Chapter 12 Savi
TWELVE
SAVI
The nerve of that man.
I had no idea what to expect coming into tonight, but once I got to the stadium, all my worries disappeared as I got sucked up into the excitement of the fans.
Every time he would skate by or score a goal, our eyes would lock, and I knew for a fact he was happy I was there.
I’ve watched every single one of his games, unbeknownst to him or my brothers, and Knox doesn’t deviate his eyes from the game… ever.
So why the asshole act?
The last thing I expected when he came out of the arena was for him to go after Hayes for talking to me. He’s the most frustrating and infuriating man I know, and I’m tired of keeping up with his multiple personalities that he shows me.
“You okay?” Eve whispers as she appears at my side when we arrive at the bar.
“I’m peachy keen,” I laugh sarcastically. I’m not about to let a grumpy hockey player ruin my night out with my family. “Do you think they serve alcohol by the bottle here?” I ask, trying to get a glimpse of the feel of the place as we single-file in line and wait to show our IDs at the door.
“What kind of sports bar is this?” Sophia turns and watches a group of girls dressed to kill walk in with heels so high that I’m wondering if they’re just hoping for a broken ankle at this point.
I just assumed we would hang out with the team at a sports bar after the game. Thank God, we dressed up a little in skirts and dresses. Usually, I’m in jean shorts and a jersey when I go to any sporting events.
“It’s not a sports bar.” Knox appears just then and tells us to come with him. We follow him to a side entrance with no line, and he’s immediately let in when the bouncer at the door notices him.
“Have a good night, Mr. Stone,” he grins.
“Thanks, Roger.” Knox nods at him while we all file in.
“This is where you go every night after a game?” Lyla’s eyes get wide when a bottle girl passes by carrying champagne in a little black outfit that barely covers her ass, let alone her perfect breasts on display.
“I’ve only been here a couple of times,” Knox states, while we follow him to an area in the back marked VIP. “It’s a fairly new place, and the owner is a big fan, so he likes to cater to the team when we are in town. It’s become the guys’ favorite hangout after every home game.”
I glance around as we walk through the crowd.
It’s two levels and dimly lit with a very intimate speakeasy feel to it.
Low jazz music plays in the background, creating a sultry atmosphere.
Most of the booths and high-top tables are full of couples and groups of friends as we pass by.
I notice on the second level, each booth has long black curtains hanging from the ceiling for even more added privacy.
I can only imagine what goes on in there.
When we enter the VIP section, various couches and comfortable seating are set throughout. I recognize a few of the players lounging with a drink in their hand. Some already have girls draped over them, as others wait in the wings to pounce at the first opportunity.
We pick an area in the corner with a round navy velvet sectional. A table sits in the middle for drinks and food. Another couch sits near it with a similar setup and chairs.
My brothers and their wives fill up the sectional, so I have no choice but to sit with Knox on the smaller sofa. Jett Hayes appears almost instantly, sitting on the other side of me. I feel Knox stiffen beside me, but he remains silent as I focus my attention away from him.
“You made it,” Jett grins at me. “I was hoping I didn’t just imagine the whole thing.”
“We just got here,” I smile. It’s hard not to smile around Jett. He has an infectious energy that just makes you feel happy. It also doesn’t hurt that he’s very easy on the eyes with his curly blonde hair and bright blue eyes.
A server appears almost immediately, giving us a list of what they offer. The girls decide on champagne while the guys get a bottle of bourbon along with various platters of food to share.
“And you must be Knox’s new friend that we’ve been hearing about?” I look up and see vivid green eyes staring back at me.
Of course, I know right away he’s Cayden Blade, goalie of the Bayside Bolts. Everyone who even follows hockey knows who these men are as Hunter Kane, Colton Foxx, and Thane McCormick appear by his side as they take a seat on the chairs.
When their center left last year to retire, fans were devastated to break up their power lineup, but they quickly got over it when they found out Knox Stone was joining them. After tonight, they proved to the arena that they just might be unstoppable now.
Seeing them on the ice is one thing, but all together like this? Dressed in suits and dominating the space with their presence? It’s something else entirely.
All of them must be over six-foot the way they fill out those chairs. I notice tattoos peeking out of the open collars on a few of them. Add in their good looks, and you have a powerful lineup on and off the ice.
“Let’s just get this over with, so you can have your fun and move on,” Knox says with irritation dripping off his words. He removes his dark jacket, flinging it over the back of the couch before rolling up his sleeves and getting more comfortable before speaking again.
“Savi, this is Hunter, Colton, Thane, Cayden,” he says, going down the line and pointing, “and you obviously already know Jett.” He waves his hand in his direction like he’s an afterthought, causing Jett to chuckle next to me.
“Savi’s brother, Miles,” he says, nodding at the sofa next to us where they are all talking to a few other players who have walked up, “is my best friend from childhood. She’s…” The hesitation in his voice has me looking his way as the guys look too eager to hear what he has to say.
“She’s like a little sister to me,” he says quietly, avoiding my eyes.
A little sister?
That’s what I get?
