“You want to come to the game tomorrow night?”
“I’d like that.” I glance at him curiously. “What does that mean, exactly, though?”
“It means you’ll sit in the seat I buy you and then meet me in the family lounge. I’ll introduce you as Victoria. People can put two and two together or not, but I don’t owe anyone explanations about my personal life. The guys who care about me will ask me questions in private, and the ladies will be nice, regardless. At least, initially.”
I nod. “Okay.”
“Are you comfortable with that?”
“I am. Or, I will be by tomorrow night.”
He reaches out to put his hand on my thigh. “It’s going to be okay. Promise. Chloe is going to be there, and I already talked to her about introducing you to people.”
“Okay.”
“You can sit with her at the game; she’ll introduce you to Juliet—it’ll be fine. I promise.”
I don’t think he can promise something like that, but I have to trust him. It’s the next step for us if we’re going to be together, so all I can do is push past my discomfort and tell myself he’s worth it.
Because he is.
I go to the game alone because I’m too nervous to bring Merrill or Ivy, even though Jordan offered to get me another ticket. For now, it’s easier to navigate this new era on my own. I have to make friends with these women if I’m going to be with him, and the first step is sitting through the game.
Instead of going down to the ice during warm-ups, I buy an overpriced glass of wine and then find my seat. The section is pretty empty and I figure most of the wives and girlfriends won’t come until closer to the puck drop, and I’ve given myself a little time to settle in.
Luckily, Chloe is one of the first to arrive. She’s with a beautiful brunette who’s heavily pregnant. That’s probably her friend Juliet, and Chloe doesn’t hesitate to introduce us.
“This is Juliet Elliott.”
“Hi. It’s so nice to meet you.”
“Likewise.” She rubs her stomach. “But don’t mind me if I spend the whole night eating.”
“You’re eating for two, you’re allowed.”
We all laugh.
Juliet grins. “So. You and Jordan. I want to hear everything.”
I flush. “Yeah, it’s been…well, a whirlwind.” I don’t harbor any illusions that Chloe hasn’t told her exactly who I am to him. “We’re trying to figure things out without things going crazy.”
“It’ll be okay,” Juliet says softly. “Just give yourself, and everyone else, a little time to see who you are together.”
“Will people give us a chance?” I ask. “I’m sure Coach Petrov won’t be thrilled.”
“Initially, probably not. But he’ll come around. He’s nothing if not fair. You’ll see. And most of the wives and girlfriends weren’t around back when everything happened. So they have no reason to think anything.”
“Thank you for saying that.” I look around as a group of women and children arrive.
“Auntie Juliet, when is the baby coming?” a girl who looks like a pre-teen says.
Juliet smiles. “Soon, I hope.”
“That’s Naomi,” Chloe says. “Wolf and Scarlett adopted her.”
There are a lot of names and faces to remember, and as promised, everyone is sweet and friendly, if not openly curious. I see a couple of ladies whispering but Chloe squeezes my knee and whispers, “they’re more shocked that Jordan has a serious girlfriend than anything else. It’s fine. Breathe.”
Easier said than done but I’m okay.
