Chapter 5
Blair
All the graphic wound photos I studied paid off. I got a ninety-five on my exam, and I’m celebrating by spending all of Saturday doing fun things with my kids.
We started the day with donuts at our favorite local place, then painted pottery and went indoor golfing with Jules. For lunch, we went to a noodle place, and then we got the groceries we needed to make pizza for dinner and have movie night this evening.
“We just watched Star Wars,” Eli argues to Coop. “Let’s watch The Iron Giant.”
“I love The Iron Giant,” I say, even though the ending makes me cry every time we watch it.
“Okay,” Coop agrees. “As long as I get the big popcorn bowl.”
“You guys can’t watch The Iron Giant without me!” Jules calls from the living room.
“You could be here with us and our many blankets,” I remind her.
“I don’t think Noel would be pleased if I dropped out of the event. And I love these things anyway. Anything I can wear a gown to is a yes.”
I wrinkle my nose. “You enjoy that. I’m about to change into my Tom and Jerry flannel pants.”
“Actually, no you’re not.”
I walk to the edge of the kitchen, where I can peek at her from around the corner. She’s in the middle of the living room, a garment bag in her hand.
“You need my help getting into your dress?”
She scoffs. “After all the noodles I ate, only shapewear can help. Since we’re getting ready together, though, I may need you to zip me up.”
I furrow my brow. “Since we’re what now?”
She unzips the garment bag, glowing with excitement. “Surprise! You’re getting your Cinderella on tonight.”
I laugh heartily. “Nice try. I’m spending the next several hours inhaling pizza and watching a movie.”
She shakes her head, her expression sheepish. “No ... you’re not. I hoped you’d be excited about this. Chloe’s coming over to babysit the boys.”
“Chloe!” Coop bounces with excitement.
Noel’s youngest daughter is seventeen, and both of my boys adore her. She doesn’t make them go to bed and she always brings them candy.
“Oh.” I try to look happy about my sister changing my plans, but I can’t force my mouth into a smile.
“I promise it’ll be fun.”
Jules takes the dress out of the garment bag. It’s a beautiful halter-cut sapphire gown with sparkly beads sewn into the bodice and skirt.
My hand flies to my hair, which is up in a messy bun. “I can’t get ready in time. I haven’t even taken a shower today. I appreciate the offer, but—”
“A very expensive ticket has already been bought for you. And have you met me? I’ll have both of us ready with time to spare.”
Coop approaches the dress, reaching out to touch it. Jules pulls it away.
“Only clean hands on the gown, my dude.”
“It’s pretty, Mom.” He smiles at me. “You should wear it.”
Jules gives me a victorious look. She knows not to say anything more. Coop just sealed the deal for her.
“Fine.” I relent with a sigh. “I’ll get dressed up so I can watch you and Noel dance all night.”
“I don’t know if there’s dancing at this event. But whatever it is, I won’t leave you; I promise. There’s a big group of us going, so you won’t have to make awkward small talk with strangers.”
“Who else is going?”
“The usual. Suki and Carter, Bash and Lainey, Leo and Mara, Talia and Lucien.”
I groan under my breath. Great. I’ll be the eleventh wheel—the only single hanging out with five happy couples. I’d rather go back to looking at graphic wound photos.
But Jules was smart—now the boys need me to go so they can hang out with Chloe tonight. They’re already piling blankets on the couch to use for a fort like the one she made last time she was here.
So much for my quiet night in.
“Is this a joke?” I ask my sister a few hours later, my big smile hiding the panic in my voice. “This better be a joke, you whore.”
“Don’t be an asshole, Blair.” She grins brightly at me and brushes my long, sideswept bangs away from my eye. “Take the stick out of your ass and enjoy yourself.”
“I’ll kill you,” I hiss, still smiling like I couldn’t be happier. “I’ll cut your hair off while you’re sleeping and—”
“Blair, I’m so glad you wanted to come tonight.” Noel greets me with a hug, then gives Jules a once-over. “You both look stunning.”
“Sir, I am taken,” she says. “You can look, but you can’t—”
He cuts her off by pulling her close for a kiss. I don’t look at them because creepy, but what else am I supposed to do? I just found out I’m being set up on a date tonight, and I’m probably the last to know.
Magnus, who came over with Noel, saves me from the awkward moment.
“Want to look at the auction items with me?” he asks, offering me his arm.
I smile and nod, grateful for the save. Jules made me wear heels, which I’m not used to, so it’s nice to have his arm to stabilize me.
“You look beautiful,” he says. “That dress matches your eyes.”
“Thank you.”
I have to admit, I do look really good. The dress Jules got me is sleeveless, the V-neckline emphasizing my ample breasts and the perfect fit around my hips emphasizing my curves. A slit down one side starts at my upper thigh, which makes it easier to walk but leaves a lot of my leg exposed.
And not only did she blow out my hair and style it in a loose, elegant knot at the nape of my neck and transform me with full makeup, she even filmed it for her socials. When she went live, lots of her followers commented about my eyes and smile.
As we walk to one of the bars in the huge hotel ballroom, I feel people assessing us. I channel my sister’s confidence, keeping my gaze ahead.
“What would you like?” Magnus asks once we’re in line at the bar.
I consider. Wine might help me relax a little, but I’m careful with alcohol.
“What I really want is a Sprite, but I bet they don’t have that back there.”
“I’ll ask.”
“Water will be fine if they don’t have it.”
