cake of my life I could ever get.

  I was thrilled when a few of the guys agreed to come along. I’d connected with the goalie and a few of the others and they didn’t want to hit the bar. There was an early practice to keep our winning streak. I chose to drink water once I got to the restaurant, meeting eager fans, and accepting congratulations from some tables. I even signed a few autographs and took a picture or two. It only made me feel better.

  I greeted my parents first in the room. They hugged me, and Mom cried in my arms as I exchanged a smile with Dad. I knew how many early mornings she had with me when I was growing up. I appreciated that, and they were going to know it. I had plans for my new inflated pay for my family.

  I know who it was when someone squealed my name. Shelly ran across the room and threw herself into my arms, babbling incessantly as she cried on my shoulder. My kid sister was a sap when it came to people being happy. We were as close as siblings could be, and I held her in my arms, smiling as I felt my name on the back of her jersey. I was a player for the fucking NHL and this made it even more real to me.

  “I can’t believe how great you played out there,” she told me as she pulled away to look at me. Tears were rolling down her cheeks. I eased her to the ground, amazed at how petite my sister was. I towered over her at six feet two and could step on her.

  “Thanks, Shel. I’m glad you were there.” She went to college this year just so far where I didn’t see her as much as before. I knew that she was eighteen and living her life but reminded her often that I was more than willing to come to campus and kick ass if needed. She wiped her eyes and glanced around before her eyes widened.

  “Holly!” Shelly turned around as I searched my memory. She waved at someone and I glanced up to see a woman approaching me with wide eyes. She looked to be Shelly’s age, and I wondered if she was her new roommate.

  I cursed the idea as she got closer. This girl was stunning with dark hair and wide, light eyes. The closer she got, I realized that her irises were a pale green. She was small like my sister with a few more curves and my cock hardened the second she stepped close to me. Holy shit.

  “Logan, this is Holly. She’s my roommate and the newest fan of the team.” Shelly looked from her to me as I managed some greeting. I reached my hand out, and she took it with her small one, eyes widening as the electricity passed between us. I shook it, trying not to pull her into me to smell her soft citrus scent closer.

  I dropped her hand after what seemed to be a reasonable time and forced my mind to making small talk. Her compliments about the game were sincere. She might be a new fan, but Holly wasn’t blind to having a passion for something. She recognized skill and hard work. Holly wasn’t just a girl that wanted to add me to her list because of who I was even though she was attracted to me as I was to her.

  She was my sister’s roommate. From what I could see, they were close friends. I could not go there after the way I’d harped on Shelly to stay away from hockey players.

  We talked for a few minutes and I introduced them to some of the guys. Any other night and I’d be watching them like a hawk around my sister. Tonight, I was doing it with both girls. I was already feeling possessive of Holly in the little time I’d known her. It was unfamiliar and unnerving for me and I took my seat at the head of the table when Mom announced that it was time to eat. My parents and family sat on one side with Holly being about ten seats down the long table. My team was on the left and I smiled as I watched everyone interact the best they could given the size of the crowd.

  The food was excellent. I was footing the bill for this meal and watched as Dad cut into his steak with a smile. Mom kept looking at me as she took small bites of her fish, still crying. My family was my rock, and I sipped my iced tea as I looked around, meeting Holly’s eyes.

  They had specks of gold and jade in them. I realized that talking closely with her. Holly wore a little makeup, but those eyes would stand out first thing in the morning. Her skin was a porcelain shade and flawless as far as I could see. She was wearing jeans and a fitted black sweater, covering her skin. I made a mental note to send her a jersey. She’d look hot with my name on her body and I knew that was the only thing about me that could ever touch her. Holly smiled shyly as she reached for her glass, a faint hint of pink spreading across her cheeks. This girl held an innocence in her eyes that I needed to understand. It wasn’t just that she was young since girls were so much bolder these days. I worried about Shelly since she entered middle school. I knew that there were probably things that I didn’t want to know about her, but I refused to let myself think about it. Shelly was like a star in every room that she entered with her personality. Holly was beautiful, but I could see that she held back. I could see that there was so much more there.

  One of my teammates began a conversation with my sister and Holly, sipping his beer as they laughed. I stiffened, my eyes locked on Joe as he flashed the smile that got all the puck bunnies swooning. I raised an eyebrow and Shelly turned to look at me. She was used to my overprotective nature where she was concerned and rolled her eyes as she pointed her thumb at Holly. I knew that she was insinuating that he was hitting on Holly but that didn’t make me feel any better. My sister was a flirt without trying and Joe was one of the biggest manwhore on the team. He played defense great, but no part of his body was going to touch either of those girls.

  I shook my head with a subtle movement and she frowned at me. Joe must have sensed our silent communication because he looked over to see my stone-cold expression. I stared him down and since I was the captain, his shoulders slumped. I was intimidating without the title, but we had an agreement not to hook up with sisters or close friends.

  I didn’t know Holly well, but I was damn sure that she wasn’t going to be sleeping with any member of my team.

  Joe gave me a quick nod and seemed to include a few people around them in a more casual conversation. There wasn’t the same flirting, and I relaxed as I looked over the table. My eyes rested on my parents as they smiled at everything around them, taking it all in. I owed them for all of this. Mom spent years driving me to practice in the dark of the morning and attended every game. She was an enthusiastic hockey mom, and everyone loved her. I hoped that she’d have a chance to attend all my games with their season tickets to the best box seating still available. I missed the feeling of hockey when I was younger when parents were more involved in the process. I was already bonded with the team, but I like
d the idea of families getting to know each other just as well.

  I looked at Shelly and Holly again. I liked the idea of my sister being a part of things as well, but this was no longer little boys playing the sport. I needed to have her be involved while she wasn’t dating any of the guys. It was probably unfair to her, but I’d kill someone if he hurt her. I felt the same way about any hockey player from any team. I’d ruin a game by playing against someone I knew was an asshole to Shelly, and now Holly. I’d piss off the already passionate coach and set a bad example for my team.

  The dinner came to a close and people started leaving in groups. The guys clapped my back, telling me they’d see me at practice the following day. My parents stayed at the table, chatting with the girls, and drinking coffee. Once the room cleared out, I took care of the check with a credit card as Mom wrung her hands.

  “Are you sure about that?” Her voice was worried, and I gave her a comforting smile.

  “Mom, I can afford it. This is nothing,” I assured her as I set the folder down at the edge of the table. I reached for my coffee and sipped it, glancing at Holly as her eyes moved down to the table. She was watching me, proving my point about her attraction to me. I was used to the attention from women, but it was never this sweet and shy. It was never so pure, oddly making me hotter for her than I had been for any other woman.