Breaking Through The Ice Ch. 09

Mina fought the urge to turn around and run back to the kitchen. She took a step back, her fingers knotting together in her apron and she darted glances to either side of her. The last thing she needed was to make a spectacle of herself in front of the customers.

Lawrence stopped in front of her and gave her an impatient once over, his lips drawn into something resembling a smile. "You look...busy."

"What are you doing here?" Mina kept her voice low.

Lawrence's tense smile slipped. "I want to talk to you."

Mina shook her head. "I'm on break. What do you want?"

"We need to talk."

She stared at him and he stared back. Mina let her breath out and shook her head. "What can we possibly have to talk about?"

He blinked, as if he was surprised that she wasn't going along with him without question. He straightened his shoulders and looked down at her, standing just a little too close, something he'd always done to intimidate her.

"Look, I've come a long way and I think you could at least do me the courtesy of speaking with me like I asked."

Asked? More like demanded. Mina met his glare with one of her own. She clenched her hands into fists at her sides. "Fine. But not here. Come outside."

Without waiting for a response, she turned away and stalked out the front door. He followed as she walked to the corner of the building, away from the main public entrance.

Mina faced him with a frown and crossed her arms over her chest. "What?"

Lawrence sniffed as he looked down his nose at her. "There's no need to be rude, Mina. I've had to take time out of my busy schedule -- you know what tax season is like for me -- to come and find you here."

Mina let out a short laugh. "And I'm supposed to what? Fall to my knees and thank you?"

"Of course not." His expression told Mina that was exactly what he'd expected.

"Then what?" Mina didn't care if she sounded short. "I'm on a tight schedule of my own."

Lawrence's dark brows drew together and a flash of anger crossed his features. "Stop acting like a huffy teenager. You ran away before we had a chance to discuss what happened like calm, rational adults."

Mina scoffed. "I know what happened, thanks. You didn't need to come here for that."

"It's not like you left me a phone number where I could reach you."

"I think it was pretty clear that things were over." Mina was struggling to keep a lid on her anger. She hated that he was getting her so riled up when she thought she'd moved past all this. "We had nothing to discuss."

"You would say that. You never understood everything I was doing for you."

Mina stared at him. "You must be joking. You cheated on me. You told me to pack my shit and get out of your house. Or have you forgotten that?"

He scowled at her. "I did not come here for this."

"Why did you then?" Mina tried to keep her voice level but it was hard. She hadn't been this shaken up even when she'd walked in on him and his lover in bed.

"I think you should come back home with me."

It was all Mina could do not to gape. "You're not serious."

"Would I have come all the way to this pissant country club if I wasn't serious?" It was the first time his control on his temper slipped.

"No." Mina shook her head. None of this made any sense. "Absolutely not. You've wasted your time."

"What are you talking about?" His eyes narrowed on her face and his voice went ice cold.

"I don't want to come back with you. I'm happy here now, much happier than I would have ever been with you. Your home was never mine."

Lawrence made a dismissive gesture with his hand. "You never said that when I told you to move in with me. I gave you that ring when you complained about not being married. What else could I have done to make you feel more welcome?"

Mina let out a short laugh. "It's astounding that you remember it that way."

"Why should it be? It's what happened."

Mina shook her head. He hadn't changed at all, not that she'd ever expected it. "I'm not surprised that you think so. I have to get back to work. Good-bye, Lawrence."

He scoffed and blocked her way, ignoring her dismissal altogether. "Don't be ridiculous. You're not happy here. You can't be."

She met his angry gaze and pursed her lips. "I am."

"That's unlikely. Alexis told me you were seeing someone new but there's no way you're better off with him."

Mina took a step back, shocked at the mention of her sister and figuring out his reason for visiting with those few words. He was a manipulative, controlling SOB and he couldn't stand the idea of her being happy without him. Had he really come all this way just to prove that?

"Why do you want me back?" she asked.

His lip curled just a bit before he could control his reaction and Mina almost laughed. Here he was, proclaiming his supposed desire for her to come home and his disdain was obvious.

"If you don't really care about me coming back, then why are you here? Are you just trying to prove something? That you're such a catch?"

