Sticks and Stones (29 page)

          Rick swallowed
hard. “Were you there when Zee cast a spell on her?”

          Dmitri nodded
and chugged his beer. “Look, I don’t know what you did to upset her so much,
but I think it’d be wise for you to give her time to sort shit out.”

          “I can’t do that,” Rick
stated.

*        *        *

          Grace strode
into work in the late afternoon. Zee lifted her brows. “Grace?”

          “Hey Zee! Good
afternoon!”

          Zee followed
Grace into her office. “How are you feeling?”

          “Good, thanks.
You?” Grace smiled, tossing her tote bag and purse onto the desk.

          “You’re scaring
me.”

          Grace lifted a
shoulder. “Honest. I’m fine. Thanks for last night. I owe ya.”

          “No, you don’t.
But now that you’re cognizant I’d like to explain something to you.”

          “’kay.”

          “Do you
remember when I told you that no spell can break the bonds of true love?” Grace
nodded so Zee continued, “Just because I cast that spell for you to forget Rick
doesn’t necessarily mean you will.”

          Grace chuckled nervously,
“Of course I will. What I felt for him wasn’t real. It was a fabrication. Now,
if you’ll excuse me, I have work to do.”

*        *        *

          Lost in her
work and the toe-tapping Irish music on the radio, Grace didn’t hear Rick enter
her office.

          He cleared his
throat several times before she looked up from the sketch pad.

          “Can I help
you?” she asked, politely.

          Rick’s eyebrows
lifted. “Christ! You really don’t remember me?”

          Grace placed
her pencil on the desk and sat back in the chair. “You’re the man who assisted
in ruining my livelihood. Yeah, I remember you.”

          Rick bristled
at her words and pulled a checkbook from his back pocket. “How much money did
you lose?”

          “I don’t want
your money,” she snipped.

          “I want to make
things right between us.” He palmed the back of his neck. “I love you, Gracie.”

          She smiled,
causing his heart to pound hard in his chest. Maybe all hope wasn’t lost!

          “I’m sure
Janice can find a spell on the internet to help you with that problem.”

*        *        *

          “It felt like
she punched me in my stomach!” Rick said softly.

          Emily rubbed
his back. “Give her time.”

          “Time? You
didn’t see her Em! She fucking hates me!”

          Chase tapped
his chin. “When did you help Janice? Was it before or after the trip to
Florida?”

          “Before,” Rick
replied, sullenly.

          “This is good!”
Chase said, giddily. “She was falling for you before that happened then!”

          Emily nodded,
“You’re right! At our party, it was very obvious she was into you!”

          Rick frowned,
unsure. “ ‘Things are sweeter when they’re lost. I know because once I wanted
something and got it. It was the only thing I ever wanted badly. And when I got
it, it turned to dust in my hand.’”

*        *        *

          The following
week was hectic for Grace. She had to put the final touches on the modern
Victorian and Camryn Corrigan made an appointment with her for an interview.

          Grace groaned
when she pulled up to the model home and spotted Emily’s car. She got out of
the car slowly and pulled a large plastic bag from her trunk.

          Emily threw the
door open with a smile. “Grace! It’s so good to see you!”

          “Hi. Sorry I
haven’t been around in a while,” she smiled, sheepishly. “You know how us
contractor’s are.” She held up the plastic bag. “I made pillows for the couch
since I couldn’t find the right ones at the store.”

          “I’m anxious to
see them!” Emily replied, ushering her into the living room.

          Grace opened
the bag and dumped the pillows onto the couch. Emily snapped one up. “You made
these? They’re great!”

          Blushing, Grace
mumbled, “Thanks. I want to check out the rooms. I heard everything was
completed by the guys I hired.”

          Emily wanted to
talk to Grace about Rick, but she gave her space to roam the house for a while.

          “Hey Toots!”
Phyllis called out to Grace.

          “Hi Phyllis!
It’s good to see you!”

          “Aw, doll, he’s
miserable without you.”

          Grace shrugged,
“He’ll get over it.”

          Emily leaned
against the doorway of the bedroom. “No, he won’t Grace. He loves you.”

          Grace brushed
past Emily. “Tell him to go to the Wicked Wand. They can help him there.”

          “Help him?
How?” Emily asked, chasing after her.

          “They can put a
spell on him to fall out of love with me. It’s quick and painless.” Grace
sighed. “I know I sound like a complete bitch but I don’t mean to. Rick needs
someone who honestly loves him and it’s not me.”

          Emily shook her
head. “You were interested in him at our party and that was way before he got
stupid and helped that woman.”

          Grace nodded.
“True, but everything else wasn’t real.” She glanced through the other bedrooms
and bathrooms before descending the stairs.

