Chapter 36
Val
I throw on my Warriors hockey sweater—a.k.a.
Jabari’s jersey—over my long-sleeve tee.
The blue sweater is so cozy, and I know it’ll keep me warm in the arena.
They claim the average temp is sixty degrees, but I’ve felt chilled to the bone before, so I’m not buying it.
Plus, the temps around the ice can feel near the teens. That’s definitely sweater weather.
I run a comb through my hair, thankful the curled edges have maintained.
No need to re-create the look with a flat iron.
Ready to go, I grab my cell. My ID and credit card are already hiding in the hardback covering my phone, so I don’t need to bring a purse.
I don’t own a clear stadium bag—as much as my family goes to sporting events you’d think I’d have bought one by now—but I usually opt for a minimalist approach anyway.
The hotel managed to give me a room on the same floor as the team (probably a mistake on their part), so it’s just a matter of walking down the hall toward Jabari’s room. After rapping my knuckles against the wood, it swings open. He blinks at me, rubbing sleep from his eyes.
“Did I wake you?” I ask.
“Yeah. Guess those meds made me more tired than I anticipated.” He covers his mouth as he yawns. “Is it game time already?”
I resist the urge to nod. “Yes.”
“Okay. I already laid out my suit. Give me a moment, ’kay?”
“I’ll wait out here.”
He nods and gently shuts the door.
As I stand outside his room, the other doors begin to open.
Michel Pascal, the left wing, strides out of his room in a navy-blue suit.
Then Kim Tae Lee, their defenseman, comes out wearing a black suit.
He looks like he could be in a K-pop group or acting in a K-drama.
I’ve seen his fans refer to themselves as KTL-Fans.
He has a huge following Stateside and internationally.
“Val!” Raimo shouts. He grins as he walks toward me. “Waiting for Crank?”
“Yeah. He’s just changing.”
“And don’t you look perfect in that sweater? My wife is wearing something similar.”
“Is she getting ready now?”
He rolls his eyes. “Fixing her face. She’ll be lucky if she sees the puck drop.”
My facial routine has diminished. I nixed the false lashes and hour-long makeup application. I have a five-minute face now and love it. Feels more like myself.
Raimo jerks his chin to the closed door. “Are you and my boy finally official?” he asks quietly.
“I really like him, Raimo.”
“I told you, you needed a hockey player.”
I grin. “That you did. Are you going to gloat over this now?”
“Nah, just name your first kid after me. Keep up the naming tradition.”
I laugh just as Jabari steps out of the room.
His brow quirks. “What’s so funny?”
Raimo repeats the naming request, and Jabari joins in the laughter.
“I would never name my kid Raimo. No one would know how to pronounce it.”
“Then use my last name,” he replies simply.
Jabari rolls his eyes. “Karvonen is worse.”
“Okay, fine. Middle name, final offer.”
I hold in my laughter at his earnest expression.
“What’s your middle name, Raimo?” Jabari huffs. He’s clearly humoring the goalie.
“Leo.”
“Is that why you have a lion tattoo?” Jabari asks.
“Yes.” Raimo beams. “Steff calls me her little Leo.”
Jabari fakes like he’s going to be sick. “Too much info. I’m not naming any kids Leo.”
“All right guys, let’s head to the bus. You shouldn’t be loitering in the hall,” their coach yells.
I snicker. “Y’all in trouble.”
“Not me,” Jabari says, smoothing a hand down his tie. “I’m taking the car . . . with you.” He winks.
My insides melt at the expression. I’m so glad we didn’t keep our relationship a secret once I decided to date him.
I couldn’t bear having to hide him from my family.
As it is, we need a do-over lunch. They didn’t get to meet the Jabari I know, and I desperately want my family to love him, because I do.
I freeze.
“You okay?” Jabari peers down at me.
The emotion clogging my throat has me muted, so I hum and squeeze his hand. We keep walking, but my mind is spinning out of control.
How did I fall in love with him so quickly?
Is it really so fast? You denied your feelings for the longest time.
True. Who wants to be in love with their sister’s ex-boyfriend? Jabari was completely unexpected. I’m not sure if the friendly emotions were the beginning, but they certainly aren’t the end. My feelings went from enjoying a friendship where I can be myself to every beat of my heart focusing on him.
Jabari holds the door open for me, and after sliding into his seat, he tugs on my hand.
“What?” I ask.
“Why is there space between us?”
This man! I slide into the middle of the seat. “Is this better?”
“Much.” He puts an arm around my shoulder, and I lean against him.
If this is how we travel the rest of our lives, I’m all for it. There’s nothing better than being held in his arms and just existing. I didn’t realize how antsy I constantly am until Jabari offered me moments to slow down and be by his side.
“Thank you for arranging the seats for today. I know my request was last minute.”
“I would do anything for you, Val.”
My heart skips a beat, then a thought pushes me out of the love haze. I sit up and stare at him. “You didn’t tell me how your appointment went. Only that the meds kicked in and you needed sleep.”