He nodded and gave her his most sincere smile. To her, he still looked like an overdressed, excessively coiffed jackass. "I brought you to live in my substantial house, I didn't mind that you continued to pursue this...career of yours and I was going to marry you, something that means little enough to you since you left without a word."
Mina crossed her arms over her chest and watched him, feeling nothing but relief that she'd managed to get away from him when she had.

He took a step forward, a smug smile on his face. "Don't tell me you don't want that all back, Mina. Who else would ever want to give you what I can?"

"Well, I'd be a fool to refuse that offer, wouldn't I?" Mina shook her head. How had she ever thought of him as kind and romantic?

He scowled. "What else do you want? An apology? Fine, I'm sorry."

This time, Mina stepped closer, getting in his face. "You're sorry you got caught. You're not sorry for doing it."

"I'm hardly the first man to do such a thing. At least I'm here, making an effort." He spoke to her slowly, as if she were an insolent child. "We were engaged, Mina. Doesn't that mean anything to you?"

"As much as it did to you when you fucked that woman," Mina snapped and whirled away from him.

She stalked back into the building and hurried to the kitchen, avoiding everyone until she was in the kitchen. Once there, she yanked open the cooler door and walked inside. When the door shut behind her, she took a deep breath and bent over to put her hands on her knees. For a few seconds, she thought she might pass out. There was a mixture of adrenaline and shock running through her system and she'd never felt so wound up before.

At length, her breathing evened out and she straightened, her hands at her waist. She checked the ties on her apron and brushed her hands over her hair to make sure everything was all right. Then she exited the cooler and ignored the glances of her colleagues as she walked to the sink to wash her hands.

The rest of the night passed by in a blur. Meals came and went in front of her but she couldn't remember any of it. Mick came by and sent her home early when business seemed to slow down. She went without argument and even the ride home on the bus and Metro was a blur.

At home, Hilary was asleep on the couch so Mina moved around quietly as she got ready for bed. She lay awake for a long time, turning over the conversation with Lawrence in her mind and frowning in the darkness when she considered her own sister's betrayal. Maybe that was a tad dramatic but she'd never thought Alexis would involve herself in her relationships to such a degree.

How dare she tell Lawrence how to find me. Where does she get off telling him anything about me?

Mina rolled to her side, the digital numbers on her alarm clock glowing in her face. It was just past two in the morning and she'd been stewing for hours. She tamped down the urge to call Drew, knowing he needed his rest as much as she did. After some tossing and turning, she fell into a fitful sleep.

****

In the morning, Mina woke up with stiff limbs and puffy eyes. She felt like she'd fallen asleep crying. Renewed anger and frustration surged that Lawrence and Alexis had ruined yet another night's sleep. She double-checked the schedule on her cell phone to make sure she didn't work and then curled up under her covers. She would have stayed there for another several hours had Hilary not come knocking on her door.

"Wakey, wakey, sleephead." Hilary opened the door and walked in.

Mina stayed under her covers and hoped her roommate would leave her alone. Hilary wasn't deterred. She plopped down on the bed beside her and laid a hand on Mina's hip. "It's almost ten. Are you all right? You hardly ever sleep past seven."

With a groan, Mina uncovered her head. "So?"

Hilary smiled and leaned over her. "So, I'm worried. Did you have a bad night?"

Mina sighed and pushed her hair off her face. "You could say that."

"Did someone burn you or did you cut off a finger?"

"Yeah. And I came right home instead of going to a hospital." Mina pushed the blankets off and swung her legs over the side of the bed. "Work was fine."

Hilary lifted her eyebrows but didn't say anything. Mina stood up and stretched. She turned to face her friend and put her hands on her hips.

"Lawrence came to the club last night."

Hilary's jaw dropped. Mina might have found her expression comical if she wasn't still so pissed about the whole thing.

"You've got to be joking."

Mina let out a short laugh. "Why would I ever make a joke like that?"

"I don't...holy crap. What the hell was he doing there?"

"He came to talk to me." Mina rubbed her face with her hands and started to describe the entire episode to her friend. When she finished, she sat down beside Hilary and the two of them stared at the far wall for a long moment.

"What are you going to do?"

Mina frowned at Hilary. "What do you mean, what am I going to do? I'm not going to do anything. I told him I never wanted to see him again."

