22. Chapter Twenty-Two #2
Then Kevin appears on the concourse — escorted by Paige and an arena guard — and the noise jumps an octave.
He's swapped the suit for pregame gear: a long-sleeve Stampede top, training shorts over compression tights, runners.
The shirt clings enough that I catch the faint line of his heart-rate strap, and a strip of black KT tape peeks at his collar.
The crowd surges — phones up, whispers turning into squeals — and for a second, it's all I can do to keep the line moving.
"Can we get a photo with both of you?" someone asks.
"Of course." Kevin moves behind the table, stands next to me. His hand finds the small of my back again — and yeah, I’m a hormonal mess who is ridiculously attracted to a hockey player in the middle of a paid promo event.
Ranger sits between us, looking ridiculously photogenic.
Flash after flash.
Then Paige looks at her watch and signals to Kevin that he has to go, and I watch him disappear down the corridor toward the locker room.
"You two are cute together," Diane says quietly.
"We're not—"
"Sweetie, I've got eyes." She grins. "And so does everyone else in this arena."
Great. My love life is now a spectator sport.
At least Ranger's influencer career is off to a good start.
With fifteen minutes to go, Diane and I leave the booth to Barb and make our way to section 118.
Front row. Behind the glass. Right next to the bench.
Our seats are perfect — two together, with Ranger's designated spot clearly marked with a settle mat, water bowl, and small barrier that keeps him comfortable but visible.
Diane's on my left with the tablet Super PawMart wants us to post content from. She has it balanced on her lap.
I've seen quite a few of Kevin's games during the last year and a half. Some have been the whole game. Most this season have just been the third period. But I've never been in 118, the family section. And I've never been right on the glass.
I'm trying not to think about how close we are to the ice. How I'll be able to see every hit, every play, every moment of Kevin's game. If something goes wrong, I don't know how I'm going to be able to watch.
"This is insane," Diane says, filming the arena on her phone as it fills up. "Look at this crowd."
Dallas always brings energy. The Stampede just played them on the road recently. They won 3-2 in the game where Kevin played like a man possessed after I sent him a selfie of Ranger and I in matching jerseys. Dallas is probably looking for a little revenge.
The fans from north Texas are loud, waving their towels and banging on the glass.
But the Stampede faithful are louder. They're always louder. Some of the best and rowdiest fans in the league.
I scan the ice during warmups.
Players are skating in lazy circles, taking shots on goal, doing stretches along the boards. Kevin's in the mix — number six, moving well despite the shoulder that has to still be hurting.
He makes a slap shot that catches the crossbar with a sharp ping.
Skates harder.
Takes another shot.
This one finds the net.
He hasn't looked up yet. Hasn't scanned across section 118.
Then Liam skates past Kevin and pulls him into a quick bro hug. Claps him on the shoulder pads hard enough that I can hear the thud from here. I hope that doesn't hurt too much.
Aiden joins them a second later, says something that makes Kevin laugh.
All three of them look toward section 118.
Liam points at Ranger and gives an exaggerated thumbs up.
Aiden waves — as though a dog always shows up at games. And as though I belong right here, right in 118, right on the glass.
Kevin just grins.
"He knows exactly where you are," Diane murmurs.
"He's focused on the game."
"Sweetie. That boy could find you in a blackout."
I don't have a response to that.
My phone buzzes.
Paige
Ranger content is KILLING IT. You two are naturals.
Quinn
Checked in with Kevin before warmups. Shoulder's holding. He's good to go.
Lindy
Got some incredible shots during the meet-and-greet. Sending them over tonight.
I show Diane the texts and she just smiles.
"Remember what you told me last Christmas about your family?
How you didn't want to travel because it was easier to stay in your apartment than to wonder if you were messing up your dad's Christmas photos with his other kids or if your mom was going to try and guilt you into signing up for her health supplement MLM?
" Diane says. "These are good people. They're not blood, but they are a family.
And you're part of it whether you're ready or not. "
The warmups end. The team skates off to prepare for the anthem and starting lineup.
The lights drop. The Jumbotron cuts from warmup highlights to the Super PawMart logo — bright blue and white filling the entire screen.
The PA announcer's voice booms across TexTech Arena.
"Ladies and gentlemen, the Austin Stampede is proud to announce a special partnership launching tonight with Super PawMart, America’s leading pet retailer and a Central Texas favorite!"
The crowd cheers. The sound is scattered at first, then builds as the Jumbotron shifts to footage of Ranger in his custom jersey, tail wagging, looking absolutely thrilled with himself.
"Tonight marks the debut of Ranger St. Clair, Super PawMart Brand Ambassador and rescue dog extraordinaire, adopted by Stampede defenseman Kevin St. Clair from Lone Star Paws Rescue right here in Austin!"
More cheers. I can hear people around us reacting: "Oh, look at him!" and "That's the cutest thing I've ever seen!"
"Ranger will be in attendance at select home games this season, representing Super PawMart and Lone Star Paws Rescue's mission to find forever homes for Austin's shelter animals.
You can meet him before select games at the Lone Star Paws booth on the main concourse and follow his journey on Instagram at Ranger the Hockey Dog! "