Chapter Nine #2
“Oh, quit putting on a show for the new girl,” Knox added once again, punching him in the shoulder.
“It’s not a show. It’s the truth,” Clay added.
“Uh-huh. Secretly he was happy I didn’t know, because that way, I couldn’t kill him.” Knox winked.
Lorelai elbowed Knox in the ribs and then shook her head and stepped in front of Knox and Clay, holding out her hand to me, which I shook as well.
“We are glad you are here, and we look forward to welcoming you with open arms after you complete your move. Well, and before that, of course. Which reminds me, we were talking, and we thought it would be nice to have you both over for a barbecue sometime next week.”
I glanced at Colton, who looked at me and nodded.
“That would be lovely,” I answered, my mind racing.
“We just thought it would be the easiest way for all of us to meet you and get to know you instead of trying to get to know you in at one of these silly events, or a game where you can barely hear yourself think.”
“For sure.” I smiled. “I like that idea. What do you think, sweetie?” I said, turning to Colton.
Colton shifted uncomfortably and then cleared his throat. “Well, why don’t we talk about it and see what we can work out after the set of away games this weekend?”
“Guys, he wants to have her all to himself. I can see it. Let’s not push,” Dylan said, smacking Colton on the arm, which caused Colton to chuckle.
“No, it’s not that,” I said, placing my free hand on his chest, pulling his attention to me.
“Let’s not lie to my teammates, Emma. You know how much I’ve loved having you to myself, and I recall you saying something similar last night as I was between your legs,” he said, leaning in and placing a soft kiss just beside my ear.
Heat flooded my body as I looked at him, the entire room falling away at the same time. What the hell was he doing?
“Looks like we might have some competition, Knox,” Dylan said as both the boys laughed.
“Not another one,” Aurora said, her and Lorelai giggling.
“Oh, guys, no worries. We don’t need to come up with a date right now. How about we work something out after the games next week?” Lorelai said. “That way, we will know where we stand for the next set of games as well.”
“Sounds like a plan. Besides, we should go get our seats. Sponsors are arriving, as is the rest of the team,” Dylan said, taking her hand.
“Yeah, let’s go,” Knox added, taking hold of Lorelai’s hand and leading her away from us as well.
The moment they were all gone, I turned to Colton. “What was that?” I quietly asked.
“What was what?”
“That comment?”
“Oh, you know, just playing it up,” he said, winking at me. “Let’s go find our seats.”
Once we found our table, I took a seat while Colton made his way over to the bar to get us a couple of drinks. While he was gone, I opened up my notes to see that he was the only player seated at this table of sponsors and other media journalists.
I was so nervous that, before I read the speech I’d written for Colton, I checked to see if Chantal had responded, but there was nothing there but a few messages from Mark, which I ignored.
I’d shut the screen of my phone off just as Colton placed a glass down in front of me and slid in beside me.
“What’s that?” I questioned, nodding toward the glass.
“Gin and soda.”
“Is that what you have?” I questioned, praying that it wasn’t as I nodded toward the glass of clear fluid with a lemon.
“I have water,” he said, meeting my eyes.
“Um, I’m not sure why you chose this as a drink for me.”
“Because you look like you could use at least one to take the edge off. So, drink up,” he said, placing his hand on my upper thigh before standing to greet some of his sponsors, who were taking their seats at our table.
I thought about what he said for a moment.
Did I look nervous, I wondered, or that haggard?
What would one drink hurt? I picked up the glass and took a sip as I felt my phone vibrate on the table.
A quick look at my phone showed me another set of messages from Mark, which, while Colton continued to greet people, I quickly skimmed the previous messages along with the current one and responded.
Then I drank down my glass and stood while Colton introduced me.
“I’ll be back in a moment,” I said, whispering in his ear.
“Where are you going?” he questioned.
“To the bar.” I smiled. “Do you mind watching my phone?”
“Not at all, but do you need another one already?”
I nodded. After seeing the messages Mark had left about dropping in to the condo and his need or want to meet up with me soon, I definitely needed another.
“No need.”
He lifted his hand in the air and in a moment a server appeared. I ordered another drink and then asked to be excused.
“Where are you going?”
“To the ladies room. Please watch my phone,” I whispered.
“Sure thing, sweetie.”
As I walked away, I glanced behind me to see that he had turned his attention back to the table.
As the night went on, things seemed to go great. So far, Colton was perfect in every sense, which I was thankful for as it made my job so much easier, especially after my third drink.
Every once in a while, Larson or Pamela would glance over in my direction, and all I’d do was smile and nod, letting them know things were going fine, when in reality I’d been so buried in my phone or my glass that I really didn’t have a clue if things were going well or not.
