Chapter 37- Tate
“Best puck boy ever.” Ryan grinned, rubbing it in as he skated by. Flipping him the bird, I tossed the rest of the pucks onto the ice as everyone else got started on their game day warmups.
My ass was parked on the bench the entire game.
Suspension sucked. I’d keep my chin up through the consequences.
After meeting with a lot of people from the team, franchise and league along with my own agent, we finally sorted out the entire mess.
They were much more lenient with me once they had the full story.
Once they realized it wasn’t just bad blood over a woman.
TJ, however, was facing the full wrath of the league.
It’s not likely he’ll be a hockey player much longer.
Coach King didn’t apologize for screaming the sky down, but he did have a newfound respect for me. He had just given me a single nod before leaving me in the GM’s office.
The GM didn’t have much to add other than to encourage me to put a stop to my sister sharing the fight on all her social media as she had more of a following than most of the players. That was news to me.
I had no idea my sister was internet famous, and even though I was a little peeved at her sharing the fight, I had a small spark of pride for her. I made a mental note to check out her page later.
Now, I was trying my best to behave during my fourth game on the bench.
Four more to go. I hated seeing Fitz paired up with our other defenseman.
Fitz agreed that they didn’t fit together as well, but what can you do?
At least Ripley had his head back in the game.
Even if his newfound grumpy exterior had yet to subside.
I scrubbed a hand across my jaw in frustration as the game was tied up 2-2. When Fitz was hit after the whistle hard enough to send him sliding across the ice, it killed me to not jump over the boards with everyone else.
We lost 4-3. Everyone showered our goalie with extra pats on the head and side hugs.
“Let’s go out.” Ronan throws his helmet down. “Who’s down?”
“I’ll go.” Ryan called.
“Me too. The new nanny isn’t terrible.” Ripley shrugged.
I texted Gloria. She reassured me to go and have fun, that the boys were already fed and in bed.
“I’m in.” I said, pocketing my phone.
“Guess I am too.” Fitz shrugged.
“Uh, the fuck you are,” Ronan shot back in the middle of shrugging on his jacket. Fitz paused with his helmet under his arm and ran a hand through his hair.
“Are you still on about the damn poptarts? Randy had to come get me from jail for riding my own damn bike. I think we’re even.” He said exasperatedly.
“We aren’t. It’s your own fault for not having your identification on you.” Ronan sniffed and turned his nose up as he walked past Fitz. I couldn’t help my chuckle. Fitz came anyway.
It started as a lowkey night. Until Ronan.
He guilted us all into “drinking away his sadness”.
We couldn’t leave the goalie hanging. I wish I stopped drinking an hour ago.
Mostly because I saw my neighbor walk in with her best friend and my little sister.
There was another girl with them that I vaguely recognized.
“Damn, Ronan. I shouldn’t have listened to you. Now I can’t go talk to her without looking like an ass.” I bumped his shoulder with mine and snatched the water off the table. A little sloshed over the edge of the cup before I brought it to my mouth and chugged it. It did little to sober me up.
The girls spotted us — due to Ronan shouting ‘Over here, Wifey!’—and made their way through the crowd. I fought the urge to drop my head against the table, not because I didn’t want to see Allison—I just didn’t want her to see me like this. Ronan chuckled at my groan.
“Don’t worry. The odds are still in your favour.” That made my ears perk up and my eyes narrow.
“What do you know?”
He mimed zipping his lip. “I’ll never tell.”
I rolled my eyes at him. I glance back to Alli, and when I do my heart skips a beat. Her sparkly black dress clings to her body and pushes her breasts up.
“This is torture.” I groan into my fist. The guys around me laugh at my expense.
She looks like that and I’m supposed to behave until she gives me a clear answer.
It’s been more than a week. I’m usually a patient man but tonight…
Tonight she came in looking like that with that easy smile that makes it hard to breathe.
“Wifey! Come here.” Ronan calls out louder than he needs to and pats his leg. Emalyn rolls her eyes but still sits on his lap, his large frame dwarfing hers.
I stand up to let Alli sit. The room immediately spins and my eyes become unfocused. Clinging to the back of the chair with one hand for support, I gesture to it with my other hand.
“There ya are, Darlin’.” My voice comes out low and gravelly as I fight like hell to remain standing. She just giggles.
