I’m dying to get those new flare-leg jeans we saw while we were out yesterday.I sign to him, practically bouncing in my seat with giddiness. I still can’t believe I’m going to an actual game without being under the watchful eyes of my parents. James and I also have tickets for regular seats. No way in hell am I sitting in the family boxes with the wives, girlfriends and other parents.
And the cute matching top. You need that too.James signs when we stop at a red light.
No, I have to wear Benton’s jersey. But I can always get the matching top for another night. I wink at him.
We’re quiet for the rest of the drive. Especially since it’s hard for us to communicate while he’s driving. As much as I love James, I don’t speak around him either. Those past memories have dug themselves deep within me.
Twenty-five minutes later, we pull up at the boutique. It’s small and in a tiny strip mall, right by the winery we love to go to. Well, since I turned twenty-one, that is. Before then, it was boxed wine at James’ apartment.
Let’s go. He signs to me, and we both get out of the car and head inside. I just hope they still have my size.
The worker beelines to us when we walk inside and starts talking, but she keeps turning her head so it’s hard for me to read her lips.
“We’re just looking,” James tells her while signing for me to know what he said. “If we need any help, we’ll be sure to let you know.”
Her eyes go wide as the light bulb goes off, and she shifts her eyes to me. Her hand goes to her chest as she gives me the dreaded pity face. As excited as I was for the jeans, I want to turn around and leave now.
Nope. Not happening. Let’s get the jeans because they’ll look amazing on you, and then we’ll get some wine.James immediately signs, already knowing what I’m thinking. That’s why he’s my best friend.
Okay, but you’re buying.
I head to the rack I saw them on when we stopped yesterday and, sure enough, they still have a pair in my size. I do a little shimmy of excitement and quickly snag them and the shirt, heading straight to the register.
I immediately hand over my credit card, not giving her a chance to speak, or make me feel less than. She rings the jeans up, then takes the card from me, processing the charge and giving me the card back along with the receipt. She folds up the jeans and places them in a bag.
Thank you.I sign, already knowing she has no clue what I’m saying. I can’t help but smile when James doesn’t even translate for her. He takes the bag from her hands, and we both turn and stroll out of the store.
It doesn’t take us but five minutes to make our way over to the winery and head inside. We opt to sit at a table outside and order a flight for each of us. Who doesn’t love having a sampler tray of different wines?
We probably shouldn’t tell Benton we’re drinking.
James nods in agreement as he cocks his head to the side and sticks his ear out. He’s eavesdropping. I shift my eyes in the direction he’s shifted to and see a group of women who are animatedly talking.
What are they saying that’s so interesting?I ask him, genuinely curious.
They’re talking about the Scorpions.
They’re the team my brother’s playing against.
Tell me more.I sign in response, eager to know the gossip. It's times like this when sign language is amazing. No one ever knows what you’re saying. Well, unless they know ASL.
It seems the Scorpions are hiring a matchmaker for their team. They think by getting them packed up that it will cause the drama to end. It’s some kind of PR stunt to clean up the nightmare of damage that the team has been causing.
I can’t help but laugh. Benton is going to die when I tell him. He and the rest of the Krakens will eat this news up.
Drink up. We need to get you home so you can change before the game. Plus, I know you’d love to catch Benton before he hits the ice and tell him the juicy gossip.
He’s got that right. There’s nothing more I want to do. I pick up a glass and start to drink. Mmm. Mango. My favorite.
2
Lincoln
Korbin better keephis shit together tonight.
I pull into the parking garage outside the arena and kill the engine. The Scorpions need this win. The standings are tight, and everyone knows the Krakens would love nothing more than to knock them out of championship contention. Especially their cocky right wing, Benton Lennox.
My jaw tightens just thinking about that asshole.
