So much for a good time. I walk around the pool, searching for Daniel. He’s tall enough not to miss, but I still can’t seem to find him.
My spirits lift when I see him across the lawn talking to a man and his wife. I’m guessing the owners by how so many flock around them. She’s the epitome of old money and the consummate host in her silk charmeuse dress that has her standing out in this red, white, and blue crowd. Champagne in one hand with her attention on Daniel while still managing to keep an eye on the party. I head in his direction.
He catches me approaching out of the corner of his eye and smiles. Even in a crowded party, he manages to make me feel like the only one he sees and that matters. Holding his arm out, he brings me in for a soft landing against hisside, kissing my temple and giving a quick introduction before they continue their conversation.
The woman takes me by the wrist and leads me to the bar. “Hockey talk,” she starts like we’re sharing secrets. “Sometimes I zone out.”
“I’m still learning so much, so it’s interesting.”
She smiles, patting my wrist. “Give it a few years. My husband never even played, and look at him surrounded by his idols and favorite players.”
“Silby,” a high-pitched squeal startles me from behind. “I didn’t know if you’d make it.”
I shift so they can talk without me being in the middle. They come together, digging right into stories I have no idea about. I get a glass of champagne and wander to the edge of the ocean. I sip but then look around for Daniel. This is too pretty to admire alone.
He’s not where I left him fifteen minutes prior, and I don’t see him with any other group. I walk to the house, needing to use the bathroom. My head is swiveling as I do one last search for my man with no luck. When I enter the house, groups of people are scattered around the living room, and there’s a short line for the bathroom. I wait for a while, still keeping my eyes peeled just in case I spot Daniel.
I leave the bathroom, looking both ways to see how I exit this hallway when a familiar voice drifts to reach my ears. I listen again and then follow the sound around the corner. The tense tones of the two men tell me I’m not supposed to be here. I can’t say anything, or I’ll be interrupting.
Daniel says, “You let that retirement story run and run it did. Rampant. Every sportscaster was talking about it.” I come to a standstill, so my shoes don’t make any noise on the marble floors. “Every paper. Page Six, of all fucking things. I thought we were closer than that, Coach.”
“I’m not in marketing or PR, Sutton. I had no idea until I read it online. Like you.”
“The difference is you didn’t care?—”
“I care. I’ve put twelve years into this team. Ten into you. I called to give you the only heads-up I was given.” The silence has me wondering if I should slip away before I’m discovered or if he’d want me in there. Daniel can fight his own battles, but would he want the support?
His Coach finally says, “I think you have some years left in this sport. It doesn’t sound like you want to be a part of the evolution of the league.”
“I want to play hockey,” Daniel says. His voice is almost small, unlike his stature. Or ego, for that matter.
“Then you know what you need to do. The program will soften the image and?—”
“I give up Summer and get to keep my spot on the team. Oh, and we can’t forget doing time?—”
My hand flies to the nearest wall, hoping I can stabilize myself before I fall. Give me up? My stomach convulses. I’m a detriment to his career now? The walls start to cave in as my head spins. I run, rushing through a group in the living room blocking the exit. “I’m sorry,” I plead when I spill a lady’s drink. I turn back, focused on the door.Just get out of here, Summer. I throw my arms out for balance as I run down the front steps and land on the driveway.
Looking both ways, I groan, “Now what?”
The fresh air feels good in my lungs as my hurried breaths rush in and out of my mouth. I start the way we came. Although I know it’s a long walk to a neighbor’s house, but I have crappy cell service and no other choice. I walk through the open gates and almost run into Lindy smoking a cigarette.
She hides it reflexively behind her back, but then breathes an audible sigh of relief. “I’m so glad it’s only you.”
“Yeah,onlyme.”
“What are you doing out here?”
Holding my phone, I say, “Spotty cell service.”
“Ah.”
“You?”
She takes another long drag and laughs. “I don’t smoke much anymore, but those women are toxic.”
“Katrina and Lori?”
“Mm-hmm.” She hides the cigarette again when a car pulls onto the driveway and heads through the gates. “They’re driving me to drink and smoke to take the edge off.” Shifting closer, she says, “Word of advice. Steer clear. If you can’t do that, ignore anything they say. I need a shower after I spend time with them.” Lindy looks at me again like she sees something she missed before. “Why aren’t you with Maverick?”
