Chapter 25
Chapter Twenty-Five
WADE
The fellas keep eyeing me as I rush through shedding my gear, showering, and putting my game-day suit back on. When they changed this requirement in the NHL, I’d hoped they would for the ECHL as well, but not yet. However, I’m kind of glad for it tonight. I want to look my best for Bree.
The sight of her in my Sun Kings jersey is seared into my memory. Seeing my name stretched across her back did something to me. Like every save I’d ever made, every hit I’d taken, was worth it just to see her wear something that said she was mine, even if she didn’t mean it that way.
Luke eyes me as I slip on my jacket. “In a hurry?”
I shrug my shoulders to settle the fabric. “Just ready to celebrate our win.”
We fought hard for that last winning point. Keeping my focus took everything I had not to let my thoughts wander to Bree and search the seats to see if she was still wearing my jersey.
But I resisted. Proved to myself that I can keep control of my mind and stay focused.
Towel wrapped around his waist, Ethan strolls by, punching me lightly in my side. “Cowboy’s on a mission to wrangle his girl.”
With a groan, I roll my eyes and stare at the ceiling. “Is this how it’s going to be?”
All of them say yes at the same time. It’s like they’ve made some kind of pact to orchestrate my love life.
“I appreciate the sentiment, fellas, but I think I can handle this on my own.”
Pay-man and Jammer exchange looks.
I know what they’re thinking, but just because their relationships started under complicated circumstances that seemed impossible at first doesn’t mean they know how things should go for Bree and me.
Payton rises from the bench. “We disagree.”
“We?” I gawk at him.
“Oui.” Barbie-man winks as he says this.
Elias simply nods.
Grin tilted, Ethan shrugs.
Mason won’t look me in the eye, and Zayne snorts.
Great. Just great. I’m surrounded by cocky toddlers.
“I’m out of here.” I turn on my booted heels and head straight for the exit. Forget those guys. I’m going to take Bree wearing my jersey as a sign that her feelings for me are changing, growing into something more.
When I walk out of the door leading to the back hallway and the family waiting area, my gaze collides with her sparkling blue eyes. Her blonde hair frames her face, making her look like an angel.
But she’s not wearing my jersey.
The anticipation I carried from the locker room turns to sludge in my gut. I guess I thought if she still had it on, it could mean something more than a last-minute idea Rebecca threw at her.
But then I notice how her eyes are traveling up and down my suit in appreciation.
That’s a good sign, right? Baby steps, and all that?
“Wade!” She rushes to me and takes my arm. “I’m so glad you’re cleaned up and dressed already. The press is eager to ask you questions about tonight’s game. Zach highlighting you caught their attention.”
Disappointment wraps my chest like a belt and tightens. That’s why she was assessing me when I walked out.
I remember Luke’s gesture to control my face and take a deep breath. “Sure. No problem.”
She walks with me into the press room, but waits by the door as I head to the front and take a seat behind the mic that’s sitting on a narrow table.
Beyond that, reporters fill most of the seats.
It’s not a large space, and the place isn’t packed like an NHL press room, but the Sun Kings have drawn a lot of attention in the region.
“Wade, you looked surprised when Zach called you up tonight.”
They read that right. The heat of that moment crawls up the back of my neck again as I lean in toward the mic. “I was.”
A rumble of soft laughter breaks out.
The reporter’s smile lifts on one side. “Care to expand on that?”
I run a hand over my mouth while I collect my thoughts. “The team is like an organism. We operate best as a whole. I guess I’m just used to sharing a spotlight with the fellas. Not on my own.”
One of the female reporters lets out an awww, which draws my attention to the back…and to Bree, who’s watching me with an expression I’ve never seen before.
Curiosity for sure, but something other than intense interest. Could that be attraction—is she attracted to me?
I vaguely recollect a time in high school when she looked at me like that, but before I could gather my courage and tell how I felt about her, she had a date with some other guy. I figured I’d just imagined it.
Another reporter asks me about my projections for the team, which leads to other questions about what challenges the Sun Kings might face this season. I give them the usual answers that basically say we’re expecting a great season and plan to do our best to make the fans proud.
“Wade, will you be one of the players up for auction at the Fire & Ice event?” A dark brunette with eyes to match grins in anticipation as she waits for my answer.
I glance at Bree, whose smile appears forced now. “Yes, I’m happy to be part of something that gives back to the community that’s given us so much.”