          She breezed
through the downstairs and satisfied the house was ready for showing, she
mumbled, “Tell Chase the house is good to go. I’ve gotta run. I have another
appointment to get to.”

          “Grace, don’t
give up on him.”

          “I already
have,” she replied coldly.

*        *        *

          Three road
games into the week and Rick’s outsides felt as battered as his insides. Grace
hadn’t responded to any of his text messages or phone calls.

          The only thing
going right for him was the fact the team had won two of the three road games
and tonight he hoped they’d win the fourth before returning to Chicago.

          He didn’t care what time
the plane landed at O’Hare. He was going to see her whether she wanted to see
him or not.

*        *        *

          “Would you like
a soda or something?” Camryn asked Grace when she arrived at the hotel suite.

          “A beer would
be great,” she muttered, while her eyes swept the luxurious suite.

          Camryn returned
with a Corona. “Is this okay?”

          Grace flinched.
It was Rick’s favorite beer. “Sure.” She took a healthy swig and nodded. “Pretty
swank place.”

          “Yeah, it’s a
bit ostentatious, huh? Declan says we need to buy a house here for when we
visit, but I think it’d be a waste.”

          Grace sat on a
white couch. “How often do you visit?”

          “A few times a
year. My mom and dad want us to stay with them, but Declan and I like our
privacy. Plus, Failend tends to have strange sleeping patterns still.”

          “That’s right!
You have a baby! Is she here?”

          Camryn smiled.
“No, Greg and Tamara have her for the day. They’re Failend’s godparents. I have
pictures, though.”

          “Well, let’s
see them!”

          Camryn opened
her laptop and smiled when Grace gushed over the photos. “You have a beautiful
daughter.”

          “Thanks. She
has her dad’s temper, I’m afraid.”

          “You’ll no’ be
blamin’ me with our gel’s attitude,” Declan replied, walking through the suite
door. “You’ve a bit of an attitude as well, love. Hello, Grace, ‘tis grand to
see you again.”

          Grace’s voice
caught in her throat when she saw Justice walk through the doorway. She took a
swig of beer and wiped her mouth, un-lady like. “Good to see you, too.”

          Declan waved a
hand. “You remember Flynn, aye?”

          “Aye. I mean
yes,” she stammered. She looked down at her feet and closed her eyes.

         
Damn my
luck!

Chapter Seventeen

      
“Dec, Grace is
here for an interview,” Camryn smiled sweetly. “Which means, in a nice way, you
and Flynn have to leave us alone.”

          “If we promise
to be quiet, can we stay?” Flynn murmured, casting a glance at Grace.

          “Grace? It’s up
to you,” Camryn replied.

          Not wanting to
look like an ass, Grace lifted her shoulder. “I’m sure it’ll be boring, but
whatever floats your boat.”

          Camryn turned
on a tape recorder. “Just in case we get into a deep discussion. I don’t want
to miss a thing.” She tucked her auburn hair behind her ears. “Ya ready?”

          Grace nodded
and Camryn began. “The first question is a little off topic, so forgive me.”
She took a deep breath. “What’s it like to be Ricochet’s girlfriend?”

          Flynn noticed
Grace flinch at the question.

          “Well, it was…intense,”
Grace said softly.

          “Was?” Camryn
asked.

          Grace lifted
her head. “Was. We’re not together anymore.”

          Camryn’s eyes
narrowed and she shook her head. “Typical hockey player! Not that it’s my
business, but was it a puck bunny?”

          “No. I ended
things with him.” 

          Flynn’s eyes
lit up and he wondered if he had anything to do with their sudden break-up.

          “You broke up
with him?” Camryn cried out in disbelief. “Are ya crazy?”

          Grace’s lips
thinned. “Next question, please.”

          “Sorry, it’s
just that he’s so…” Camryn trailed off.

          “Gel, you’re
makin’ Grace uncomfortable,” Declan cautioned.

          Camryn shot
Grace a smile. “Sorry. Okay, many people fear the Wicca religion. Have you ever
had to deal with opposition?”

          “It’s wasn’t
easy growing up. My friend’s parents didn’t want me to come over because they
were afraid that I’d indoctrinate their kids into the religion.” She snorted
and finished off her beer. “Ya know, summon the devil, eat small children.”

          Flynn chuckled,
throwing Grace off her thought. It was a deep laugh that trembled through her
chest and he was sitting across the room. She kicked her sandals off and sat
cross-legged on the couch, wishing she had a candy bar.

          “As I’ve gotten
older, people have accepted my religion for the most part. There are still
wackos that’d burn us at the stake if they could. I don’t hide who I am or what
I believe. In my office I have various Wiccan decorations. So far, I haven’t
lost a potential client because of them.”

