Page 11 of He Has It All (Boston Brawlers Hockey)
“Is she all right?” Allie slices through the women, her grace and poise moving them more than any force. She’s a dancer and a whiz at numbers, doing well at a big eight accounting firm.. If we weren’t at a bachelorette party and in the ladies’ room looking after a sick, drunk friend, I’d be intimidated by her. She never says anything about my Gossip Girl gig, but I feel ashamed every time it comes up in her company.
“Her brother is taking care of it. We’re taking her back to the inn. Tell the girls we’ll see you all in the morning.”
She nods, does a once-over appraisal of the other women in the room, gives a pointed glance at the empty stalls, and leaves. The other women get busy and a couple of them exit, muttering. But I can see I’m going to have to get a little tough to get rid of these last three busybodies. As if I have a right to talk about busybodies. I’m a fucking professional busybody.
“Time for you ladies to go.”
“We have a right to be in here,” Miss Sign My Boobs says. Pulling myself up to my full height, which is considerable with my high-heel sandals, I step close enough to intimidate, game face in place. I learned how to be a tough-ass in my year traveling with the Olympic team, adding a solid foundation of cynicism to enhance my natural grit. It served me well during my four years at Boston College. Could be one of the reasons I never had any lasting male relationships. But not the main reason.
Using a hard voice, I say, “He’s not interested in you. Leave now while you still have a modicum of dignity.” The woman opens her mouth, blushes, and is maybe going to say something, likely lame, but her friend takes her arm and mutters, “Come on. That fucking RO isn’t worth it.”
After following them to the door, I notice a bunch of women in the hall milling around, excited murmurs in the air as the three skanks leave.Shit. I lock the door behind them as Ryan emerges from the stall, propping up his sister. I wipe her face off with a wet paper towel.
“I want to go home . . .” Maggs says.
“We’ll get you to bed now,” Ryan says meeting my eyes.
Talking in a low voice, I say, “I don’t know if you heard, but there’s a problem. We’ll be ambushed the minute we step outside the door.”
He nods, looking resigned, as he drags Maggie to the sink and splashes water on her face.
“I’ll have the girls help us out.” I should have thought of that sooner, though I’m not sure what they can do. I tap in Allie’s number.
She answers and I say, “Look, we’re trapped. There’s a crowd of women in the corridor outside ready to pounce the minute we get out. Can you get the bouncer to get rid of the commotion in the hall?” In less than two blinks I get Allie to agree to use her feminine wiles on the doorman and end the call.
“We’ll need to give her a minute.” I shove my phone back into my miniature cross-body bag.
“I need to sleep, Ry,” Maggs says, practically falling in a heap. He lifts her, holding her upright with an arm under one shoulder.
“I appreciate what you’re doing, Chels. But you don’t have to—”
“Yes I do. This is Maggie’s wedding. I’m not doing it for you. If they take pictures, she’ll be in them with you.”
“You’re right. I should have thought of that.”
“Not that it’s your fault. Ironically this situation is all on her and you’re the innocent one.”
“Very ironic.” He gives me a killer smile, the one that’s famous for melting many a panty, the one I’ve heard all about for the last four years from every woman at BC who’d ever met him—and the list was considerable, even though he’s been graduated for four years.
Hearing the harsh sound of a man’s voice outside the door, I go over and put my ear up to it. The unmistakable sound of whining women makes me smile and I give Ryan a nod.
“You ready?”
Practically dragging his sister, he gets her to the door and I go to her other side, propping her up with my arm under her shoulder.
“She’ll have to be lopsided,” I say, “I’m not quite tall enough, even with my heels, to match your side.”
He laughs. “Least of her problems right now. We need to get her into bed so she can get started sleeping this off.” He reaches for the door handle and I block him in a quick move. He looks surprised.
“I’ll check the hall first.” Cracking the door open, I peek outside. No sign of another person. “The coast is clear.” I grin. “I’ve always wanted to be able to say that in real life. I said it often enough playing hide-and-seek in the neighborhood.”
He chuckles and pulls the door open, balancing Maggie, who’s half passed out. When we get to the hall, Ryan looks left and says, “This way. Let’s take the back door.” I don’t argue and we half carry Maggs to the exit, coming out into an alley behind the restaurant. The light is dim, but we make our way to the sidewalk and manage to get to North Water Street to within sight of the Periwinkle Inn with her between us as if we’re a trio out on a stroll. Not even one word exchanged until we get to the porch.
“Is there a back door to this place?”
I nod and when we get there, Ryan carries Maggs up the stairs, into the building, and down the hallway. I open the door to her room. He puts her on the bed and heaves a big sigh. I’m about to dismiss him when he leans over and kisses her forehead, melting me like a slab of butter under the sun.
“I’m calling an Uber. Levi is probably wondering what the hell happened to me.” He pulls the phone from his snug back pocket.
