22. Valencia
22
Valencia
O ne of the drawbacks of working in hockey was the time off you got during the holidays. With a game two days before Christmas and then two days afterwards, it didn’t leave a whole lot of room to travel and get shit done. My family was back in Florida, and while I would love to visit them, realistically, traveling was a nightmare. I would rather get two days to relax before having to subject myself to holiday traveling.
I stayed in Denver and did a Christmas Ruby Dix special. Hunter and Ro were very generous in their tipping, so nice that I let them into a private room while I got undressed and took a shower where I used the showerhead to make myself come. It was a pretty good Christmas, and I was not ready for the two back-to-back games and another one the day after.
I was grateful we were off on New Year’s as it gave me time to get ready for Easton’s non-profit gala. It was easy to get them set up and see where they were lacking with their social media. Their website needed some work, and a small amount of SEO helped. I was proud of how far we had gotten with everything, but I was most excited about the event tonight.
It was my first gala. The dress I had chosen for the evening was stunning. It was navy blue and looked amazing with my skin tone and hugged me in all the right spots. I had treated myself to a blowout and style with a fresh set of nails that I kept on the short side. Once I was dressed, I slipped on some flats that had insoles because I knew I was going to be standing all day.
The event was held at a swanky industrial building that had been renovated. It was close to the design district, and I loved the opulence in a space like this. Love4all had outdone themselves in classiness without being over the top. I took pictures of the venue and the preparations, posting it on their social media account.
“You didn’t have to be here till five.”
I turned around to see Easton, dressed in a tux that fit him like a glove.
“I know, but I wanted to get some pictures of the people arriving,” I said, giving him a hug.
He squeezed me tightly.
“I can’t thank you enough for doing this for us,” he said, as he let me go.
“You don’t have to thank me,” I said blushing. “I love your organization and all that it does.”
“I wish you would have let me pay you,” he said, looking around the venue.
His Executive Director, Diane, was busy talking to the staff. She was just as passionate as Easton was and after hearing her story it made me feel so much for her. They were amazing together, helping so many kids. It made me a little sad I wasn’t going to be helping anymore, but I was so grateful they let me do this event.
“I don't need the money,” I shrugged. “This place needs it more than I do.”
“You’re too good for this world,” he said as Diane waved him over. “Make sure you eat and take enough breaks.”
He smiled before walking over to Diane. I admired him one more time before I took a bathroom break and got ready for the arrival of the first guests. As I got out of the bathroom, I noticed the band rushing in to set up. They all had varying degrees of attire, hauling in equipment.
The band looked flustered and two of them were angrily whisper yelling at each other. If looks could kill, one of them would be dead for sure, but they set up as they continued arguing. As bad as I wanted to take a picture of their passionate exchange, I held back. I knew it was wrong, but they were just so beautiful. They reminded me of Hunter and Romeo and all that anger and tension that had to go somewhere, right? Wish I could photograph that too.
Glancing at my watch, I knew it was time for people to start arriving and while there were photographers outside, I wanted to take a few photos myself. I grabbed my faux fur shawl that Noemi lent me, grabbed my bag and headed out to the small red carpet they had.
One of the band members was already heading out holding the door for me. He was one of the ones arguing and just thinking of the argument, I blushed.
“Thank you,” I said, smiling at him as I walked out.
“My pleasure,” he said, blatantly checking me out. “You're beautiful.”
“Oh.” My face felt like it was on fire. “Thank you. You look great too.”
“I hate dressing up for these things, but I would do just about anything for Easton,” he said, smoothing out his jacket.
“Easton is amazing, this entire organization he has built was something this community needed,” I said, looking around.
“I wouldn’t be here without him,” he said, putting his hand in his pocket.
My heart clenched at the subtle undertone.
“I’m so glad you're here,” I said, wanting to give him a hug but didn’t want to cross a boundary.
“Me too,” he smiled. “I just came out for fresh air, but maybe I can buy you a drink later.”
“Gage, is everything ok?” Easton came up to us looking worried.