Hilary gave her a smile and put her arm around her shoulders. "I know and I'm so proud of you for telling him off."

Mina allowed herself a smile as well as she recalled the look of surprise on Lawrence's face. It had been satisfying and now that she'd had time to process it, the feeling of closure was also gratifying.

"Are you going to tell Drew?"

Mina shrugged. "Sure. Why wouldn't I tell him?"

"Won't it be awkward?"

"Maybe but it's better than keeping it to myself." Mina smiled and bumped her arm against Hilary. "It's not like I did anything wrong."

"No! No, definitely not. I didn't mean that you did." Hilary let her breath out and shook her head. "I just can't believe Alexis would have meddled like that."

Mina gave a mirthless laugh and nodded. "Yeah."

"You should call Alexis. Or better yet, go to Baltimore and give her a piece of your mind."

Mina grinned, feeling some of the weight on her shoulders lift. "How would I manage that? Hitchhike?"

"No. I'll lend you my car."

"That's nice but I'm not going to confront her."

Hilary sniffed and brushed her hair back over her shoulder. "You should."

"Maybe. Not today."

They fell silent until Hilary stood up and headed for the door. "Well, the offer stands. Just let me know when you need the car."

Mina smiled. "Thanks. You're a good friend."

Hilary nodded and left her alone in her room. Mina flopped backwards on her bed, wondering if she should get up or crawl back under the covers. As it was already past midmorning, Mina didn't want to waste any more of her day. She'd be back to work the next day and didn't have more time off until the following Wednesday. Drew had offered her tickets to the last home game for the Capitals in the regular season on that night and they had plans for the day after.

She smiled as she recalled their last conversation. Drew had been assuring her over and over that he didn't want to neglect her as the playoffs approached but that he might anyway by accident. She'd laughed it off and told him to stop worrying. Hilary and Lena had already explained numerous times how the players focus on the games and practices and little else when it comes to the post season.

"I'm just impressed you've spent as much time with me as you have," she'd said.

Drew had grinned and hugged her. "I couldn't not spend time with you. You're completely addictive."

Mina had laughed and tried to fight him off but surrendered to his kisses instead. He was her addiction as well, but the good kind of addiction, like chocolate or bubble baths.

Mina's stomach rumbled and she decided she needed breakfast before she did anything else. Hilary was watching TV in the living room when Mina walked to the kitchen. She poured herself some cereal and carried it out to the living room. She sat next to Hilary on the couch and smiled when she saw what was on TV.

"You just can't get enough of him, huh?" Mina indicated the screen where ESPN was showing an interview from last night's game featuring Mark Gaines.

Hilary flashed her a grin and shook her head. "Nope."

Mina munched on her cereal as the show went on and Hilary flipped through the magazine on her lap. On the commercial break, Hilary snapped the magazine closed and turned to Mina.

"You're off today, right?" Hilary asked.

"Yeah. Why?"

"You want to go shopping or something? Maybe get manicures? Do something fun, just the two of us?"

Mina hadn't realized until then that she and Hilary hadn't done anything like that since she'd moved to Arlington. Between work and Mina's drama, they'd only had a night or two together, or with Lena. "That's a great idea, Hil."

Hilary grinned and nodded. "I'll go shower and change while you call Drew."

She bounded off the couch and down the hall, leaving Mina laughing on the couch. Not that Mina was going to argue. She carried her empty bowl to the kitchen and picked up the phone. Drew answered after the third ring.

"Hello?"

"Hey there. What's wrong? You sound upset."

Drew chuckled. "Hi. Yeah, I'm kind of ticked right now."

"Why?"

Drew didn't say anything at first and Mina frowned as she leaned against the kitchen counter.

"Drew?"

He expelled his breath on a noisy sigh and Mina could almost picture him rubbing his face like he always did when he was stressed. "I think Carter's keeping something from me."

"Oh? Something bad?"

"I don't know. He's being weird and he's been hanging out with these new friends of his from work."

"He's allowed to have friends."

"I know that. I don't have a problem with him having friends."

"Then what's the big deal? At least he's out of your hair once in a while."

Drew made a noise that might have been agreement. Mina rolled her eyes and walked down the hall to her room.

"I just can't stop wondering if he's getting into his old habits," he said.