          Camryn
scribbled on the notepad and paused. “At the hockey game you told me you cast a
spell to see spirits. Can you elaborate?”

          Grace told the
story about Tilda and Reginald. From the corner of her eye she noticed Flynn
sit up and rest his arms on his knees. She turned her head warily and shot him
a smirk.

          “But, other
than casting spells to see ghosts, I also cast rune stones and read auras.”

          “How cool! What
color is my aura?” Camryn asked, excitedly.

          “Definitely
pink! You’re strong willed, very creative and you hate injustice.”

          “Sounds aboot
right,” Declan remarked.

          “You’re aura’s
gold,” Grace stated, firmly, to Declan. “You’re able to make people feel
comfortable because you’re good-hearted and sincere, but you can also be
hot-headed.”

            Camryn
snorted. “She nailed you, honey. What about Flynn?”

            Grace
took a deep breath and turned to look at him. “Your, um, aura is blue.” She
looked into his eyes and continued. “You have a strong personality and are very
charismatic. You’re able to smooth out volatile situations, which is perfect
for your profession. The downside to your aura is that you could become a
workaholic which could jeopardize personal relationships.”

            Flynn
eyed her thoughtfully and smirked. Her eyes widened and she quickly looked
away.

            Declan
watched the two of them intently and lifted his brows. When Grace wasn’t
looking, he nudged Flynn with his shoe. Flynn lifted his shoulder and grinned.

            Normally,
Flynn could read people, too. Not in the aural sense, but mentally. At times,
Grace seemed interested in him and times like now, she seemed as if she wanted
to flee. She was a conundrum that he wanted to solve.

            Grace
checked her watch. She needed to get away from Flynn, but didn’t want to be
rude to Camryn. “Do you have other questions?” she asked.

            “Tons
more and I’m sure we won’t get to all of them today. Am I keeping you from
another appointment?”

            Grace
wasn’t a good liar so she shook her head. “No, but I haven’t eaten yet. Why
don’t we continue the interview over dinner?”

            Flynn
clapped his hands together. “Grand idea! I’ve no’ eaten today, meself.”

*          *          *

            After
the morning practice Rick returned to the hotel room for a nap before the game.

            Unable
to sleep, he called Emily.

            “Hi
Rick,” she answered brightly.

            “Hey
yourself. How are things back home?”

            “Good.
Looks like you guys are doing well, too!”

            He
smiled. “Yeah. One more game and I’ll be home tonight.” He paused, “Have ya
seen Grace?”

*          *          *

            At
the famous Chicago pizza place, Declan and Camryn sat across from Flynn and
Grace in the booth. Grace bit back a groan when Flynn’s knee brushed against
hers.

            After
placing their order Camryn pulled out her notepad and tape recorder. “This may
sound cliché, but have you ever performed a love spell?”

            Grace
shook her head vehemently. “No. Love spells are only temporary.”

            “Really?”
Camryn’s nose scrunched. “So all those spells on the net are crap?”

            “Well,
I didn’t say they don’t work, because they do. Eventually, the person who had
the spell cast against them wakes up, so to speak, and whatever emotions they
felt, are gone.”

            “Good
to know. I can use this in my upcoming book!”

            “What
aboot your aunt? She cast a spell and is still with, what’s his name?” Flynn
murmured.

            “Reginald.
She cast a spell to find her one true love. Not a spell to have someone fall in
love with her. There’s a difference,” Grace pointed out.

            “Have
you ever thought aboot casting a similar spell?” Flynn asked, grinning.

            “Not
once,” Grace sighed, looking into his eyes. “I don’t need to when I can see him
clearly in my dreams.”

*          *          *

            After
hanging up on his best friend, Rick threw his phone at the wall.

            “Let
her go?” he growled. “How the fuck can I do that?” He strode to the mini fridge
and pulled out two small bottles. “Jack Daniels, meet Patron,” he mumbled,
downing both small bottles consecutively.

*          *          *

            Midway
through their meal, Camryn received a text from Greg. “Dec, we gotta get back
to the hotel. Failend’s been on a crying jaunt for the past hour and Greg and
Tamara are at their wits end.”

            “I’ll
find the waitress and pay the bill, Flynn. Can you walk Grace back to the hotel
so she can get her car?” Declan asked.

            “T’would
be me pleasure to escort her,” he replied, with a twinkle in his eye.

            Grace’s
stomach flipped at his expression.

            “I’m
so sorry to leave, Grace. Can I call you later and set up another time to
meet?” Camryn apologized.

            Grace
nodded, “Sure, maybe you can come to my house?”