Last time I checked, you don’t finger fuck your sister.
“You know what that means, so I expect you to honor it,” he says, piercing the guys with his infamous brooding stare.
“Well, I don’t know what it means and would love for you to tell me,” I say, forcing him to acknowledge me with my equally intense stare. I hear soft chuckles in the chairs and ignore them as I watch Knox uncomfortably shift in his seat.
“It means you are off limits,” Jett says, rubbing his scruff as he tries to hide a smile. I look at the other players, and they are having a hard time containing one, too. Something tells me they are doing this on purpose and having fun with Knox on this one.
“We don’t mess around with other players’ sisters. It’s an unspoken rule,” Cayden adds as he studies Knox’s reaction.
“But I’m not his sister,” I exclaim. “So this entire conversation is ridiculous.”
“Very true,” Colton says, taking a drink of his bourbon to hide a smile.
“I’m pretty sure like a sister doesn’t count,” Jett chimes in with a grin, causing the others to snicker.
“It counts,” Knox says, gruffly. “Now, unless you all want extra drills in the next practice, I suggest you drop whatever the hell you guys are up to.”
“Such a party pooper,” Jett says, rolling his eyes and getting a giggle out of me and a low growl out of the said party pooper.
“I think we’ve messed with him enough for one night,” Hunter says, standing up. “Savi, it was nice meeting you,” he smiles. “Hopefully, we will see you at the next one.”
“She has to be at the next one,” Cayden says, grinning. “Did you see the way Stone played tonight? Seems his little sister is a good-luck charm. We need her now.”
I know how superstitious players can get, and I shake my head and laugh. “I’m one hundred percent sure I had nothing to do with how Stone played tonight. He doesn’t need anyone to help him play better.”
The last thing I want to do is have the team think Stone needs me. He doesn’t need anyone. He’s made that perfectly clear numerous times in my life.
“Everyone needs someone to play for,” Thane says quietly, standing up with Hunter. “Nice meeting you, Savi,” he smiles, even though it doesn’t reach his eyes. “You should come to the next game and test out our little theory.”
“Yeah, maybe,” I say, not wanting to make any promises. Who knows if Knox and I will be on speaking terms when the next home game comes around?
They both leave, and we talk a few more minutes with Cayden and Colton before they say their goodbyes and move to another area where a group of girls is sitting.
“Here, let me refill that for you.” Jett takes my champagne glass and fills it with the bubbly.
“Thank you,” I smile, taking another sip. I can tell this stuff is expensive by the way it hits harder than usual. It goes down way too smoothly, and I’m feeling so relaxed and giddy on just my third drink.
“There’s a seat open now next to your brothers,” Knox says, standing up. “Let’s move over there so you can be closer to your family.”
“Oh…okay, we probably should.” I stand up and turn to Jett. “Are you coming with?”
“I’m sure Hayes’s fans are getting impatient,” Knox says, cutting Jett off. “You should probably go over to them.” He nods to a table outside the VIP where a few of his teammates are sitting with girls on their laps.
“As much fun as it would be to mess with Stone the rest of the night, I probably should make the rounds,” he smiles before pulling me into a hug. “If you ever get tired of Knox’s grumpy ass, let me know, and I’ll come over and help kick him out,” he whispers in my ear.
“Sounds like a plan,” I laugh as he grins and walks away.
“What sounds like a plan?” Knox furrows his brows and faces me, blocking my way to move.
“None of your concern, brother?” I grab my champagne flute and push past the big brute.
“Save my seat,” I say, setting my glass on the small table next to the two empty chairs. “I’m going to head to the bathroom real quick.”
“Do you want me to come with you?” Olivia asks, sitting up and untangling herself from Miles.
“No, it’s just around the corner. Stay and get back to cuddling my brother,” I say, waving my hand at the two of them in the corner, probably doing God knows what back there in the dark.
Giggling, she lies back against Miles again as they continue their private conversation.
Needing a moment alone, I follow the signs to the bathroom and step inside. Even the bathrooms are cozy as I take in the chaise and sitting area.
I use the restroom real quick, and can’t help but overhear the two pretty blondes talking as they walk in while I’m washing my hands.
“Did you see him? I can’t believe Knox Stone is here.” The one with the tiny blue dress says. “He’s so fucking hot. I think I’m going to go for it tonight,” she giggles.
I dry my hands slowly on the towel, unable to stop my eavesdropping.
“I heard he’s huge,” her friend whispers, putting emphasis on the word huge.
“I’ll let you know,” blue dress says, as they both break out laughing. “Hopefully, the girl all over him in the hallway will be gone by the time I get back out. She’s so not his type.” She reapplies her lipstick in the mirror before smacking her lips.
“I don’t know…they seemed awfully cozy when we passed by.”
I don’t stay to hear anymore as I make a beeline for the door, as two thoughts suddenly make me want to drop him to the ground again, but this time I’m not going to miss when I aim for his world-renowned jewels.
First…
Who the hell is this girl he’s with in the hallway?
Second…and the one that stings the most.
It took him all of two seconds after I left to find someone who isn’t me.