“I’ll be back,” Brody says, squeezing my shoulder once and stepping into the aisle. “Gotta say hi to our boy.”
Someone from the team’s staff escorts the Stars players to the bench so Riley can have a moment with them. I hang back, watching them with a full heart and tears in my eyes. There are photos and high-fives. Riley holding Murphy then reaching for Lexi, kissing her like the world is going to end tomorrow. They’re so deeply in love it almost hurts.
The lights turn back on. Everyone settles down. The fans take their seats, the refs huddle close, and it’s almost time for the puck drop. The guys from the Stars climb over people to make it back to our row, and Brody is smiling when he appears at my side again.
“I’m going to tell you a secret,” he says.
“I can’t wait to hear.” I pat his chair and he sits, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees. “Make it something good, please.”
“Well. Since you’re begging,” he muses, glancing my way. “That’s how it works, right?”
Hell.
Surrounded by the team, and this is the most brazen he’s ever been. My lips part. I blink, following the path of his hand as he grazes my ponytail again.
“I don’t know,” I answer, not bothering to keep my voice down. With the noise from the crowd, there’s no way anyone is able to overhear us. “You’re usually the one begging.”
The curl of a smirk on his mouth. The bold, carefree way he steals my ribbon and wraps it around his fingers. It’s sensory overload, a side I haven’t seen from Brody before.
And Ilikeit.
“I guess I am. There are far worse things in life than being on my knees.” A soft chuckle. His guard coming down. “I act like being around my players is a detriment to my health, but I really love it. They’re stupid as hell, and it’s fun to see.”
“You softie. Iknewyou didn’t hate it as much as you said you did.” I look down the row of seats, at the family they created. “You did all of this, Brody. This camaraderie. This love. It doesn’t happen everywhere, but when it does, it’s magic.”
“Magic,” he repeats, twisting my ribbon in a knot on his wrist. “Can I tell you another secret?”
“You’re so free with your admissions tonight. Have you been drinking?” I tease, but the shake of his head makes me want to stop joking.
“No. I’m in full control of my thoughts.” Brody pauses and shifts closer to me, cupping my ear. “I know I fucked up after our night together, but having you here? Seeing you part of the team? I like that too. A lot. It might be my favorite thing.”
“Mine too.” My heart races. I can’t talk above a whisper. “I’ve felt so lost lately, but thanks to you, I’m finding my way.”
“We make a good pair, don’t we?” he asks, pulling away so he can tuck my ribbon in his pocket. “Who would’ve thought?”
I try my best to focus on the game. I cheer when the Comets score. I jump to my feet after Riley makes a beautiful pass to an open teammate. It’s fun and it’s lively and the best night I’ve had in a long time, but I can’t tell if that’s because of the energy around me or Brody’s arm staying over the back of my chair and the glances he keeps tossing my way.
TWENTY-ONE
BRODY
The hotel where the Stars’holiday gala is taking place is festive as hell. There’s garland around the windows. Ornaments hang from chandeliers and fake snow falls from the ceiling. On one side of the ballroom, someone set up a photo op with Santa and a handcrafted sleigh, and I blink down at the shrimp appetizer a waiter offers me on a tiny cocktail napkin.
“No, thank you,” I grumble, taking a slider instead.
“Dude. This is a fundraiser for charity. Can you attempt to be in the holiday spirit?” Parker asks. “Less Grinch, more jolly.”
“Ho. Ho. Ho. Is that better?” I nod my appreciation to the bartender who brings over a double whiskey neat. I slide him a hundred-dollar bill as a tip and down half of it. “I spent thirty minutes being forced to network with a group of men who told me I made them lose a thousand dollars after I pulled Liam from the net the other night. As if my coaching decisions are a contributing factor to their gambling addiction.”
“Sports betting is ruining the game, and it’s a shame to see.” He shakes his head at the next tray of appetizers that come by. “Grilled octopus? Really?”
“Hell. I would’ve been happy with a hot dog.” I take another sip of my drink and lean against the bar. “How much longer do you think I have to hang around before I can make an escape?”
“Given you’re the one delivering the speech to thank all the donors for their generous contributions this season? At least another hour.”
“We could’ve done this at an Applebee’s.” I finish my drink and set down the empty glass. “At least the guys are behaving.”
“Probably because you told them we have a weight lifting session at six tomorrow morning. Watching them puke while doing bench presses sounds delightful,” Parker says, and I snort in agreement.
