Chapter 4
Chapter Four
QUINN
Holy shit. I just had a conversation with Jasper Hayes.
No, not Jasper Hayes.
TheFriendlyGhost Jasper. My Jasper.
The guy I’ve been messaging with for months. The one that I can’t bring myself to meet because…because why?
All the reasons seem meaningless now that we’ve met in person. Not that he had any clue who I was aside from Genevieve, the pop star. But he didn’t treat me like that. He treated me like a normal person.
Something I miss more than I know.
And seeing him in person?
Wow.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen a man so sexy. That chiseled jaw covered in scruff. His dark eyes focused on me. Jasper looks like he could pick me up with one hand and hold me against the wall with ease.
Something not just any person could do with my plus-size curves—ones I’m proud of and will flaunt any chance I can.
“Damn.” Claire whistles from beside me. “That was hot.”
“What?” I shake myself out of my stupor.
My best friend, Claire, is standing right beside me, jaw nearly on the ground.
“You. Him. Hot.”
“Him has a name. And it’s Jasper.”
She grins at me. “Of course you know it.”
I look down at my jersey. “I’m wearing his number. Of course I know who he is.”
“And I haven’t seen you that happy to talk to someone in a long time,” she says.
“Excuse me, ladies,” one of the team attendants interrupts us. “We’re ready for you, Miss Rose.”
“Are you nervous?” Claire asks.
I swat at her. “Would you stop asking me that? You know I don’t get nervous before things like this.”
“Yeah, but you’ve never sung the national anthem.”
I adjust the jersey I’m wearing and roll my eyes at her. “It’s just like any other event.”
Except this time I’m performing in front of Jasper. And I want to do well for him.
“Ladies and gentlemen. Give it up for one of Nashville's hottest pop stars!” The crowd roars in response. “Here to sing the National Anthem, please welcome Genevieve!”
Taking the microphone from the team attendant, I walk out on the red carpet—one of the Knights’ colors—and look around at the sell-out crowd. With one last deep breath, I push every thought from my mind and start singing.
I put my everything into the anthem. It doesn’t need anything fancy or to be over-the-top. I belt it out, singing each note to perfection. When I come to the last note, elongating it ever so slightly, the crowd is cheering with enthusiasm.
Before I leave the ice, my eyes scan over the bench, locking on Jasper. His brow is furrowed. Huh. I wonder what that’s about.
“You crushed it!” Claire greets me with open arms as I come off the ice. “I had chills.”
“Thanks. That was fun.”
“You should try and do it for the Knights more often.”
“Okay.” I laugh. “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.”
“That was wonderful, Miss Rose.” The same woman from earlier comes back over to me and takes the mic from my hand. “If you’d like, I can show you to your suite now.”
“Yes, please,” Claire answers before I can.
Linking my arm with hers, we take the elevator up a few floors before we’re led to a suite.
With the game already started, everyone is in the seats beyond the glass divider. Trays of food and tubs of drinks are laid out in front of us. Grabbing a beer, I crack it open and find two empty seats in the back row.
If there’s one thing I don’t like missing, it’s a Knights game.
I’ve always loved hockey. Before my parents passed away, I would always watch the games with my dad.
He was a huge fan. He’d love how they’re playing now.
Ever since Coach Andrews came on board, they get closer and closer to winning it all.
Will this finally be our year?
I hope so.
“Why have you never brought me to a hockey game before?” Claire asks. “It’s like a boy aquarium in here.”
I choke on my beer. “I’m sorry, what?”
“They’re all just down there skating and looking hot doing it.”
“And this is why I’ve never brought you to a hockey game.” I shake my head.
“Maybe I’ll bring Matt for our anniversary. I think he’d like this too.”
“Are you going to call it a boy aquarium to him?” I quirk a brow at her before shifting my attention back to the game.
“He’ll get a kick out of it.”
“I’m sure.”
While everyone is focused on the ice, my gaze flits back to the bench.
Sure, Claire might have a point about how good-looking all the guys are, but I only have eyes for one hockey player.
Jasper.