            “That’d
be great!” Camryn grabbed her purse and recorder, giving Flynn a kiss on the
cheek. “You’re gonna come see us later, right?”

            Flynn
nodded and watched as his friends tore out of the restaurant. He shook his head
and sniggered. “That little gel has them wrapped around her wee finger.”

            Grace’s
body stiffened and she took a pull from her beer. Oh dear goddess!

            “Why
are you so nervous around me?” Flynn asked pointedly.

            “What
nervous? I’m not nervous,” she stammered.

            “Aye,
ya are. Remember? I can read people, too.”

            Grace
lifted an eyebrow and slammed the beer bottle onto the table harder than
intended. She turned on the wooden bench to face him and took a deep breath.
“If I told you why, you wouldn’t believe me.”

            Flynn’s
blue eyes twinkled. “Try me,” he challenged.

            Grace
swallowed hard. “Because if my dreams are correct and they usually are, we end
up together.”

            Flynn
nearly choked on his saliva at her admission.

            Feeling
awkward, Grace’s lips thinned. “Can you move so I can get out?” she asked,
grabbing her purse.

            “Ya
canno’ leave after that bloody comment!”

            “Watch
me,” she challenged.

            He
gripped her arm. “Gel, I’ll no’ be havin’ ya walk into the feckin’ street
again.”

            Grace
shrugged. “Suit yourself.”

            Flynn
kept a firm grip on her elbow and led her from the restaurant. Once outside, he
cleared his throat. “Can ya elaborate on your dream?”

            Grace’s
lips curved. “What? You don’t like surprises?”

*          *          *

            “Didja
notice anythin’ strange aboot Grace?” Declan murmured.

            “Duh!
Why did she dump Ricochet? Especially after he pulled strings to get me here to
meet her?” Camryn muttered, shaking her head.

            “Tis
Flynn.”

            Camryn
stopped walking and gaped at her husband. “What?”

            Declan
nodded. “Aye. It’s no’ hard to see she’s attracted to him. And, he seems to
feel the same aboot her.”

*          *          *

            Grace
wondered if there was a spell to block her memories as she and Justice strolled
down the sidewalk. The sun was low in the sky and she glanced towards the lake,
to see the red glow from the sun. It was easier to do that than to look at him,
with his questioning eyes. She knew what would happen next between them and
wished she didn’t.

            “Ya
gotta say somethin’ gel, after your comment,” Flynn groused.

            She
ignored him and kept walking towards the parking garage. Maybe ignoring him
would make it all go away. Make
him
go away.

            “We’re
here,” she mumbled. “Thanks for walking with me.”

            Flynn’s
eyebrows lifted. “Nothin’ from you then?”

            Grace
lifted a shoulder and walked into the garage.

            Flynn
stood on the sidewalk and looked up at the sky, lifting his hands. “Seriously,
God? Ya must be jokin’! The gel is driving me barmy!”

            She
walked deeper into the garage and heard his footfalls behind her. She cursed
under her breath. “I don’t need you to walk me to my car. I’m good.”

            He
wrapped an arm around her waist and licked her neck. She frowned. This wasn’t
in her dream, plus he smelled different, like stale beer and cigarettes. She
tried to push him away, but he gripped her tighter. “You’re hurting me!” she
snapped.

            “Oh
baby, don’t you like it rough?” a deep voice responded.

*          *          *

            Certain
he heard Grace scream, Flynn ran into the dimly lit garage. “Grace!” he yelled,
pulling a pistol from his ankle holster.

*          *          *

            Rick
carried the puck up the ice and shot a saucer pass to Kanga, then stopped at
the red line. Gramps and Kop were both heavily covered by Kings players so
Kanga shot the puck back to Rick.

            Kop
skated towards the net, effectively screening Chris Craig, goalie for the
Kings. Rick passed the puck back to Kanga and tapped his stick on the ice.

            Kanga
read the sign and faked a one-timer, sending the puck to Rick instead. Feeling
overly confident, Rick shot the puck towards the net, breaking his stick in the
process. As he skated towards the bench for a new stick, the red light went
off.

*          *          *

            The
man held Grace tightly with one arm. In his other hand he held a knife to her
neck. “If you scream I’ll fillet you like a fuckin’ fish.”

            Flynn
pulled out his cell phone, but kept his gun trained in front of him. He dialed
9-1-1 and gave his name and position with the Chicago police. After rattling
off the name of the hotel, he shoved the phone back into his jeans pocket.
“Goddammit gel! Answer me!”

            Tires
squealed, the smell of burning rubber, grew heavy in the air. “Get in!” the
driver yelled. The knifeman hesitated. “Forget the bitch! Get in!” the driver
screamed.