“Are you having a good time?” I asked, putting my arm around Olive’s shoulders.
She leaned her head on me. “The best.”
Myla made huge puppy dog eyes at me and silently celebrated our embrace. The rest of the game was uneventful, until the last minute of the third period. The visiting team tied the game and it was down to the wire. They were on a power play, so the Otters took Crosby out of the game to get more men out on the ice fighting for the victory.
“Gah! I can’t watch.” Jordan hid her eyes as Crosby skated to the bench to join his teammates.
The strategy failed and the Otters lost their first game of the season.
“Gavin is totally going to blame this one on me, just watch,” I grumbled to Myla as I helped her put her jacket on.
“Oh, he’ll be fine. He’s gotten a lot better about losing over the years.”
“He does not get that from our father.” I grabbed Olive’s hand. “We’re all going to meet the team at a bar not far from here. Are you in?”
She bit her lip, looking over at Shaw. “We have a long drive back. I don’t know…”
Simon threw his hand in the air. “You are not taking this stud away from me this early, young lady.”
She laughed as Shaw gave her a reassuring nod. “I guess a little while longer wouldn’t hurt anything.”
Chapter 17
Olive
Talk about being star-struck. There I sat at the bar holding hands with a champion boxer surrounded by the players of my favorite hockey team.
“Is this real life?” I yelled into Griffin’s ear.
He kissed my cheek. “It better be, or it’s the best damn dream that I hope to never wake up from.”
“You must be the girl my wife won’t shut the fuck up about who has my little brother all goo-goo eyed.”
I turned to see Gavin Hayes standing right next to me, and I practically spit my water all over the bar top. “Holy fucking shit-balls of fire! You’re Gavin Hayes.” I threw my hands over my mouth as embarrassment washed over me.
Griffin and Gavin both laughed. “He’s a bigger deal than I am.” Gavin pointed to his brother and yelled, “Fucking middleweight champion of the motherfucking world! Let’s hear it for my little brother, the best damn boxer ever!”
Griffin’s face, neck, and ears instantly blared bright crimson as he punched his brother in the shoulder. “We’re here for you guys, man. It’s nothing, really.”
“Fucking loss,” the goalie grumbled as he walked up to us. I took deep breaths, trying to play this one way cooler than I had with Gavin.
“But the only one of the season,” I added in.
Will Crosby cocked his head to the side. “I don’t know you.”
“I’m Olive, but you can call me Liv.”
Griffin winked at me as Crosby got another beer from the bar and Jordan joined him, still wearing his jersey.
“Bates!” Crosby scooped Jordan up into his arms, twirling her around.
I leaned in closer so only Gavin and Griffin could hear me. “Are they together?”
Gavin grabbed his stomach as he chuckled. “Fuck! I wish. They have each held a torch for the other for too fucking long. They need to just fuck and get it over with.”
Another player walked up, agreeing with Gavin. “Preach, brother.”
“Olive, this is Brayden.” Myla pushed past her brother and husband, shoving Griffin off of his seat. “Let the pregnant chick have your seat.”
