CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
Hailey
Jason managesto find parking only a couple blocks away from the Salty Salmon, and he hustles us along the sidewalk, my hand clasped in his.
“Where’s the fire?” I ask, half laughing as I jog a few steps to keep up with his long strides.
He gives me a chagrined grimace over his shoulder and slows down so I can keep up more easily, though we’re still walking fast. “It’s a game night at home. It’s wise to limit your time in public if possible.”
I arch an eyebrow at him, though I’m looking at the space behind his ear, so he can’t see it. “So that’s why we’re going to a sports bar?”
This time, he throws me a grin over his shoulder. “The Salmon doesn’t count as being in public.”
Shouting across the street catches my attention, and I see a group of men in white and green jerseys and matching beanies waving. Jason ducks his head and speeds up again, though I’m still able to keep up—barely.
Fortunately, it’s not long before he steers me to the left through a door into a dimly lit space. I barely have time to catch the logo of a leaping fish, water droplets splashing around it as we go inside. I’m guessing this must be the Salty Salmon.
The space is dominated by a long bar made of dark wood, shelves of liquor behind it, and large screens hanging near the ceiling showing different sporting events.
“Chalmers!” shouts the man behind the bar, tossing a towel over his shoulder. “Abernathy and Boggs are already in the back. They said there’s a whole crew of you coming out tonight. Like old times, huh?”
Jason grins. “Exactly. We’re fresh off a win, and we’re celebrating my new wife.” Releasing my hand, he guides me to the bar with his hand on my lower back. “Ryan, this is Hailey. Hailey, this is Ryan. He’s been working here since before I joined the team and makes sure that the Salmon is a safe haven for the Emeralds.”
“Not that these assholes take me up on it much anymore.”
Jason holds up his hands. “You can’t blame me for that. And I know plenty of us still come out here, even if it’s not quite the big crowd it used to be.”
“Nice to meet you, Hailey. What can I get you before this guy throws you to the wolves?”
Eyebrows raised, I glance at Jason. “Don’t believe him. My teammates aren’t wolves. Remember? They picked the Emeralds instead.”
Grinning, Ryan stays focused on me. “Oh, my bad. What’re you drinking?” He looks me up and down. “Let me guess. You’re a lady who likes a cocktail. Let me make you one of my specialties. It’s fruity and sweet. How does that sound?”
After glancing at Jason, who shrugs, I nod. “That sounds great. Thank you.”
Jason orders a beer, then he steers me toward the back, leaving Ryan to take the order of the guys who came in behind us. “That’s Barlow and Jenkins who just came in,” Jason says quietly next to my ear. “I’ll introduce you once they get back with the rest of us.”
We round the corner to where Tina, who I saw in the friends and family area but didn’t have a chance to talk to, sits at a booth with Marissa, Dozer, and another handsome man with short hair, a goatee, and piercing blue eyes.
“Tina,” Jason says, “you met Hailey, I believe? Abernathy, this is Hailey. Hailey, this is Abernathy, Tina’s husband and the Emeralds’ captain.
Tina stands and gives me a hug. “I heard Marissa was taking care of you tonight.”
“And I really appreciated all her help.” I turn my smile to encompass Marissa, who waves away my thanks. “She filled me in on all the ins and outs of the game.”
“All of them?” Jason asks.
I shrug. “Well, as many as I could keep track of tonight, anyway. It’s nice having a guide into the new and exciting world of hockey.”
“I’m so glad that you had a good time,” Tina says. “Don’t hesitate to reach out if you want more company, though. Or if Marissa’s not available.”
The man with the goatee steps forward, holding out his hand. “I’m Nick Abernathy. Nice to meet you.”
I shake his proffered hand. “Thank you. Nice to meet you too. I hear you’re the one responsible for strong-arming Jason into throwing a reception for the team.”
Shrugging one shoulder, he smiles, looking entirely unrepentant. “The team wants to celebrate your marriage. I understand you didn’t want a big production, but this is just a party. That way, the team doesn’t feel left out, which meanswhen your husband gets targeted on the ice, his teammates will still defend him.”
My brows pull together, and I look at Jason. “Not inviting the whole team to the wedding means they’ll let the other team beat you up?”
