Chapter 37
Mason
As we stepped into the Biscayne Bay Club ballroom, I couldn’t stop looking at Lila.
Her dress skimmed her curves when she walked, the color making her eyes stand out in a way that made it hard to think straight.
Under the chandeliers, she leaned in and adjusted my tie, close enough that the room blurred at the edges.
“You look handsome.” She smoothed a hand over my lapel, her touch lingering just long enough to make me think about getting her home later.
I caught her hand and pressed a kiss to her knuckles. “And you look incredible. Every guy in here is going to be jealous.”
Bob Gallagher’s 80th birthday celebration was exactly what you’d expect from a billionaire team owner. Crystal and polished silver glittered everywhere. Miami’s elite packed the room while waiters in crisp black uniforms threaded through with trays of tiny, expensive things I couldn’t name.
My hand settled at the small of Lila’s back as we moved farther in, the smooth fabric of her dress sliding under my palm. The Fusion’s winning streak had everyone riding high, and the room buzzed with it.
A waiter floated by with a tray of pastry cups filled with glossy little orange globes, and Lila smoothly snagged two. She handed one to me with a wink.
“When in Rome,” she said.
I stared at the caviar, dubious. “Pretty sure Romans didn’t eat this.”
“Just try it, you big baby.” Lila popped hers into her mouth, her expression carefully neutral as she chewed.
I followed suit, surprised by the burst of salt and sea on my tongue. Not bad, but not worth whatever they were charging for it either.
“I see your teammates over there.” Lila gestured to the corner where half of the team was congregating around King. “Should we make our way over?”
A server passed by, and I snagged a flute of champagne, handing it to Lila, who took a delicate sip. The Fusion players were under strict orders not to drink alcohol at this function.
I offered her my arm. “Let’s go.”
King spotted us first, raising his glass in acknowledgment. Our captain looked oddly at ease in formal wear, like he’d been born to command attention in any setting.
“Look who finally decided to grace us with his presence,” King said, clapping me on the shoulder.
“We’re only 20 minutes late. Caught some traffic,” I replied, nodding hellos to the rest of the crew.
Cade and Brody were debating intensely while they watched something on a phone. Roman had his arm draped possessively around a woman who could only be described as model-beautiful, all legs and cheekbones. Hunter and his date, Mia, were deep in conversation with Sawyer.
“There he is!” Dex’s voice carried across the room as he spotted us and bounded over like an overgrown puppy. As a rookie, what he lacked in experience, he made up for in enthusiasm.
I turned to find him grinning from ear to ear, already reaching for a handshake that turned into one of those half-hugs with back slaps that guys do. His dark hair was actually combed for once, though the scar on his chin seemed more prominent against his dress shirt collar.
“Rexford.” I lifted my chin toward him, fighting a smile. The kid was hard not to like, even when he was being obnoxious. “You clean up all right.”
“Better than all right. I’m devastating.” He winked at Lila. “Looking like a dream as always, Lila. Your banana luck has been epic. Has he told you about the record we’re setting?”
Lila shook her head. “He’s surprisingly modest about his hockey exploits.”
“Seven straight wins to start the season,” King added matter-of-factly. “Hasn’t happened for this franchise in fifteen years.”
“And it’s all because Captain Underpants here is blocking shots like a human wall,” Dex added with a smirk.
I clenched my jaw, trying to keep my irritation in check. “Really, Rexford? That nickname again?”
“Captain Underpants?” Lila repeated, amusement playing at the corners of her lips.
“It’s not a thing,” I said firmly, shooting Dex a warning look that he completely ignored.
“Oh, it’s definitely a thing,” Sawyer chimed in.
Dex grinned, clearly enjoying himself. “Ever since those Apex Gear billboards went up all over, that’s what the boys have been calling him in the locker room.”
Lila’s eyes sparkled with mischief. “I’ve seen those ads. Very... impressive campaign.”
“Christ,” I muttered, my neck warming despite my best efforts. I pulled Lila closer. “You’re enjoying this too much.”
She leaned into me, way too pleased. “I’m filing it away for future use.”
“Thanks a lot,” I grumbled to my teammates, who seemed far too pleased with themselves.
“Speaking of underpants,” Roman cut in, his usually hard expression softening slightly as he looked at Lila, “we haven’t properly thanked you for the banana luck.”
Lila tensed slightly beside me, but her smile never wavered. She’d come a long way from the first time someone recognized her as the Epic Fail girl.