“Yeah, everything is fine,” he said, looking anything but fine. “I’m going to make sure the sound check has been done. It was lovely meeting you…”
“Valencia,” I said, taking his hand expecting a handshake, but he kissed the back of my hand.
Nice to meet you, Gage,” I said.
“The pleasure is all mine,” he purred.
“Ok, stop eye-fucking Valencia,” Easton said, pulling Gage away.
He turned around, mouthing ‘sorry’ at me, but I shook my head because Gage was entertaining and not bad to look at. I pulled my shawl closer to me as I walked to the red carpet they had set up. They had put heaters near this part and it was heaven. It was colder than I had expected and there was a chance it was going to snow, but they had tents up, ensuring it wouldn’t ruin the arrival of guests.
This was a smaller event, but it didn’t feel like it when people, who looked amazing, started showing up. A few models I recognized walked in and they were stunning. I couldn’t help but take their picture and when Gabriel Medina showed up, I felt like I was probably going to combust.
Yes, this wasn’t the first time I had seen him, but seeing him in a tux was an experience. Now, put Lincoln and Lola with him and they captured everyone’s attention. I took a candid photo of them, and they looked so fucking in love.
Noemi and Vincent showed up next and once Easton saw them, it was adorable. I took more candid shots of them. Just as I was about to go in, a gorgeous redhead walked down the red carpet. Genevieve Malone, the local femdom I met at The Atelier was stunning. She commanded everyone’s attention, and I mean everyone.
A couple kept looking at her. I watched them for a moment trying to decipher what was going on and once they moved past the cameras, I knew they were all together. The looks and longing in their eyes said everything. Jesus, they were stunning together, and I needed to photograph them.
While most of the guests went down the red carpet, a few arrived and went straight into the venue. Not wanting to miss too much, I went inside and found the room I had commandeered. It had all my batteries laid out along with chargers and different lenses. I put my phone on the charger while I replenished my batteries by putting on a different lens and bringing a small flash.
I transferred a few photos to my phone to make a post on their stories to keep our followers informed. Plus, snagging a photo of Gabriel would keep some of our audience engaged, hopefully. I grabbed my things before heading out, seeing the room fill up with guests.
The band started to play, and it was something that sounded familiar. That’s when I noticed it was a rendition of “Careless Whisper” by George Michael. Gage was an amazing singer, but I could tell this wasn’t the music they were used to playing.
Walking around the tables I took a few wide shots, and got as many of the decorations and guests in the shot as I could. The closer I got to the stage, the more I was able to get the band in a pic and then one of Gage and the man he was arguing with earlier, looking at each other with interest. It made me want to know more about their story because their chemistry was off the charts. When Gage noticed me, he winked at me, and I shook my head. He was trouble.
“Oh my god, you look gorgeous, Valencia!” Noemi walked up and embraced me quickly.
She was in a gold dress that complimented her skin tone.
“Not as gorgeous as you,” I said, giving her a small squeeze.
“I see Gage has started flirting with you.” She looked over my shoulder.
“He’s just being cheeky,” I said, brushing off her comment.
“Gage doesn’t just flirt with anyone,” she said, smirking at me. “He’s single.”
“I don’t have time for a man,” I said, grabbing my camera and playing with it.
“Only two, right?” She waggled her eyebrows.
“Oh please, if I had two men, I wouldn’t be here, but on my back celebrating,” I said, hoping to distract her from speculating any further.
“I did that last year, and let me tell you, it was worth it,” she grinned. “Probably the best way to spend the new year.”
“Ugh, I’m jealous,” I said, imagining being with Hunter and Ro right now.
How the hell would that work? Apparently, it worked for the throuples here and I fantasized for a moment what it would look like for us. There was no way we would get to that point, but it didn’t hurt to dream about waking up to orgasms, cuddling on the couch or them taking care of me after a big scene. Being a professional athlete’s girlfriend never appealed to me but…
“Ooh, I know that look,” she said, looking excited. “Who is it?”
“Their names are butt plug and dildo,” I said, barely containing my laugh.
She laughed with me, “Keep your secrets, Valencia, but I can’t wait to hear what’s going on.”
