Chapter 9
“Ma, maybe I should have said no.”
I took a deep breath as I stepped into the hockey stadium. The sound of the crowd blended with my thumping heart.
“And miss the opportunity to be on television? I think not.” My mom shook her head. “Baby, this is a big opportunity.”
I sighed. She was right. This opportunity was too good to pass up, even if it did involve Jaxton Saint.
I walked down the aisle to my seat. My heart was racing.
Tonight, I was here on business. Someone over at GZN Sports thought reuniting me with Jax would be a good idea and enlisted me to get special game coverage tonight.
I could have turned it down, but it was a paid gig with a chance to open more doors for me.
My podcast was doing great, and winning the awards show contest had increased my following and upgraded my guest list. Still, I’d always dreamed of being on television, reporting games, and interviewing athletes.
It was a dream, and this was a step in the right direction.
“Look, baby. The players are coming out!” my mom yelled as we took our seats.
My eyes flew to the ice. The anticipation of seeing him again after four months crippled me.
I’d thought about reaching out to give him a heads up but decided against it.
I had convinced myself I could slip in and out without him seeing me.
They said to get footage. They didn’t say I had to talk to him, right?
My eyes scanned the team for forty-two as the players took to the ice.
He wasn’t there. I scanned again, blowing out a deep breath.
“Which one is he?” my mom asked, patting my arm.
“He isn’t out there.”
“Huh? Don’t all the players usually participate in warmups?”
“Mmhmm. They do. Maybe something happened?” I shrugged, feeling a pang of concern.
Was he not playing today? I took out my phone and searched his name on the internet to see if there was any clue as to why he was missing. Nothing. Surely, they hadn’t sent me to film a game he wasn’t playing in.
“Let’s go, Penguins!”
His voice echoed through the stadium, and my eyes darted to the Jumbotron. The pre-show trailer had started. I settled into my seat and pulled out my camera. I was here to do a job.
“Hey, everyone! It’s Lafayette Porter from The Porter Report .
It’s game day, and GZN Sports has flown me all the way to Richmond to catch the Penguins first game of the season.
I’m here at the rink and can’t wait to see Jaxton Saint take the ice tonight.
It’s going to be an amazing game. Let’s go, Penguins! ”
I finished recording just as the lights dimmed.
“Give it up for your Richmond Penguins!” the announcer shouted over the speakers, and the players skated onto the ice one by one.
That nervous feeling returned as I scanned every player for him. Then I spotted him—Jaxton Saint. He skated onto the ice with his hands up in the air, waving at fans.
“There he is,” I whispered under my breath.
I turned my camera to focus on him as he skated out.
Laughter and pure joy spilled from him. He looked so comfortable and happy, and I missed him, but how could one miss what they never had?
Our whirlwind romance had been over before it even began.
I captured some footage, framing my shots as he greeted his teammates.
“Are you okay, baby?” My mom leaned in as I stared at Jax.
“I’m fine.” I nodded, breathing deeply.
I’d dealt with my feelings for Jax and the whole betting on me thing in therapy, but for some reason, I was unsteady.
After grabbing a few more shots, I tucked my camera away and settled back into my seat to enjoy the game.
The game started, and I kept my eyes glued on the action—on Jax.
I watched the players dart across the ice. Each moved with ease.
“This is exciting, baby,” my mom acknowledged just as a puck flew toward the glass in front of me and hit it with a loud bang.
“Shit!”
My hand flew to my chest, and my eyes closed.
When I popped them back open, he was skating up the side of the glass with his eyes glued on me.
My breath hitched, and in the blink of an eye, all the walls I’d built came crashing down.
Everything I felt for Jax, including the anger, came flooding back, and I couldn’t take it.
Without muttering a word, I took off up the stairs. I needed to get out of here.
“Fayette!” my mom yelled as I walked down the hallway and headed toward the exit.
I couldn’t do this. I shouldn’t have come.
“Faye, wait!” Jax’s voice froze me in place, and I quickly turned to see him marching toward me in full uniform—skates, helmet, and all.
“Did you just walk out on the game?” My mouth dropped open in shock.
“What are you doing here?” he asked, taking off his helmet.
“Work… Getting footage for GZN Sports.” I flashed him the press badge around my neck.
His eyes lit up with pride. “That’s huge. Congratulations,” he said, closing the gap between us.
My mouth was still on the ground because he just bolted midgame.
“Jax, what are you doing? You can’t be out here like this.”
“I had to talk to you,” he said, catching his breath as he approached. “I’ve been um... reaching out.”
“Jax, you’re going to get fired. This is crazy.” I looked around at the small crowd forming around us in the hallway.
“I don’t care. I need you to hear me out.”
The crowd around us was growing as fans began to notice. Whispers floated through the air, and cameras were rolling. I felt my face heat up. Embarrassment washed over me. So much for not having a scandal launch my career.
“Jax, people are starting to gather.”
“Go on a date with me.” Desperation was etched across his face.
“Jax, you need to go back to the game.”
“I’ll go back if you agree to the date.”
I looked back at my mom, who was grinning as if he had asked her.
“Jax—”
“Just one date. Hear me out. Give me a chance to earn your forgiveness and gain your trust.”
“Say yes,” a fan called out from the crowd, and light chants of say yes started echoing through the walls.
I stared at Jax. The least I could do was hear him out. If not for anything else, for closure.
“Okay,” I muttered, still unsure if I should agree.
He grinned, and relief flooded his features.
“Okay?” His eyebrows raised in surprise that I had agreed.
“Yes.” I nodded my head. Before I could backtrack, he hugged me as a soft round of applause erupted around us.
“Um, okay. We can go after the game. I’m having my people take you to my suite.” He turned and made his way back to the ice.
“What just happened?” I looked at my mom.
“That man just came and got you.” She nodded in approval. “Watch the game day blog on The Porter Report !” my mom yelled to the crowd, passing out my cards as if I needed any more embarrassment.
“Ms. Porter?”
A staff member approached me, tapping me on the shoulder. “Follow me,” he said, then he led us down a long hall and up an elevator to what I assumed was Jax’s private section.
“Uh huh, honey. He came and got her and put her up in his section.”
My mom was bragging on the phone to who I guessed was my dad. I shook my head as we entered the suite. My heartbeat quickened at the sight of an older woman and man. I assume they were his parents.
“Hi! I’m Lafayette.” I waved awkwardly.
“I think we know why he left the game now,” the man I figured was his father said.
His mom’s mouth fell open, and a bright, welcoming smile crossed her face.
“You’re the infamous Lafayette. My son has been talking about you daily,” she teased. “I’m Margo, and this is my husband, Jason. Welcome! Welcome! Come on in!” She pulled me into a hug.
“I hope you’re here to talk to that son of mine so he can stay away from my house crying.” Her lightheartedness helped ease some of my tension.
“Umm, I’ll try,” I said. “This is my mother, Willow.”
“Trying is all we can ask of you, baby,” Mrs. Margo said. “I promise you he’s not as dumb as he seems, and I’ve already gotten his ass about betting on a woman’s body,” she whispered that last part as she led me to an empty seat.
“And get that shit out of here!” Mr. Jason shouted, making us all turn our attention to the ice.
Jax had just blocked a goal. I jumped up, joining in the celebration. My eyes never left Jax.
“I like our new family,” my mom said.
I smiled just as Jax looked in my direction and blew me a kiss.