Page 73 of Shootout
“Oh, yeah.”
“About being our butler for the weekend, I’ll have to check everyone’s schedules.”
“I’m looking forward to it,” he said dryly, indicating he was anything but. He smiled down at me and put his big hands on my shoulders, stepping into me. I gazed upward, still basking in my triumph. I’m positive he read the joy on my face.
“Jessie, you’re an incredible hockey player and a brilliant coach. Don’t ever let anyone tell you differently. You rendered Jonas speechless tonight, but I don’t think that asshole will give you the respect you deserve. I’ve kept my mouth shut, but I can’t stay quiet any longer. Gender shouldn’t have any bearing. Demand your just due. Insist on being treated like any man in your position would be treated.”
“I know, but how do I do that?” I swallowed, acknowledging the truth of his words. He had more confidence in me than I had in myself.
“Stop worrying about being fired. You’re too good for them to let you go, but you’re also too good to be relegated to nothing but the other coaches’ leftovers. Talk to your boss and insist he judge you on your merit, not on your gender.”
“Banks, I—”
“No excuses.” He leaned down, held my cheeks in both hands and kissed me deeply. I leaned into him and deepened our kiss. If we were still faking it, we should get an Academy Award for our acting.
ChapterTwenty-Nine
RETURN OF THE DICK
~~Banks~~
For the next two weeks, Jessie and I spent time together, but something had shifted between us. This change had nothing to do with her winning our one-on-one competition and more to do with her question about my wager. I’d tried multiple times to explain myself since that night, but my silver tongue escaped me. I didn’t know how to explain something I wasn’t sure I understood. I also feared she’d say no and end it if I asked her to make us real. For the first time in my life, I was afraid of losing someone who meant more to me than hockey, and that was saying a lot. That fear kept me silent and, at the same time, put a wedge between us outside of the bedroom.
I moved into my condo the weekend before Thanksgiving, and Jessie and I christened the bedroom that night. She’d sneaked into Wild’s condo at six a.m.
I’d figure this out. The holidays were coming, and there had to be a way to tell her how I felt. I loved her. I fucking loved her, and she needed to know, even if she gave me the boot.
Thanksgiving came and went. I drove to Portland to spend it with my brother, and Jessie and Wild celebrated with family at his condo.
The day after Thanksgiving, I left on a five-game road trip in which we won four out of five, and I chalked up five points with three goals and two assists. I was clicking with my linemates. Everything was coming together except for Jessie and me.
We returned on the following Thursday, and I had a home game on Friday.
I was going to do it. After the game, I planned on baring my soul to Jessie, telling her I wanted to end our fake relationship and make it real. I was crazy in love with her, and it was time to come clean to both myself and her. I was decidedly nervous, not knowing if she’d break my heart or give us a chance.
The game couldn’t have gone better. I had two goals and an assist and was named first star of the game. Things were starting out perfectly.
Werewas the operative term.
I’d organized this romantic dinner for two at our favorite little Italian place. Unfortunately, I had a text from the restaurant stating they had power issues and had closed down for the night. Then Jessie texted me after the game that she was with the WAGs at the Place. That wasn’t where I wanted to spill my guts to her, and my carefully laid plans started to fall to pieces.
Declaring my devotion in my bare condo didn’t seem like the right place, either. I’d figure something out after we had a few drinks and appetizers with the team. I wasn’t one to give up easily. I’d pivot and come up with a new game plan. I was determined to follow through this weekend. No more fretting and worrying. The time to act was now.
With renewed determination to declare my love, I dressed and walked the few short blocks to the Place after the game. The Sockeyes were sitting on top of the entire league in points, and jubilant hockey fans packed the Place to celebrate our win.
The team had claimed the back room as usual, and we crowded around several big tables, reliving the game, chirping each other, and drinking beer. I took a couple shots with the guys but made sure I didn’t get too drunk. Tonight was the night, and I wasn’t postponing my declaration. I had my nerve up, and the truth would be told.
Getting Jessie away from the WAGs proved to be more difficult than I’d imagined. These women had bonded during the team’s road trips, and they were a tribe to be reckoned with. I resigned myself to going with the flow and being patient. I’d get my moment soon enough.
The server delivered nachos. Jessie and I dug in, surrounded by the din of a triumphant hockey team and our fans.
“You were a rock tonight.” She gazed up at me with what I hoped like hell was adoration in her eyes, or I was seeing what I wanted to see, but I didn’t think so.
“I felt good, like I finally belonged here.”
“Next thing you know, you’ll be getting a Sockeyes tat.” Her smile teased and aroused at the same time.
“I might.” When the team had first moved to Seattle, the original players had gotten matching Sockeyes tattoos as a show of solidarity and support for Seattle and the team. While not everyone during subsequent seasons followed suit, a lot of the guys did, especially those who had longer-term contracts and were pillars the team had been built on. I hadn’t felt as though I belonged until recently. In fact, I’d had one foot out the door, worried I’d be a big enough disappointment that they’d trade me. Tonight sealed the deal that I’d be in Seattle for a long time.
