Chapter Forty #3
Her eyes narrowed as she surveyed us. “We’re missing one.”
“My brother is upstairs, Kylee. Our mama saw the video, and he has some explaining to do,” Verity replied.
She rubbed her temples. “I want all of you media trained before you do so much as even wave to the press. Do you understand?”
“I’m already media trained. You were there when Carlos and I recorded our piece for the morning show earlier, remember?” Dusty offered helpfully.
“My parents had me do media training, though mostly our family’s stance is that we just don’t speak to the press. We also had a class on it at the academy,” I offered.
She rubbed her forehead. “I think a refresher course would be good.”
“Sure. Do my people need to coordinate my stuff with you? Or just give you a heads up about the big things? Um, I have a pre-recorded song being aired in one of the televised New Year’s specials,” Dusty added.
Kylee handed him a card. “Heads up would be amazing. Especially before you bring Carlos on stage at a rave.”
“I always bring him on stage.” Dusty took the card, blinking.
“I’ll be in touch.” Kylee left. She honestly seemed more tired than anything.
“Did I make her mad?” Dusty frowned.
Verity shook her head. “Kylee’s job is to protect the team’s image. You did nothing wrong, but you are quite the topic, which makes extra work.”
“Don’t worry. When Grif conducted an orchestra and didn’t tell her, she got mad, too,” AJ added.
“I do know how not to be embarrassing in public.” I frowned. I had years and years of lessons even before the academy.
“Like Verity said, no one did anything wrong. She’s probably thinking ahead to the team’s gala in February,” AJ said. “The Knights have a non-profit where they teach hockey to little kids. I think Carlos once said he was part of it as a child.”
“I love galas.” I bounced. “That sounds like a nice non-profit to support.”
“Don’t say that too loud or you’ll end up on a committee,” Verity muttered.
I sucked in a breath. “Oh, my goodness, I’m old enough to be on a gala committee.”
Omega goals. Wow. If only my mom was here to help me.
“I don’t want to be on a committee, but I’ll help you if you need me to.” Saoirse shook her head.
Dusty thought for a moment. “I’ve been an honorary committee member.”
We talked a little longer, then went back to our seats for the last part of the game.
Verity’s big guy had the puck. He looked like he was about to score again. Someone from the other team stole it.
Carlos skated by and shot it right into the net. Like he didn’t even steal it, he just smacked it and scored.
Alarms sounded and people cheered. A song about cookies played.
“Carlos scored!” I stood and cheered as he high-fived his friends. “He scored. My mate scored. That’s our mate!” I did a little dance.
“I know!” Hale hugged me.
All of a sudden, most of the people in the section started leaving. What? The game wasn’t over yet.
“Come on. Time for New Year's kisses.” Verity grinned. “Did he not tell you? He probably wasn’t paying attention when they told the players.”
I grabbed my purse and we followed everyone down. I had no idea what was happening, but why not?
We all went back down to where we’d been before. There were a bunch of people there, too, in Knights shirts.
“Ice crew,” Dusty explained. “They’re the ones who come on and sweep the ice.”
The game was still going, and we were winning. Everyone counted down from ten as the clock ran out. A horn buzzed.
“The Knights win 4-2. And Happy New Year!” Music played and confetti rained down as people blew on paper horns.
The Knights players all went out and congratulated each other. I noticed them all bonking heads with the goalie, which was so fucking cute. The other goalie ran out and the two goalies, in their giant pads, hugged each other.
A carpet was rolled out, and we were led down it.
The big guy came over, taking off his helmet. He swept up Verity, kissing her. Grabbing AJ, he kissed him, too.
Other players came over to kiss their mates and hug their kids.
“Carlos,” I yelled. Without waiting, I ran off the carpet and right for him. While I might not like the cold, I knew how to walk on ice in sneakers.
“Mi Reina.” Without missing a beat, he picked me up and kissed me.
I wrapped my legs around his waist, kissing him back. “Good game, Pumpkin.”
“Thank you.” He kissed me again.
Hale joined us. “Do I get a kiss, too?”
“Always.” Still holding onto me, Carlos kissed Hale.
He put me down. “Did you like the game?”
“I loved it. But you stink, Pumpkin.” My nose wrinkled. It was beyond gross. Now I understood the comment about Hale’s shirt not smelling yet.
Carlos laughed. “I know. I’ll shower and we’ll go have a beer at Tito’s with the team before going to Dusty’s?”
“That sounds good to me.”
I saw the PR lady watching me. Also, a woman with a microphone and a camera person.
Pulling Carlos down, I kissed him again. Mine. Then, I kissed Hale. Mine. Saoirse and Dusty joined us. I kissed her, too. Also mine. Looking over at the PR lady, I smirked.
This was my pack. They were all mine.
And no one was going to stop us.