Trade Off (Nashville Nights Next Generation, Book Two)

By Cheryl Douglas

Professional hockey player, Aiden Cooper, should be happy. He’s been traded to Nashville. But going home also means he has to face the truth. The love of his life is married to his former best friend and new teammate there’s not a damn thing he can do about it.

When Sela Clarke finds out her ex-boyfriend, Aiden Cooper, is finally coming home, she panics. How can she pretend she’s still in love with her husband when the only man she’s ever loved is bound to uncover the lie that tore them apart?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Cheryl Douglas
• Release date: Nov 3, 2012
• ISBN: 9781301772520

Cheryl Douglas

Cheryl Douglas is a USA Today bestselling author who kicks back in the country, surrounded by farm land and nature. Her life revolves around family, country music, travel, caffeine, chocolate, and deadlines.Visit Cheryl at www.authorcheryldouglas.com

Book preview

Chapter 1

Aiden Cooper dialed Josh’s number and listened to the sound of multiple rings pulsating in his ear, the adrenaline coursing through his body making them sound and feel louder. This was one call he hoped he’d never have to make.

Hey, Dad.

Aiden, hey, good to hear from ya, buddy. What’s new?

I, uh, just got traded. Vancouver had been Aiden’s home since he started playing professional hockey eight years ago. Some may call him a coward for rarely going home to visit during the off-season, but the decision to stay away from the town he grew up in was a matter of survival for him. To Nashville.

Oh wow. Josh laughed. Seriously?

Leaving his family and friends had been difficult, but Aiden knew coming back would re-open wounds that had never fully healed. He told his agent that Nashville was the one city he didn’t want to consider, but apparently his opinion didn’t matter when millions of dollars and a team’s bid for the coveted Cup were at stake.

This has been in the works for a bit, but I didn’t want to say anything until it was a done deal. He kept hoping he would be able to get out of it somehow, but as one of the league’s top goal scorers, he knew they viewed him as a commodity, not a man with an opinion.

Training camp is starting soon, so I’m just tying up some loose ends here. I need to get out there and find a house.

You want your mama to check out the market, see what she can find?

His mother, Lexi, purchased commercial investment properties, but she’d recently joined the ranks of the semi-retired so she and her husband could spend more time traveling.

Uh no, that’s okay, I’ll take care of it. I know she’s busy planning for that cruise you’re taking her on for your anniversary next month.

He knew of one real estate agent who could help him find his dream home: his ex-girlfriend, Sela. But she was the biggest reason he didn’t want to move back to Nashville.

I just wanted to let you guys know what the deal was before you heard it on the news.

You don’t sound too happy about this, kid. What’s goin’ on?

You know I love you guys, and in a lot of ways I’m looking forward to coming home, but—

But you’re not looking forward to playing on the same team with Michaels again, huh?

Neil Michaels had been his best friend throughout high school. They played on the same hockey teams as kids and shared the dream of playing in the big leagues someday. But Neil stole Aiden’s biggest dream when he married Sela two weeks after his best friend signed a deal to spend the next four years in Vancouver.

I don’t know how the hell I’m gonna do it, but that’s what being a professional’s all about, right? You gotta play the hand you’re dealt.

The day Sela called him in tears because she’d married someone else came flooding back.

You know you’re welcome to stay here until you find a place.

Thanks, I just might take you up on that.

You know when you’ll be here?

Just gotta arrange the packers, movers, and put the place on the market.

Aiden looked around the five-million-dollar house that had never felt like home. He looked forward to leaving some things behind, like his relationship with Monica. After a year together, she was encouraging him to let go of his past so they could build a future together, but every time his team returned to Nashville and he had to face off against the man who stole his first love, he realized he may never get over losing Sela. No matter how much her betrayal hurt him, he feared she may always have his heart.

All right, well if you need anything, you just let us know, okay?

Will do.

And, Aiden?

Yeah.

I’m glad you’re comin’ home, son.