“I’m glad something good came from my fifteen minutes of internet infamy,” she said lightly. “And we raised a nice sum for the children’s hospital, which is what matters.”
My phone buzzed in my pocket, and I pulled it out to find a text from my agent.
Harrison: Apex Gear deal is done. Renewed at your price. No more underwear shoots required. Congratulations. Contract in your email.
I read it once, then again, grinning like an idiot.
“Good news?” Lila asked.
“The best kind. Apex Gear renewed my sponsorship at the higher rate. And no more underwear modeling.”
Lila beamed at me. “That’s fantastic, Mason! I know how much you wanted this.”
“No more Captain Underpants,” I announced to the team, unable to keep the satisfaction from my voice.
“The end of an era,” Dex lamented dramatically, placing a hand over his heart.
“I’m sure we can find you another nickname,” Sawyer offered. “How about—”
“Don’t even think about it,” I warned, but I was smiling. It felt good to be here, surrounded by teammates who had my back, with Lila beside me. This was where I belonged. With her. With them. In Miami.
“Mason Callahan!” A booming voice cut through the ambient chatter, and I turned to see Bob Gallagher himself approaching.
He moved with the confidence of a man who owned not just a hockey team, but half of Miami’s skyline.
His silver hair was immaculately styled, and despite being 80 years old today, he stood tall and straight, his custom suit impeccable.
“I’ve been looking forward to meeting you properly. ”
I extended my hand. “Happy birthday, Mr. Gallagher. Thank you for having us.”
“Bob, please.” He shook my hand firmly. “And this must be the famous Lila Prescott I’ve heard so much about.”
Lila offered her hand with the poise I’d come to admire. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, sir. Happy birthday.”
“The pleasure is mine, my dear.” Bob’s eyes crinkled at the corners when he smiled. “That Epic Fail Luck game night was a stroke of genius. Generated more positive press than we’ve had in years, not to mention the impressive sum raised for the children’s hospital.”
“I’m glad something good came from it,” Lila said with a genuine smile.
“More than good,” Bob nodded. “In fact, I was hoping you two might be willing to represent the team and deliver the donation check to the hospital next week. The children would be thrilled to meet our star defenseman and the woman who inspired such a successful charity event.”
Lila’s eyes brightened immediately. “We’d love to! Wouldn’t we, Mason?”
I couldn’t resist her enthusiasm. “Absolutely.”
“Excellent!” Bob clapped me on the shoulder. “Sutton will be in touch to coordinate the details. Now, I should continue making my rounds, but I wanted to tell you personally, Mason, what a valuable addition you’ve been to the Fusion. Your defensive work has transformed our blue line.”
“Thank you, sir. I appreciate that.”
As Bob moved on to greet other guests, Lila squeezed my arm. “That was nice of him to personally invite us.”
“He’s a good owner,” I admitted. “Actually gives a damn about the team and the community.”
A server approached our group with a tray of appetizers. Within seconds, we’d cleared the tray of its gourmet offerings, tiny crab cakes and something with prosciutto that disappeared in one bite. Hockey players and food. Predictable.
Two hours into Bob Gallagher’s birthday celebration, I caught Lila’s eye across the room as she chatted with Hunter’s date.
She held my gaze a shade longer, the corner of her mouth lifting in that secret smile that I knew too well.
I nodded. The message clear. We’d made our appearance, paid our respects to the birthday boy, and socialized adequately.
Now, all I could think about was getting Lila alone, peeling that navy dress from her body, and showing her exactly how much I appreciated her being my date tonight.
I excused myself from the conversation with Cade and Brody, making my way to where Lila stood.
“Having fun?” I asked, sliding my arm around her waist.
She leaned into me slightly. “Mmm, yes. But I’m thinking it might be more fun elsewhere.” Her voice dropped to a whisper. “Somewhere more private.”
Heat hit low at the suggestive tone in her voice. “I was just thinking the same thing.”
“Great minds.” She smiled up at me, her blue eyes reflecting the soft chandelier light.
We made our rounds, offering an excuse for leaving early and thanking people for a lovely evening. King gave me a knowing look as we said goodbye, but thankfully kept any comments to himself. Dex was less subtle.
“Leaving so soon?” he asked with an exaggerated wink.
“Yes,” I replied bluntly, enjoying how it made him laugh.
“Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do! Which is not much, to be honest,” he called after us as I pulled Lila away.
We slipped away from the main ballroom and down a corridor toward the coat check. The hallway was quieter, the sounds of the party fading behind us. I couldn’t resist pulling her into a quick kiss, her lips soft and yielding beneath mine.