1. Chapter One #4
The best part of road trips is coming home because I know you’re there with Ranger, so I’ll see your face when I walk in the door?
"Yeah?" She's looking up at me, and I wish I had paid attention in English class so I’d know how to describe the look in her eyes. All I know for sure is that it makes my heart race.
"I—"
"Sarah!" Paige calls out. "Barb needs help with the van!"
The moment breaks. Sarah steps back, and I immediately miss the warmth of her standing close.
"I should go," she says. "But I'll see you at Wing Wednesday tonight, right?"
"Wouldn't miss it."
She grins. "Good. Because I want to hear all about how the road trip's going to go. You guys leave tomorrow morning, right? Just want to make sure I have it right on my calendar."
"Yeah. Four games in seven days through Canada."
"Brutal."
"I'll survive. And Ranger will be fine with you."
"He always is." She hesitates, like she wants to say something else, but then just: "Drive safe getting home, Sunshine."
All the guys on every team I’ve ever been on have called me Sunshine.
It got started when I was a kid and KC and the Sunshine Band played over the PA during a break at a game.
Some of my teammates abbreviated Kevin St. Clair and decided I was “KSC and the Sunshine Band” and from there, it eventually devolved down into simply “Sunshine.”
Is it the most intimidating hockey nickname? Nope. Not at all. But there are definitely worse things I could be called. Actually, there are worse things I have been called. That’s part of hockey.
But when Sarah calls me Sunshine, it sounds different than when the guys do it or I see it on social media from fans, or hear it in a broadcast.
When Sarah calls me Sunshine, it sounds like an endearment instead of just a nickname.
I watch her walk away, helping Barb take the last of the dogs into the rescue van. Watch her laugh at something Barb says. Watch her wave goodbye to the guys who are lingering in the hall.
"You're so fucked," Aiden says, appearing at my elbow.
"I'm not—"
"You're absolutely fucked. That's not a bad thing, Sunshine. But you should probably do something about it before someone else does."
"Like who?"
Aiden shrugs. "I don't know. But a woman like that? Who's smart and funny and builds a rescue from nothing while looking good in a pair of leggings? Someone's going to notice eventually."
"We're friends."
"Right. And I'm the Pope." Aiden claps me on the shoulder. "See you tonight, lover boy. Try not to spend the rest of the afternoon texting her. She’s got an actual job to do."
He walks away, and I'm left standing in the empty arena with Ranger, who's looking up at me with what I swear is judgment.
"Don't you start," I tell him.
He opens his mouth and his tongue drops out as he begins to pant a little.
"I know I'm obvious. But it's complicated."
His tongue just keeps lolling.
"She doesn't see me that way."
Ranger tilts his head, and I swear to dog my Labrador Retriever is calling me an idiot.
My phone buzzes. It’s Sarah, because of course it is.
Ranger’s Mom
Thanks again for today. You're the best friend a girl could ask for.
Friend.
Right.
Anytime.
I stare at the phone for another minute, then type.
See you tonight.
Three dots appear. Disappear. Appear again.
Ranger’s Mom
Can't wait.
I pocket my phone and look down at Ranger. "Come on, buddy. Let's go home."
But as I'm walking out, I can't help but think about what Aiden said. About someone else noticing Sarah. About me needing to do something about it.
About how Ranger — and apparently the entire team — thinks I'm an idiot for not telling her.
I unlock my truck, but my phone buzzes again. Not Sarah this time. Brett.
Camper
Heads up for tonight. Paige said Sarah's bringing someone to Wing Wednesday.
My feet stop moving. Ranger looks up at me, confused.
What do you mean bringing someone?
Camper
Some guy named Mark. Paige seemed excited about it. You know him?
Thought you'd want to know.
I stare at the text.
Mark? The only Mark I can think of is the treasurer on the LSP board. He’s the comptroller at one of the big tech companies in town. Forty-something, separated from his wife around Valentine’s Day, and is now finalizing his divorce.
And at the last board meeting, he looked at Sarah like he was seeing her for the first time.
Shit. That’s exactly who Camper’s talking about. I wanted to say something after the last board meeting, but that would have embarrassed Sarah completely, and I’d never do that.
But fuck me, I’d like to slam Mark into some glass right now.
Yeah. I know him.
I flip back to Sarah's last text. Can't wait.
Can't wait to see me a few hours from now — a few hours after she just saw me here at the arena and took photos.
But when she does, she’s planning to bring a plus one? To Overtime. To meet my team.
Once again, Aiden's voice echoes in my head. A woman like that? Someone's going to notice.
Looks like Mark already has.
And I've got about six hours to figure out what the hell I'm going to do about it. Maybe Ranger can give me some advice on the way home.