“Which I did. If you remember, you woke me up.”
Is he evading the question? Did he get bad news? “Jabari, what did the doc say?”
“Said my CT looked good. They aren’t sure why I’m having the headaches. Could just be residual effects of the concussion.”
“No tumor? Nothing?” I stare into his eyes. Something feels off, but I’m not sure what.
“No tumors.” He presses his lips against my forehead. “Promise.”
I let out a breath. “Thank the Lord.” Now to pray the headaches go away.
“Exactly. Nothing to worry about it.”
“Wait, aren’t you speaking with a donor, tonight?”
“Yes, why?”
I look down at my outfit. “Maybe I should’ve worn something else.”
“That’s a Warriors’ jersey, right?”
“Yes.”
“Sounds like the perfect thing to wear to a hockey game.”
“But you have on a suit. What will the donor say?” I hate feeling out of place, and I know this is work for Jabari.
“Whose number are you wearing?”
Heat infuses my cheeks. “Yours.”
“Then that’s all that matters.” A grin lights his face. “You can wear my number to every game and nothing else as far as I’m concerned.” A sheepish look covers his face. “I didn’t mean it like that.”
“I know.” I laugh so he knows it’s all good.
We talk until we arrive at the arena. Fans recognize Jabari as we enter the VIP entrance, screaming out his name.
He stops to shake a few hands, take pictures with others, and sign a couple of autographs.
I tap my phone against the ticket reader, and we walk through the security gates.
People are whispering, and some of the women have stars in their eyes as they glance our way.
A security guard meets us on the floor where the suites are and, after examining our tickets, lets us through. An usher leads us to our empty suite. Well, empty of people, because it’s full of a spread that has my stomach reacting in appreciation.
“There’s so much food,” I say.
“Eat. We can relax before Mr. Warren gets here.”
I turn and look at Jabari. “Are you nervous?” I reach for a plate and add a sub sandwich, some wings, and a portion of nachos. How can anyone resist nachos?
“A little. I can’t say why I get nervous, but once we start talking, the nerves will flee.”
That makes sense. He probably starts getting comfortable and forgets this is his job. Not to mention I’m sure the donors ask a lot about the sport he loves so much.
“Do you want me to make you a plate?” I ask.
“Please.” He comes behind me, and I tell him what’s laid out.
We grab our plates and sit in the most luxurious seats. Though this isn’t as normal as our bench date yesterday, it feels right. Me and the guy I love eating food at a hockey game—in a suite.
The potential supporter, Mr. Warren, shows up after we have finished our first helping.
Jabari immediately turns on his charm persona, laughing and cracking jokes.
He introduces me as his girlfriend, and I have to will my heart to calm down.
It can’t react like this every single time Jabari says something that makes me wish fainting couches were still a thing.
Surely the warmth of having him by my side will mellow.
Do you really want it to?
“I’d love to tell you why I love the Warriors so much.” Jabari starts explaining why the team is such a great organization.
I listen as he turns Mr. Warren from a stranger into a friend.
“Your grandson plays?” Jabari asks.
“Yes, we can’t keep him from playing, even when it’s not a practice day. We have a net set up in the basement, and he practices shooting all day.”
“I was like that as a kid too. My mom says hockey was the only thing she didn’t have to force me to care about. I simply did.”
“Well, you’re an amazing player. I’ve really enjoyed seeing you grow from the freshly drafted center to a seasoned veteran.”
“I appreciate that, Craig.”
Mr. Warren claps Jabari on the back, then nods at me. “How did you two meet?”
“Actually . . .” Jabari states, “we reconnected on a blind date.”
Mr. Warren laughs. “Really? Who set you up?”
“Believe it or not, Raimo Karvonen,” Jabari says. “Raimo claimed he knew the perfect girl for me, and Javier Sanchez agreed.”
“And Raimo told me a hockey player would treat me right and he knew the right one,” I add.
“Remarkable. I’ve never heard of a successful blind date.”
Jabari turns my way. “We’ve had our ups and downs.”
Then all of a sudden, his mouth drops.
Why is he looking at me like that? His mouth closes, and a look almost like a . . . smolder fills his face. Heat fills my middle, and I lick my lips. Wait, did his gaze just drop to my mouth?
“Jabari?” I murmur. Something’s going on.
He shakes his head, then grimaces. “Sorry, what were you saying?” He turns back to Mr. Warren, who’s also eyeing him skeptically.
“You okay, Crank? Do you need some pain medicine?”
Jabari’s Adam’s apple bobs. “No, just a slight headache. No need for anything.”
Yet the way he clenches his hand makes me think otherwise. I don’t want to call him out in front of a potential donor, but I can’t help but worry. I have an intense desire to pull him to the side and make him tell me everything.
Only he switches the conversation from everyday small talk to how donors help the Warriors organization. Whatever is going on with Jabari will have to wait until we’re alone. For now, I’ll smile and nod and help him win over Mr. Warren. It’s the least I can do.