“What, like in bed? Don’t threaten me with a good time, stalker daddy.”
“Right? He’s trying to warn me off him, but it’s having the opposite effect.”
“Ugh, I have to go. I think Carmen’s here so I can take Eli to school.”
“Okay, we can talk later.”
“If anything happens, text me immediately.”
I laugh. “Anything at all?”
“Anything with stalker daddy.”
“His name is Noel.”
“He’ll always be stalker daddy to me. Gotta go.”
She ends the call and I shake my head, reaching for my mascara. I should really be filming this because I always need content, but I’m too distracted.
I’m going to find a local coffee shop to start my day. I know I’ll spend the first couple of hours watching new content about Noel, updating Deb on it by email, and responding to some comments.
Noel’s growing online female fandom is the biggest positive thing we have going right now. It’s being overshadowed by Carter’s injury, and I’m sure yesterday’s loss will be a hot topic today.
I’m not sure how I feel about that. I enjoy Noel’s frustration with being seen as a sex symbol. But I don’t want other women trying to get with him, because what if it works?
I only want him to see me. It’s a dangerous game. If Deb or anyone else in management catches on to my feelings, it could come back on Noel. I can’t risk that.
Somehow, I have to find a way to be with him alone again.
Lainey Stone flewto Vancouver for tonight’s game, and I’m joining her in one of the boxes to watch it. She’s an adorable redhead with a beautiful smile.
“I heard you spent some time with Olivia and her friends,” she says. “That was so sweet.”
“She’s a doll. I really enjoyed it. How about you and Bash, do you have kids?”
She shakes her head adamantly. “Definitely not. Maybe someday, but we haven’t decided.”
“I totally get that. I have two nephews, and I love them to death, but I don’t know if I want any kids of my own. I’m leaning toward no.”
“Isn’t it funny how people still assume everyone wants kids? I get shocked looks from complete strangers when I say I’m not sure.”
“Shocked looks for women who say it, but respect for men.”
She raises a hand in the air. “Testify.”
There’s action close to one of the nets, our team fighting to get the puck in the net, but Bash’s shot narrowly misses.
“Shit,” Lainey says softly. “So close.”
“How’s he doing over the Carter situation? If you don’t mind me asking.”
She flashes a smile at me. “Of course I don’t. He’s ... I don’t know,tryingto handle it well? He and Leo put on a strong front for Carter. Telling him to focus on getting better, that it won’t be long, but I can tell he’s off balance.”
I nod. “They all seem to be that way. To me, at least, but I don’t know any of them well. It was a shock. The pieces were all in the right places, and then it was like a boulder dropping from the sky and smashing up the plan.”
“Exactly. But it happens, and they have to find their way through. Fortunately, Bash said that injury isn’t one that should affect Carter long term. It’s not a hard one to come back from, as long as you stay out long enough and rehab it well.”
I interviewed Caroline, the team doctor, the day after the announcement about his injury, and she said that, too. She’s not releasing him back to playing until she’s confident he’s ready, but she doesn’t anticipate any problems.