Aiden smiled in spite of his foul mood. Thanks, Dad. I’m looking forward to catching up with everybody. Maybe not everybody, but he’d already put off the inevitable eight years too long.

Sela cringed when her husband slammed the front door. His bad moods were becoming more frequent and as a result she was constantly on edge.

Have you heard the big news? he shouted, passing her in the family room on his way to the kitchen. He pulled the fridge open and reached for a beer.

Sela set aside the offer she was reading so she could give her husband her full attention.

He took a long pull of the beer as he leaned over the granite counter in the kitchen and glared at her, sitting on the couch. Your boyfriend’s comin’ home to stay.

What are you talking about? You know I don’t have—

Aiden’s just been traded. He’s comin’ home.

Forcing air into her lungs suddenly became a task, as she tried to pretend her husband’s words hadn’t cracked the foundation of her world. When did you hear that?

Management just called a meeting to let us all know. They’re callin’ him our best shot at a Cup. Fifty mil over five years. Can you believe that?

Sela clasped her hands to hide the subtle tremble. Knowing Aiden lived thousands of miles away was the only thing that had prevented her from reaching out to him over the years. Now that they would live in the same city, how would she have the willpower to resist the urge to see him, to explain the decision she made eight years ago?

Aren’t ya gonna say anything? Neil asked, staring at her intently, as though he was trying to read her reaction by imagining the words she was not willing to say.

She cleared her throat. I don’t know what you want to hear.

He narrowed his eyes. You happy about this, or what?

She felt a myriad of emotions: elation, fear, dread… hope.

Why would you ask me that? You know I haven’t seen or spoken to Aiden since… The last conversation, when she’d broken his heart.

Have you ever been tempted to call him? The truth. I won’t get mad.

They agreed a long time ago not to discuss Aiden or the reasons they decided to marry. It was too painful to remember and too hard to forget. Have I ever wished I could make him understand what happened? She shrugged. I don’t know, maybe. Don’t we all wish for a do-over now and again?

I thought you didn’t want him to know. That was your secret to keep, and I’ve respected your wishes. He looked at her and she could see fear in his dark eyes. While their marriage was far from perfect, she knew her presence was a lifeline for him. You know he’d hate you if he found out the truth.

That was the bitter reality. If Aiden ever found out what prompted her to marry Neil, there was no way he could see past the truth to the pain and fear that had incited her actions.

I know that. I have no intention of telling him. Do you?

Hell no! He set the beer aside and walked into the family room to join her. He sat down on the large upholstered ottoman at her feet and leaned forward to take her hands. Look, I know I haven’t always been the best husband, and lately things have been… He drew a deep breath. Tense between us. But I love you, Sela. Don’t ever doubt that.

Growing up with a troubled mother and no father meant Neil had no clue how to build a healthy relationship. In spite of the wasted hours in a therapist’s office, little changed between them. She stayed married to him because the prospect of being alone was daunting, and at the end of the day, she still considered him a friend.

Just because Aiden’s coming home, that doesn’t change anything between us.

He framed her face with his hands and leaned in to kiss her. Promise me you won’t ever leave me. I don’t know what I’d do without you.

He’d probably do the same things he did now: get drunk with his buddies, cavort with his puck bunnies, and work out at the gym. If Sela was in love with him, she may have cared that he didn’t spend more time at home, but the quiet time alone allowed her to work and reflect.

I’m not going anywhere.

A life with Aiden became out of the question when she made the decision to marry Neil, and the prospect of finding real love again seemed too overwhelming to consider. So she focused on her work, friends, family, and a rare night out with her husband. Her mother told her she was too young to settle, but she knew life could be a lot worse, so she tried to be grateful for the things she did have: a beautiful home, business, a nice lifestyle. She just had to forget about the one thing that would complete her life: sharing it with the man she loved.

I won’t let you, he said, sliding his hands into her hair. You know I won’t let you leave me.

