Inside edge, p.1
Inside Edge, page 1
INSIDE EDGE
PORTLAND THRASHERS
BOOK ONE
TL REEVE
MICHELE RYAN
ILLUSTRATED BY
ARTSCANDARE BOOK COVER DESIGN
CONTENTS
Blurb
Prologue
1. Noah
2. Noah
3. Noah
4. Beau
5. Noah
6. Beau
7. Noah
8. Noah
9. Beau
10. Beau
11. Noah
12. Noah
13. Beau
14. Noah
15. Beau
16. Noah
17. Beau
About the Author
Inside Edge © 2023 TL Reeve and Michele Ryan
All rights reserved under the International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. 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 permission in writing from the publisher.
This is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, organizations, events or locales is entirely coincidental.
Warning: the unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in prison and a fine of $250,000.
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BLURB
Inside Edge
Shattered dreams become once in a lifetime opportunities.
Noah Carver dreamed of becoming a World Champion figure skater. Unfortunately for her, those dreams didn't pan out. After spending years in her brother's shadow, she gave up. Now, as a journalist for Hockey Pro, she's ready to show the world what she's made of.
Beau Kocur is the son of a billionaire oil tycoon. He's spent his life proving to everyone, including his family, he's the best there's ever been on and off the ice. Now, as the co-owner of the Portland Thrashers, he's ready to show the world, he wasn't just a flash in the pan.
As the playoffs draw near, Hockey Pro approaches Beau with a pitch for an in-depth expose on the Thrashers, and they're sending their best and brightest reporter, Noah Carver, to cover the team.
When Beau and Noah meet, sparks fly. What should be a detailed interview and column about a rising team quickly turns into a passionate affair neither can walk away from.
However, when their secret tryst is found out, both are thrust into a spotlight neither of them wanted. Will Beau be able to shelter his new venture while also claiming Noah? Can Noah salvage her reputation and save her job while giving over to the passion blossoming between them?
They’ve been underestimated before. This time, they’ll have the inside edge.
PROLOGUE
Noah
Ten years ago...
“Come on, Noah, we’re going to be late,” my mother called after me as I stared at my reflection in the mirror.
I’d been ready for practice. Had even made sure my blades were sharp and my laces wouldn’t snap. I wanted this more than anything else in the world. The district competition was in two weeks and the more time I got to spend on the ice, the better I’d do. As it was, I’d been in the top twenty for the nation. That was something, right? If I kept on my current trajectory, I could be number one in the world someday. Maybe I’d get to meet my idol, Mao Asada.
“Noah…” Reid knocked on my door. “We’re gonna be late. I can’t be late. Why can’t you understand how important this is to me?”
Right. An important a trip to a hockey arena was important to Reid, because he was some wunderkind on the ice. Silly me. “Sorry. Changing. Give me two minutes.” How dare I have practice on the same day as Reid checking out the Colorado Avalanche’s blah, blah, blah.
I didn’t care how I looked. Throwing on a pair of sweats and an oversized hoodie I walked out of my room, my hair still up for practice, braces cutting into my bottom lip and cheeks, because they were still brand new. I don’t even know why I had them if my parents didn’t give a shit if I skated or not.
My mom huffed a breath. “Took you long enough. Is that really how you’re dressing?”
Considering I was supposed to be a practice in ten minutes. Yeah. This was how I was going. “Didn’t have time to change.” I shrugged. “Maybe a little more notice, and I could have worn my finest attire.”
My mother rolled her eyes. “Don’t be so dramatic. You should want to look presentable for your brother and the tour around the facility.”
“Or you could take me to practice, and come back and get me when you’re done,” I said, desperate for them to remember they had two children in sports, not one.
“We’re doing this as a family, young lady. Your brother has the talent and the skills to make it the NHL.” My mother gave me disdainful look. “Try to think of someone other than yourself.”
Right.
Someone other than myself.
I cut my gaze to my brother who winced. He looked away from me, his cheeks red as our parents started out the door to our waiting minivan—something my mother insisted we needed since my brother had to travel for games. Yeah, I’d thank him later for sticking up for me.
On the way to the arena, Casey messaged me. She was my best friend in the whole world. Her brother, Miles, played hockey with my brother. Thankfully, hockey wasn’t the only thing that bound us together. We were also the same age and went to the same school.
Casey: At least you don’t have to be at this boring recruitment thing. :P
I wished. I didn’t even know it was a “recruitment thing.” I thought it was just something the league did for the boys at the end of their season or whatever.
Me: Unfortunately, your girl is in the van on the way to the arena for Reid… Again. :(
Casey: wtf >:( You should be skating. You have a competition.
