I don’t answer him. I just pick up my pace. Man, today is turning into a clusterfuck.
The NHL Network crew is at the door chatting with the security guard when I get there. I’ve worked with the producer before and it’s gone great, so I can only hope today will be the same. I lead her, the camera guy and the lighting guy, who is pulling a dolly full of equipment, back the way I came. The producer, Celine, hands me her shot list. It’s pretty straightforward. The guys will take some shots on the ice in their uniforms and pose together for a few stills. This is the stuff the network plays to promote games or in between periods as filler. I’m guessing the need for new footage has to do with Eli being called up for the rest of the season.
The door to the locker room is visible again. He’s in there. I know it. I can feel him. The anticipation of seeing him again creates a tingle down my spine. My brain may know it’s over, for now, but my body clearly didn’t get the memo.
I point down the hall. “You guys can get set up on the ice, and I will make sure the guys are ready. Who do you want first?”
“Darby would be a good start,” Celine responds and continues toward the tunnel to the ice.
I take a deep breath and step into the locker room, shielding my eyes with my hand. “Are we all decent?”
There’s a mix of affirmative answers so I uncover my eyes. Levi looks amused, Darby looks baffled, Jude looks concerned and Eli looks goddamn beautiful. He’s hunched over wearing his goalie pants and a gunmetal-gray Under Armour shirt. He’s looking up at me with those dark green eyes through his thick, almost black lashes. His expression is hard and tense, but it softens as soon as our eyes connect. I look away—I have to—and move my focus to Duncan. “They’ll take you as soon as you’re ready, Duncan,” I say.
“Honey, I was born ready,” Duncan proclaims. He finishes tying his skate and stands, grabbing his stick and winking at me on his way out the door.
“The rest of you can make your way over to the ice once you’re geared up,” I explain and turn to leave.
“What’s wrong with you?” Jude asks, stopping me in my tracks.
I turn back to face him and nervously push my hair back. “Nothing. Why?”
“I don’t know…” Jude cocks his head and his eyes sweep over me. “You’re acting weird.”
“No, I’m not.”
He gives me one of his cocky grins. “You have never covered your eyes coming in here before. You’ve just barged right in.”
“Yeah, well, I’ve decided if I want to see your penis, I’ll Google it,” I reply tartly and Levi laughs. I don’t hear a sound from Eli’s corner of the room, and I don’t look over to gauge his reaction.
“There’s the Dixie we’re used to being horrified by,” Jude announces and acts relieved. I smirk.
“Get dressed and get out there, please.” I turn and walk down the hall toward the ice.
The crew set up quickly and are already positioning Duncan for the shoot. I lean against the boards and watch. Levi and Jude join me a few minutes later. Celine goes through her list with speed and accuracy. Levi and Jude do some drills, taking slap shots and posing as requested. I keep glancing behind me, waiting for Elijah to show up.
“Okay, now let’s get some footage of Levi taking shots on Eli,” Celine announces and looks at me.
“I’m sure he’ll be here shortly,” I reply and glance behind me again.
“Go yell at him like you do at us every time we’re late,” Jude suggests.
“Levi, do you know what’s taking him so long?” I ask, ignoring my brother completely.
“No idea.” Levi shrugs. “Probably his hair. It’s high maintenance.”
Everyone laughs except me. Jude is looking at me with that confused head tilt. My brother is too good at reading people. I force myself to sigh, like I would if I was annoyed with any of the players for being late, and I make my way back to the locker room.
Elijah has his back to me, pulling his jersey over his chest protector. I watch silently as he picks up his neck protector and stares at it. I clear my throat. His head snaps up, but his eyes cloud over even more when he sees me. “They need me?”
I nod. “They want Levi to take some shots on you.”
He nods. “Of course. They want to see me make him look like a rookie. I can do that.”
He’s chipper and his snarky comment is definitely typical Eli, but for some reason I feel like something’s off. “Are you okay?”
He looks up, and there’s a blankness in his eyes. “I’m great.”
He’s looking at me like I’m nothing more than a Thunder employee…and it almost knocks the wind out of me, which makes me a hypocrite because it’s exactly what I told him to do. I take a step back and struggle to fill my lungs, but I keep my shoulders back and my eyes squarely on him, refusing to admit it.
