Chapter Fourteen #2
He skated to center ice, raised his stick in acknowledgment, and put a hand to his chest and blew kisses to the crowd. It tugged at my heart, and as much as we clashed, I was happy he’d recuperated and was ready to play again.
The first period flew by, and I could see the other team—I didn’t even know their names or care that much—trying to play on what they thought would be Denis’s weakness, but he stopped every shot on goal.
Meanwhile, Rip and his teammates scored a total of four goals, and I couldn’t help smiling at Adrian’s fist-pumping and clapping for his husband.
During the second intermission, I finished my water and watched all the people in the stands. The big jumbo screen flashed random pictures of the fans as well as some celebrities.
“Crap,” I muttered to myself and ducked my head to check my phone, but I wasn’t quick enough. The crowd began to whistle and clap, and I peeked up, my heart sinking as I saw my face up on the Jumbotron. Twenty-five thousand seats in this damn arena, and they picked mine. Fuck.
The guys in my row leaned in close to me, waved and laughed, while I kept my eyes on Adrian. He stood and scanned the crowd, and when he found me, his face lit up like Rockefeller Center at Christmas. He waved with an excited smile, and I gave a halfhearted one in return.
The players returned to the ice, and I saw Denis take his stance in front of the goal, but I could’ve sworn he knew I was there and faced my section before settling in for the last period.
My phone began to buzz with text after text. Adrian, of course.
I’m so glad you’re here.
Why didn’t you tell me you were coming?
Please change your mind and come to our place after.
Isn’t the game great?
It was as if I had a personal Blades groupie.
I decided to wait to answer because Denis was besieged by the other team, and I held my breath as he kicked away one puck only to have them slap it right in his face again. He deflected it, and my row mates started yelling. “Come on! Take the pressure off!”
Finally, someone from the Blades got the puck, and the action moved to the other end of the rink. It all happened too fast for me to keep track of, and I didn’t understand why some players got penalties and others didn’t, but in the end the Blades won 4-1, and Denis was back.
And I had to figure out what I was going to do. I couldn’t leave now without looking like a complete asshole, so I waited for Adrian, and he ran over to me after he got off the towering escalator.
“I couldn’t believe it was you. What made you change your mind? And you should’ve told me you were coming. You could’ve sat with me.”
Adrian was a sweet man but tiring.
“It was spur of the moment.”
“And that jersey?”
My cheeks grew warm. “I saw everyone was wearing one and didn’t want to stand out. Turns out it didn’t matter. They found me anyway.” My smile was wry. “Maybe they recognized me from the news.”
“Yeah, they do that. When they have celebrities at the game, they always pick them out and put them on the Jumbotron.”
“I’m hardly a celebrity.”
Adrian waved at me. “Come on. We’ll wait for the guys outside the locker room.”
“I-I don’t think I should stay.”
“You have to,” Adrian insisted. “Denis knows you’re here.
And what’re you going to do, go home and have dinner by yourself?
Come on. It’s not only Denis. Other guys from the team are coming, and I invited Tag too.
He filled in for me on Playing the Field when I was on my honeymoon. We’re getting barbecue from Hometown.”
Tag Gold. Another happy-go-lucky person. He reminded me of a golden retriever—big brown eyes, lots of blond hair, and always smiling. And barbecue was so not on my diet.
“It all sounds good, but—”
“But nothing. It’s no big deal. I know you don’t like to socialize, but it’s only dinner. If you’re really against it, you can leave, but at least come and have something to drink. I even have green tea.”
My lips twitched. Adrian was so nice, you felt like a shit saying no to him.
“Okay. Only for a little while.”
“That’s great. Are you still busy with that story about the mayor’s residency?”
I breathed a sigh of relief. Work I could talk about. “Definitely. But I can’t seem to get anyone willing to lay it on the line to verify information for me. Frustrating as hell, but I’m hoping to find something.”
“I can do some digging if you want.”
“Sure. You’re the political reporter, after all.”
We walked down the corridor to the locker-room area. I could hear voices and the music blasting.
“They should be out soon. They do a little press, ride the bikes to cool off, shower, and get dressed.”
“Like you said, it’s not like I’ve got anything else to do.”
Adrian snickered.
A few moments later, the doors opened and the players poured out.
I recognized a few from Adrian’s wedding.
Finally, Rip appeared, followed by Denis, who walked steadily albeit slowly.
A grin spread across his face, and his eyes glittered.
“Well, who do we have here? I thought I saw you up on the screen.”
“Glad you’re back in action.”
Rip greeted Adrian, and Denis fell in step beside me, leaning in close. “I can show you some real action later if you’re interested.”
I met his gaze. “Maybe I am.”