Well, at least someone noticed and paid attention. What did it say about my parents that they didn’t even realize I had practice or that I was skating for a place on the junior national team? This was my last year to make it, or else. I had the skills and the drive. I didn’t, however, have the parents who cared. Reid was their focus and I... I fell through the cracks no one checked on for thirty years or more.
The thought made my chest ache.
I was inconsequential to them. The spare. I was the daughter. Not the son. I couldn’t even tell you if my parents loved me or not, because they spent more time comparing me to Reid than anything else. I often wondered if I played hockey—not that I wanted to—would they finally see me. Or even if I did, would I forever live in his shadow?
That was a daunting idea too.
Me: I’ll see you there. Save me a seat or whatever, far away from the ass-rents.
Staring out the window, I watched the city come into view. Growing up in Colorado wasn’t bad. Nice views. Good schools. The mountains. I liked it, but I always wondered if there was more out there, you know? Like, what would happen if I just picked up my life and left everyone, but Casey, behind. Would anyone miss me? Would anyone care?
Probably not.
I wasn’t naïve or maybe narcissistic enough to believe anyone would miss me. Or that my parents would have an epiphany one day and apologize for how they’ve treated me for the last eight years or so. I guess I shouldn’t complain too much. I did get to fall in love with skating first before they ripped it all away by being hyper-focused on Reid.
Snow fell in soft flakes, melting as they hit the asphalt warmed by vehicles traveling on the roads and brine. The darkening clouds above us, reminded me of my mood. Bitter and frosty. As we approached the exit for the arena, the streetlights came on, because the cloud layer had lowered and thickened. Yep, just like my personality. I had a feeling by the time we started home, there’d be at least a half a foot of snow on the ground. Maybe more.
The whole weekend, in my estimates, had been shot to shit. We’d be lucky to get home before the plows had to come around to clear the streets because the state trucks couldn’t keep up with the snowfall. Should have just stayed home.
I wished.
Pulling into the parking lot, my father followed the signs to a designated area for the league team to park. Reid ripped open his door the minute we were stopped. The wild excitement in his eyes as he laughed, sent a bolt of resentment rushing through me.
How did it feel for him to have parents who cared about his ambitions and goals? Sucked for me, obviously. Must have been nice for him.
I loved my brother. Don’t get me wrong. But this shit... This favoritism by our parents left a horrible taste in my mouth. Reid was oblivious to it because he was the golden child. The one who got everything and did everything right. I can count on my hands the number of times my parents have seen me skate. I can’t tell you how many games they went to for Reid. It was probably in the triple digits.
Yes, I sound like a whiny brat of a girl who didn’t get her way, but shouldn’t I be allowed to feel shitty? Shouldn’t I be mad? Why can’t I be a priority, too? How hard would it be to split the difference? Mom comes with me for practice one day and then they switched so she could see Reid and my dad could watch me. I know skating isn’t my dad’s thing, but shouldn’t he just be proud of me?
“Now, I want you to be on yo
“There’s a game afterward,” my father said. “We should stick around for it. Since we’re here and all.”
I watched them walk away, like I was just some kid they took pity on. Like I should just be happy I was there. I grabbed my knapsack from beside my seat and closed the door to the van, before following them in at a sedate pace. The minute I opened the door, the cacophony of noise hit me square in chest, pushing me backwards, as if even the arena was saying I didn’t belong.
“There you are!” Casey came running at me. She wore a pair of cute snow pants and those new insulated Ugg boots are all the rage at school right now. All the cheerleaders are clamoring for a pair, because they were the “it” thing. Casey reminded me of those snow bunnies. All smiles and glowing skin, refreshed like she’d spent the morning in the mountains snowboarding or skiing then came to the arena for her brother. Her long blond hair was pulled up in a slicked back ponytail then wrapped in a bun and she had a cute fleece band over her ears. Even her makeup was on point. “I know this isn’t where you want to be right now, bestie, but I’m here for you.”
I sagged in her arms as she hugged me, tears burning behind my nose and at the corners of my eyes. “It was a stupid dream anyway, right?”
“No,” Casey said. “It’s not. Your parents on the other hand...”
Unlike me, Casey’s parents, though focused on Miles, also encouraged her to follow her dreams. So, she joined the Model UN team at school and was part of the color guard for the high school band. They supported her every chance they got.
Sometimes, I could be so jealous of her.
“I just wished they’d pay attention with the way they talked to me and remembered I exist too and have feeling.” I shrugged. “They have me so messed up, Casey.”
“I know.” She hugged me again. She gave the best fricken hugs. They were like warm sugar cookies filled with love and happiness and home.
Or maybe I was just that deprived, emotionally.
We followed our parents and the team at a sedate pace, as the tour began. The place was huge and there was more to it than just an ice rink. Two weeks ago, we were over at the rec center where the Avalanche train, today was more of a peacocking show for the team. Get them to want to join the team. It worked. Obviously. The boys were pushing and shoving to see everything.