After dinner, the speeches started, and before I knew what was happening, Colton stood. The crowd was silent as he reached down and gently tapped me on the arm. I’d forgotten I was supposed to go up on stage with him while he gave his public apology.
“Are you coming?” he whispered.
I swallowed hard, then stood up, smiling at the people sitting around the table while placing my clutch and phone down.
We walked hand-in-hand to the side of the stage, then he paused, waiting for me to climb the stairs first, which I did carefully.
As I took the first few steps, I quickly remembered why I didn’t drink.
Colton approached the podium while I sort of stopped and stepped off to the side, but when he looked over his shoulder at me, I remembered telling him I’d be right beside him during the entire thing.
I took a step forward, making my way over to him, taking hold of his hand as he held it out for me to take. Then he turned to the crowd.
“Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. Colton Fox,” the emcee said, stepping off to the side.
Colton stepped up to the podium while I stayed beside him.
“Good evening. I’d like to take this opportunity to first say thank you to Guy Larson, Coach Thompkins, to the assistant coaches, my teammates, and to all the sponsors for being here this evening.
As you all know, each year we take a night to welcome in the coming year, we celebrate our successes, we honor those of us who have decided to retire, and those who played an exemplary game the year prior.
“However, this year, there is something else that we are doing. An apology. During the end of last season, I was dealing with some personal issues, after having recently ended things with the love of my life of six years. I’d been partying it up after the last winning game of the first round of playoffs and needed a ride home.
Lorelai Anderson was the one who drove me home, and once we arrived, a reporter cornered me outside of my home.
They began pressing the issue about my breakup.
If anyone knows me, I keep these personal matters to myself, but somehow they’d found out.
“As they continued to press with the questions they soon started in on Miss Anderson. The next thing I knew, I was being thrown in the back of a police car. Articles were printed, rumors started, charges are pending. I’m sure you’re all wondering why I am here tonight.
“First, I’d like to apologize to my teammates for leaving them during the most important part of the year.
It was because of me, the stress I caused to my brothers, and the absence from the games that made us miss the cup.
I’d also like to apologize to the owner of the Dominators, Guy Larson, a man who has given me another shot at redeeming myself.
Thank you for your patience and guidance.
I’d also like to apologize to my fans. I’m sorry I let you down. It won’t happen again.
“Now on to the next announcement. I’m happy to say that after many hours of conversation, the love of my life has decided that we deserve another chance, and I am happy to introduce you to her tonight.”
I looked out at the crowd and lifted my hand in a small wave, really wishing I’d never agreed to getting up on this stage as I noted all the cameras that were flashing in the crowd.
“I also want to say how excited and lucky I am to be with the Dominators for another season, and this year, we won’t let you down. All the way to the winning goal, boys! Now, enjoy the rest of the evening, and we will be happy to answer any questions anyone might have tonight.”
Colton nodded to the emcee, and then with his arm around my waist, he guided me over to the side of the stage we’d come up. The moment we were back down off the stage, I grabbed his hand.
“I’m just going to slip into the ladies room.”
“Sure, is everything alright?” he questioned.
I nodded. “Just need a moment,” I said, leaving him and heading right for the ladies room.
The moment the door to the stall closed, I took a deep breath in and slowly exhaled.
I’d never imagined being up there in front of all those people would be as overwhelming as it was.
I’d also never imagined how the speech I’d written him would affect me, or how he’d look at me when he said the love of his life.
I’d almost cried right there.
I’d never known what had happened between us for things to end the way they had. I’d also not given it very much thought until we were up on that stage and I’d listened to him speak those words. It didn’t matter if he meant them or not; it just affected me for some reason.
I ripped off a square of toilet paper and dabbed my eyes, then I flushed, opened the stall door, and stepped out, meeting Aurora face-to-face.
“Emma? Are you okay?” she asked, concern filling her voice.
God, did I seriously look like I’d been crying?
“Yeah, I’m fine. I don’t know what came over me. When I came off that stage, suddenly I wasn’t feeling very well.”
“Oh, yeah, stage fright. You’ll get over it.”
“I hope so. It was very overwhelming up there.”
“Let me go and get my purse. My doctor gave me something to help with that. It’s nothing serious but should help you take the edge off.”
“Oh, no need. I’ve just taken something. I was hoping it would kick in soon,” I said, rubbing my stomach.
She gave me an odd look. “Where’s your purse?” she asked.
I felt a wave of heat wash over me. “Oh, I left it at the table with Colton. I took the tablet right before his speech.”
She nodded. “Okay, I’ll see you out there,” she said, giving me a curious look.
“See you out there,” I said, washing my hands.
“Hope you feel better,” she said and then left the bathroom.
Moments later, I returned to the table and listened to the rest of the speeches while sitting beside Colton.