Coach King didn’t apologize for screaming the sky down, but he did have a newfound respect for me. He had just given me a single nod before leaving me in the GM’s office.
The GM didn’t have much to add other than to encourage me to put a stop to my sister sharing the fight on all her social media as she had more of a following than most of the players. That was news to me.
I had no idea my sister was internet famous, and even though I was a little peeved at her sharingthe fight, I had a small spark of pride for her. I made a mental note to check out her page later.
Now, I was trying my best to behave during my fourth game on the bench. Four more to go. I hated seeing Fitz paired up with our other defenseman. Fitz agreed that they didn’t fit together as well, but what can you do? At least Ripley had his head back in the game. Even if his newfound grumpy exterior had yet to subside.
I scrubbed a hand across my jaw in frustration as the game was tied up 2-2. When Fitz was hit after the whistle hard enough to send him sliding across the ice, it killed me to not jump over the boards with everyone else.
We lost 4-3. Everyone showered our goalie with extra pats on the head and side hugs.
“Let’s go out.” Ronan throws his helmet down. “Who’s down?”
“I’ll go.” Ryan called.
“Me too. The new nanny isn’t terrible.” Ripley shrugged.
I texted Gloria. She reassured me to go and have fun, that the boys were already fed and in bed.
“I’m in.” I said, pocketing my phone.
“Guess I am too.” Fitz shrugged.
“Uh, the fuck you are,” Ronan shot back in the middle of shrugging on his jacket. Fitz paused with his helmet under his arm and ran a hand through his hair.
“Are you still on about the damn poptarts? Randy had to come get me from jail for riding my own damn bike. I think we’re even.” He said exasperatedly.
“We aren’t. It’s your own fault for not having your identification on you.” Ronan sniffed and turned his nose up as he walked past Fitz. I couldn’t help my chuckle. Fitz came anyway.
It started as a lowkey night. Until Ronan. He guilted us all into “drinking away his sadness”. We couldn’t leave the goalie hanging. I wish I stopped drinking an hour ago. Mostly because I saw my neighbor walk in with her best friend and my little sister. There was another girl with them that I vaguely recognized.
“Damn, Ronan. I shouldn’t have listened to you. Now I can’t go talk to her without looking like an ass.” I bumped his shoulder with mine and snatched the water off the table. A little sloshed over the edge of the cup before I brought it to my mouth and chugged it. It did little to sober me up.
The girls spotted us — due to Ronan shouting ‘Over here, Wifey!’—and made their way through the crowd. I fought the urge to drop my head against the table, not because I didn’t want to see Allison—I just didn’t want her to see me like this. Ronan chuckled at my groan.
“Don’t worry. The odds are still in your favour.” That made my ears perk up and my eyes narrow.
“What do you know?”
He mimed zipping his lip. “I’ll never tell.”
I rolled my eyes at him. I glance back to Alli, and when I do my heart skips a beat. Her sparkly black dress clings to her body and pushes her breasts up.
“This is torture.” I groan into my fist. The guys around me laugh at my expense. She looks likethatand I’m supposed to behave until she gives me a clear answer. It’s been more than a week. I’m usually a patient man but tonight… Tonight she came in looking like that with that easy smile that makes it hard to breathe.
“Wifey! Come here.” Ronan calls out louder than he needs to and pats his leg. Emalyn rolls her eyes but still sits on his lap, his large frame dwarfing hers.
I stand up to let Alli sit. The room immediately spins and my eyes become unfocused. Clinging to the back of the chair with one hand for support, I gesture to it with my other hand.
“There ya are, Darlin’.” My voice comes out low and gravelly as I fight like hell to remain standing. She just giggles.
“Looks like you might need it more than I do.”
“Holy shit.” Presley says glancing at me. “I haven’t seen you this drunk since Bambi broughtyou home from the bar when you were like eighteen.”
“Bambi?” Ryan bounces his brows. “Sounds hot.”
“She was my horse. It’s not a DWI if the horse is the one driving.” I plop down in the chair and drag Alli with me. “Sorry, Darlin’. I can’t stand. Your little brother is a bad influence.” I glance up at her, noticing her flushed cheeks and pouty lips. “You are so fuckinggorgeous.”
