17. Kiley
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
KILEY
Two days later, Zander, my dad and I are driving down to the arena to watch one of Jax’s games.
This is mine and Zander’s first time going to a Phoenixes game, so he’s high on natural adrenaline.
Every other minute he’s asking if we’re at the arena yet.
Even my dad, who has the patience of a saint when it comes to Zander, has had to firmly remind him that we will tell him when we’re getting closer to Ignite Arena.
I, on the other hand, can’t seem to calm my nerves down due to the fact I’m meeting Jax’s family.
I meet my student’s parent’s all the time, and it’s no big deal, so why am I reacting this way?
Because you want them to like you, my inner voice screams. I shake my head to clear my thoughts because it shouldn’t matter if they like me or not.
I’m going to keep their granddaughter safe and happy, so of course that’s the only reason why I want them to like me. Right?
“You okay over there, lassie?” my dad asks, and I give him a questioning look.
“Yeah, why?”
“Cause you missed the turn to the arena even after navigation warned you to turn.”
I look at the screen on my dashboard and sure enough, navigation is re-routing us because I missed the turn.
“Shoot,” I mutter, looking at the side mirror so I can get in the right lane to turn. “Sorry about that.”
“It’s all good. No need to stress. We’re still getting there in plenty of time.
” My dad reassures me in his soothing, caring, dad voice, which I appreciate since it does help calm me down.
I know he can tell I’m on edge, but he doesn’t ask about it.
He’s smart enough to know that if I want to talk about it, I will.
“I’m hungry,” Zander randomly announces, and I’m not surprised.
We had to eat lunch earlier than usual since Jax asked us to get to the game an hour before it starts.
He texted me last night with instructions to park in a specific lot and once I arrive, to call the cell phone of the Director of Team Services, Brayden Wampler.
Brayden is going to escort us to security so I can get a badge that will let me downstairs to the locker room level.
Players’ families have an area right by the dressing room that they can go and hang out.
Chloe and his parents already have passes, but Zander and I need one since we’ll be attending games on a regular basis.
After I get my badge, he’ll give us a tour of the areas I need to know about.
Fortunately, Chloe has been to many games here, and she can guide me until I feel more confident in where I’m going.
“Dad, can you look in my purse for a snack for Zander?” I ask him and then look in my rearview mirror at my son. “Buddy, Granddad will give you a snack, but Jax said there will be food in the suite for us as well.” My dad finds a bag of cheddar goldfish and hands it to Zander.
Fortunately, our little detour didn’t add too much time to our previously estimated arrival, and we get to the parking lot five minutes later. I pull up to the gate, and a guard comes out, asking me for my license. I hand it to him and he cross references it to his tablet.
He hands me back my license and a parking pass. “Please keep this parking pass hanging from your rearview mirror whenever you come to the arena. You can park wherever you find a spot.” I thank him and pull into the lot.
We find a spot relatively quickly, and once parked, I call Brayden per Jax’s instructions. I have met Brayden plenty of times before at the bar. I joke with him that he’s the real nanny for the team since he’s always taking care of the players and their needs.
“Hey Brayden, it’s Kiley O’Shea,” I tell him when he answers the call.
“Awesome, now I can plug your number into my phone and harass you whenever I want the private room at the bar.” I laugh, because I’m sure he will do exactly that. “Are you guys here?”
“Yes, we got our parking pass and pulled in.”
“Excellent. If you look across the street at the arena, there is a set of double doors. Go to the doors, and I’ll meet you there.”
“Okay, see you soon.”
We hang up, and I turn the car off and look at my dad. “We’re meeting Brayden across the street, and he’s going to let us in.”
My dad nods, and we both get out of the car. I open the door to the backseat and throw Zander’s jacket across to the other side so that my dad can put it on him after he gets unbuckled from his booster seat.
I shut the door and walk around the back of the car just as Zander jumps out. Once his jacket is on and the door is shut and locked, we head toward the double doors. Fortunately, Brayden is there waiting for us, holding a Chicago Phoenixes merchandise bag.
“Hi O’Shea’s! Long time no see,” he jokes, since we just saw him four days ago for the meet and greet. He holds the door open for us, and we briskly walk in to get out of the freezing weather.
He closes the door, looks down at Zander and asks, “Who’s this cool dude?”
“This is my grandson, Zander.” My dad makes the introductions after giving Brayden a hug.
