33. Olivia
33
olivia
I ’ve been to a lot of hockey games in my life, but never in a suite like this. There are huge TVs on the wall, photos of famous Riders players from the past, a fully stocked bar, a buffet that’s already making my mouth water, and a dessert display that Hayes and his sweet tooth would demolish. Damn, I could get used to this. I knew the players’ wives were up here for some of the games, but I never really paid attention, too focused on everything I have to do before the game. Seeing them all here, cheering on their men, is a different experience. I take a deep breath, rubbing my hands down my thighs. I want to make a good impression. I am normally one of the coldest people in America, but tonight sweat is pooling under my jersey from my damn nerves. How am I sweating in an ice arena? It’s funny how I can sing in front of the entire crowd but being in a suite with less than thirty people has me sweating bullets.
Every woman here is in ‘show makeup.’ I have work makeup, which is a quick morning foundation, blush, and eyeliner, then I have my show makeup, which is a long process with lashes, bronzer, highlighter, curled hair, hair extensions, and all my fancy jewelry. Every woman here seems to have on their show makeup. Are they like this every game? I’m suddenly glad I went the extra mile tonight with my hair and makeup.
I asked Hayes if I could bring Maggie along since I didn’t know anyone, and I’m so glad she was able to come. Especially because I wasn’t sure if these women would be nice, catty, cliquey, or just flat out mean. At least I’d have a friend to help me navigate potentially shark infested waters.
“Liv, this is a sick suite. Except every girl in here is a perfect ten.” Maggie steps behind me, dropping her head on my shoulder as she glances around again. “I’m over here looking like a five in my nicest jeans and Riders t-shirt.”
“Whatever,” I scoff, forcing her to stand next to me. “We are both solid eights, and you know it.” We both laugh, the tension in my shoulders melting away.
“Olivia!” a gorgeous blonde woman, with a very pregnant belly and holding a toddler on her hip, says. “I’m Kara Reeves, Zack’s wife. Welcome to the WAG suite.” Her smile is super friendly and welcoming, helping the rest of my anxiety disappear.
“Thank you. It’s nice to meet you, Kara, I’m Olivia Brooks, and this is my friend, Maggie James.”
“Nice to meet you, Maggie. Olivia, we all know who you are. We love hearing you sing the anthem.” Wait… the WAGS know who I am? Kara drops her voice, leaning closer as she glances at the ice. “Listen, Zack told me what happened. We’re going to get you back out there singing. I don’t know who else they have lined up, but we need our weapon back.” She winks with a conspiratory look, straightening and gently bouncing the toddler in her arms.
My face heats as I rub my palms down my thighs. “I appreciate the kind words. Sometimes things happen beyond our control, and this was one of them. I’ll live,” I say, shaking off the disappointment of not being down on the ice tonight, motioning to the toddler hiding his face in her chest. “Who is this little cutie?”
“This is Jackson,” her face softens, “And the two littles running around like heathens are Sophia and Molly. Another boy - yet to be named - is on the way,” she says, rubbing her belly. “That’s Zack’s mom and dad over there with the girls,” she nods with her chin, “They are excited to see Zack back on the ice after his injury, and, of course, to see their grandkids. To tell you the truth, I’m ecstatic to have extra hands at the game with these three wonderful, high-energy children,” she says as we all laugh. “Come on, I’ll introduce you around, then we’ll find some seats.”
Kara walks us around to meet the other wives and girlfriends, and I relax even more when I realize everyone is actually nice. Not the shark fest I was expecting at all. Some are very young, and I immediately feel old around them. I forget some of the rookies are just barely in their twenties. Kara seems like she’s at least closer to my age. Not that any of that matters. More than anything, I’m blown away that here I am, at thirty-one, and some of these girls are not even legal to drink and are dating high-profile NHL players. When I was twenty, I was still stumbling my way through life, nowhere near being in a relationship with a pro-athlete.
We find our seats and get ready for the starting line ups. Everyone cheers as the players are announced, being the loudest for their man on the ice. Kara is so gracious and has gotten us three seats together. She stands beside me as we rise for the anthem, of course it’s the Singing Grannies , and puts her hand on my back.
“Just know that while we all love America, even though most of us are Canadian, we love it more when you’re singing.” I give her a warm smile, thankful for all her help in breaking the anxiety of someone else performing tonight.
As we head into the third period, both Hayes and Zack are having great games. They are playing on the first line tonight, Hayes has a goal while Zack has an assist, but the Riders are still down by one. Before play starts up, Kara and I talk more about our guys while Maggie wanders off, refilling her drink and talking with some of the other ladies in the suite.
“If you don’t mind me asking, what’s it like being married to a player? How do you handle all the travel and odd schedules?” I ask twisting my fingers in my lap.
