Chapter Twenty-Three
The next few weeks are a whirlwind. Nils is cleared to play, and life goes back to normal.
We’re in love, and our relationship is growing stronger every day. The only thing still hanging over our heads is that no one knows we’re a couple.
No, wait, Finn knows. We didn’t say anything to him. He guessed and then flat-out asked Nils.
He couldn’t lie to Finn, so that was that. To his credit, his teammate has made a solemn promise not to say a word to anyone.
And he hasn’t.
There are times that I think Willow knows too. She has that intuitiveness about her. I just get the feeling that she’s onto us from her knowing looks and little smiles. Still, she’s respectful. She doesn’t ask, nor does she say anything to Arden. I think she respects that it’s our story to tell.
And tell we must.
But not tonight. I have to work at Boots, and Nils has a home game against St. Louis.
Sitting down on the edge of our bed as softly as I can, since Nils is taking his pregame nap, I pull on one high black boot, then the other.
I already have the rest of my “uniform” on—short red-and-black plaid skirt, boy shorts, and a white blouse. I don’t unbutton the shirt as low as I used to. I could tell it bothered Nils.
He never said anything, but I took action on my own.
That’s what you do when you respect each other.
Nils lets out a light snore, but remains asleep.
I blow out a breath.
Though it’s almost time for him to get up, I’ve been careful to move around the bedroom quietly and not make a lot of noise as I was dressing. I didn’t get to talk to him earlier, since I was out grocery shopping when he got home from their optional practice this morning.
He’s stirring, though, so we’ll have a chance to catch up now.
“Hey,” Nils mumbles groggily as he props up the pillows behind him, leans back, and crosses his arms over his wide, bare chest.
Unfortunately for me, he has on lounge pants. Otherwise, I might ditch my own clothes and jump on him.
Catching up could always wait for later.
But no, this is my chance to talk with him.
I need to take it.
Sexy times must be put on hold.
“I didn’t wake you, did I?” I ask as I zip up my boots.
“No.” He runs his fingers through his messy hair, yawning. “It’s time for me to get up. I have to get ready to go.”
Sighing, I lament, “I wish I could come to the game tonight and watch you light it up. You’ve been playing so well lately.”
“Aw, babe, thanks.” Tossing the covers back, he gets up and struts over to a chair where he picks up the tech tee he must’ve thrown over the back before his nap.
Tugging it over his head, he says, “There’s always Tuesday’s home game.”
“Don’t worry,” I reply. “I’m definitely coming to that one.”
“Good.” Frowning, he says, “Hey, there’s something I need to tell you about tonight.”
I cross my legs as I ask, “What’s that?”
“It’s nothing bad,” he prefaces. “I mean, it could be.” He switches out his lounge pants for his jeans, shrugging as he zips them up. “But let’s just play it by ear.”
“Good God, just tell me already,” I say with a huff.
He blows out a breath too. “Okay, so some of the guys were talking this morning after our practice about going out tonight after the game.”
“Oh, no, I think I see where this is going.” I shake my head. “Let me guess. Boots is on the list.”
Leveling me with a hard stare, he says, “It’s not just on the list, Ellie. It’s at the fucking top.”
I murmur a sarcastic “Great.” And then I add, “Too bad it’s too late for me to call off.”
He crosses his arms. “You shouldn’t have to. It was only a few guys who said they’d be up for going, and Arden wasn’t even at practice. If they do decide to go, I’ll text you. Oh, and…” He gives me a stern look. “I’ll be coming along with them.”
I roll my eyes. “Nils, I’m sure I’ll be fine. I’ll just make sure I don’t wait on their table or stay in their section. I can switch with one of the other girls if I need to, no problem.”
“I know you got this,” he says. “But if I’m there, I can help keep them away from you. We don’t want anyone seeing you and telling Arden you’re working there, right?”
He has a point, so I concede, “No, definitely not.”
