Chapter 33
Chapter Thirty-Three
WADE
Fans fill almost every seat in the Sunfire Arena.
The place buzzes with energy, excitement, and expectation.
Our new mascot, Stingin’ Ray, continues to be a hit with the crowd, especially the kids.
Bree had the idea to create kid-sized versions of his sunglasses, which, of course, have sold like hot cakes, especially when the parents find out all the proceeds go to cancer research for children.
Wearing the special team jerseys Bree had had made for the All Goalies Game, netminders from all over the country skate around the rink, resembling a bunch of hulking lumberjacks on skates more than hockey players. It’s a sight that’s hard to look away from, actually.
The announcer introduces each of the teams to the spectators, giving a brief explanation of how the games will work today and tomorrow. Zach kept the rules simple, creating four teams with ten goalies on each one—no goalies in the crease.
Each team will play five-on-five for ten minutes, then swap in the second line for ten minutes more. That’s way longer than normal players stay on the ice. But in all this gear, goalies can’t really sprint as fast, so we can last a little longer. Even so, it’s a stretch.
The two games planned for today will consist of three twenty-minute periods, like normal hockey, but with five-minute breaks in between instead of eighteen.
The two winning teams will compete in a playoff tomorrow for a trophy Bree describes as epic.
She won’t tell me anything other than a big reveal is planned before tomorrow’s big playoff.
But all of that is just background noise because the only thing I can focus on right now is Langston, who looks more like a grade schooler swallowed up in his hockey gear.
He’s a good five inches shorter than I am, and doesn’t seem completely comfortable in his gear.
Under normal circumstances, I’d laugh, but nothing about that scumbag hits me funny at the moment.
My team—the Sting Rays—will play the Sharks first. Chase’s team—the Sea Turtles, which gives me some satisfaction—will play the Seagulls. The two winning teams will face off tomorrow, so there’s a good possibility that Chase and I won’t play against each other.
Fists clench inside my blocker and my catcher, I skate around the rink for the warm-up, careful to keep my distance from him and thankful that at least he’s not on my team.
I’m sure Zach and Bree arranged the games to avoid any direct encounters between us, but part of me hopes the two teams winding up in the playoff will be mine and his.
I don’t miss the cautious glances he lobs at me or the smug grin he wears as if he’s the big man on campus.
The rage I’ve managed to keep in check flares hotter than ever.
I want nothing more than to wipe that smirk from his face permanently.
Better yet, leave him toothless. I don’t think he’d be smiling much then.
But I won’t. I can’t do that to Bree. I know how much the success of this event means to her, so I’ll behave at least until the weekend is over.
After that, no promises. Sometimes, a man has to do what a man has to do.
I’m not sure what that is yet, but I’ll know when I see it, consequences be damned.
I take a seat with the rest of my team on the bench. Luke, who volunteered to act as one of our coaches, leans over my shoulder. “Is that him?”
Following his line of sight to where Langston leaves the rink to head down the tunnel, I rough out. “Yeah.”
“Thinking reckless thoughts?”
I dart my eyes to his, staring at him through my grill as if to say, ‘duh.’
“I see.” He ducks his chin. “You know you’re not alone in this, right?”
I tip my head toward the ice. “I am out there.”
His lips purse as he thumps the thick padding on my shoulder. “Don’t do anything stupid. Sophie’s article will expose him for the scum of the earth that he is. This may be the last time he sets a skate on the ice.”
I gnash my teeth together. “Let’s hope.”
He nods. “Good, just make sure it’s not yours.”
My team, the Sting Rays, beat the Sharks by one point. Unfortunately, Chase’s team, the Sea Turtles, wound up faster on the ice than I expected and beat the Seagulls by three. That means we’ll probably have to play against each other tomorrow, unless our line rotations don’t happen to overlap.
Right now, I’m dressed in my game day suit instead of my gear, waiting for the Date a Hockey Player Auction to start.
The rest of the guys roped into this madness congregate around the room, chatting or scrolling on their phones.
A few look as nervous as I feel. I run my hand down my right thigh, attempting to calm my bouncing knee.
I haven’t seen Bree in hours, and I’m worried about her.
I check my phone again, but she still hasn’t answered my last text asking if she’s okay.
Is she safe? Has Chase tried to intimidate her? I know my guys are keeping a careful watch, but that’s not the same as me being there.
Just as I’m about to use a need for the restroom as an excuse to leave and find her, she waltzes in, tablet clutched in her left arm and a bright smile on her gorgeous face.
