18. Knox
Knox
The ballroom doors swing open, and the noise hits like a wave.
There’s the low strain of music, the murmur of conversation, and the clink of glasses.
Cheyenne’s fingers are still curled around the arm of my jacket.
For one disorienting second, all I can think about is her taste as it continues to linger on my lips.
The kiss on the red carpet had been meant to sell the story. That’s what I told myself, anyway. But the second I touched her, it stopped feeling like strategy and started feeling like something else entirely.
Something that was hotter and hungrier.
It was much too real for a crowd of cameras and shouted questions.
I force air into my lungs and try to get my head on straight.
It shouldn’t be so difficult.
“You ready to do this?” I murmur.
She glances up at me, emerald silk hugging every curve, auburn hair falling in soft waves over her shoulders.
“I hope so,” she says with a small smile.
Even though it’s in no way full-blown, it still manages to catch me right in the chest. I don’t understand what it is about this woman that crawls under my skin. I just know no one else has ever managed to do it.
My grip tightens around her before I can think too much about it, and together we step farther into the ballroom. The space is packed with players, donors, sponsors, and enough money to fund a small country. Laughter drifts from one side of the room while a string quartet plays near the far wall.
River is the first to spot us.
His brows rise as his gaze zeroes in on the bruise beneath my eye. “What happened to you?”
Humor dances in Steele’s eyes as he turns toward me. “You get jumped in a dark alley?”
“Nah, it’s nothing,” I say, waving off the questions.
Cheyenne stills beside me. The reaction is subtle enough that no one else would notice, but I do. It’s there in the way her body tightens and her fingers flex against my sleeve. I shift my hand more firmly against her waist. It’s a small movement meant to reassure.
Oliver leans in, joining the conversation. “Funny, ‘nothing’ usually doesn’t look like a right hook.”
A passing waiter stops nearby, and I grab two drinks off the tray before handing one to Cheyenne. Her fingers brush mine as she takes it.
“Would you believe I walked into a door?” I ask.
River snorts. “Only if the door had hands.”
I take a swallow of my drink before giving them enough truth to get them off my back. “A guy caught me off guard and then took off. End of story.”
That wipes the humor off their faces.
Steele’s brows slam together. “Some guy just hit you for no reason and then ran?”
“It’s been handled,” I say easily. “It’s not a big deal.”
Cheyenne shifts beside me, as if uncomfortable with the lie.
“Handled how?” River asks, unwilling to let it go.
“I told the doorman to call the cops if he shows up again.”
Oliver studies me for a second before clapping me on the shoulder. “Next time, try ducking.”
“Thanks,” I mutter. “That’s super helpful.”
Steele’s attention shifts to Cheyenne. “Are you going to introduce us to your date, McNichols?”
“Not if I can help it,” I say dryly, earning a few grins before I do exactly that. “Cheyenne, this is Steele, River, and Oliver.”
My teammates say hello before Lilah pulls Cheyenne in for a hug. “It’s good to see you again.”
Some of the tightness drains from Chey’s shoulders.
Good. That’s exactly what I was hoping for.
Callie smiles. “You look incredible. Lilah was right, that dress was made for you.”
The woman isn’t wrong. The gown is enough to bring any man in this room to his knees.
I know because I’m halfway there.
Oliver whistles. “Don’t take this the wrong way, but you look way too good to be on this clown’s arm.”
Rina elbows him in the ribs. “Ignore him. You look stunning. Even better than when you tried it on in the store.”
Kia smiles from where she’s tucked against Laiken’s side. “It’s nice to see you again.”
I wasn’t prepared to see Cheyenne standing here with my friends and teammates, fitting in so seamlessly. The women are so welcoming, and instead of that feeling strange or forced, it feels right.
Way too right.
Cheyenne’s smile grows more genuine with each exchange, and I realize I’ve been bracing myself for her to feel out of place or find it necessary to perform the polished reality-star version of herself.
She doesn’t.
Not with them.
When she relaxes, I do too.
Laiken says nothing about my eye. He just pins me with a look over the rim of his glass. It’s one that conveys exactly what he’s thinking.
You’re in deep, motherfucker.
I ignore him. Mostly because he’s right.
Across the room, Sloane stands behind the dessert table, arranging tiny pastries.
Jax loiters nearby, doing his best to look casual and failing miserably.
When one of the rookies wanders over and attempts to flirt with her, Jax inserts himself into the situation until our teammate takes the hint and disappears.
That guy really has it bad. From what I’ve heard, Sloane wants absolutely nothing to do with him. It’ll be interesting to see if he’s able to change her mind.
