Our parents deserve to not have to worry about their mortgage. It’s the least I can do.
“These programs saved me,” Rhodes says humbly. “I’ll always make sure to attend one of your events whenever possible. Thank you for having us.”
Tilly smiles, hearing his sincerity before glancing at me. She doesn’t seem to care that Skylar is keeping me hostage at his side, but her eyes light up at my presence.
“I can’t tell you how excited I was to hear you’d be able to attend,” she says. “I love when fate works in my favor.”
“So do we,” Skylar grunts like a caveman, making goosebumps raise all over my skin.
I don’t understand my reaction to him at all. It’s something I’ll need to look at later, once I’m back at my hotel room. I leave tomorrow, and I told my parents I didn’t need a ride to the airport. They’re on vacation, they deserve to sleep in.
If they’d accept more of my money, I’d make it so my father wouldn’t have to work anymore. Instead, I decided to gift them plane tickets and resort stays to places I know are on their bucket list.
It’s the only way I know how to tell them how much I appreciate them when I have so much difficulty speaking to them.
“I’m not sure if I’ve been much help, but I’m happy to be here,” I say to Tilly. “Youth sports programs are really important to me, and what you’re doing here is incredible.”
It’s not just hockey players who are here, there are a lot of different sports players who made a point of being here. Tilly and her colleagues definitely worked hard to have a successful event.
“Mrs. Travers just dropped off a very sizable donation,” Tilly says. “She came over to grill me about how kids are getting to our programs, and after I answered everything, I asked her why she asked me the questions that she did. Mrs. Travers told me that a certain tattooed Viking hockey player discussed it with her.”
I flush from head to toe at her words. I knew she was going to say something. I’ve gotten the nickname as a tattooed Viking from several fans recently because I always appear to be going to war when I get on the ice. I suppose I’m a little intense when I play, but I can’t help it.
Mistakes happen when you’re not at your best, and I hate fucking up.
“Hmm. So there are tattoos under that perfect suit,” Skylar says so only I can hear.
Ignoring him, I try to force down the embarrassed heat flooding my body. “I did discuss it with her,” I tell Tilly. “It seems that you have it completely under control. I should have done more research beforehand.”
“Meh,” Tilly says magnanimously, waving my words away. “It gave me a chance to speak to her and others about how our program works. Honestly, I should be thanking you. Please enjoy the rest of the event, and feel free to sneak away whenever you’d like. I know these events can be stressful.”
Tilly bustles off to speak to someone else and I decide to make a direct donation to help when I get back to my hotel room.
“Let’s make one more round,” Rhodes decides, his eyes on where I'm connected to Skylar.
Fuck. Why haven’t I moved away?
Stepping to the side, I find myself yanked back.
“He won’t let go,” I groan. “Help.”
“I don’t really feel like saving you,” Rhodes says slowly, his nostrils flaring for a brief moment. Fuck, what does that even mean? My fight or flight must be broken, because I don’t want to escape either. “Skylar can be the meat to our sandwich.”
My eyes get huge as Rhodes hooks his arm through Skylar’s other arm, and I wonder what the papers will say tomorrow about this. Although, no one seems to be paying attention to us at all. It’s gratifying that everyone’s solely focused on the charity’s mission instead of gossip.
“That definitely sounded better in your head, baby,” Skylar murmurs, his lips twisting in amusement as we walk. “No one cares that you’re walking arm in arm with me, Koen. Chill.”
“That’s a very tall order,” I reply. “I have a really early flight tomorrow, so I’m going to need to go soon myself.”
“You’re not as big as you look on the ice,” Rhodes says. “You hit people like you’re my size.”
“I don’t think I know many people your size,” I say. “What are you, six foot six?”
“Give me another inch at least,” Rhodes says, smirking.
God, he knows exactly how dirty that sounded. There’s no way he didn’t.
“I think it’s time for me to say goodnight.” I say slowly, untangling myself from Skylar’s arm.
