25. Evvy
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
evvy
“These are amazing seats.” I sink down next to Josie.
We’re directly behind our team’s bench, just a few rows up from the glass.
We’re high enough to have a great view of the ice but also close enough to the glass to have a view of the guys on the bench.
I don’t know if Zack knew where Josie was planning to sit, but he might lose his mind when he sees us.
I shove the rolled-up poster underneath my seat.
Josie took pity on me and brought me to buy supplies before coming to the game.
Thankfully, we only missed a of couple minutes, and according to the scoreboard, we didn’t miss any goals.
A weird sense of nostalgia washes over me as I take in the sights and sounds of the arena.
I avoided hockey for so long after we broke up that I wasn’t sure how it would feel being here.
But being at the arena feels right. It feels like this is where I’m supposed to be.
The crowd cheering, the lights, and the cool air make me feel alive.
Normally, I hate crowds. For some reason games always felt different.
They were an exception for me and tonight feels no different.
Watching Zack play hockey was one of my favorite things in the world—his passion, confidence, and moves on the ice were always mesmerizing.
In college, I tried to make it to as many games as possible.
Getting to watch him play again feels incredible.
New York fans cheer loudly as a shot from Brent misses, ricocheting off the iron and back out onto the ice.
I only know it’s Brent from the amount of shouting coming from Josie’s little body.
That woman sure can scream. Her enthusiasm is contagious, and I’m up and out of my seat right along with her.
I’m not familiar with the players in uniform and all their gear, so I can’t tell who’s who.
New York goes for the puck, but someone from our team comes out of nowhere, taking control of it and flicking it straight into the goal.
It happened so fast that I didn’t get a good view of the player.
The sound of the buzzer is almost drowned out by groans from unhappy fans, but that doesn’t stop Josie and I from celebrating as the red lights flash.
“That was Zack! Josie cheers, grabbing my shoulders as she jumps up and down. “Oooo, here he comes! Get your poster ready!” Josie screams, pointing to a flash of blue heading in our direction. Watching Zack skate is intoxicating. My eyes stay locked on him as he moves closer and hops over the boards. Zack’s eyes meet mine and a huge smile spreads across his face just as Josie shoves the poster in my hand. I open it quickly, matching his smile.
Zack Shayle Pucking Rocks!
Zack throws back his head in laughter before tapping his hand over his heart.
We always had a thing for rock puns, and I made a sign like this the first time I ever went to one of his games.
I couldn’t resist the urge to do it again.
Zack remains standing, staring at the sign, until one of his coaches yells, “Get your ass on the bench, Shayle.”
Zack reluctantly slumps down onto the bench and I see his number.
31. His college jersey number.
I fight back tears again as I sink back into my own seat. “Are you okay?” Josie shouts over the crowd, plopping down next to me.
“His number.” I point at the back of his jersey.
Her eyes move from me to Zack and back again. “You didn’t know his number?”
I shake my head, eyes still locked on the jersey number 31 written below his last name.
“That was his number in college.” Zack had been jersey number 31 throughout high school and college.
When we first started dating, he was almost giddy about the fact that his jersey number was associated with Halloween.
With my passion for Halloween, and his for hockey, he said there was no way it was a coincidence.
Athletes can be superstitious about numbers, but I thought for sure he’d get rid of it after everything that happened between us.
Sure, it was his number beforehand, but I would have thought there’d be too many bad memories associated with it.
Maybe it was the only number available when he joined the Maine Meteors?
I turn to face Josie. “Was he assigned that number when he was traded?”
Josie looks at me with a soft smile. “That’s always been his number. In fact, number 31 is usually used by goalies, but he insisted on keeping it.”
I wipe the wetness from my cheeks. “So, he had the chance to change it, but didn’t?”
“Yeah, he was pretty adamant about keeping it.” Josie reaches for my hand. “Does it mean something?”
“He just loved that number,” I say softly.
Zack turns, and I wave quickly before turning to face Josie.
I can’t let him see me crying again. Not during a game, even if they are happy tears.
I’ve shed more tears this month than I have in the past decade.
