Page 50 of The Blame Game

“Uh, last-minute decision,” Shea said. “Sorry.”

She squinted. “What is up with you? Why are you all …” She waved a hand vaguely.

“So, um, I think Dom got jealous of Travis tonight. And then he made a bakery open up to get me a chocolate cake.”

She blinked. “Well, is that the cake in the bag?”

“Yeah. You want some?”

“Obviously.” She turned away. “Cut me a slice while I change and wash my face.”

“Your night routine takes you like half an hour!” he protested.

“Well, blame your hockey man for that.”

Laughing, Shea carried the bag over to the counter. He lifted the box out and opened the lid.

Inside was the most gorgeous chocolate cake he’d ever seen. A sticker on the box held a description.

A three-tier chocolate layer cake filled with light, airy whipped chocolate ganache studded with honey and almond nougat, then covered with another thin layer of smooth, silky ganache. Topped with fresh berries.

“Wow,” Shea muttered. The cake was stunning and it looked and sounded delicious. He reached for his phone. He had to take a picture before he cut into this thing.

Fifteen minutes later as Audra walked into the living room, face bare, dressed in pajamas, Shea was still staring at the cake. He’d moved it to the coffee table along with a knife, fork, and plates. But he hadn’t cut it yet.

He almost couldn’t bear to.

“He bought me a cake, Audra,” he whispered. “What does that mean?”

She patted his head before she reached for the knife. “It means you’re an idiot.”

“Yeah,” Shea grumbled as she placed a slice on a plate and handed it over. “I probably am.”

Heating Up? All Signs Point to Olson and Barnett’s Flame Still Smoldering

Speculation around Fisher Cats forward Dominic Olson and stylist Sawyer Barnett began after they were spotted together following the High Park Towers building fire several weeks ago.

Although the Fisher Cats PR department released a statement indicating Olson had experienced no ill-effects following the fire and that Barnett was merely a friend Olson was looking out for, the men have attended several events around the city recently.

The duo has been spotted sitting courtside at a Toronto Titans game, attending a stand-up comedy show, and learning axe throwing at the stockyards.

The sudden spate of time spent together in the public eye has raised a few eyebrows, including ours here at JockGossip.

Mutual friends—as yet unidentified—have been in attendance as well but if you ask us, Olson and Barnett have looked awfully close lately.

Lingering looks have led to increased speculation that the two are dating.

One fan stated, “It’s weird, right? I mean, you never see Olson out with anyone but the guys on the team and then he gets spotted hanging out with this Barnett guy constantly now? And always with other guys there as “chaperones”? Totally suspicious if you ask me, especially after they were caught spending the night of the fire together.”

But whether that night was spent cozied up in bed together or with Olson platonically sleeping on the couch is up for some debate.

Another fan was less sure of their involvement. “Maybe we need to stop assuming that two men hanging out and having fun together means they’re dating. I know like half the team is gay now but Olson? Really? I don’t see it.”

Whatever is going on, it doesn’t seem to have improved Olson’s game.

In the final years of his contract, Olson has stepped into a lesser role on the team as fourth line center, but despite the team-friendly deal to retire a Fisher Cat at the end of this season, many fans believe he’s still being grossly overpaid.

CHAPTER NINE

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