Her blonde hair is swept up into a high ponytail, and she’s wearing her usual professional attire of wide-legged pants and a shimmering purple top that makes her eyes pop.
“Okay, we’re about to start. Is everyone ready?”
A few mumbled yeses break the silence; most just nod.
“Guys, this is for a great charity. Most of the winners will be fans who want to take you to lunch with their kids.”
“I’d rather have an actual date.” Zayne lets out a rough laugh, trying to hide his own case of nerves.
Since Luke’s not here to give his captain’s speech, I rise to the call. “She’s right. So get your game face on and be your best.”
Bree shoots me a grateful look. For a long moment, we just stare at each other, but I don’t miss the way her eyes drop and scan down, as if she’s checking out my suit. When her gaze returns to mine, I lift a brow as if to ask if she approves.
She saunters over, smiling. “Looking good, Pierce.”
My gaze drifts down her, slow and unhurried, before I drop my voice. “Not so bad yourself, Sutton.”
Her perfect lips part in surprise, and her pupils blow out. The confirmation that I can affect her that way is heady.
She drags her eyes down to her tablet. “Time to go. Zayne, you’re up first, so follow me.”
Bree tosses a last look my way before she turns to leave. After that, I only see her when she peeks in to call up the next guy. Until it’s my turn.
“Wade, you’re up.” Mischief sparkles in her eyes.
I’d kind of hoped I’d see some irritation instead. Something that would tell me she doesn’t like the idea of me going out with an unknown woman. But she did say most of the auction winners would probably wind up as simple lunches with a family.
Still, I’ve seen the few regulars who come to all the local games and linger afterward. A few of those puck bunnies might want to jump in on the fun.
I step onto the small stage set up in the main lobby area. A large group of people fills the space—larger than I expected, actually. They clap when Bree introduces me, then start chiming in as Zach orchestrates the bidding.
A few early bidders die off, leaving only two vying for a date with me. I recognize Mason’s sister from the picture he showed me, but the other woman I don’t. She’s a pretty redhead with a pleasant smile, but she’s nothing compared to Bree.
Judging by the semi-panicked look on Mason’s sister’s face, she maxed out the budget the fellas gave her, which leaves me at the mercy of Red, who’s about to become my date for the evening. I leave the stage, frustrated that I’ll spend this evening with a stranger instead of protecting Bree.
I glare at Mason when I join him, where the rest of the guys stand behind the stage. “What happened?”
He holds his hands up. “Luna asked what our limit was, so I tossed a number out. I never figured it would go that high.” He elbows me in the side. “You dog.”
I shove him off. “Unlike you, I’m not looking forward to this.”
He raises his brows. “Let’s swap. A middle-aged mom and her twelve-year-old son won me.”
The idea is tempting. I could offer them an entire day with me if we could reschedule. That way, I can stay near Bree the rest of the day. “Yeah, that could—”
“No swapping!” Bree’s voice chimes out behind me.
I whip around.
Her expression is borderline feral. “Zayne, don’t you dare skimp on your time with the Bendersons. That boy is a huge fan, and he begged his mom for this for his birthday.”
Zayne appears genuinely taken aback. “Sure thing, Bree. I’ll make it a birthday the kid will never forget.”
“Good. Thank you.” She hands me a piece of paper with an address on it. “She’ll be ready for you in one hour.”
I hold the slip like a foreign object, searching the crowd for the redhead who won me for the evening. “I thought she’d be ready to go now.”
Bree shakes her head. “She wanted to change into something special for your date.”
Her face remains unreadable, so I can’t tell how she feels about this at all. I guess I’d hoped to see at least some irritation on her part, but maybe I’m just being a fool again.
A fool for a woman who can’t seem to look at me as more than her best friend.
Resigned, I close my fingers over the paper. “I’ll be there.”
She turns to leave, but stops next to me, placing her hand on the lapel of my jacket, right over my heart. Her blue eyes sparkle with that mischief again, almost as if she’s teasing me. “And maybe try to enjoy yourself, okay?”
What game is she playing? My gaze dips to her mouth, searching for that cute freckle I love, but it’s tucked between her teeth. For once, I’m thankful for the thick fabric of my coat. Otherwise, she’d notice how hard my heart is pounding beneath her hand.
But two can play…maybe seeing me with someone else will make her rethink how she views me.
I lean closer to her, almost touching her delicate ear with my lips. “Count on it.”