Chapter 36
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
CATALINA
"Are you sure I should be here?" I asked.
"We want you here," Easton said. He put a hand on my knee like he'd hold me down if I tried to leave.
"Yes, we do." Shaw put a hand on my other knee.
"You wouldn't miss us falling on our faces, would you?" Cruz asked. He sat behind me, his hands on my shoulders.
"When you put it that way, I guess I could stay," I said. Sitting in the stands with all three of them felt strangely right. Like somehow it was always meant to be this way.
"We are not going to fall on our faces, asshole," Easton said to Cruz. "If you think that, you can fuck all the way off."
Resting his wrists on my shoulders, Cruz flipped Easton off with both hands.
"Of course we're not, asshole," he retorted. "It's just mine and Cat's love language. We love to hate each other, right babe?"
"Exactly," I said. "I only want Cruz to fall on his face." I turned and grinned.
He leaned forward. "Woman, you're going to pay for that. I'm going to fuck you like I hate you, even harder than before."
I lightly pressed my nose against his cheek. "Don't threaten me with a good time." I was sore for two days, but it was worth it.
"After this, I think a private celebration is in order," Easton said.
"Or commiseration," Shaw said quietly.
They both turned to glare at him.
He shrugged. "All we know is that Coach Foster said the AIHL has made a final decision. We don't know what that is. I bet he doesn't even know."
Cruz raised his hand.
"No," I told him. "He doesn't mean a literal bet."
Cruz lowered his hand.
Easton laughed and even Shaw chuckled slightly.
"You know what I think?" Easton asked. "I think they delayed on purpose."
"No shit, bro," Cruz said. "That whole thing with Dean—"
"Might have been just to push this whole thing into overtime, to build the suspense," Easton finished.
"This isn't a movie," Cruz said. "If it was, I forgot my popcorn." He mimed sitting back with a bucket in front of him, eating.
Easton pretended to scoop out a handful and throw it at him. "You're such an idiot."
Cruz leaned over, lifted his hands and tipped all of the imaginary popcorn onto Easton's head, before shoving the imaginary bucket down and patting Easton on the top of his head.
"That would have been even better if it was real popcorn, covered in butter," Shaw remarked.
I giggled. "You guys are crazy."
"Of course we are, that's what you love about us." Easton mimed pulling off the bucket, tossing it aside and wiping butter off his face.
"If you decide to quit hockey, you could join the Opal Springs players," I said. "I've heard they could use a few comedians."
"I could sing." Cruz grinned. He gripped my chin with his thumb and forefinger and turned my face to his. "What did you do with that video? I assume by the fact I don't hear laughter, you didn't post it."
"I didn't," I said. "Not yet anyway. I figured I'd save it for another day, in case you decide to be a prick. It never hurts to have a bit of blackmail material."
"Huh, I didn't know you were evil. I like it." He kissed my mouth.
"Just keeping you on your toes," I said. I had no intention of sharing the video with anyone, unless he asked me to. I'd considered deleting it, but I'd watched it a bunch of times, when I needed something to smile about.
"It's about time someone got Cruz into line," Easton said. "I can't say I didn't try, but he's always been an unruly prick."
"Pot, meet kettle," Cruz said.
"I thought it was more nail, meet head," Shaw said.
Cruz flipped him off. "You two are assholes, you know that?"
Easton grinned. "Yeah, that's why you love us. Right, Shaw?" He offered Shaw a fist bump.
Shaw bumped. "I don't know about love, but Cruz is okay."
"I do." Easton looked at Cruz intently.
Cruz's Adam's apple bobbed. "Love you too, bro. Love you, Cat."
"I love you too," I told him. "All three of you." They weren't the easiest guys in the world, but I cared about them, nonetheless.
"We love you too," Easton said.
"Yes, we do," Shaw agreed. He gave me a soft look and even a faint smile. The first I'd seen from him.
My heart melted a little more.
We all startled and turned around as Kage Foster cleared his throat. None of us saw him approach, but he was standing in front of the stands now. He glanced at me, but didn't say anything. That was fortunate, because I suspected the guys would have argued if the coach wanted me to leave.
"I suppose you're all curious about why I asked you to come here," Kage started.
"We figured you missed us, since you haven't seen us since this morning," Cruz called out. "That's a whole bunch of hours."
Kage smirked. "Yeah, I've been crying into my coffee and watching replays so I can feel closer to all of you." His Canadian accent was stronger when he was sarcastic.
"I knew it." Cruz grinned. "It's unfair how fucking irresistible we all are."
"You want to shut up and let the man speak?" Easton asked.
"Yeah." I elbowed Cruz in the knee. I didn't know about any of them, but the suspense was almost too much for me. "Quiet."
"Yes, ma'am," Cruz said smartly.
I looked back over my shoulder at him and grinned. "I like the sound of that. It's better than Princess."
"You'll always be my princess," he said softly. He massaged my shoulders while I turned back around to face Kage.
Kage cleared his throat. "As I said, the AIHL has come to a final decision about the expansion team for the next season." He paused for about half a year. "Unfortunately…"
The whole team let out a disappointed groan.
"Fuck!" Cruz growled. "Why?"
"You didn't let me finish," Kage said. He blew a long breath out his nose and continued. "As I was saying. Unfortunately… Opal Springs is going to have to deal with some construction for at least a year. The construction of the Opal Springs ice hockey arena."
His words were followed with absolute silence for at least two seconds.
The stands erupted with shouts of excitement. The guys were hugging each other and patting each other on the back.
"Fuck, yeah, I knew it!" Cruz shouted. He grabbed me, pulled me over the back of my seat and squeezed me so tight I thought I might pop.
At the same time, I was laughing, excited for them. My ice dream hadn't come true, but I was ecstatic theirs had. The whole town was going to be thrilled.
When they finally managed to quieten down, Kage was able to continue. "We'll be searching for a new goalie, but now we'll have the funds to headhunt one of the best. Before you say it, no, Phoenix DiMarco isn't available. Don't worry, I have some guys in mind."
The players groaned, but it was good-natured. They would have loved to have Phoenix, but they may find someone even better.
"The best news of all," Kage continued. "You all get lessons in dealing with the bunch of journalists who’ll be coming to interview all of you."
This time, the groan was more sincere.
Before any of them could ask, Kage said, "Yes, you have to talk to them. Get used to it. This is your life now."
"Fuck yeah," Easton said. "Bring it on. We can celebrate privately after that."
"Hell yeah, we can," Cruz agreed. His gaze lingered on Easton, hungry like a lion eyeing his next meal.
My panties were officially ruined. What was new these days? I couldn't get enough of any of them. My three hockey gods, egos, arrogance and all.