Chapter 45
forty-five
. . .
Ceci
The Boston Grizzlies Charitable Foundation gala is Hailey’s pet project. In years past, she was on the event committee; now she’s the chair and in charge of everything.
I want tonight to go well for her. I want tonight to go well for us.
Before the event, I had my glam girl squad come get us ready in Aidan’s living room. I’ve been primped and curled and painted and waxed from head to toe, and I’m ready to mingle and schmooze for four hours.
Aidan is going to hate tonight, but this is where I’m in my element. I’m an extrovert by nature, so I love parties and networking. Connecting with my friends and colleagues brings me joy. I love when we all succeed.
And we’re raising money for a good cause. Win, win, win.
My dress for the evening is a shimmery gold floor-length gown with an off-the-shoulder neckline and a structured bodice that draws attention to my waistline. It’s extravagant and sultry, and I feel sexy as fuck in it. And it has pockets!
I’m sitting down to fasten the buckle on my stilettos when Aidan’s bedroom door cracks open. I look up, and my mouth goes dry.
I thought my man looked hot in a suit. In a tuxedo? Holy fucking hell, does he look handsome. It’s a good thing I’m already seated, because my knees just went weak.
Aidan smooths a hand over his torso, his fingers lingering where the buttons on his jacket start at the top of his abs. I’ve noticed he likes to trail his fingertips over his abs. It’s probably a self-soothing technique. He might not even realize he does it.
His red hair is styled away from his face, and his short beard is trimmed to a little longer than scruff. I drink in the sight of his broad shoulders and trim waist, those thick thighs…
He clears his throat. “Are you done objectifying me?”
I chuckle, fastening the buckle on my shoe and rising to my feet. “Not even close.”
I’m not sure who crosses the room first, him or me, or maybe we both do. We meet in the middle, and his hands land on my hips. His breath catches.
A glimmer of satisfaction rolls through me. I put a lot of effort into my appearance tonight, and I’m glad the only person whose opinion I care about is favorable.
“You look beautiful,” he murmurs, his thumb caressing the inside of my hip.
Another warm glow floats over me at the praise. “Thank you.”
He leans in, then pulls back sharply. “Can I kiss you? I don’t want to mess up your lipstick.”
“I’ve got more where it came from.”
“Okay, good.” This time when he ducks down, his lips unerringly find mine. His kiss is sweet, chaste, and minty fresh.
His hand cups the back of my neck, possessive and claiming in a way that doesn’t feel overwhelming.
“Beautiful,” he murmurs against my lips.
I take a lot of care with my appearance. He says he likes the way I look now, and I even believe he’d have liked me back when I was a hundred and fifty pounds heavier. But it’s the way he sees me, deep inside my soul, that sets my body alight.
I finally feel like an equal. A partner. Not arm candy. Not the brainiac only wanted for a good time. Not the moneybags paying for everyone’s way.
With Aidan, I feel valued. Appreciated. Seen.
The words are on the tip of my tongue. I want to say it. Need to say it.
“Aidan, I—”
A knock pounds at the door.
“Hold that thought,” he says, stepping back. He crosses the small living room to the door, wrenching it open. “What’s up?”
I can’t see the person on the other side. Only that he’s male and wearing a tux. Probably one of his teammates.
“Cap,” a masculine voice says. “It’s Sinclair.”
“What did he do?” Aidan demands, his shoulders tight. “What did he say?”
“He just said to get you. He’s at my place. He’s… not good.”
Aidan grunts, then turns back to me. “I’ve got to handle this. Do you mind grabbing a ride to the gala? I’ll meet you there.”
“Of course. You do what you have to do.”
I pick up my clutch and shawl, then cross over to the entrance. Now that Aidan’s not in the way, I can see Jenkins standing on the welcome mat, wearing socks and slides with his tuxedo. I huff a breath of laughter and give him a polite smile.
“Hi, Parker. You ready for tonight?”
The young forward barks out a manic-tinged laugh. “Not at all. Who knows if we’ll even show up at this rate. Wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world.”
“A friend asks for help, you help them,” I say simply.
His eyes crinkle as he grins at me. “Yeah. That. Exactly.”
Aidan lifts my coat off the hook, helping me into it, then kisses my cheek. “I’ll be there as soon as I can,” he promises.
“Just take care of Sinclair. Whatever he needs.”
His bright blue eyes soften. “I wanted tonight to be special.”
“It still will be. Now go take care of your teammate. I’ll wait for you.”
I’ll always wait for you.
He kisses me, quick and hard, before he follows Jenkins toward the elevator bank. I take a few moments to lock up the apartment and hail a rideshare before I follow in their footsteps, but they’re already long gone.
Aidan hasn’t said much about whatever’s going on with Sinclair, only that he’s worried, and I don’t blame him. Something isn’t right.
My car arrives, and I stare out the window. The city streaks by, a never-ending cacophony of bright lights amid a poetic, ethereal snowfall.
If I’m honest, I don’t want to show up to this gala alone. Nor do I want Heidi to know I’m here by myself.
But Aidan has a responsibility to his team and his players. I can hardly begrudge him doing his job. Not when he does it so well. Not when I’m so obsessive about mine.
I still haven’t decided what I want to do. Do I stay with the helmet project? Do I move on? What the hell do I do?
The car pulls up to the swanky hotel where the gala is being held. I ascend the stairs, holding my dress in one hand so I don’t trip on the steep, snowy steps. I’m on the last one when I slip, and I windmill my arms, trying to find purchase.
An outstretched hand appears in the periphery of my vision.
“Need some help?” Colt asks, a grin on his face.
“You’re a menace,” I snap back, accepting his hand.
Camera lights flash as his gloved palm slides against mine.
“You know they’re going to link us together now,” I warn.
