“About time you tell us,” Toby says. “Now let’s really talk.”
Not going to lie. Having someone to gush about Torin with turns out to be one of the best things that’s come of today. It also makes me realize that maybe I am falling for him. Just a little, anyway.
Chapter Twenty-Four
TORIN
I cheerwith the crowd when Atty makes a goal in the shootout to win the game against San Jose. I’m excited enough that I almost scream with everyone around me. No one would hear it. But my cheering is silent as I jump with my hands in the air to celebrate.
Almost as soon as the game ends, I’m surrounded by people. Kids mostly. Everyone wants a picture with Surry the Seal. It’s a mixture of funny poses, hugs with the littles, and just standing awkwardly with adults who need their pictures taken with the mascot.
The minutes drag on as the line of people wanting pictures seems to grow instead of shrink. When it finally finds its end, I turn with the intent to head to my office and forego lobby time. I’m anxious to get to Hugo. Just because I can, and I miss him.
I feel foolish missing him. We were together all day yesterday and today right up until we had to report for the game. Missing him seems silly.
However, when I turn, I come face to face with a guy with one of those foam fishing nets. I don’t know who came up with the design. Instead of a foam finger that’s boasting #1, someone decided to make it sea-themed, like our team name and the mascot, and create a fishing net. Honestly, it’s comical. We don’t sell them here, so they must be gettingthem online.
He’s grinning, holding the net as if he’s ready to wave. Because he startled me and I jumped a little, I play it up and grab the net from him. Spinning, I run. Not quickly. My vision is precarious at best in this thing.
I hear him behind me, laughing. Calling me. Just before I meet a traffic jam of people, I spin around and bop him on the head with the net. He laughs. Not giving him time to react, I toss it at him like it’s hot and take off past him, this time in the direction of the employee doors.
He’s behind me again, chasing me with the net. People are laughing. I see flashes of cameras. I grin as one of the security guards sees me coming and opens the door for me. As soon as I’m safely behind the half wall that leads to the chute, I turn and wave at the guy with the net.
“Cheater,” he yells, still laughing. “I’ll catch you yet.”
I shrug, do a little dance for him, and then turn down the hall. There’s a door just inside the chute that will lead me to the hall where my office is. As soon as I’m inside and completely out of view, I work on loosening my seal head. I appreciate the way it’s secured into place. It allows me freedom of movement without the threat of my head falling off.
However, it takes me right up until I reach my office to get it undone, and I enjoy a breath of fresh air when I’m out of it. Literally. I set it up on the shelf with the others and quickly strip out of my costume to hang on the bar. This one needs to be cleaned before I wear it again. I’m pretty sure someone spilled something on me.
A knock on my door has me turning in time to see Hugo poke his head in. I love the way he smiles when he sees me. I’m so relieved he’s back. There’s a stretch of six away games over eleven or twelve days that I’m not looking forward to in the future, but thankfully after that, the road trips are for shorter periods of time. And then they’re here for almost the entire month of March.
But right now, Hugo is walking in my door with wet hair dripping down his face and looking sexy as hell in his suit that doesn’t quite fit him right. The door shuts behind him as he crosses the room and takes me into his arms.
He got home yesterday and we barely let go of each other. Itwasn’t even sexual, though we were both hard almost the entire time. I swear, I’m in a constant state of arousal when pressed against him, even when it’s just sweet moments we’re sharing. I can’t help it. He’s just… everything. The way he makes my heart race!
Hugo’s arms are tight around me. I love the way he hugs me. It’s so tight and secure, as if he’s trying to convey his emotions through his embrace.
“You played a good game,” I say.
He shrugs. “Eh. We did okay.”
“You made the winning goal in a shootout, and you blocked like a dozen shots.Youhad a really good game!”
I feel his smile pressed against my neck. “Thanks.”
He shifts so his mouth can reach mine, then Hugo kisses me deeply. The kind of kiss I can feel in my toes. It’s so deep, so thorough, that I hook my foot around his leg and maybe rock my hips against his.
That is, until there’s a knock at the door and we’re both startled apart. I don’t think it’s a conscious move on either of our parts. It’s not like we’re doing anything wrong.
The door opens and Noah peeks in. “Hey,” he says, smiling. He’s got such a pretty face. His smile makes him look like a model. “Why do you look so guilty?”
His eyes are on Hugo and I instinctively move between them, blocking Hugo from view. Not that I know why he looks guilty. Noah’s eyes move to me and he smiles.
“We’re going to celebrate our win with food. Want to join us?”
My stomach flips at the prospect of having to be in a crowded restaurant with too many voices all crammed close together. I’ll go if Hugo wants me to, but I would really rather not.
“We’re heading to Atty’s for food,” Noah clarifies.