Sela tried to ignore the shiver that worked its way up her spine at his ominous words. Even during therapy, they’d never discussed divorce. Not because they were so blissfully happy, but because they were both satisfied with the status quo.

Stop it, she said, bracing her hands on his shoulders. I don’t want to talk about this anymore.

Let me take you out to dinner tonight, then we can come home and… He brushed his lips across hers. It’s been a long time, too long, since we made love.

It’s not the right time, sorry. Another little white lie she hoped would buy her one more reprieve. Headaches, stomach cramps, multimillion-dollar offers that couldn’t wait… her excuses to avoid intimacy seemed to run the gamut lately.

She knew her husband satisfied his needs while he was on the road, but she couldn’t muster the will to care. Sex between them had always been about the physical release; they’d never connected on an emotional level, and she knew they never would. She preferred a battery operated plaything she could use at will to a flesh and blood male who always wanted more than she could give.

I hope you’re not too disappointed?

He rolled his eyes. I’m gonna hit the shower.

Aiden wasn’t looking forward to telling Monica about his trade, but the team would go public with the news soon and she deserved to hear it from him first. He entered her flower shop and the fragrance of lilies assailed him. He always associated that fragrance with funerals, despite the fact Monica claimed it was one of her best-selling blooms.

Hey, handsome. You here to take me out for a romantic dinner? She smiled at his surprised expression. A girl can dream, can’t she?

He glanced at his watch and realized she would be closing soon. Prolonging the inevitable seemed cruel, so he said, Why don’t you lock up? I need to talk to you about something.

She frowned. Uh oh, I don’t think I like the sound of that. What’s up?

Monica was a nice girl, and he’d made an effort to build a relationship with her, but no matter how hard he tried to pretend… she just wasn’t Sela. Something happened today, and I just wanted to fill you in.

Give me a minute. She crossed the tile floor, her ballerina flats soundlessly marking her footsteps. She flipped the sign in the window from open to closed and turned the lock before facing him again.

Okay, you’ve got my attention. What’s going on? She folded her arms over her body and stood staring at him, like she was waiting for him to deliver the final blow. It was no secret to either of them that their relationship had been deteriorating for months, but neither had the courage to put the other out of their misery.

I got traded today.

She sucked in a breath. Oh, I see. Wow, I didn’t see that coming.

It wasn’t a complete surprise to me. I knew it was a possibility.

He hadn’t told her because they would have been forced to have a conversation about their relationship that he wasn’t ready to have. He hated dating, and sometimes being in a comfortable relationship, even if it wasn’t going anywhere, seemed like a better alternative.

Why didn’t you tell me?

I guess I was just waiting to see how it all played out.

Where are you going?

Back home to Nashville. They signed me for five years. If all goes well, I’ll probably finish out my career there. Or until he went crazy watching his first love play dutiful wife to the man he used to consider his other brother.

Nashville, huh? She rubbed her hands over the silk covering her arms, as though she was trying to ward off a sudden chill. Your family must be happy about that.

Aiden had never introduced Monica to his family. It seemed pointless. He knew she would only serve as a bridge on the path to the next unfulfilling relationship. He was too young to be so cynical, but if the past eight years taught him anything, it was that a love like the one he shared with Sela only came around once in a lifetime.

Yeah, I talked to my old man earlier. He was pretty stoked about it.

So, where does that leave us?

He wasn’t expecting that question. A long distance relationship hadn’t even entered his mind.

Um, I think it’s time we… He shrugged. He was terrible at breaking up with women; he preferred to let his relationships die of natural causes. You know, went our separate ways. I’d still like to be friends—

Seriously? She walked around him as she returned to her post behind the counter. That’s the best you can do, huh?

He reached for her hand, but she pulled back, just out of his reach, and began to tidy the counter. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you.