This day was bound to come. Boots is a popular spot. I’ve been lucky that none of the Thunder players have come in before. Maybe some have. If so, it was obviously on a night I wasn’t working.
But I’m working tonight.
And it sounds like their minds are made up to be at the same place I’ll be.
Crap.
Boots is packed and humming. It already feels like I’ve spent my entire shift running around nonstop.
Actually, I have.
But now I have a quick ten-minute break, thank God.
I head to the dark-paneled employee lounge in the back. It’s empty at the moment, a testament to how crazy busy it is tonight.
Relieved to get off my feet for a short while, I plop down on one of two plushy red velvet chairs situated around a low table.
Blowing out a breath, I kick my feet up onto the table and take out my phone.
I had it tucked in the waistband at the back of my skirt with the sound turned off. It was quiet all night, meaning no vibrating. That was, until the past few minutes.
Just as I was wrapping up with my last table before this break, it started buzzing.
Sure enough, I see I have a few texts—all from Nils.
Nils: Game’s over, we won. I got an assist on a goal. That’s the good news. The bad news is some of the guys are still set on going to Boots tonight. I tried to suggest a few other places, but it was a no-go. Looks like I’ll see you soon.
Nils: We’re all just about ready to leave. Just finalizing who all wants to go. Finn is in, so he’ll have our backs too.
Nils: Fuck, babe. Arden wants to come along now. This is crazy. He never wants to go out with the guys. Is there any way you can end your shift early and go home?
After I read the texts, I lower my feet from the table, lean forward, and place my head in my hands.
Fuck.
There’s no point in even replying to Nils. I can’t leave work. Besides, his last text was ten minutes ago. They’re probably almost here.
“Shit, shit, shit,” I mutter into my hands. “I am so fucked.”
Suddenly, I hear Sammie ask, “What’s going on, Ellie? Why are you ‘so fucked’?”
I look up, and, man, am I glad she just walked in. I need a friend to confide in.
After she sits down across from me in the other red chair, I explain the situation to her.
Biting her lip, she asks, “Your brother has no idea you work here?”
I shake my head. “No, and he won’t like it. He’s the stereotypical overprotective older brother. But he’ll really be disappointed if he finds out by catching me here.” Running my hand across my forehead, I lament, “I should have just told him a long time ago.”
“Well, it’s too late for that now,” Sammie says. “But I think I can help.”
“Yeah?” I’m genuinely curious and hopeful. “What are you thinking?”
Crossing her legs, she says, “It’s easy. I’ll just cover your tables for you. You stay here in the break room until they all leave. While they’re here, though, I can run in periodically and keep you posted.”
She’s being so nice, and I appreciate it so much. Her plan is ideal, but I feel bad putting so much on her, especially with how swamped we are.
I let out a sigh. “I don’t know, Sammie. We’re so busy tonight. I feel like this is asking a lot of you.”
“Look,” she begins, “I’ve seen it way busier than this. I can certainly handle tonight’s chaos just fine. Not to mention”—she points at me—“you’re not asking for anything. I’m offering. The other girls will understand, too, once I fill them in.”
I’m cautiously optimistic.
It sounds like this could work, but I’m concerned that our boss won’t approve, so I say softly, “What about Annie? She’s going to be pissed if she sees I’m just chilling back here in the break room while you guys are out there busting your asses.”
Chuckling, Sammie says, “Actually, you have nothing to worry about. As luck would have it, Annie’s son called and needs a ride home from some evening school function. I guess his friends ditched him or something to that effect.”
Now even more excited that this may actually work, I say, “Really? So Annie’s gone?”
“She is.” Sammie nods. “For a little while, at least.”
Relieved, I slump back in the chair and blow out a breath. “You really are a great friend,” I tell her.
And she is.
“Just relax,” she says, smiling as she stands up. “Hang in here. Like I said, I’ll pop in and give you updates when I can. But don’t worry. I’ve got this covered.”
Damn, I think before I text Nils with an update about what’s going on, I hope she’s right.