I twist my body to reach behind me for my sweater on the hook by the door. To my surprise, he takes my sweater and opens it to help me slip it on. Lines form on my forehead as I pick up my own bottle of wine from the side table. A gift is a gift no matter if the bottle was on sale.
“Not going to lie. Gentleman Tyler is kind of discerning. I’m not used to this.”
He chuckles once. “I can be full of surprises. Just like, we will be wearing Santa hats.” On cue, he pulls them out of his back pocket. “Asher issued a memo that the team should have a little more positive holiday cheer.”
“He said it like that?”
“No. But then marketing told us that we need to get it together because our pre-game arrival photos are not up to par with other teams’. When one of the guys said he has an elf hat and another guy said reindeer ears, I opted for Santa. It’s sophisticated enough if I had to choose from those options.”
The way this guy thinks puts a smile on my face.
It’s when we begin to walk down the stairs that I become positive that this is going to be a night to remember.
I’mgrateful when the group at Bjorn’s isn’t too big or small. The apartment is beautiful, with garland and white lights all around. I also appreciate that Tyler introduced me to some of the new players as his neighbor. Many already know that I’m Seb’s little sister, but there have been a lot of trades lately, though a few faces are the same.
For a millisecond, my mind sends a signal to my body that I would probably be disappointed if Tyler got traded.
Tyler’s hand is on my back as we stand withdrinks in hand, listening to Bjorn. He is telling us about how his parents are going to fly in and stay a few weeks later in the season. He’s superstitious and believes having his mom at a game will bring extra luck.
“I hope one day my son thinks that way,” I quip before taking a sip of my wine.
“He will. Enzo is crazy about you,” Tyler assures me.
Bjorn smiles as his eyes swim between Tyler and me. “When will he start playing hockey?”
The question on everyone’s mind when it comes to Seb’s nephew. “Believe it or not, I’m not so great on skates. Seb was in charge of Enzo when it came to anything hockey. But until the season breaks, Enzo is just going to have to wait.”
“Nah, I can take him,” Tyler offers.
My eyes swing to him. He says it so casually, and that’s what surprises me. I should be fighting the idea that he could be a male figure in Enzo’s life, because it’s dangerous. Enzo needs stability. However, everything inside of me reassures me that all is well.
“Want another drink?” he asks because he has no clue the current status of my brain.
“Sure,” I nimbly reply.
I can’t help it, but my eyes follow Tyler working his way through the crowd of people.
“He’s a good guy,” Bjorn mentions. “Strong ethic out there on the ice, and off the ice, he’s kind of quiet. Actually, a bit reserved at times, but every team has one of those guys. You’re close with him?”
My lashes flutter because I take a moment. “We’re just neighbors.” I shrug.
He curls his lip and makes a noise as his head tips gently to the side. “He kind of has this… what’s the word…” It’s obvious that he’s searching in his head, which is fair enough, as English isn’t his first language, then he snaps his fingers. “Aura. That’s it.”
I scoff a laugh. “That would be because Scrooge is in the midst of holiday season.”
“What I meant is lately he’s been… He actually smiles… voluntarily,” he simply states.
Is it because of me?
“Must be because of the garland above his door or something.” I quickly pretend to take a sip of my empty glass as my eyes scan around the room in an attempt to avoid any further details.
I’m thankful when Tyler reappears with a drink for me. “What have you two been talking about?” He hands me a new small glass, and I set the old one down on a nearby table.
“You.” Bjorn stares at him seriously, only to break out in a wide grin a few seconds later. “You look good in a Santa hat. It will help you when we break out some games later. Someone’s girlfriend mentioned Who Am I or whatever the hell that game is.” Bjorn pats Tyler’s back in passing.
Tyler stands in front of me with a subtle wry smile. “Should I be worried?”
I laugh once. “You’re fine.”
