The arena quickly became a madhouse.Kids in costumes everywhere.Fans in full cosplay.I even saw a couple dressed as Nate and me.A wave of nausea hit me at the sight, but I was distracted by Kenzie, who was wheezing and laughing beside me.The ice crew dressed as Marvel heroes, and even security had on Mickey Mouse ears.When we stepped into the concourse, a group of little girls gasped.
“Oh my gosh, Anna!”one squealed, pointing right at me.
I blinked, startled.“Me?”
“Yes!Can we take a picture?”another asked, eyes huge.
Before I could overthink it, I smiled, knelt, and let them gather around me.Kenzie moved to help, keeping the line moving that had somehow gathered, and Olivia puffed up with pride like she was my manager.Even though all the chaos, I heard a few murmurs:“That’s the Captain's girlfriend.”, “She’s so sweet.”, “She looks like the real Anna.”, “Aww, she came for the kids.”
It was… nice.I didn’t think being recognized would ever feel right, but here, in this context, the kids, princess dresses, families, it felt harmless and warm.Then I saw her.Brielle was up in one of the box suites, framed perfectly in the glass like a magazine cover.
She wore something shimmering and tight, her hair curled in dramatic, glossy waves.Her face is perfectly contoured. She leaned forward at one point, posing for someone recording her… and then the Jumbotron split-screened.
On the left was me, kneeling with a little girl dressed as Olaf, and on the right was Brielle, flipping her hair and touching her thigh like she was filming an ad.
The crowd laughed, and a wave of awwwws filled the arena.I didn't think it was meant to be mean, but my stomach dipped hard.I hated that people were still comparing us.
When the puck dropped, the game felt electric.Every time the camera cut to us, Kenzie and Olivia waved and smiled big.Their excitement was infectious, so of course I had to join in.When Marcus scored a goal, Olivia screamed, “THAT’S MY DADDY!”so loudly I’m shocked they didn’t pick up her audio.
Nate skated by once during a whistle, tapped the glass, and mouthed, “Love you.”
I swear I melted through the floor.
After the win, we were shuttled to the charity event, a huge space done up like a fairytale ball.The guys had changed into their costumes, and I nearly choked when I saw Misha dressed as Cinderella, enormous blue gown and all.“That child is evil!”he mock growled, pointing at Olivia, who cackled like a gremlin.Nate was obviously Prince Charming, in white pants and a dark jacket with gold trim.He looked ridiculous and stupidly, unfairly hot.When he saw me, the look he gave me, slow, hungry, possessive, sent heat straight down my core.I didn’t get to spend much time with him before a team of PR members whisked him away for photos and sponsor mingling, which was fine; this was his world.I could handle my own for a bit.
A man approached after a while.He was tall, with dark hair and an expensive suit.
“I have been trying to make my way over to you for most of the day,” he said warmly, holding out a hand.“You’re Tessa, right?Tessa Lane?”
I nodded cautiously.“Yes?”
“I’m Aaron Huxley,” he said.“My company runs Northern Roots Foundation.I think you’ve worked with our rescue division.”
I brightened.“You do the shelter-to-farm programs with the Indigenous communities up north!”
His smile widened.“Yes.We’ve followed your work.You’ve made a real impact.I would love to talk to you more about opportunities you would be great for.”
We fell into conversation easily, animals, rescue programs, and veterinary partnerships.He knew his stuff, respected the work, and wasn’t talking down to me.It felt good that someone in this world could speak my language.But then something shifted in the air.I felt it before I saw it, a prickling heat on the back of my neck.I turned and saw Nate standing across the room, jaw tight, eyes dark, fists clenched.He was staring at Aaron like he’d walked in on us kissing.To the left of him, Brielle tracked it all.Nate…me… Aaron...with a sharp, analytical expression like she was trying to assess where she stood in a hierarchy.
I swallowed hard and forced myself to breathe.
What is going on?
Kids rushed up then, tugging at my hands and asking for pictures and to dance with them for the costume contest.Aaron handed me a card and asked me to call him.I let myself get pulled away, smiling, posing, twirling a little girl in a Snow White dress.But the whole time, I felt it: Nate’s eyes, Brielle’s glare, the shift, the imbalance...Something tipping in the wrong direction.By the time the event wrapped, I was exhausted and overstimulated.
Too many cameras, too many staged moments and far too many people pulling at my attention.Nate found me by the coat check.
“You ready?”he asked, eyes too sharp.I could feel an agitated energy pulsing off of him.“We’re going to the after-party.I want you with me.”
“I’m… tired,” I admitted.“It’s been a long day.I think I’m going to head back with Kenzie.”
His jaw ticked.“Tess.Come with me.”
“Nate...”
“I got you another costume,” he said quickly, as if it would entice me.“Something for the party.You’ll look incredible.”
I stared at him, with a pit in my stomach.I alreadyknewwhat kind of costume that meant.