“And what about the All Goalies Game. Can you tell us more about who will be there?”
Bree strides up and stands to the side of the table. “Those details will be released over the next few weeks as we formalize plans. Thank you, everyone.”
Soft chatter fills the room. I join Bree by the door before following her into the hallway. The rest of the fellas stand by the exit, probably waiting for me to go out with them. I haven’t had a chance to tell them I have plans with Bree.
But there’s a question burning inside me that I have to ask. “Why’d you take off my jersey?”
Her eyes flash to mine, curious and questioning. “I took it off right after the game started. I didn’t think it would look right for the team’s PR person to show favoritism to one of the players.”
I don’t miss the caution making her sound guarded, and I groan at myself. Of course, she’d be more wary of something like that after what happened with Chase. “I didn’t even think about that. I’m sorry.”
She stops and grabs my elbow. “It’s okay. It’s just…”
“What, Bree-bear?”
Her gaze warms and settles on me. “I have to be careful, Wade. This is my reputation we’re talking about. I love my job, and I don’t want to do anything to jeopardize it.”
Message received. She can’t risk getting involved with a player again. I swallow down the shriveling hope clogging my throat. “I understand.”
And I do. But what Bree doesn’t understand is that I will do whatever it takes to show her we’re meant to be together. That this wouldn’t be some fling between a player and a staff member, and I’m almost certain Rebecca and Zach would support us.
I’ve loved her for years. Even though she’s never seen me as more than a friend, I saw how she watched me during the interview, and I recognize attraction when I see it.
One way or another, we will be together. She just doesn’t know it yet.
There’s a reason they call it liquid courage. Two beers in, and I feel great. Confident. I’ve got this. That’s what I’m telling myself, anyway.
I grab the darts from Ethan, who bombed his throw by hitting a triple nineteen, sending him over the amount he needed to win. And catch a distinct whiff of onion rings—I’ve lost count of how many baskets he and Elias have put away.
All I need to win this game of 301 is twenty-four points. I bump fists with Luke for luck, because that’s his number—24.
He obliges because he gets the connection.
Plus, he knows there’s no way he can garner a W.
Besides, I’m pretty sure he’d rather I win than give Ethan bragging rights over Payton, who wound up more interested in his fiancée, Lily, and played distracted.
Good thing he knows how to keep his focus when he’s holding a hockey stick instead of a dart.
Mia and Sophie arrived a few minutes ago, so they’re playing smoochy-face with Ethan and Luke. I can’t help but chuckle at Mia’s disgusted expression when she gets the full effect of Ethan’s onion breath.
Since it’s a weeknight, Steamers isn’t as packed as it was last time we were here, although a low chatter of voices and clanking glasses creates a constant hum in the background.
I’d hoped to spend a quiet evening at my place, hanging out with Bree.
But when we caught up with the rest of the fellas after our brief chat in the hallway, she agreed to meet them without hesitation.
And a look of relief. But that told me all I needed to know—she’s nervous about being alone with me. I’m not entirely sure why, but I have an idea, and I can work with that.
As Bree and Harper greet Mia and Sophie with smiles and hugs, I set the darts down on the nearby high-top table so I can roll up my sleeves. I left my jacket in the car when we arrived, but kept my sleeves down because of the chill in the air outside.
Bree mentioned once years ago that one of the things she found most attractive in men was a muscular forearm with tats. I happen to have both. And tonight, they are my weapons of choice.
As I finish, I catch her staring at me in my peripheral vision.
I retrieve the darts, take my place at the line in front of the board, and plan my first throw.
I could easily end this with one dart by hitting a triple eight.
But then, she wouldn’t get a full show, and we can’t have that now, can we?
However, the fellas know me well enough, so I shouldn’t make it obvious that I’m milking this for all its worth. Taking aim, I snap the dart loose, hitting the spot near the triple eight—a sixteen.
Ethan’s eyes and mouth both widen as he guffaws. “He missed! Give the man another beer so we have a fighting chance.”
With a dirty grin, Elias offers up his half-drunk beer to me, which I ignore.
I ready my next shot, keenly aware of Bree’s eyes on me. This could go several ways. I could hit an eight and win, which is the expectation. If I were to change sides of the board, say to hit a four, six, or two so that I have a third throw, they’ll think I’m just showing off.