Page 93 of Hot Shot
It would be so much easier if we lived together. Even when I’m gone for long stretches, I could come home to her asleep in our bed. Maybe if the Storm decides to sign me to a new contract, we can have that conversation.
I’d like nothing more than to be able to go home to Madison every night.
Chapter thirty-four
Madison
Iglancearoundthepacked arena, watching everyone file in as the Fury and the Storm take the ice for warm-ups. Hunter is passing a puck back and forth with Brody. As if he can feel me watching him, he looks over at me. His eyes widen when he sees I’m wearing the jersey he gifted me for Christmas. I turn around to show him the back with his name and number on. Over my shoulder I see EJ watching the interaction.
Shit.
After last night’s less-than-courteous introduction between EJ and Hunter, I didn’t sleep well, worried about tonight’s game. I almost didn’t come because I didn’t want to rub it in EJ’s face that I didn’t pick him. That I’m not with him.
Around two in the morning I realized that that was stupid. Not that I’m not nervous that something will go down tonight or that my dad will finally catch on that I’m dating one of his players. That thought has me turning back around.
I look over at the Storm’s bench, but my dad is deep in conversation with one of the other coaches. I watch him for a few moments.
I need to tell him.
If we’re going to have a relationship he needs to know that I’m dating one of his players. I glance over to where Hunter is warming up with Brody. I need to tell him too. It’s time. No more secrets. I only hope when it’s all out in the open they both still want me in their lives.
“Thanks for the invite,” Rachel says, as she takes the seat next to me, handing me one of the two beers in her hand.
We’re sitting a couple of rows back from the glass, in about the same place I sat last time I was here.
“No problem.” I take a sip of my drink, watching the game start.
The first few minutes go by without much incident. But EJ and Hunter aren’t on the ice at the same time.
“Want to tell me what’s got you chugging your beer?” Rachel leans closer to me during a television timeout.
“What?” I peel my gaze from the Storm bench to glance down at the cup in my hand. Sure enough, over half of my beer is gone, and we’re only ten minutes into the game.
“If you wanted to get drunk at a hockey game, you should have told me. I wouldn’t have driven,” Rachel says with a laugh.
I shake my head, gesturing to the visitor’s bench. “EJ and Hunter met last night.”
“I take it that it didn’t go well.”
“Nope,” I say, as I turn my attention back to the game. I don’t want to get into the details right now and thankfully Rachel doesn’t press the matter.
“Need me to get you something stronger?”
“No, I’m good,” I say. “But thanks.”
Hunter hops over the boards and onto the ice at the same time EJ does.Shit.Made it ten minutes into the game before they were out at the same time.
The Storm gain possession and skate toward the Fury’s net. Brody passes the puck to Hunter who passes it to Caleb. The Fury close in, and the puck gets trapped along the boards.
I lean forward in my seat trying to see what’s going on.
EJ slams one of the Storm into the boards as the Fury clear it out of their zone.
Both teams change on the fly, and I exhale a deep breath, thankful that no punches were thrown even if that check from EJ was uncalled for.
The last five minutes of the period pass without any incidents, and the Storm even manage to score a goal.
“Want to get something to eat?” Rachel asks, pushing to her feet when the buzzer sounds for intermission. I nod and follow her out into the concourse.