He’s talking with Noah, hand pointing toward the action on the ice. It’s sexy to watch him as he surveys the game. Having watched the team for years, it’s been easy to see how his passion for the game has floundered as of late.
Tonight? Tonight he looked excited. When he hops off the bench and goes over the boards, I’m ready to watch him play.
“You’re giving validity to my boy aquarium with how hard you’re staring at all of them.”
Her voice startles me out of my thoughts. “I’m only paying attention to the game.”
“Sure you are.”
She pats my arm and pulls out her phone to start scrolling. I’ve lost her. Even the “boy aquarium” can’t hold her attention for that long. And before I know it, she’s heading back into the suite to grab some snacks, bringing a plate for each of us.
Noah and Jasper are working together in perfect sync, passing the puck back and forth to each other. It’s a thing of beauty.
Jasper shoots the puck back to Noah who sends it to him and—
“He scored!” Claire jumps up beside me as the entire arena erupts.
“Hell, yeah!” I high-five her. Jasper’s goal? Fucking perfect—hitting the cross bar and going in. A bar down goal. Something he used to be known for when he first came into the league.
Goals for him aren’t as common as they once were, but I still love getting to see him play.
Jasper heads back to the bench as play resumes. It’s more of the same. The Knights are dominating the game over Florida. Marcus and Bode are the clear stars—expertly moving the puck down the ice and scoring another two goals before putting the game away.
“Tonight was fun,” Claire says, wrapping me in a hug, waiting as fans filter out of the arena before leaving. “It was good for you.”
I sigh. “It felt normal.”
“And you had fun with a guy.”
“One that I’ll probably never see again.”
“So you think.”
I don’t know why I haven’t told my best friend about him. I know exactly who TheFriendlyGhost is. She’s been pushing me to get out there ever since Eric broke my heart.
Things were good with him at the start, then everything changed once I made it big. How can I trust my judgment now?
Do I think Jasper is going to do the same to me as Eric did? No. But it doesn’t change my nerves. It’s why I keep pushing off meeting him.
“Maybe you don’t see him again. But you know, you’re allowed to move on from Eric.”
I twist a lock of hair around my finger. “It feels like I can’t because I’m still stuck in this limbo with him and what I’m owed.”
Not to mention that I still have a handful of appearances that I’m contractually obligated to fulfill. Considering we’re going to court over contracts, I don’t want to give him any more ammunition to use against me by not showing up.
It’ll only make me look bad in the end.
“Well, I say once this whole mess is behind you, you reach out to whoever you know with the team and get Jasper’s number. I bet he’d be interested. Or finally get on a dating app.”
I snort with laughter. “What should I put in my profile then? Down on her luck pop star that might be DTF?”
Claire laughs as we step out into the darkening evening. “I wouldn’t go that far. Maybe DTT?”
“DTT?”
“Down to talk.” She says this like it’s the most obvious thing.
“Well, you go home to your husband, and I’ll say I’m DTT then.”
“Don’t dismiss my idea. It’s a good one.” Claire hugs me. “Text me when you get home. And give Dolly a kiss for me.”
“I should be offended you like my cat more than me.”
“Dolly is the best. She loves her Auntie Claire.”
“I’ll see you later. Bye, babe.” I blow her a kiss and head to my car.
When I make it to the safety of my car, I fish my phone out of my bag, a smile coming on immediately.
TheFriendlyGhost
How was your thing tonight?
CatsRCool
It went great
I knew it would
How could it not?
I could be leading you on
I could be terrible at my job
There’s no way you could be
What about you? Are you terrible at hockey?
I don’t think so
Others might disagree
RUDE
But some could say the same about me
Seems I really do need to ruffle some feathers on your behalf
Me too
Need me to fight the bullies on your behalf?
Nah
I can take it
Okay
I don’t know if I can throw a punch or not
After bowling, I’m taking you boxing
Throw in some beers, and we’ve got all the b’s covered for our first date
Just name the time and place and I’m there
Mars, seven, tomorrow night
I might be a bit late
My flying skills haven’t kicked in yet
Shame
Here I was ready to go
Maybe we can keep it to our planet instead…
Maybe…
If your plans keep you down here, let me know