“Well, it’s not always as easy as it looks from the outside,” she sighs, “but there is nothing I wouldn’t do to help Zack live out his dream. It can be tough when he’s on the road, especially when the kids are having a bad day throwing tantrums and missing daddy. Thankfully, we can pay for a housekeeper, so at least I’m not taking care of the kids and trying to keep the house in order. But the amazing thing is that when he’s home, he really picks up the slack. He helps get the kids fed, plays with them, and helps put them to bed every night.” A warm smile lights up her face. “And seeing Zack out there on the ice, I’m just so proud of him. You can see the passion he plays with. He has that same passion for our family, and it makes me love him more every day. Just don’t tell him I said that,” she winks, absentmindedly rubbing her belly. “Four kids are going to be a handful, and if he hears that, we’ll have ten before you know it.”
“Your secret is safe with me,” I promise, pretending to zip my lips and throw away the key.
“And this group of girls here helps too,” she gestures around the room, “We all know what the other is going through when they are on the road, so we reach out if we need something.”
I glance around, finding it surprisingly easy to picture myself connecting with the women surrounding me. Maybe it wouldn’t be so hard to fit into this group after all.
“So, Olivia, tell me about you and Hayes,” Kara smirks, “I mean, Zack told me a little about you two, but I’d love to hear it from your perspective. That man’s game has been on fire this season, and my instincts tell me that’s no coincidence.”
Warmth fills my heart at the thought of Hayes talking to anyone about me. I rub my hands on my thighs, “Oh…did Hayes talk to Zack about me?”
“Honey, let me tell you something about Zack. He can get anyone to spill their guts, especially about their feelings, in an instant. He had me telling him my life story and deepest secrets on our first date.” A wicked smile sharpens her features, her eyes focused on mine. “Also…my guess is Hayes likes to talk about you, and he doesn’t know many people here yet.”
“Good point,” I murmur, biting my lip. “We haven’t known each other that long actually. It’s all so new and so fast, but…it feels as if some force put us in the same place at the same time to be together. Ugh…that sounds cheesy saying it out loud.”
“Olivia, it’s not cheesy at all. I know exactly what you mean. Sometimes it doesn’t take long to figure out life has brought you exactly where you’re meant to be.”
Her words hit me like a truth tidal wave to the heart. I do feel like everything I’ve been through has led to me being here tonight. My heart races as I watch my boyfriend, out on the ice, putting his heart and soul into the game, just as he has with me these past few weeks.
Molly tugs on my leg and asks if she can sit in my lap with her little tablet, bored with the game and watching a show. Picking her up, I sit her in the seat with me. Glancing around the tablet, I see Hayes flying across the ice. Does he want a wife? Kids? Would he want me to be that wife? My heart swells at the thought, but I try to calm myself down. We just made it official with a note, but here I am already dreaming of walking down the aisle with a baby on the way.
Snuggling the little munchkin close, I watch the Riders speed around the ice, leaving the other team in their dust. With everything I went through with Cayden, I never felt like this. I always hoped it would get to this point, but if I’m being honest, I never actually saw it happening. I think in the back of my mind I knew he wasn’t in this for the long haul. A hint of regret brushes through me, but I quickly shake it off. As awful as that was, I can’t regret what brought me to where I am today, to Hayes. He seems to be in this with no fear, no concerns, no doubts, and melting my heart along the way. And I’m starting to think I may be feeling that way myself.
Despite Zack and Hayes both having a stellar game, the Riders lose 3-2. Afterward, Kara walks us all to the hallway outside the players locker room, and I can’t help but constantly glance around. I’ve been in lots of different areas of this arena, but never here.
“Wow, Kara, that locker room smell is…potent,” I say as she lets out a roaring laugh.
“I almost forgot what it’s like to not smell that. I swear, I’m desensitized at this point. You’ll get used to it. Just wait until the playoffs,” she scrunches her nose, “it will be way worse with the superstitious guys not washing various clothing items.”
“Okay Kara, what’s the scoop on the single players here?” Maggie asks. “The tea I got from the other WAGs is that Volkov, Johansen, and Boucher are all eligible bachelors.”
“Yes, I believe they are single. You sure you’re up for the hockey wife life Maggie? All of those guys are great. But emotionally? Some of them are tough nuts to crack.”
“Well, they do call me the nutcracker,” Maggie smirks, leaning back against the wall as we come to a stop in the tunnel.
“Since when has anyone called you the nutcracker?” I snap back with one eyebrow raised.
“Since now.”
“DADDY!” Kara’s daughters scream in unison as they race toward Zack.
“Hi babies! Did you have fun with grandma and grandpa?” Zack asks as he wraps them up in a big hug, reaching over to wiggle his fingers toward Jackson and leaning in to give Kara a quick kiss.
“Daddy, we had so much fun! We got snacks and I drew on the wall with one of my crayons and sorry the bad guys won the game and Miss Olivia let me sit on her lap and I saw you on the ice. Wait, are we going home now?” Molly says in one run-on sentence.
“Wow, that was a lot of information there, pumpkin. You drew on the wall in the suite with your crayons?” He looks up at Kara who just shrugs. “Yes, baby, we are headed home now. Do you girls want to ride home with me?”
