“Oh god! Thank you so much!” She grabbed the leash from me. “He’s never taken off like that before. Stupid squirrels,” she huffed, hands on herknees.
Seven and Dozer started playing around a little as I put my hand on her shoulder. “It happens to the best of us. I’m Jessica, and this is Myla andKarla.”
We all waved as Dozer’s owner blushed a little. “Oh crap, where in the heck are my manners? I’m Jolene, but everyone calls meJoey.”
A tall man trotted up to us with a red-haired toddler in a jogging stroller. “Hey, love. That dog almost ran the whole bloody park without us.” His brogue soaked his words, and I couldn't quite put my finger on it, but I knew I had seen himsomewhere.
“Jessica here was able to stop him.” Joey turned to me. “This is my husband, Finn, and our little guy here isWilliam.”
Lilly started to scream at the top of her lungs, rapidly cutting off our small talk. Karla bent down, picking up her baby to rock her again. “Hey guys, I think I need to get her home. It’s a little too cold out here, and it’s getting close to her feedingtime.”
Finn and Joey waved goodbye as we turned to head back toward Myla’s apartment. It was our routine on my off days. Myla, Karla, the baby, the dog, and I all hung out for the better part of the morning, running in the park and then having an early lunch with mimosas before either hanging out with the guys or watching a hockey game, depending on if the Otters were at home or away. Working as a New York City police officer was my dream come true, but I’d never imagined that when I joined the force, I was really joining a huge extended family within my precinct, plus even more extended thanthat.
As we rounded the corner out of the park, an ad at the bus stop across the street caught my eye and it clicked rightaway.
“Hey, isn’t that the guy we just met in the park?” Karla was pointing at the same Calvin Klein sign I had beeneyeing.
Myla laughed a little. “Well, who would have thought we were just in the presence of a celebrity and we didn’t even have a fuckingclue.”
Chapter 6
Whistler
The frigid winterair wrapped around me as I walked down the block to The Cask and Barrel. I was pretty excited that Jordan was slinging drinks at one of my favorite watering holes again. It was high time she got back to her roots and worked for a relaxed joint. I was starting to get tired of going to visit her at the snobby mixology bars she had been working for. Being one of the best bartenders in the country had her in high demand, but sometimes she took jobs that brought her back to her origins in the crazy industry sheloved.
The Cask and Barrel was already filled with rowdy fans packed at the two bars like sardines. In true Otters’ fandom they were covered from head to two in red and blue with Ollie shirts and jersey’s the Hayes, Cox and Crosby on their backs. It was surreal to see the surnames of my friends gracing the top line of so many fan’s clothing. To me Gavin Hayes, Brayden Cox and Will Crosby were three regular guys, with regular jobs that just so happened to be hockey—to others, they wereheroes.
Sliding up to the side bar where a line of high-backed stools had white pieces of paper taped to the scratched wood with RESERVED bolded on them made me feel pretty important. I took off my coat and was immediately greeted with a dark draft and a kindsmile.
“Ah! You read my mind. How do you always know?” I sank into the chair noticing Jordan was wearing her Crosby jersey as she rang up anorder.
“I’m just good at my job,” she called over her shoulder. “I can always count on you to be the first one to show.” Jordan’s bubbly personality hadn’t changed since the first time Gavin and I met her all those yearsago.
I glanced down at my watch. “Chad should be here any minute, and I can’t believe the girls didn’t beat me.” I threw my coat, gloves and scarf over the back of the chair at the end of the row. “How have things been going with workinghere?”
Jordan’s face lit up as she whipped her short black bangs off to the side and out of her eyes. “I fucking love it. Best choice I’ve made in a while. Kyle is an awesome owner, and so is the rest of the staff.” Jordan pointed to the front door, and I turned to see Chad Tomlinson walking in with hisOllie is My Homeboyshirton.
He took the seat next to me. “Hey man, how’s it going? Haven’t seen you around the stationlately.”
I took another sip of my beer. “McBee and I have been working a lot of nights lately. We completely got the short end of the stick on that one. How’s the new lady? Word is you’re falling hard and fast.” I usually didn’t give a rat’s ass about anyone’s love life, but with being knee-deep in the holiday season and the never-ending grin that was plastered on Chad’s face, I just couldn’t help but get wrapped up in the magic of all of it. Every time I saw him in passing, he had the biggest shit-eating grin and a bounce in his step. I had to admit that I was happy for the guy. Chad was definitely one of the goodones.
I was usually the smartass jerk friend who was quick with a backhanded compliment or witty remark and I kind of enjoyed that part of my personality, but it was starting to get a little lonely. With Gavin wifed up and Brayden having a new baby with Karla, the days of shooting the shit with the guys and talking about our weekend conquests were far behindus.
Tomlinson burst with excitement, turning to me like a middle school girl about to gossip about a schoolyard crush. “Charlie is freaking amazing, a tiny dynamo with killer curves. I’m hook, line, and sinker into this chick,man.”
Jordan was quick with his bottle of Coors. I raised my glass in the air, and Chad brought his to mine as I said, “Cheers to that, man. I’m happy for both ofyou.”
Jordan slammed another draft of my favorite milk stout down in front of me. “Thanks.” I smirked ather.
Shooting over a quick wink, she glanced down at her watch. “Where the hell are the girls? They better not belate.”
I held up a finger. “Give me a second, I’ll check on them.” I walked past the three barstools with reserved signs taped to the back of them, waiting to be occupied by the rest of my crew once they arrived. Just as I was about to hit the green button to call McBee, her bright smile and piercing eyes captivated me. My partner had turned into one of my best friends over the last year and I hated to admit it to myself, but there was a small ember of something more growing within me. I fought it hard, but even so, it burned deep down in mygut.
“Hey,” I greeted all they with a wave before helping Jessica take off her coat and threw it onto the chair that was quickly piling high with all of ourouterwear.
Myla and Karla took their seats, leaving Jessica and me to sit in the middle next to each other. It was normal, but in that moment, I felt anxious. My hands went all clammy. I could feel my pulse in my neck. My stomach flipped andflopped.
Get a grip,man.
