Chapter 16
MAC
“Uh, dude.” Stiles nudges my arm as we skate to the bench.
“’Sup?” Practice this morning went well and my shots aren’t going wide or missing their target with the same frequency they were a few weeks ago.
“Your girlfriend’s here.” He tips his chin toward the seat behind the bench.
“Huh?”
“Fee and Cammie are here.”
Lovett is plastered against the Plexiglas separating us from the fans, which are primarily here to support Peterborough.
A smattering of hyper-supportive parents are here too, based on their toques or scarves that stand out among the ocean of green, black and white.
Sitting half a dozen rows back from the Tilton bench are Cammie and Fee.
I almost trip over the curb as I step into the player box and wave.
Fee smiles shyly and waves back. Then mouths, it was Cammie’s idea. I tap a glove over my chest, hoping she interprets it to mean I’m happy she’s here.
“Fee is really kicking ass as a girlfriend,” Steele mutters as I take my spot next to him on the bench.
I elbow him in the side. “Don’t.”
“I’m just saying, she came to your away games, man. That’s dedication to the cause.”
“She’s my friend.” It’s how she introduced me to her sister and Roman. And she hasn’t mentioned the kiss after the hockey gala. The way she disappeared into her apartment made me question whether I’d read the signs wrong.
“Yeah, but like, how many friends would you drive three hours to see play at an out-of-town hockey tournament? Like yeah, maybe if it was somewhere cool like Hull where the drinking age is eighteen and the poutine kicks ass, but we’re in fucking Peterborough man.
The only exciting thing is the apple place on the way here. ”
“She probably came to keep Cammie company.” I don’t want to get my hopes up that I haven’t permanently relegated myself to the friend zone with her.
“Yeah, I’m sure that’s it.” Steele shakes his head.
I don’t have time to fixate on Fee’s presence or what it means because I’m called to the ice. The first period Peterborough scores a goal, but we tie it up in the second, and Lovett scores another goal just before the buzzer goes off at the end of the period.
My skating and passing have been a lot cleaner, but I’d love an assist this game.
I have an opportunity at the beginning of the third, but I get slammed into the boards before I can make it happen.
Stiles nabs the rebound and passes to Steele, who waits until Stiles is in position before he passes it back and he flips it in the air and taps it over the goalie’s glove.
I don’t get the assist I’d hoped for, but we win the game and I played clean.
We have a break before our next game, so we change and meet up with Cammie and Fee in the foyer. Cammie launches herself into Chase’s arms.
“Hey.” Fee smiles and waves.
“Hey. This is a nice surprise.”
Her uncertainty melts away. “Yeah?”
“Yeah.” I step forward to hug her, but she’s not prepared so her face ends up in my armpit for a second before she turns her head.
“Cammie suggested I keep her company on the drive.” She steps back and I hate the space between us. “You would’ve had that assist if number three hadn’t boarded you.”
“Maybe tonight’s game.” I shrug.
“Fingers crossed.” She holds her hand up and shows off her Tilton decorated nails.
I grab her hand so I can inspect them and have a reason to touch her. “When did you get them done?”
“I did them before we left this morning.”
“That’s freaking cool.” I run my fingers over the intricate designs.
She grins, then tucks her hands in her hoodie pocket. “Thanks.”
“You guys want to grab lunch at the hotel?” Brody pats his stomach. “I want to feed the beast and catch a nap before the next game.”
“Sure.” Fee checks in with me. “If that’s cool with you?”
“Definitely.” I fall into step beside her as we cross the lot to the hotel—they’re conveniently close—but the restaurant is packed with parents and hockey players.
“We could order pizza?” Gage suggests.
“Or we can pick something up since I have a car,” Cammie offers. “That way you guys can relax. There’s a Superstore close by.”
“Oooh! Can I have a rotisserie chicken meal with a salad and those little potato balls?” Gage asks.
“And a chicken parm meal if they have it?” Brody tosses in.
“Let me make a list.” Cammie pulls out her phone and points to me. “What do you want?”