I rolled my eyes.
“So much fun,” Casey said more, I think, to cheer me up than anything.
“Now if you’ll follow me over here,” the guide said. “The team is warming up for the game that will start in a few hours.”
I sighed. Couldn’t we skip all this and go home? Maybe if we left now, I could still get an hour’s worth of practice. I glanced at my parents, beaming at Reid and the idea fizzled in my brain. Yep, I was stuck here.
“I want on the ice,” I muttered. “Not there, but in my rink with my skates, and my music.” Now I sounded like a pouty six-year-old who hadn’t had a nap.
“Come on,” Casey said. “Let’s go exploring on our own. We’ll grab a drink, and you can show me that triple you’ve been trying to master.”
Bless her.
I’d been working on the triple axel for a year, perfecting my form in the air and landing. It was one of the hardest jumps for any skater to do, even the men and they were throwing down quads like it was nothing. My coach said if I could clean up my two-foot landings, I’d have one of the best she’d seen in a long time. That was a boost to my shaky confidence.
“Sure. Okay.” Casey tucked her arm through mine, and we started for the snack stands and concession area. If a game was starting in a few hours, surely something had to be open, right?
Wrong.
All we found open was a small cart with only water and “diet” food. I wanted to drown myself in carbs and soda.
Water and Sun Chips would have to do. Gross. The Sun Chips were for Casey since I really couldn’t chew yet, and my mouth hurt.
“Okay,” Casey said as we tucked into an area away from people. “Show me. I know you don’t need the ice to do these jumps.”
I didn’t. I’d gotten stronger over the last couple of years. I’d been lifting light weights at home—using the ones Reid didn’t use anymore plus working out before skating. I also spent half my practice time jumping as well. If I could increase my height, it would give me an advantage.
I moved out to an open area and swiped my hands together to get the chip crumbs off them and the wetness from the water bottle. Clearing my throat, I centered myself. I could hear the music I was supposed to use for my coming competition in my mind as if it were being piped through the speakers in the arena. There was a fancy footwork combo I was using before the jump, so I back up a little more and began.
I knew the program by heart now. Counted my steps, and when I got to the spot in the music when I’d jump, I went for it, leaping in the air and pulling my arms tight to my chest. One... Two... Three then I clattered to the floor running into a wall that hadn’t been there a moment ago.
I groaned, sucking in a breath then coughed. My vision blacked out for a second before Casey was beside me. What the heck just happened? A hand appeared in front of me as my sight came back and humiliation swamped me. The arm the hand was attached to had been covered in tattoos, all the way up under the sleeve. The Colorado Avalanche logo caught my attention as heat filled my cheeks, and I swore I tasted blood on my tongue.
“Whoa, are you okay?” The darkest, most decadent voice sent a shiver down my spine. I glanced up, and I couldn’t speak.
The guy in front of me was hot. Like, uber hot. Like he should be a model not working for some dumb hockey team, hot. His hair was styled perfectly. His beard was trimmed short. When he smiled, he had pearly white teeth and a dimple in his left cheek, not what I’d been expecting, because he also looked like one of the hockey players or whatever. Maybe a trainer. Didn’t matter. He didn’t have overly big muscles either, but I bet he had a six-pack under that shirt of his.
I opened my mouth to say I was fine, but nothing came out. The concern in his sable eyes, had me freaking out even more. This guy... He had to know he was hot, right? He was talking to me. Sixteen-year-old stupid me.
“She’s fine,” Casey said, saving the day. “Just hit a wall.”
The guy grinned. “Shouldn’t you be doing those jumps on the ice?”
Yeah, maybe I would be if my parents weren’t assholes. Still, I couldn’t speak.
“One of these days she will be,” Casey said. “She’s going to be a world champ, just you wait and see.”
The guy tilted his head to the left then smiled again. “Yeah, I can see that. See you around, World Champ.” He winked before lifting his hand in departure.
Someone kill me now. As he continued in the direction he was heading, his laughter carried, and embarrassment had me shrinking into myself. “Why did you say that?”
Casey shrugged. “You were making googly eyes at him, someone needed to speak up.”
Ohmigod. “I want to die.”
“Well, you had nice form until you ran into that guy. Wonder who he is?”
I followed Casey’s gaze. “I don’t care. I’d rather climb under a rock and never show my face in public ever again. Why does this keep happening to me?”
“Don’t know,” Casey muttered finally looking at me. “Come on, let’s go find our parents. Hopefully the tours almost over.”
“We’re staying for the game,” I said, wishing the floor would open up and drag me under.”
“So are we,” Casey stated. “Maybe we can grab dinner and…”