"Does he come home in the early morning hours?"

"No. I don't think so."

"Does he come home smelling like booze and slurring his words?"

"No. Not that I've noticed."

Mina smiled. "Then he's probably just being a regular guy and hanging out with his friends. Maybe they play video games or look at dirty magazines together."

Drew laughed. "Oh, whatever. He was probably looking at porn years ago."

"Probably because you didn't hide your girlie magazines well enough, right?"

At Drew's sound of protest, Mina laughed. "Try not to be so hard on Carter. He's just being a normal nineteen-year-old and having a good time with his new friends."

"You really think that's what it is?"

"Yes and I think you're overreacting just a bit about all this."

He didn't say anything for a few seconds and Mina wondered if she'd offended him.

"Don't you ever worry about Adam?" he asked.

"Not really."

"Never? Even though he's on his own and probably going to parties every weekend?"

Mina scoffed. "He's too busy with basketball to party."

"That's what you think. I was in college for sports too and I always made time to party."

Mina frowned. "Well, Adam's not you. And neither is Carter."

Again, Drew fell silent. Mina waited a few seconds and when she opened her mouth to say she'd call him later, he spoke.

"You just don't know what it's like to worry for someone like this."

"Excuse me?"

"You don't understand. Carter's so young and he's my little brother. I just can't help but worry that he's been making some of the worst mistakes of his life."

"I do understand but you're being way overprotective." Mina stifled the urge to yell. He was frustrating the hell out of her. "You keep saying you know Carter's a good kid but you think he's out being a bonehead and partying just because he doesn't come straight home from work every day."

"That's because it's what happened in Boston."

"And look what he ended up doing when your parents rode him too hard," Mina snapped in reply.

Drew hesitated before responding. "Are you mad at me?"

Mina sighed. "I'm annoyed."

"I'm just trying to explain."

"I get that but you're still overreacting."

"I didn't think I was being all that bad."

"Well, you are."

He chuckled. "Don't hold back, Mina."

"I won't."

"I'm sorry. I don't mean to take out my frustrations on you."

Mina smiled and sat down on the end of her bed. "I don't mind listening. You just seem to be coming back to this over and over."

"I know. I can't help but worry."

"Why? Not only is Carter doing everything he said he would, but you also said you would be easier on him and not give him such a hard time."

"I did?"

Mina laughed. "Yes."

Drew let out a noisy sigh. "God, I hate when you're right."

"You should be used to it by now."

"You're right. Again." He chuckled and Mina lay back on her bed with a smile on her face. She loved to listen to his laugh and she loved keeping him on his toes. "OK, change the subject then. What are you up to today?"

Mina told him about her plans with Hilary and they talked a bit about the upcoming playoffs. Drew assured her again that he would do his best to stay a dutiful boyfriend.

"This may come as a shock to you but I'm not going to freak out because you don't call me every day."

Drew snorted. "Maybe I will if I don't talk to you."

Mina grinned. She spotted Hilary passing by her open doorway, finished with the bathroom.

"I've got to go get ready," Mina said. "Have a good game tonight."

"Are you going to watch?"

"Yeah, I think Hilary and I are supposed to meet up with Lena later."

"Cool. Have a good time."

"Thanks, bye."

"Bye."

Mina hurried to the bathroom and showered. She and Hilary left within an hour and Mina forgot about her worries, if only for a little while.

****

Drew was beyond wired as the game against the Florida Panthers started the following week. It was the Capitals' last home game and they were all set and pumped for the playoffs. For now, they had two games remaining against their division rivals.

Time to make a point. He grinned as the music for their intro started and Anatoli sidled up next to him.

"You ready?"

Drew nodded. "Are you ready?"

His teammate nodded and they faced the rest of the team as they started to file out of the dressing room. Their goalie went out first and somewhere in the middle, Drew took his place in the line. Then he hit the ice and felt his blood start to pump a little bit faster.

This was going to be a good game. He could feel it.

And afterward, he'd go over to Mina's and make the most of his few remaining free days before the playoffs started.

The thought of spending a whole night with Mina, the whole next two nights, made his blood race for a whole different reason and as he took his spot on the bench, he couldn't make the grin on his face go away. Mark nudged him on one side and Drew slid down to make room.