“Lean protein, easy-to-digest carbs, and a salad, please.”
“And chocolate milk.” Fee bumps my arm with her shoulder.
“Definitely chocolate milk,” I agree.
“I’ll come with, and we can stock up on snacks for after the game,” Chase offers.
“Perfect.”
“No boinking in the car,” Gage calls after them.
“Why would I do that when I have a perfectly good hotel bed?” Chase calls back, then bends so he can nuzzle Cammie’s hair.
“He better not give her all his mojo before the next game.” Brody sounds legitimately concerned.
“We should probably hang around the lobby and make sure that doesn’t happen,” I say.
“We’ll hang out in our room to circumvent that problem,” Brody replies.
Fee wrinkles her nose.
“Do you think they’ll actually boink in the car?” Gage looks worried.
“Please stop saying boink, Gage,” Fee says.
“Do you think Chase will park his car in Cammie’s garage, while they’re in the car?” Gage amends.
Brody chimes in, “No, but—”
“The Superstore has an occupational bathroom,” Gage says.
“Yes, but also ew.” Fee licks her lips. “We have a room.”
“We as in you and Cammie?” I ask, excited about the prospect of Fee being here overnight with us.
“Yeah.” Fee rolls her bottom lip between her teeth.
“Fuck.” Gage throws his hands in the air.
“Sorry?” Fee looks genuinely concerned.
“Don’t apologize. I’m glad you’re here.” I wrap my arm around her shoulders and shoot Gage a look.
“It’s not you, Fee. Or even Cammie. It’s cool that you’re here to support, and Cammie’s out getting us food so we can relax, but those two have about as much personal restraint as ADHD teenagers on ecstasy.
No shade to their sex life. I can only hope one day I’ll find someone who wants to ride this ride with utter joy and enthusiasm, but like…
Chase is one of our lead scorers this season, second only to Brodes here, and we honestly need both of his heads in the game. ”
“That is absolutely legit.” Fee tugs the strings on her hoodie. “We should definitely wait for them in the lobby so we can make sure they don’t go to our room.”
“Good call. We’ll have to keep an eye on them before the next game,” Gage muses.
“I’ll be on duty the whole time,” Fee promises.
“Me, too,” I add.
We stand guard in the lobby and escort Chase and Cammie up to his and Brody’s room where we unpack all the food and dig into lunch. It’s no problem to keep them occupied while we eat, but after we’re fed, Gage gets a case of the tireds.
“Why don’t you go back to your room and catch a nap?” Chase says while side-eyeing Cammie.
“I’m not going anywhere and neither are you.” Gage plunks his ass down in front of the door.
Chase frowns. “This is my room.”
“Yeah, but Cammie and Fee have a room, and you can’t give up your game mojo to the almighty orgasm and fuck us all,” Gage reasons.
Cammie moves to stand in front of him with her arms crossed.
“I’m not scared of you, Cammie Whammie.”
Fee coughs to cover a laugh, as does Brody.
Cammie fires the double bird over her shoulders.
“That’s the best nickname,” I whisper.
I know, Fee mouths.
“I will not suck or fuck or fist Chase’s mojo out of his dick before your second game, Gage,” Cammie states with obvious irritation.
“Tulip,” Chase groans.
“We had a two-hour sex-a-thon before you left, babe. You can wait until after tonight’s game for me to take care of your needs,” she reasons.
“That’s all we’re asking,” Gage says. “Just that you leave his mojo in his body until after the next game.”
Cammie sighs in exasperation. “I know what’s on the line. You guys have two hours before you have to be at the arena. Fee and I are going up to our room and you guys should get some real rest before you’re on the ice again.”
“But, babe, I want to snuggle,” Chase whines.
“You’ll get to snuggle with me all night.” She taps her lips. “Give me a kiss and we’ll see you in a bit.”
He sad-flops across the room and bends to give her an Eeyore kiss.
“See you later.” Fee winks and follows her out.
“Later.”
“I’m your roommate tonight,” Brody says to Gage.
“Word.” They fist-bump.
“What about me?”
All three of them roll their eyes.