Page 24 of He Has Santa (Boston Brawlers Hockey)
Appreciate what you have, Junie.
“How about dinner on me. We’ll take your parents along too.”
One more reason to be grateful that Logan is in my life and Nicky’s life. He knows how to handle every situation perfectly.
* * *
Two daysof tilting and whirling like no bakery or amusement ride ever aspired to—because my life is on a completely different trajectory than it was last week—I find it all so through-the-looking-glass weird, more than merely disorienting. I didn’t mention to anyone that Logan would be coming to Nicky’s game, but she most certainly did and I see several of the girls rushing us as we walk inside the rink.
“Where is he?”
“Isn’t he coming?”
“Can he sign my jersey?”
“I’m sure he’ll be her soon, girls.” I put an arm around Nicky’s shoulders as if to protect her from the doubt of the others. The last thing she needs now is a whiff of disappointment. But she’s still grinning, so it’s me who’s prone to doubt at the least provocation. It’s me who doesn’t trust good fortune. But I know I can trust Logan, even after all this time because any idiot could see that he’s serious about being Nicky’s father.
They might also see the hungry attraction in his eyes when he looks at me, but that’s the part I definitely do not trust. Can’t afford to pay any attention to. Right?
Mom says, “Isn’t that Logan?” She points to an entourage.
The minute I see Logan barely inside the rink doors, I can see why he’s a few minutes late. He’s surrounded by several people who recognize him and engage him in enthusiastic conversation as he’s signing someone’s stick. Of course he’s recognized. These are hockey people. He may be able to walk around the grocery store anonymously, but not a hockey rink in the Boston area.
I sit in the stands with Logan watching Nicky’s game. He signed autographs and put up with too much attention until the game started. Now we both throw ourselves into cheering on our daughter. This feels most real, yet unreal, like a dream that could end any second. Which it does the minute the horn sounds, ending the game.
Mom, dad, Logan and I wait outside the team’s locker room for the coach’s brief post game chat, apart from the rest of the parents. I made sure of that. When Nicky appears Logan gives her a high five and more accolades than is healthy for a normal sized head.
“How about if we go to dinner. My treat,” Logan says. He grins, spreading his hands to include mom and dad in the invitation. Mom says no and dad says he’s too tired to go out. Mother prods Nicky who yawns and claims to be too tired too.
“We’ll take her home. Why don’t you two go out without us?” Mom says
“Great idea,” Logan says, taking my elbow. “You game, Junie?” That look on his face sends my insides into a spin cycle because it shoutsI want to eat you for dinneras if he’s the big bad wolf. And the thing is, I’m far too willing to play Red Riding Hood and let him devour me. It’s been way too long and my memories of his devouring abilities way too tempting. But before I have a chance to agree, Ken, or Dr. Ken, father of one of the girls on the team, comes over and joins our group of five uninvited.
He puts out a hand to Logan with that smile I recognize, the predatory kind and I barely stop myself from rolling my eyes.
“Dr. Ken Flaherty.” He shakes Logan’s hand and I can see he’s trying to impress with a strong grip. I only hope Logan doesn’t respond in kind because the guy’s a surgeon and his patients don’t deserve for his hand to get crushed even if he does.
“I’m Logan—”
“Of course I know who you are.” He pulls his hand from Logan’s grip and doesn’t appear to be in pain. Neither does Logan although Logan gives him a wary look, flicking a gaze in my direction as if to ask what’s with this guy. I shrug in answer and he quirks one side of his mouth in silent acknowledgment.
“Everyone here knows who you are. Must get old having people hound you all the time.”
“Not at all. I appreciate hockey fans.”
“Of course you’d say that because you have to.”
My eyes go wide and my first instinct is to slap his smug face because that was nothing short of rude when Logan’s been nothing but gracious to everyone. Luckily Darlene and her daughter Mira, Nicky’s best friend on the team come over and interrupt the conversation before it goes any further awry.
“Logan, this is my friend Darlene and her daughter Mira.” I turn away from Ken, hoping he’ll move on and leave us. The last thing I want is for him to ask me out again. Logan says hello and engages Mira in a conversation about her wrist shot with his smile beaming so brightly I’m captivated as much as she is.
Darlene nudges me and lifts her brows, saying under her breath, “Where’ve you been hiding him? What an upgrade from Dr. No.” I stifle a laugh. It’s our name for Ken because every single mother from the team has said no to him at least once. In my case it’s been three times.
“Can Mira come over, while you go out to dinner, mommy?” Nicky tugs on my coat, taking me by surprise. My mother agrees immediately and takes both the girls by the hand before I reply.
“You’re going to dinner?” Ken says.Shit.
“We were…” I don’t know what to say because I can’t lie in front of Nicky
