A crowd formed, eager to soak up the win with a brewski and I busied myself.
Until I noticed a reporter hovering a few yards away. I made the mistake of catching his eye.
At the same time one of my coworkers yanked on my arm.
“You need to hear this, Christine.”
I turned around, keeping an eye on the reporter until I couldn’t any longer. There was Steven on the ice talking with Tawny’s boyfriend. And what was that? My picture. Oh, shit. They had gotten me on the jumbotron the second time while blowing him a kiss.
My phone rang while I was trying to process the shock. I didn’t even bother looking to see who was calling. “What? I’m a little busy.”
“Yeah, I think you are since you’re getting married? What the hell?”
“What?” Hearing Tawny’s question stunned me. “What are you talking about?”
As she rattled on something about the fact that I was the daughter of Senator Carrington, a man running for governor, at the same time I was seeing a horror story unfold on television.
“I’m trying to tell you this is the blockbuster story of the year. Jeff is required to run with it.”
Tawny’s warning was a wee bit too late. My mouth dropped open as the camera came in for a close-up on Steven and Jeff.
“I understand congratulations are in order,” Jeff said as he held the microphone toward Steven.
“Thank you. I think we played a great game,” Steven answered, still whooping and hollering with his team.
“Actually, I meant because of your upcoming nuptials.” Just then, a split screen was provided with my picture on it. “And Iunderstand Christine is Senator Edward Carrington’s daughter, a former national ice-skating junior champion who not only is a junior high teacher but also works here at concessions. And I am curious about how you feel regarding her father’s position on whether shifters should be allowed in team sports.”
“What are you talking about?” Steven asked and I could see the fury in his eyes. He took a step away so he could have a better look at the jumbotron, which was now flashing little hearts all over our pictures.
My stomach sank, my pulse racing. This was a fucking nightmare.
I backed away, shaking all over just as a shout came from behind me.
“There she is,” a woman yelled.
Without even realizing what I was doing, I took off running, dodging between people as reporters began to chase me down the corridor.
This was absolutely crazy.
I flew down the hallway, trying to figure out where to go. If I could gain some momentum, I could make a break for it out the employee entrance. Maybe I could jump into my car before they had me cornered.
The damn arena was like a maze.
But they kept coming.
Sadly, the group of reporters reminded me of wild animals or barbarians chasing after their prey. Somehow, they were gaining on me even though my legs were pumping.
I rushed around a corner going blindly while glancing over my shoulder.
So when I collided with something huge, hard, and impenetrable, I would have screamed had a hand not covered my mouth.
I was pulled into the shadows and pushed against the wall. The huge man standing over me was so warm and jolts of current were flowing, singing every nerve ending.
When the man who’d captured me placed a finger across his lips, I nodded.
Just as the mob flew by.
And in those seconds of wishing and waiting for them to pass, I realized my captor was none other than the man I was supposed to marry.