I always assumed I was the only one affected by our breakup, but seeing Zack’s letters made me realize he went through hell too.
I can’t help feeling like the entire thing is my fault for not receiving them.
Knowing he kept his number eases the tiniest bit of pain.
At least I didn’t take that away from him too.
* * *
Josie and I wait in the hall just outside the visiting team locker room. We won 3-2, with Zack scoring two of the goals, and West scoring the winning goal. It was even more special with it being the first goal of his NHL career. Watching the entire team pile on top of him and celebrate was amazing.
Zack's second goal was almost as eventful.
I held up my sign again and apparently the cameras took notice.
I was too infatuated watching Zack to notice anything else until Josie pointed out that I was on the Jumbotron.
I promptly did my magic trick and turned my face into a shade of fire engine red.
If only I could have conjured up a firehose to spray myself down, because despite the embarrassment, watching Zack play had me throbbing.
“They better hurry up. I need to speak with them before they go in front of the cameras. Especially West. I love the guy, but he’s a wild card and he hasn’t finished media training.
” Josie looks at her phone pacing back and forth.
Brent, Zack, and West will be speaking to the press shortly, and Josie’s gone into work mode.
“You mean you don’t want him providing some entertainment for the cameras? Come on, Josie, we could use a little excitement.” I lean back against the cool concrete wall and watch Josie continue to dart around like a pinball.
“More excitement for the press is more work for me,” she says with a heavy sigh. “If they aren’t out here in three seconds I’m going to barge into that room and drag the three of them out by their ties.” She gestures at the door with a closed fist.
The door swings open, and the team files out. “Finally! West, you’re first. Get over here!” Josie plucks him out of the crowd, pulling him off to the side. He looks like a kid being scolded by his mother for something he hasn’t done yet.
More of the Maine Meteors flood into the hall and my eyes immediately zero in on Zack, like a moth drawn to a flame.
The world moves in slow motion as my eyes drag over every inch of his body, and a flood of warmth spreads from my core.
His crisp dark gray suit might as well have been painted over his arm muscles.
And don’t get me started on his thighs and butt.
His perfect hockey butt. But the best part is the smile that’s directed at me as he sweeps me up into a hug.
“My good luck charm.” Zack squeezes me before brushing a kiss lightly over my forehead. “Now I just need you at every game, especially the ones that count.”
“You two can canoodle later! They need you upstairs. Now!” Josie barks at Zack, snapping her fingers. “Evvy, mind staying with Nate and Marsh?”
“We’ll take her to the restaurant and you can all meet us after the press conference.” Nate steps behind me, placing a hand on my shoulder. “Don’t worry, I’ll keep the paparazzi away from you.” He looks down at me with a smile.
“I wasn’t planning on going out tonight.” Zack flashes me a look that has me swooning.
“Yeah, it’s been a long day. I should just head back to the hotel and—”
West interrupts me. “I just made my first goal! Can’t you come celebrate? At least stay for a couple of drinks.” His hopeful eyes bounce back and forth between me and Zack. “First round’s on me!”
“You’re not buying if we’re celebrating you.” Brent gives West a playful smack on the head. “Whadyuh say Zack? It seems like we have a lot to celebrate.” Brent’s gaze hovers over me as he waits for Zack to answer.
“Evvy?” Zack looks at me sympathetically. He knows I'm not one for crowds, but I just sat in an arena full of people, and I feel surprisingly energized. It helps that Zack’s friends always make me feel included.
“I’m in.”
West’s face lights up the moment the words leave my mouth. “Fuck yes! It’s a party!”
“No dancing,” grunts Marsh from somewhere behind me. “Let’s go before I change my mind.”
“You two better guard her with your lives!” Zack calls over his shoulder as Josie pushes him down the long hallway. “With your lives!” The sound echoes as he yells again.
“Are you really into someone that dramatic, Evvy?” Marsh laughs with a low grumble.
“It’s kind of cute, actually.” I laugh as I notice the absurdity of this situation. Flanked by two bodyguards, I’m dwarfed by the defenseman on my right and a giant goalie on my left. Zack has nothing to worry about.