Page 36 of He Has It All (Boston Brawlers Hockey)
“No,” she laughs. “That’s a well-kept secret.” She slides me a glance.
“But that’s not the kind of gossip your show is famous for, is it?” Tiffany says. “You specialize in—”
“The tawdry and the titillating,” Chelsea says, owning it, even if her smile is too tight. Tiffany laughs.
“No wonder Ryan is practically the star of your show. He has such aninterestinglove life.”
“I’ll say,” Tim puts in. “We used to keep count of his hookups at the house until—”
I’ve heard enough, so I cut him off. “Until you decided to stop watching from the sidelines and join in the fun?”
Tim laughs. “Touché.” I knew he’d be proud of his own tawdry record.
“Now I’m married and you’re still chocking up the numbers with puck bunnies and supermodels.” Tiffany laughs along with him and I’m not enjoying this conversation at all. I notice Chelsea is silent, her tight smile still in place.
“When are you going to join the ranks of the grown-ups and settle down, O’Rourke?”
“You sound like Levi. He’s a fucking marriage evangelist.”
Chelsea says, “Don’t you see yourself ever getting married?” All eyes are on her because her question doesn’t sound as playful as the rest of our conversation, even barbed as it is.
“I’m concentrating on my career right now, amassing my fortune while I have the chance.” I keep my tone light, though my answer is as serious as Chelsea’s question.
“Aren’t we all, man?” Tim says.
“Except mine has a short expiration date,” I point out. I usually refrain from thepoor meshit because, really? I’m not poor. I could quit today and live large the rest of my life between my salary and promotional income from the past four years. But it’s not only about the money. I love playing hockey. It’s the one constant in my life and probably the reason I’m so restless is because I haven’t skated in two weeks.
But I have every intention of playing as long as my legs will let me and I take damn good care of myself to make sure that’ll be more than the average ten years for a center in the NHL.
They turn to leave and Tiffany accidently on purpose spills her drink on Chelsea. She apologizes and Chelsea fumes because she knows Tiff did it purposely. Tiff drags Tim away as he’s apologizing.
“I can’t believe she did that. What is her problem?” She looks at me as if I have the answer and I shrug.
“Jealousy?”
Chelsea snorts, not exactly buying it. Fondness billows in me, blowing up to something more, something so strong and compelling I reach out and touch her arm and have to forcibly stop myself from pulling her against me for a kiss, for a deep, dark, promising kiss. What I want to promise I’m not sure, other than a night of wild, unforgettable sex.
Chelsea excuses herself to go to the ladies’ room. “Stay out of trouble. I’ll be back in a minute.”
I give her a smirk and admire her as she walks away.
Leaning on the wall, I’m content to observe the party, content to wait for Chelsea to return because I’m enjoying the hell out of her company, enjoying the sizzle, that slow burn she gives me, the same thing she’s been doing to me ever since she hit her teen years.
Tiffany comes back and insists on a slow dance. I look around for Chelsea and would have said no, but Tiffany says, “Don’t worry. I’ll hand you over to Chelsea the minute she returns. I’m really sorry about spilling the drink. I shouldn’t have done it.”
Her confession of guilt got to me and I figure she’s done some growing up after all. Baby steps. She drags me onto the floor and I don’t want to make a scene at my sister’s wedding, so I go. Damn if it isn’t a slow dance. She laughs at my reluctance as we sway.
“Come on, Ryan. Tim hates dancing and we should have a dance for old times’ sake. I used to have it bad for you back in school, I admit. But I’m over that now. Tim and I are happy.”
I relax and smile. She’s a pretty young woman and I know she must be in love with Tim since she followed him to Sweden when he played there and married him when he came back and took a job in insurance.
Looking back towards the exit where Chelsea had disappeared, it’s far away now, but I don’t see her anywhere.
“What is it?” Tiffany says.
“Chelsea is protecting me from the crazies. So now that job falls to you in her absence. Think you can handle it?”
She laughs. “As a former crazy, I think I’m eminently qualified.”