“Come on,” I say to Cheyenne, my hand settling at the small of her back. “Let me introduce you to the owners of the team.”
I guide her across the ballroom toward the older couple.
“Cheyenne, this is Hugh Landry and Evelyn Kingston.”
Evelyn smiles, polished and effortless as always. Hugh, however, seems far less interested in us than in the woman standing beside him.
“We’re thrilled you could join us tonight,” Evelyn says with regal ease. “I hope you have a lovely time.”
“Yes, it’s nice to meet you,” Hugh adds, though his attention shifts back to Evelyn almost immediately, as if he can’t help himself. He clears his throat. “I was wondering if you’d—”
“If you’ll both excuse me,” Evelyn cuts in smoothly, “there’s a sponsor I need to speak with.”
And just like that, she’s gone, gliding into the crowd with a practiced smile, all composure and grace. For a brief second, disappointment flickers across Hugh’s face before it’s smoothed away and he trails after her.
Before the moment can settle, Zane and Gigi appear.
Gigi smiles before giving Cheyenne an air kiss. “What a surprise to find you here. When you disappeared from LA, I figured all the speculation was right and you were off detoxing at some posh retreat.”
Cheyenne’s smile never wavers. “Nope. I’ve been right here in Chicago.”
Zane’s gaze drops to my arm around her waist. “Yeah, had we known, we could’ve planned our entrance a little better.”
“I don’t think that was really necessary, do you?” I ask.
Zane has always been more interested in his reality star dreams than hockey. Too bad he’s so talented on the ice.
“There’s a lot of talk around the possibility of a spin-off show,” Gigi says, sidling closer to Cheyenne. “Any truth to the rumors? You can trust me. I won’t tell a soul.”
“Sorry,” Chey says. “I don’t know anything about that.”
Gigi’s eyes harden for a fraction of a second before her smile widens. “Of course you don’t, babe.”
Even though the woman at my side stiffens, she remains controlled and polished. For the first time tonight, it’s like she’s slipping into protective armor. And I hate she feels the need to do it. My hold on her tightens, pulling her closer.
Not for the cameras or appearances, but for her.
With one last fake smile, Gigi turns before sauntering away. Zane follows like an obedient lapdog, doing his best to keep up.
“Well, that was fun,” I mutter. “I didn’t realize you two were friends.”
“‘Friends’ would probably be overstating the relationship,” Cheyenne says with a sigh.
I snort. “Funny. I feel the same way about Zane.”
Our gazes meet, and her expression softens.
A familiar voice cuts through the crowd. “Well, well, well… look who it is.”
I turn and do a double take as my family makes their way toward us. I wasn’t expecting to see Mom, Dad, Colby, and Britt here tonight.
A grin spreads across my face. I love my family and don’t get to see them nearly enough.
“What are you all doing here?” I ask.
Mom is the first to reach me, her arms wrapping around me in a hug. Dad hangs back, already taking stock of the room as Colby grins.
“Surprise,” my older brother says by way of greeting, slapping my back. “Just thought we’d crash your Railers event.”
“The real surprise is that you made it past security,” I shoot back.
He scoffs. “Seems like they let just anyone into these things. Not like my team. Your ugly mug would never make it through the door.”
“Fuck off,” I say with a laugh. “We both know I’m the better-looking brother.”
“Language,” Mom interjects.
Colby smacks the back of my head. “Yeah, language, dumbass. Don’t embarrass the McNichols name.”
“I was talking to both of you,” Mom says with a shake of her head, even though the corners of her mouth twitch.
Dad slips an arm around her waist before kissing the top of her head. “Want me to put them in time-out, babe?”
Her smile grows. “You might have to if they can’t behave themselves.”
Cheyenne’s still tucked against my side, and I’m suddenly hyperaware of that fact when my mother’s gaze lands on her.
Mom’s eyes brighten. “Well, this is certainly an unexpected surprise. Cheyenne, honey, you look beautiful.”
“Thank you,” Chey says.
Mom’s attention bounces between the two of us with curiosity. “Are you two here together?”
The question hangs in the air as Cheyenne glances at me, the answer sticking for half a second longer than it should. Before either of us can respond, Britt grins, saving us both from further interrogation.
“Would you mind coming with me to the bathroom?” she asks her sister, one hand resting on her belly. “Pretty sure this baby is sitting directly on my bladder.”
Cheyenne chuckles. “Sure.”
With that, she slips from my side, moving toward her sister. It only takes a moment before I notice the absence of her warmth and miss her hand on my arm.
I have to fight the urge to track her through the crowd, as if I’ve suddenly forgotten how to stand here on my own.