He hands me the bag he was holding and says, “I think big man Z is going to love what’s inside.” When I give him a questioning look, he nods at the bag. “Presents from Jax.”
I open the bag and gasp in surprise when I see three Chicago Phoenixes jerseys. “I bet I can tell which one is for Zander,” I tease when I pull out the smallest one. “Zander, take off your jacket so you can put your new jersey on.”
I’ve never seen my kid rip off his jacket that fast before. Before I can blink, it’s off, thrown on the ground and he’s grabbing the jersey out of my hands.
“Whoa… this is so cool.” He holds it up, giving me a clear view of the back that has Jax’s last name and his number.
“Zander, turn it around. Jax even signed it for you!” My dad shows him and Zander’s eyes get even wider. “Let me help you put it on.”
“I got it, Granddad. I can dress myself.” I press my lips together to keep from giggling. Once he gets it on, the jersey is a tad big, so I roll up the ends of the sleeves for his hands to be free.
“You look great, dude.” Brayden holds out his fist for Zander to bump and chuckles when Zander jumps up to bump it.
I hand my dad the bigger jersey. “Here, Dad. Give me your jacket.” I take it from him, and he puts the jersey on.
“I can put mine on later,” I tell Brayden, who is giving me an expectant look. “I know you probably need to get back to whatever it is you do on game days.”
“According to you, I babysit.” He chuckles and then gives me a wink. “But you’re not wrong. C’mon, let’s go to security so you can get your badge all set up.”
My dad takes Zander’s hand, and we follow Brayden to the security office.
Brayden introduces me to Barry and Jimmy, two security supervisors at the arena.
They instruct me to stand in front of a white backdrop that is hanging from the ceiling and to smile for the camera.
Four minutes later, I’m given a badge with my photo on it, giving me access to the player and player family area on the lower level.
“Does Zander need a badge?” I ask Jimmy, who shakes his head and hands me a stack of green wristbands with the Phoenixes logo on it.
“You will put these wristbands on any guest you bring with you to a game. Please make sure they are with you at all times when down here.”
We put wrist bands on both Zander and my dad, thank Barry and Jimmy for their help, and follow Brayden out of their offices for a tour of the player/family area.
He stops outside of a door to explain. “This is the players’ family room.
A lot of the family will come down here before a game, during intermissions, and after the game to hang out, get food and socialize.
Kids are allowed in here but have to be supervised at all times.
There’s no signage on the door because this room is used for other things when there isn’t a game, so don’t be surprised if you get lost a couple more times before it becomes second nature to you.
” Brayden smiles at us and then opens the door.
It’s a huge room with a large screen television in the middle, surrounded by oversized couches. Tables and chairs are around the perimeter, and there is a designated area for buffet style food and drinks.
“You’re welcome to help yourself to as much food and drink as you like, and you may also take it upstairs to your seats,” Brayden tells us just as Zander picks up a cookie the same size as his face.
“Mom,” he whispers, his eyes wide at the size of the cookie. “This is the biggest cookie ever. Can I have it?”
I walk over and ruffle his hair. “I guess so since your grimy little paws have been all over it now.” He smiles and is about to take a bite when my dad interrupts him.
“Split that with Granddad, will ya?” And before Zander can even respond, my dad breaks off the other half of the cookie.
“Hey!” Zander looks at my dad in outrage. “That’s my cookie!” Zander tries to grab it out of his hands, but he’s too tall. My dad just smiles at Zander and takes a bite. I roll my eyes at his antagonizing and am about to say something when we get interrupted.
“I thought I recognized that voice.” Jax walks into the room wearing a black Chicago Phoenixes branded shirt and shorts with socks and tennis shoes.
“Jax!” Zander forgets all about my dad and runs to Jax, who lifts him up in his arms and carries him over. Seeing Jax hold my son and gaze at him in such an adoring way makes my stomach flutter with emotions I shouldn’t be feeling for my new boss.
Jax looks down at the cookie in Zander’s hand and smirks. “How’s the cookie, kiddo?”
Zander takes a bite and answers with his mouth wide open. “Yummy, but Granddad took most of it.” He gives my dad the stink eye, and I laugh.
“He’s allowed to. That’s what Granddads do, so be nice,” Jax tells him as he puts him down.
“Thanks for this, Jaxy.” My dad walks over to him and gives him his signature hug.