“You know the drill, boys,” I say, all business. “Mingle, make polite small talk, pose for photos, stay relatively sober. Absolutely no exchanging of bodily fluids with guests.”
My eyes move to Eddie and he tries to look innocent, which actually just makes him look even pervier than normal. I focused on him because he is now the only guy in this group who is single. Well, other than Elijah, and, as the handbook indicated, he’s not subject to the rules just yet.
“Have a nice night.” I turn and walk away because, yeah, I might let him come home with me, but I’ll be damned if I’m going to make it easy.
5
Elijah
Even though Dixie is clear across the room, it’s impossible to stop looking at her. Damn, she’s hot. I’ve never seen her in anything but business wear. That dress is not business wear. I keep wanting to walk up to her and trace the lace hem with my fingertips.
“Eli!” Levi barks in a harsh whisper at me.
I blink and refocus on the people in front of me, two puffy businessmen who are also season ticket holders. I can tell by the expectant look on their faces they asked me a question, but I have no idea what it was.
“Eli likes playing with the Storm, right, Eli? They’re a good group of guys,” Levi tells the businessmen with an easy smile.
Oh. We’re talking about my career. Great. I press my lips into a smile like I’m perfectly okay with these guys who have probably never laced up skates weighing in on my life’s dream. But I give them an easy grin and say, “It’s a fun team filled with really talented guys.”
“Seems like you’re struggling a little, though. No offense, but I saw that you got pulled last game,” says the man in the blue suit.
My smile grows brighter as my thoughts grow darker. “Everyone has an off night.” You raging pile of pompous douchery, I add silently. “I’m just getting it out of my system now so I don’t have off days when they call me up.”
The businessmen chuckle and Levi smiles. Then they both ask for selfies, which we provide, and they tell us they’re going to check on the Mexican vacation package they bid on. They shake our hands, and the one in the blue suit leans in and says, “How’s the neck?”
“Like nothing ever happened.” I give my automatic standard answer to this question, trying not to let my tone sound clipped.
He grins and winks. “Good to hear it. And I bet that scar gets you a lot of tail.”
They saunter off, which is great because I don’t know how much longer I can hold this happy-go-lucky look on my face without physical pain. All I want to do is scowl. I fucking hate that everyone and their brother thinks they get to weigh in on the most horrible moment of my life. Seriously. It happens all the time, and it’s making my blood boil more and more every time. Levi steps closer and squeezes my shoulder. “Sorry, bro. They can be invasive.”
“It’s fine. And he’s right. Chicks dig scars,” I say and run a hand through my hair. “And speaking of chicks, I’m going to grab another drink and take a look at the eye candy in this place.”
There’s only one girl I intend to ogle, but he doesn’t need to know that.
Levi’s expression grows stern. “Thunder players can’t pick up women at team events.”
I grin. “You know, you should really consider acting after hockey. You could play the angry old curmudgeon in just about any movie without even trying.” I laugh, but he doesn’t. “Relax, I’ll behave. And besides, I’m not technically a Thunder player, Thor.”
Using the “God of Thunder” nickname he’s earned since joining this team gets the reaction I hoped for—he scowls. Triumphant, I wink at him and walk away.
I have no idea where I’m going. I just know I don’t want to talk to him anymore—or anyone. I’m really fucking done with everyone’s opinions and advice. I need to get in a better headspace if I’m going to stay at this event and convince everyone I’m in a great mood. I find myself by the large bar on the far end of the room so I order a Stella. Normally in this mood I’d want something with hard liquor, but Dixie warned us to take it easy on booze.
“Forget the beer. Make that two Piña Coladas,” I hear her say to the bartender before I see her. “And put extra umbrellas in his, please. Extra maraschino cherries in mine.”
I smile and turn to find her about half a foot down the bar. My mood instantly lifts and for the first time all night I’m not faking the smile that forms on my face. The pretty teal color of the dress stands out in the dim light, accentuating the way her hip curves as she leans on the bar. Her golden hair shimmers in the light from the tiki torches. It’s always so perfectly straight and sleek, and, man, I can’t wait to try to mess it up.
“Ms. Wynn, we are not supposed to be getting inebriated at team functions,” I tell her sternly and sidestep closer to her. “I believe you have a handbook on your person that will confirm that.”
“I gave the handbook back to our intern, Nadine,” she explains with a smile playing on her red lips. I want to smear the lipstick off them.
“Why did you have it in the first place?”
“Double-checking one of the clauses,” Dixie replies innocently. “I like to make sure I’m not a rule breaker.”
The bartender slides two icy Piña Coladas at us. Mine has two frilly paper umbrellas and hers has three cherries as requested. I chuckle. Dixie grins and clinks her glass against mine before putting those perfect lips to the straw. I take a big sip and then put my drink down on the bar.
“Do you mind if I follow you home tonight?” I ask her with a serious stare. “Because my mother always told me to follow my dreams.”