“What’s going on, Amor?” Vincent, her husband, came up to us.
Oh god, I hope she didn’t say anything.
“Oh nothing, just Gage flirting with Valencia,” she said, as he kissed her cheek.
“Watch out for that one,” he said, giving me a hug and kissing me on the cheek.
I rolled my eyes. “He’s just being friendly.”
“Gage loves to be friendly.” She winked.
I laughed, “I don’t have time for friendship. I have too many things going on.”
“Easton has nothing but good things to say about you and the marketing director agrees,” he said, pulling Noemi to his side. “Your work ethic is incredible and if you didn’t work for the Yetis, I would have you manage social media for a few of my companies.”
“Thank you, Vincent,” I said, getting red from the praise.
“You can’t steal her,” Easton said, coming up to Vincent and wrapping an arm around him.
“I bet I could,” he smirked at Easton.
“Nope, now go sit down, dinner will be served in a moment,” he said, slapping Vincent on the ass.
“You’ll pay for that,” Vincent growled.
“I can’t wait,” he growled back. “Come on, Val, let me show you to your seat. I took the liberty of sitting you by some hockey players that decided to come and a few other sports players. I figured at least you knew the guys and would be comfortable. Plus, I knew you wouldn’t sit down and take a break unless I made you.”
Easton put a hand on my back as I waved at Noemi.
“Thanks, but you know I could have eaten later,” I said, as we walked to a table in the middle of the venue.
I immediately saw Webber, with his reddish hair, laughing at someone to his side. He looked amazing in a tux, cleaning up a lot better than I thought he could. An equally handsome man sat next to him, but he didn’t look like he played sports, he looked a little leaner than Webber. Then next to him, was someone I wasn’t expecting. Hunter.
He was sex in a suit talking to a woman right next to him. He was leaning closer to her as he said something and she smiled, kissing his cheek. She was older, but she was attractive with her subtle makeup, her updo and beautiful black dress.
I saw red.
This asshole was schmoozing another woman when we said in our fucking contract that we were only seeing each other. Quickly looking around the table, Ro wasn't in sight. My first reaction was to say something, but then if I did, everyone would know about us, and we couldn’t have that.
“Florida!” Webber yelled a little too loudly.
“Make sure you eat before you go back to work,” Easton said, leaving me at the table.
“Damn, you look gorgeous,” Webber said, standing up, giving me a big hug.
He was gorgeous in his tux with his brown hair styled back in a shorter haircut.
“Thanks,” I said, embracing him. “You don’t look too bad yourself.”
“This is my best friend, Jude,” Webber said, and we shook hands.
“My name is Valencia, nice to meet you,” I said, feeling Hunter's gaze on me.
“It’s nice to meet you,” he said with a shy smile, looking oddly familiar. “Webber didn’t say you were beautiful.”
“He’s got blinders since we work together,” I laughed.
“Jude here is single,” Webber said with a big grin. “I hear Valencia is single too.”
“I don’t leave till Monday, maybe we can get a drink?” Jude was suave and I was tempted to take his offer just to spite Hunter.
“I don’t know, I’m working the next few days,” I said.
“Yeah, Valencia is our social media manager and she’s amazing at her job,” Hunter said, but I refused to look at him
“Oh, this is Valencia!” The woman looked excited. “Hunter, you didn’t say she was beautiful either.”
She smacked him on the shoulder. I was taken aback that Hunter had spoken to his date about me.
“Um… Hi,” I said, wanting to be mean and stake my claim, but no matter how much I wanted to do it, there was no way I could do it without revealing our relationship.
“Valencia, this is my mother, Tina,” he said, and it was like he had stolen my breath away while I noticed how he emphasized ‘mother’.
“Oh… hello, Tina, nice to meet you,” I said, feeling so fucking embarrassed and grateful I hadn’t done anything irrational.
She stood up to give me a hug. “He hasn’t stopped talking about you,” she whispered.
We pulled apart and she gave me a knowing smile. Jesus Christ, did she know about us? Did Hunter just tell her we had a BDSM contract? Oh, fuck my life, I couldn’t do this.