“They’ve been doing that for twenty years.” He shrugs. “It was never true then, and it’s certainly not true now. You and I know the truth.”
“Yeah, but now there are other people involved.”
He hums as we pass through the hotel doors into the lobby. We’re greeted by a sharp blast of warm air. “Do you want me to give you space?”
“Fuck no. It’s the first time I’ve had to think about this. First time I’ve had to consider someone else’s thoughts and feelings.”
“It’s not fun, is it?” he teases.
“It’s the fucking worst,” I complain. “I even care what he thinks, and I’m finding myself going out of my way to make him happy.”
“I’ve got bad news for you, Cecilia Ramos.” Colt smirks at me. “I think you’ve gone and caught the love.”
“I really think I have.”
He goes still, turning to face me. “Wait. Really?”
Slowly, I nod. “But I haven’t told him yet. So don’t say anything.”
“Ceci.” His voice breaks. “For real?”
Inexplicably, my eyes flood with tears. “Really real.”
The next thing I know, my best friend is sweeping me into an enormous bear hug. His familiar cologne tickles my nose, and I wrap my arms around him, indulging in his simple affection.
“I’m so fucking happy for you,” he murmurs in my ear. “I hope he knows how lucky he is to have you.”
“I’m the lucky one.”
Colt releases me, then adjusts the lapel of my coat. “If you say so.”
“Now it’s time for you to find your own happy. Do you think Robby—”
He clears his throat loudly, looking around the crowded lobby. “Not here.”
“But—”
“We’re not hard launching at a work event,” he hisses, grabbing my hand and half dragging me across the lobby. “We’ll figure it out with time, though. We don’t need that pressure. Not right now. Not when we’re so new.”
My eyebrows dart up toward my hairline. “But you are new?”
“We’re dating, we’re exclusive, but we’re not boyfriends. I don’t know if we’ll ever get there. I’m just enjoying the ride.”
“Colt.” I tug his hand, and he slows to a stop, turning to face me. “I want you to be happy.”
“I am,” he whispers. “More than I ever thought I could be.”
“Good. I’m glad.”
“Me too.” He gives me a ghost of a smile. “Me fucking too.”
He tugs on my hand, prompting me to move again, and I follow him to the ballroom. We both show our tickets to the doorman, checking our coats and then gaining entry to the gala.
The foundation spared no expense. The entire ballroom is decked out in black and gold. Men in tuxedos and women in ballgowns mingle with hockey players and team staff. I catch sight of Nick and Bex talking to an older couple, and Audrey and Seb in a circle with Rachel, Jake, Riley, and Gonzo.
I deserve to be here. I can mingle with the other WHAFFLs. My friends.
But still, I hold myself back.
“Hailey outdid herself,” Colt murmurs to me.
“She really did.”
My hand tucked into his elbow, he strides to the bar. His tux is camouflage at an event like this, whereas my gown makes me stand out. Colt’s always been good at fading into the background.
I used to want that. I used to envy his quiet ability to assimilate into whatever gathering we were at, to be unobtrusive.
I haven’t been unobtrusive for a day in my life. Even when I didn’t want to be, I’ve always been loud and extra, and for years, I tried to shove myself into a box in order for people to like me. To value me.
Not anymore. I finally value myself, and fuck what they think of me.
The bartender pours our drinks, and Colt stuffs a folded bill into the tip jar, then hands me my amaretto sour.
“You ready for this?” he mutters, looking positively thrilled.
I take a sip of my drink, letting the sweet and nutty flavor override some of my senses.
“Okay, now I am.” I glance around the ballroom, taking in the event’s sheer magnitude.
I’ve been to hundreds of these black-tie events over the years. By all accounts, we’re part of the Boston elite. Fuck, we’re both billionaires. We earned our money through blood, sweat, and tears.
But I’ve never felt more like I belonged to this group until now.
Before, I was a guest. A patron. A donor.
Now I’m part of the Grizzlies family. Not purely because of my work with the foundation, but because of Aidan.
He’s given me a family. A home.
“Incoming,” Colt whispers before taking a long sip of his drink.
A shiver runs down my spine, and I turn to see Heidi striding toward us.
“Cecilia. Colton.” Her eyes narrow. “Didn’t think I’d see you here together.”
“Oh?” I cock my head, widening my eyes innocently. “Why’s that?”
“Where’s your boy toy?” She scoffs, huffing like a horse. “Seriously, are you that bored?”
“Oh, he’s around here somewhere.” I wave my hand at the ballroom. “Didn’t Hailey do a wonderful job?”
Heidi scowls. “I suppose.”
“I think she should chair the committee next year too,” Colt says. “If she wants to, that is.”
“We’ll see.” She glares daggers at me. “Maybe if other people would pull their weight around here, she’d have more help.”
I have no earthly idea what she’s talking about, but I’m positive it’s a dig at me.
And just like that, all my hesitation over my job fizzles away. The helmet project reports to Heidi. She’s forever going to lord it over my head. She can threaten to pull the funding or cancel the project altogether if I’m attached to it.
I want to stay involved with the foundation, but I can’t serve on the board. I can’t keep working with someone who finds joy in mispronouncing my name and getting digs in at every possible turn. Someone who delights in hurting me. Because that’s what she’s doing—hurting me. And she enjoys it.
I could fight with her. I could put her in her place. But I know it wouldn’t do any good. Instead, I’ll drop the rope and let her deal with the fallout.
I’m done.
“You know what,” I start.
Before I can finish my sentence, a hand slides across the back of my neck. I startle, ready to beat the hell out of whoever is touching me without my consent.
Until the fresh scent of cedar and citrus washes over me, and I settle.
“Sorry I’m late,” Aidan says, before he pulls me into his arms and kisses my breath away.