I convinced myself that you’d get over her eventually, but that’s never gonna happen, is it? She jammed a pair of scissors into their frame as a tear slid down her cheek. You’re never gonna give anyone else a chance because you’re so sure Saint Sela is the only woman in the world who can make you happy. Her big brown eyes shone with tears when she looked up at him. I could’ve made you happy, if you’d given me the chance.

Aiden wished he could say Monica was the first woman who claimed he was stuck in a relationship that had been over for years, but it was par for the course. Sela was always the third person in his relationships. She was the person between him and his lover when they went to bed at night, the scent lingering on his sheets when he woke up in the morning, the number he hoped to see on his call display every time the phone rang. She was… the missing piece in the puzzle of his life.

Did you set this up? Are you hoping to go back so you can work things out with her?

He shoved his hands in the pockets of his jeans and wished they could just part friends, without discussing his feelings for the woman who broke his heart, but he knew Monica deserved some answers.

No, Nashville was the last place I wanted to go.

"Why? Your family’s there, your friends are there… she’s there."

That’s the whole reason I didn’t want to go back… because she’s there. And last I heard, she’s still married to the rat bastard who called himself my friend.

She shook her head. When are you gonna stop blaming him, Aiden? She chose to marry him. He didn’t force her, and the fact that they’re still married tells me she probably made the right call.

She wasn’t telling him anything he hadn’t told himself, but thinking that Sela and Neil were more compatible than they were still killed him.

I’m not going back there hoping to get her back. I know she’s married now, and I’ve never been the kind of guy who’d even think about going after another man’s wife. Even if she was mine first. Nashville is just where the job’s taking me.

It still drives you crazy thinking of her as someone else’s wife, doesn’t it?

They were past the point of trying to spare each other’s feelings, and she’d demanded brutal honesty the second she chose to call him out about his feelings for Sela.

Yeah, it does. He threw his hands up in the air as he started pacing. We were the best of friends in high school, all of us, me and Sela, Neil and his girlfriend, Sharon. I don’t understand how they went from being friends to lovers in a matter of weeks. It doesn’t make sense.

Maybe they had feelings for each other before and you were too blind to see it.

Aiden knew she was just trying to hurt him because he’d hurt her. After all the nights she’d fallen asleep in his arms while another woman drifted through his mind, she deserved retribution.

I’m sorry. You don’t need to deal with this. It’s my problem.

It is a problem, she said, quietly. You do realize that, don’t you?

You’re not telling me anything I haven’t told myself, Monica.

You’re letting your past dictate your future, and that’s not right. You need to figure out what went wrong in that relationship, why she chose him over you, so you can put it behind you and move on with your life. She smiled. I know it’s not gonna be with me, but you’re a good guy and you shouldn’t spend the rest of your life loving a woman who, in my opinion, didn’t deserve you.

Aiden’s first impulse, as always, was to defend Sela, but he knew Monica was mostly right. He had to find out what happened so he could put it to rest and figure out how to move on.

Thanks, he said, leaning over the counter to kiss her cheek. I meant what I said. I’d like for us to be friends.

She brushed a strand of hair off his forehead and smiled. If that’s all you’re offering, I’ll take it.

That’s all I can offer.

I know, she whispered. Because you’ve already given her the rest.

Chapter 2

Aiden did his homework while in Vancouver, and his first stop in Nashville wasn’t his parents’ home. It was the real estate office owned by the woman who caused him too many years of misery.

He smiled at the pretty brunette receptionist behind the desk. Is Sela… He cleared his throat, trying to force her married name past his lips. Michaels in?

The receptionist grinned as she pointed her silver pen at him. Hey, I know you. You’re that hockey player… Aiden Cooper, right?

Yes, ma’am.

I saw you bein’ interviewed on TV last night. That was a pretty sweet deal you signed.

He dropped his head to hide his grimace. Same old story. He was one of the unlucky few men who had their annual salary posted on the Internet and broadcast all over the news for every gold-digger in the world to see.

I can’t complain. So listen, is your boss in?