It’s made more hilarious when the goalies start in. Buffalo’s goalie, Asael, basically bats away a shot and barks, “Don’t make me skid on your moss, Miss Sandy.”
The way both teams are chuckling under their breath, it’s a miracle that we manage to play a somewhat decent game. By the third period, we’re throwing barbs at each other with an unspoken competition to see who can say the most absurd one.
I think Buffalo’s Sacha Ivanov takes the cake with, “I will shove my skidmoss down your sandy rides if you don’t watch where place sticks.”
I laugh as I glide my way back to the bench!
By far, this is one of the most entertaining games I’ve ever played. In the end, we lose 1-3. Sure, we’re bummed that we lost, but this was by far the best way to lose, ever. I’m not sure the fans knew what was happening on the ice, except that we were laughing throughout the game.
On the way out, I hear the press asking, “What had you laughing so much during the game?”
Since it’s Ethan answering questions, he says, “Arizona is shit at their banter. And honestly, they still don’t know what a skidmoss is. How ridiculous.”
“It was just banter on the ice?”
Ethan continues to subtly make his inside jokes that only our teams will understand, leaving the press to pretend along with him. I’m not the only one chuckling as I leave the building. I can only imagine the new memes that will come from tonight’s game.
Once I’m outside in the cool, night air, all sense of calm amusement is gone. I have a boyfriend to pick up. My stomach flips in excitement. Soon. Soon I will have my man back in my arms. Inmybed for the first time. All night.
I’m bummed that he has an early flight tomorrow. I get it since he has to fly back east for his game against Toronto the next day. But it would have been nice if the hockey gods could have arranged a two-day break for both of us. Give us at least twenty-four hours uninterrupted.
But we’ll take what we can get.
I hang around the parking lot sitting in my car like a creep, watching as Buffalo piles into their bus for the hotel. It’s nearly forty minutes later when the bus finally leaves and I’m left cursing the press. No doubt they’re the reason that we’re still here at half past ten! My hours with Caulder are limited. Have some fucking respect, people. I need all the minutes with my boyfriend I can get.
The parking lot is nearly empty by the time I follow. I circle around to arrive at the hotel ten minutes after the bus, but I don’t see Caulder. I park off to the side, in view of the front door until I see him step outside. Then I pull up right in front of him and he climbs in.
He’s not in his suit, but in gym clothes. “You changed,” I comment as I drive us toward the exit.
“Ethan was talking to me, and I think he’s already suspicious from earlier, so I didn’t want to just dip out. Apparently, I looked sick on the bus ride and Creed was concerned so he came to check on me, but I wasn’t in my room because I’d been with you. I got the impression Ethan must have seen me get into your car earlier.”
“Ah.”
“He covered for me. And hasn’t asked,” Caulder says, turning toward the window.
I grip his thigh and his hand covers mine, though he continues to look outside. “You okay? You want to go back?”
Now his eyes turn to mine. “No. I want to go home with you. Ethan won’t bring it up unless I do. That’s just the kind of guy he is.”
Relief makes my shoulders relax. I would have brought him back if he’d wanted to go, but I need him in the worst fucking way. I’m all about orgasms, but honestly, if all he wants to do is wrap around each other tonight, I’m here for that, too.
Caulder remains quiet on the drive to my house. I live in one of the rural neighborhoods surrounding Phoenix. It’s quiet. Lots of families with older kids, which I find I enjoy better than younger kids screaming outside all day. I’ll take the teenagers skateboarding up and down the street. They’re quiet.
I pull right into my garage and practically jump out of the car. Caulder has his door open by the time I make it to his side, so I offer him my hand. He gives me an amused look, but lets me pull him out. I yank him to his feet and against my chest, wrapping him in my arms.
He sighs, sinking into me. For a long time, we remain like that.
“How did I ever live without this for so long?” he murmurs.
I’m not sure he meant to say it out loud or if he’s looking for an answer. So I don’t say anything, just hold him tighter. We’reso still that the motion-activated lights flicker off and we’re plunged into darkness.
Caulder laughs.
I drop my hands and grip his thighs, hauling him off his feet. His arms tighten as I wrap his legs around my waist. The movement makes the lights turn back on, so I bump my hip into the car door to shut it and head for the house.
Caulder kisses along the side of my neck. “You’re so scruffy,” he says, rubbing his cheek along mine. I grin. “It’s hot. Why are you so hot, Lo?”
“I’m trying to fluff my pheromones,” I tell him. “Make sure you’re still into me at your most animalistic level.”