“Looks like you might need it more than I do.”
“Holy shit.” Presley says glancing at me. “I haven’t seen you this drunk since Bambi brought you home from the bar when you were like eighteen.”
“Bambi?” Ryan bounces his brows. “Sounds hot.”
“She was my horse. It’s not a DWI if the horse is the one driving.” I plop down in the chair and drag Alli with me. “Sorry, Darlin’. I can’t stand. Your little brother is a bad influence.” I glance up at her, noticing her flushed cheeks and pouty lips. “You are so fucking gorgeous.”
She swats at my chest. “You are drunk. A very cute drunk, I’ll say.”
“I’m sorry. I know you’re still thinking and this doesn’t help my case, huh?” I drop my head to her shoulder and inhale her sweet perfume.
The table carries on with their own conversation when I accidentally check out, getting lost in her when I glance to find her already looking me.
“I’m not thinking anymore.” She says softly. My heart picks up to a pace that seriously worries me.
“And?”
“I’ll tell you when I know you’ll remember.” She says tracing my jaw with a finger. My eyes close as I lean into her touch. My arm comes around her waist and tugs her closer.
“Wanna dance with me?”
“Right now?” She glances around with a grin.
“Yea, right now. This dress… is making me want to have a reason to spin you around.” I grip her hips before once again, reminding myself to behave.
“Oh, I wanna dance too.” Emalyn tugs Ronan to his feet.
He goes eagerly and urges the other guys to go too.
Fitz immediately escapes to the bar. Ripley awkwardly asks Paige and she stumbles after them.
I stand with my arm still around Alli, nearly lifting her from the ground.
I stop when I see my sister still at the table, glancing around.
“Ow, what the hell?” Ryan yelps when I smack the back of his head. Maybe a little too hard.
“Don’t be an ass. Ask my sister to dance, Rookie.” I scowl. He blanches.
“I-I... um, is this a test?” He stumbles glancing around the room, probably looking for one of our teammates.
“No, dumbass. But he a fucking gentleman or we will be having words.” I threaten with a pointed finger before grinning and sending my sister a wink. She just chuckles and waves me off.
“I can get my own dance. Besides, I don’t think the rookie could handle my dance moves.” She says pointedly.
I leave them to bicker, tugging Alli along by the hand, her laughter flowing behind me like musical notes floating through the air. I pull out my best moves, trying to show off a little for her. Not to toot my own horn, but I’m a hell of a dancer.
It’s nearly three am by the time I decide to call it a night.
The rest of the team is still going strong, as if we won tonight instead of the hard loss we had.
Alli is tucked under my arm, right where I want her as we head outside.
The cool air feels good against my face.
I stop suddenly and tilt my head back to enjoy it.
“This. This is how you feel, Alli.” I say, eyes still closed. She makes a little surprised noise. I open my eyes and look down at her. She’s staring at me with wide eyes. I tilt her chin up. “Close your eyes. Feel.”
She does. I can’t help but watch her face. The tiny muscles in her cheeks and forehead relax and her lips are parted slightly as she breathes. I want to press mine against hers so badly, but I won’t.
“It’s soothing.” She smiles softly, opening her eyes.
The uber driver honks, effectively interrupting the moment.
I open the door for her, and slide in next to her.
She starts to lean against me, but I reach around her instead, clicking her seatbelt.
I hold her hand the whole way to our houses, even as I lean my head back and sing some George Strait song.
“King of country. You ever listen to country music?” I ask.
“Sometimes. I like some of Morgan Wallen’s songs.”
“Oh no.” I groaned. “I meant the real stuff.”
“You mean the cowboy stuff?” She teases, “You’ll have to show me some on your guitar.”
“It’s a date.” I grin. I open the door and extend my hand to help her out of the car.
“Goodnight, Darlin’.” I kiss her cheek softly.
“Goodnight, Tate.” She bites her lip, eyes falling to my mouth. If I were a lesser man…
“Damn, where are they?” I pat my coat pockets and my back pockets for my keys. “Swear I just had them.”
She reaches into my front pocket and pulls them out, giving them a little jingle in front of my face.
“Oh. Thank you, Darlin’. Aren’t you just the perfect woman.” I say booping her nose softly. Yea, I think I’m still feeling those shots at the end there.