I sneak a look at him. I guess, if I had to be forced into a beautiful dress and spend the evening at a glamorous event, at least I get to be on the arm of a tall, hot Swede.
His shoulders are broad and he has a face that belongs in magazines.
Strong, defined jaw, blue eyes and a smile that makes me remember what it feels like to want a man.
“Lundgren, Harry Gorman.”
A man with a jolly red face and bushy gray hair reaches for Magnus’s hand.
“Nice to meet you, Mr. Gorman,” Magnus says.
“Harry. I’m a friend of McClain’s; taught him everything he knows.” He smiles wryly. “And I’m a big fan. Tell him I’ll be drafting your contract myself if he doesn’t move his ass.”
“I appreciate that.”
“Wish I’d been there for your hat trick. You’ll just have to do it again at home—I’ve got season tickets.”
“I’ll do my best.”
Harry claps him on the shoulder, grins at me, and walks back over to the group he was with.
Jules would know what to say here. She’d have the perfect words, and she’d understand what Harry meant about the contract. I’m just standing here, awkwardly silent, wishing the line would move faster.
“Did Coop tell you he asked for my mom’s phone number?” Magnus asks me, a corner of his mouth tilting up in a grin.
I laugh because that tracks. “He’s not shy.”
“He’s a good kid. He invited me over to play cars.”
“He’s loved cars since he started crawling.”
We reach the front of the line, and when Magnus asks for a Sprite, the woman behind the bar looks at him like he just requested chocolate milk with a straw.
“We have alcohol and water, sir. I think there’s lemonade somewhere, too.”
“Just a water and a Heineken,” he says.
It’s an open bar, but he leaves a twenty as a tip. He offers me his arm again, and we make our way over to the tables of auction items.
There are signed jerseys and pucks in frames, VIP luxury box seats to games, dinner for eight with a local private chef, a bourbon collection ... and the values listed on each item could buy a decent car.
“Remind me what a hat trick is,” I say.
“It’s when one player scores three goals in a single game. A natural hat trick is when one player scores three consecutive goals with no one else scoring between them.”
“And you did that?”
“Yes.”
I arch my brows, impressed. “Did you save anything from that game?”
“I have the puck from the third goal. The team kept my sweater from that night.”
“Maybe it’s up for auction tonight.”
He gives me another one of his crooked smiles. “I hope it helps a good cause.”
My gaze lingers on him a little too long, and I force myself to look away. This must be what it’s like to be Suki or Mara. I can’t imagine looking at a hot, kind, successful man and knowing he’s mine and the father of our children.
Jules and Noel approach us, Jules grinning confidently. “I might know someone who’s bidding on that week in a private beach bungalow in Hawaii.”
“It looks amazing.”
“It’d be a perfect honeymoon.”
“Excuse me.” A woman with short black hair in a long gold gown smiles at Magnus. “I’m Hudson McClain’s sister, Caroline. Our cousin’s daughter is dying to meet you.” She frowns, acting like she just noticed me on his arm. “Are the two of you together?”
Magnus drops his brows just a fraction, looking unsure how to answer her.
Caroline laughs. “I mean, I know you’re standing here together at this moment, but are you a couple?”
“No,” he answers. “We’re both here with a group of friends.”
Caroline’s face lights up. “Perfect.” She smiles condescendingly at me. “I’m just going to steal him for a bit; you don’t mind, do you?”
Hudson McClain must be important because Harry mentioned him giving Magnus a contract. I don’t want to ruin anything for him, so I pull my arm away from his.
“Of course not.”
Magnus still has a stormy expression, looking torn about leaving me alone.
“I’ll see you at the table,” I assure him.
Caroline grabs his arm and leads him away. Jules comes to stand beside me, her placid expression not matching the words she murmurs softly.
“What a fucking vulture. Let’s go sit down.”
She leads the way to our table, where Leo, Mara, Bash, and Lainey are all sitting.
“Where’s Maggie?” Leo asks Carter.
“Meeting someone.”
“Blair, you look gorgeous!” Lainey says.
She’s always sweet and friendly. Her red hair is past her shoulders now, styled into loose curls. Her deep-green dress is off the shoulder, a perfect style for her.
“Thanks, you too. I can’t take any credit for this; it was all Jules.”
“Who do you think picked my dress out?” she asks, laughing.
I set the tiny black clutch bag I borrowed from Jules on the table, wishing I could take my phone out of it. I’m out of my element here, especially without Magnus to talk to.
This is Jules’s world, and all the players and teammates are really nice, but I still feel like a little kid playing dress-up. I belong at home on my couch in baggy sweats and a T-shirt.
Even though I shouldn’t, I look for Magnus on the other side of the room. My heart sinks when I find him. He’s standing with Caroline and a beautiful blond woman, who’s looking at him like he hung the moon.
Talia follows my gaze, frowning. “Are you kidding me? She’s relentless.”
“Tally,” Noel cautions with a slight shake of his head.
She rolls her eyes and gives me a sympathetic look. “She tried to do this with Lucien, too.”
Lucien doesn’t know what she’s talking about until he figures out who she’s looking at.
“Oh, yeah.” He grins at me. “Rite of passage for our players. Don’t worry about it.”
I smile politely, my cheeks warming. If only I had a knife in that tiny bag so I could stab Jules in the leg.
I knew Jules was trying to set me up with Magnus, but I didn’t realize every single person at the table also knew. Now I’m the object of eight people’s pity.
My stomach rumbles, reminding me I’m also missing out on pizza.