Making it Right: Men of the Ice, #10

By Michele Shriver

A victim of date rape by a man she thought was her best friend, Tori Wilson finds herself pregnant, alone, and scared to trust.

Hockey star Aiden Bartz isn't necessarily looking for love. He doesn't think he's looking for anything, but when he meets the fragile, red-haired beauty, his outlook changes.

Tori makes Aiden want to be a better man, and to make things right after the hurt she's suffered, but can she trust him enough to let him into her life, and if she can, does love await her?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christina Shriver
• Release date: Jun 6, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386076964

Michele Shriver

Michele Shriver grew up in Texas and now lives in the Midwest, where she has a general law practice. In her free time, she enjoys bicycling, Zumba fitness and watching sports on TV. She is working on her second novel, a spin-off of After Ten.

Book preview

Although the world is full of suffering, it is also full of the overcoming of it. - Helen Keller

Chapter One

Tori Wilson stood in a far corner of the backyard, by the gate, ready to make a fast, and hopefully inconspicuous exit. She didn’t want to be at this party, celebrating the sixteenth birthday of a kid she didn’t know, and the engagement party of the kid’s foster parents, whom she’d also never met before.

Tori didn’t like parties under the best of circumstances, and these circumstances were far from the best. The wine flowed freely, and it looked like good wine, too. Not that Tori would know. She was in her second trimester of pregnancy, her feet hurt, the Texas summer heat bordered on stifling, and she was stuck at a party with expensive wine that she couldn’t even drink. Yeah, this party sucked.

With one hand on the gate, she cast one last quick glance around the yard. Tori doubted anyone would notice if she left, so what was she nervous about? She didn’t know these people anyway.

Tori, you’re not leaving already, are you?

Crap! So much for nobody noticing. Her hand still on the gate, Tori turned to face her best friend Lauren Chase.

I was hoping to, she admitted.

Why? You barely got here, and the party is just getting started, Lauren said.

And I don’t belong here. I don’t know any of these people. I should never have let you talk me into coming. Lauren’s boyfriend Trent played on the San Antonio Generals hockey team, and one of his teammates was hosting the party. Lauren belonged here. Tori didn’t.

Why? You’re not having fun?

No. It’s too hot, and I don’t know anyone here, Tori said.

That’s not true. You know me, and Trent.

Tori had met Lauren’s boyfriend only a few times, but it was long enough to know he was a great guy. The happiness that radiated from Lauren’s face every day at the hospital they both worked at reflected it. Yes, and these are your friends. They aren’t mine, Tori said. Even though they seem nice enough, and they know how to throw a good party, I feel out of place. She gave Lauren a half-smile. Thanks for inviting me, but I’m going to take off.

You’re not going walk, are you? In this heat?

I was planning too, Tori said. It’s not that far, and exercise is supposed to be good for me. I’m pregnant, not dying.

Right. Well, I’ll still feel better if you’re not walking, Lauren said. Let me get the car keys from Trent and I’ll give you a lift.

And the wine? Tori nodded at the glass in Lauren’s hand.

What? It’s my first glass, and I’ve barely touched it, she said. Just give me a minute, and I’ll drive you home.

Tori sighed and swallowed the protest. She didn’t want to drag her friend away from the party, but it was awfully hot. Thanks, Laur. I appreciate it. I’ll just wait here while you get the keys.

AIDEN BARTZ SIPPED a beer while he reflected on what a weird summer it was so far. The Generals missed the playoffs, but his teammate gained a kid and a fiancée. Not a bad gig for Austin.

I don’t know about you, but I get the sense Austin and Shannon might be doing this again soon.

A frown crossed Trent’s face. You mean foster kids, or have their own?

Either. Both. I don’t know. Aiden gave a shrug of his shoulders. Just thinking out loud. They look like they’re in their element. He took another draw on his bottle as Trent’s girl approached them.

How much do you love me? Lauren asked Trent.

Is this a trick question? Because you know it’s to the moon and back.

Aiden rolled his eyes, finding them both sweet and annoying at the same time. Still, corny as they might be, Trent deserved the happiness he’d found with Lauren, as well as his success on the ice toward the end of the Generals’ season.

Great. You can prove it to me later, Aiden heard Lauren say. Right now, I need the car keys to give Tori a ride home.

Why? Is she not feeling well? Trent asked.

Physically, I think she’s fine, but she’s not feeling up to the party scene. I’ll just run her home and come right back. You won’t even notice I’m gone.

Trent shook his head. Not true. You haven’t even left, and I already miss you.

Oh, good grief, you two. Get a room, already. Aiden set his half-empty bottle down on the patio table beside him. I’ll give the girl a ride. I assume you’re talking about the cute redhead over by the fence, right? Aiden had noticed Lauren talking to her, and decided he wanted to meet her. This was his opportunity. He fished the keys to his Lexus from his pocket.

Aiden, don’t. Leave her alone, Lauren called after him, but Aiden ignored her, his stride purposeful, as he approached the cute redhead with the ponytail.

Hi. You’re Tori, I presume? He flashed his most charming smile, and wished he’d shaved that morning. Maybe she liked a little scruff, though. Aiden hoped so, because he sure had a thing for a girl in a ponytail.

Yes. Why? She didn’t meet his eyes, instead kept her gaze directed downward, where she rested her hand on her belly, with its very noticeable baby bump.

Well, fuck him sideways with a two by four. She was pregnant. For some reason, that only made her hotter. I’m Aiden, he said, waving his keys in front of her. Lauren said you’re ready to leave. I’ll be your chariot and give you a ride home, or anywhere else you want to go.

Aiden expected she would appreciate the offer. After all, it was hot, she wanted to leave, and he was cute. Instead, the woman visibly recoiled, even though he hadn’t come close to touching her.

No, you won’t. I’ll walk. Please, let me go. She pushed the gate open. Just let me go.

What the hell? Aiden held his hands up and backed away, hoping to show her he meant her no harm. Not that it mattered. She was already gone, practically running down the side of the yard toward the sidewalk.

Jeez, Aiden. Do you ever listen? Lauren rushed over to where he stood, her green eyes flashing with anger. What did you do to her, anyway?

Huh? What did I do? Aiden backed away further, his hands still in the air like he was being arrested. Nothing, except offer her a ride home. Was that a crime now? That’s it. I didn’t even touch her. I think your friend is afraid of her own shadow.

Not her shadow, no. Lauren let out a sigh, running a hand through her dark blond hair. "She is afraid of men, though, which is why I tried to warn you, not that you cared to listen. Tori was raped, Aiden."

Chapter Two

Raped. Aiden let the word sink in for a minute. Yeah. That sure helped explain the rather extreme reaction to offering her a simple ride home. Well, shoot, why didn’t you tell me that?

Um, I tried to, Lauren said, but someone was too busy thinking he was so irresistible to the opposite gender that this would be a good opportunity to score.

It wasn’t quite like that, Aiden protested. Still, Lauren’s words hit close to him. He might not have been looking to score. Not right away, anyway. But he had arrogantly assumed Tori would appreciate his attention and the offer of a ride home. And yeah, Aiden did hope that might lead to something. Now he felt like a first-class jerk.

Whatever. Lauren’s tone indicated she didn’t believe him. I’m going to try to catch up to her and make sure she’s all right. She gave Trent a kiss on the cheek. I’ll be back as soon as I can. Lauren hurried out the same gate Tori left from.

Christ, I feel like an idiot, Aiden muttered.

It’s not your fault, Trent said. You didn’t know.

No, but I should’ve at least listened to Lauren when she tried to stop me. Aiden shook his head. "She’s got a point. I did assume her friend would like the attention. You know, pro