“YES!!! We get to ride in Daddy’s truck!” the girls shout, dancing around the hallway.
“Oh! Zack, this is Olivia Brooks, Hayes’ girlfriend ,” Kara says, introducing us. “And this is her friend, Maggie James.” He reaches out to shake Maggie’s hand first, then mine.
“Olivia, it’s so nice to finally meet The Weapon in person. I see you here at all the games, but never had a chance to tell you how beautiful of a voice you have,” he says. “For what it’s worth, I’m sorry me signing those pucks got you in trouble. No offense, but I was trying to get that guy away from me.”
“Nice to meet you too. Honestly, I should have been trying to get away from that guy a long time ago, so I get it.” We both chuckle, each with our own sour memories of Cayden and his selfish heart.
“Hayes should be out in a minute.” He glances behind me, leaning in a little closer, and whispers. “If you tell him I said this, he’ll kill me, but that man has it bad for you.” He smiles and winks at us as he walks away.
I cannot imagine how red my cheeks must be at this moment, and from the look on Maggie’s face she’s about to explode with excitement.
“I told you, Olivia! Hayes has it bad for you. Even the captain agrees!” Maggie shouts as she pats my arm in excitement.
“Okay, yes...you were right, Mags. Just be cool about it, okay?”
“When have I ever been anything but the epitome of cool?”
I roll my eyes, the back of my neck prickling. Looking over, I see Hayes heading our way. I swear to all things holy, this man in a suit has my knees weak and he’s not even touching me. It’s like a slow-motion scene in a movie, and he’s walking towards me with the song Let’s Get It On playing in the background. When he’s finally close enough, he pulls me into a hug. His hair is still wet, and whatever shampoo he has in the locker room smells like mint and cedar. God, that smell is intoxicating . He pulls back from our embrace, giving me a quick kiss. The sound of a fake cough pulls me out of my trance.
Okay, maybe it wasn’t a quick kiss.
“Hayes, this is my best friend, Maggie, who apparently needs a cough drop,” I snark giving Maggie some serious side-eye. “And Maggie, this is Hayes,” I say introducing them, my cheeks hot.
“I have heard so much about you, Hayes; it’s nice to finally put a face with a name.”
“Nice to meet you too,” Hayes smiles, shaking her hand.
“But just know, if you hurt Olivia, I will literally murder you.”
“ Maggie , oh my God, stop it,” I shout, punching her arm.
“I see your friend watches a lot of true crime shows too.” Hayes laughs giving me a wicked side-eye. “Don’t worry, Maggie. We’re on the same team here. No one will hurt Olivia ever again.” Warmth surrounds my heart, my thighs squeezing tight as he pulls me closer, his arm wrapped around my waist. I’m not a damsel in distress by any means, but the thought of him being protective over me is surprisingly hot. I would totally bail this man out of jail for defending me.
“I like this guy, Liv,” Maggie says with a wink. “One hell of an improvement compared to the last one; I can’t wait to get to know you better. But I need to be going, so I’ll leave you two love birds alone.”
“Thanks for the ride to the game, Mags, and for helping me brave the WAGs.” I hug her goodbye, thankful to have someone like her in my life.
“Anytime I get to help you with something that involves free food and alcohol, you have my number. Love you, girl! Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do!” Hayes and I wave goodbye to Maggie as she walks away.
“Let’s get out of here,” he says, taking my hand and walking me toward the players’ parking lot.
“Sorry you lost. That last goal for the other team was such a fluke,” I say, bumping into him with my shoulder. “But you looked great out there. Thanks for inviting me; I loved watching you play.”
“Thanks, sweet girl. Losing always sucks, but I feel like I played my game tonight. I wished we could have pulled out the win for you.”
“Do you want to know what my favorite part of the game was?”
“Harley throwing free t-shirts?”
“No,” I say with a laugh, rolling my eyes. “My favorite part was watching you slide down the bench between shifts.”
Hayes gasps, a baffled look on his face. “ That was your favorite part of the game? Not watching me sprint down the ice trying to beat a guy to the puck? Or slamming someone into the boards? Or my assist? My goal?”
“I mean…those were all great, but watching you slide down the bench is the most adorable thing I’ve ever seen in my life. You scoot your butt down first, then shift your upper body to meet it. All the other guys slide down in one motion. But you go ass first. And for some reason, I couldn’t wait for you to get off the ice so I could see this little moment only I was noticing.”
As we reach his spot, he crowds me against his car and tucks a curl of my hair behind my ear, giving me another one of his smoldering smiles. “I never realized I scooted differently than my teammates, but I’m glad you enjoyed it.” He brushes his thumb across my lip, tingles racing across my body and pooling in my core. “My favorite part of the game was knowing you were in the stands watching. Wearing my jersey. Screaming my name. I felt like I was on fire knowing you were here.”
“I’m glad I could help. You were a force to be reckoned with tonight.”
Leaning down, he growls, “I’m going to be an even bigger force to be reckoned with once I get you home, just you wait, siren. You haven’t seen anything yet.”