“You’re sure?”
“Yeah. Seriously, it’s fine.”
“Okay, what time will you be home?”
“Probably before ten.”
“Ten?” Of course she’s shocked. I haven’t done anything outside the house since we moved here. I don’t know why I lie to her about the hockey game, but I do. I guess I worry that she will baby me or think I’m doing something wrong.
“Yes, it’s not a big deal.”
“You’re sure this John guy is okay? It’s a little odd to not have a formal interview anywhere.”
“It will be fine. I’ll text you later to let you know how it’s going. Go to the study group.”
She eyes me suspiciously but nods, letting me get off a little easy this time. I sigh with relief when she leaves my room. I grab my phone and order the car as I brush through my hair and apply new makeup. I make sure to wear a pad and as many deodorizers I have. Suppressants aren’t something that builds up in your system. It’s more like a birth control pill, working as taken. With these new pills, I’m not sure how I will react.
I do a cautionary once over in the mirror. Eh, it will do. I grab my purse and wait outside until my driver pulls up. I check the license plate with the app and get in. The driver is likely a college student as he takes me the five miles to the stadium. My heart is beating out of my chest the entire ride there.
Will call was easy enough to get my tickets. The first period is already nearly half way done as I find section 112. I look down at my ticket and see row A.What the fuck?
One of the attendants puts out a hand as I go to walk by. “Wait for a stoppage of game,” he says dryly, and I nod my head. I’m glad I wore my fuzzy pullover today. It’s pretty cold in the stadium. I can see the game behind the attendant, and I swallow thickly. I want to run, turn back, and go home. But I need this job. I need this job more than I hate hockey at the moment. A play is called, and the attendant lets me walk down the stairs to row A. They aren’t even normal stadium seats, they are folded chairs with the Foxes logo embroidered on the backs. I look at my ticket and see that I’m seat 7. I kindly scooch past the other people seated in the row, and that’s when I see John stand up and smile.
He’s tall and lean, probably in his mid-forties. He’s got bright blue eyes and short salt and pepper hair.
“Charlotte, so glad you could make it,” he says while holding out his hand, which I shake.
“Sorry I’m late.”
“No worries. Traffic can be a mess on game days. So many people are complaining about the expansion team because of the new traffic.” I hum in agreement, and he continues. “Not me though. The Foxes are now my biggest promotional and print client that I have. They had an opening for these seats. That’s why I had the last minute change.”
“Thank you for inviting me,” I say politely and think back to Piper and how strange it is that he has invited me here tonight instead of a formal interview.
“Icing!” John shouts, getting up on his feet, and he bangs on the glass in front of us. So does the man next to me. I’m so confused by the behavior, but I just keep my legs folded, and my hands buried in my thighs, planting a fake smile on my face like I enjoy being here.
“Sorry. So the position,” he says, sitting down. He makes eye contact and gives me a warm smile. “It would be work from home, except one day a week for meetings and team building.” I nod my head, thinking that is a reasonable request. “I’m looking for someone who can enter purchase orders and track shipments for clients, and really just handle the complete process for my sales managers. I want them out there selling and having a good back end staff to handle the desk work.”
“I’m very organized, and I’m a fast learner. I can learn your systems quickly, and I’m really open to however many hours you need me to work.”
He smiles and puts his arm around the back of my chair. It’s not creepy, maybe more so to just stretch out his arm as he smiles. “That’s exactly what I’m looking for. I do have something to ask.” I nod my head, and he smiles again. “Will you need time to take off for your heats?”
I swallow thickly and shake my head no. “Um, no. Not right now anyway.” I’m like 95% sure he can’t ask me that question, but I need this job, so I ignore the comment.
He nods his head and licks his lips. Suddenly there’s a loud bang right in front of us. It startles me. John doesn’t move his arm, and when I look up, deep brown eyes that I’m so familiar with stare back at me.
Mikael has a player pinned against the glass as they both fight for the puck. Another one of his teammates comes to help, and Mikael glares at me as he holds the player against the glass. I swallow, feeling raw and exposed. I’m not sure if I even blink as I stare back. Mikael’s gaze leaves mine as he looks at John, who finally removes his arm from my chair to bang on the glass and cheer on the roughness happening on the ice.
The other player is let free, but Mikael continues to stare at John. Mikael swings and hits the glass where John’s hand currently is. The men and women around me cheer as Mikael skates backwards back to the bench, his eyes darting between me and John the entire time.
“Holy fucking shit! Did you all see that? Sin bin Martel!” John shouts. Some of the men clap him on the shoulder. I’m in a daze, riddled in shock. Mikael got traded to the Foxes? I guess I wouldn’t know. I have everything blocked. Did he know I was living in Connecticut?
I watch as he hoists one leg over the barrier and takes a seat on the bench. I’m so laser focused on him that it takes me a moment to notice the man with the reddish-brown beard sitting next to him. Now there are two sets of eyes on me, and I look between them. They look at me, and then back at John. Eli’s features aren’t as aggressive as Mikael’s, but I guess that’s always been the case.
Eli doesn’t break eye contact as he ushers someone toward him with his gloved hand. The woman is pretty with light brown hair in a high ponytail, and she’s dressed business casual. She looks up in our direction and nods her head. I swallow thickly, wanting—no—needing to escape. My throat feels tight, and my heart is pounding out of my chest, but I can’t look away. I just stare at them across the ice, and I can’t help but wonder what they’re thinking. Do they miss me? Are they angry with me? Do they hate me? As much as I don’t want to be, I’m still angry with them. I look down at my shoes and blink a few times, trying to process.
Why the fuck are Eli and Mikael on the same team? They all got drafted to three completely different teams from what I remember. I turn to John, who is completely entranced in the game, and I remember him mentioning the Foxes are a brand new team. He called them an expansion team. How did Eli and Mikael find themselves in the same state as me? Is it purely coincidental?
The buzzer for the end of the period blows, and I wonder how I can escape but still ensure a job with John. Maybe a stomach ache? Or my roommate slipped and fell and needs me?
