Page 26 of SlapShot Sweetheart

Nervously, she picked back up the velvet box and held her breath as she opened it slowly… and let it snap shut audibly, laughing at her own foolishness.

“What were you hoping for, silly? An engagement ring? We barely tolerate each other, and I’m only here as a nice and friendly gesture. Hockey, or ‘ockey’ as he says it, is not my thing… not at all. No, sir-eeee…”

Aimee paused again, putting the tiny box on the dashboard of her car and staring at it before continuing on the very one-sided conversation that was bordering on a pep-talk.

“Why am I even here? Why am I even doing this? I mean, sure, he’s gorgeous, but he’s annoying because he thinks he’s so smooth and charming – which he isn’t – well, he isn’t smooth at all. Kinda charming, if you like dumb or corny, which I don’t… or do I,” she hesitated, angling her head and speaking to the box. “Do I like corny guys who do weirdly romantic things? Because I’m starting to think that Theo has definitely got his fingers in the pot of whoever is doing all the sweet stuff… because you definitely qualify as ‘sweet’ if there is something sparkly in there.”

She squinted and glared at the box.

“If there is something sparkly in there – Theo and I are going to have words,” she grumbled, trying to sound frustrated and angry… and failed. “What am I going to do if there actually is something sparkly in there? Is he expecting me to just fall right into his arms because that’s not happening! I’m not some silly girl who caves the first time some guy shows her a bit of sweetness… and not with him. Ugh. Not Theo and his lack of enunciation when he talks. And we’re not even dating!”

She pointed at the box.

“We’re not dating!This is not dating!”

The box sat there silently as she crossed her arms over her chest before unfolding them a moment later to jerk the plasticbeads over her head. The box seemed to loom in the silence of her car, and she expected to see someone walking past her vehicle at any moment. The game had to be starting soon, and she was going to be late if she didn’t get her butt inside.

“No comments!” she snapped at the box, snatching it and jerking it open, only to stare silently at the contents. Inside, on the black velvet background, were a pair of emerald earrings that shimmered silently. “Oh Theo… what have you done, you dork,” she breathed softly as she inspected them.

Her fingertips were trembling as she removed them from the box. Putting them on her ears, she stared at her reflection, marveling at the incredible earrings, and she heard her phone beep. Yup, she needed to get inside and saw Theo’s two text messages on the screen.

We’re even, and I know how this feels now

Are you okay?

I’m walking in now

She quickly replied, grabbing her keys and getting out of the car. As she jogged up to the door, she was ready with the pass card – only to see a security officer standing there. Before she could open her mouth, the man nodded and waved her through.

“C’mon, Miss – they’re already lining up in the hallway. I’ll take you.”

Blinking, she followed the man blindly, realizing she probably should have introduced herself or said something. She could have been anyone, and he was walking her into the bowels of the arena that was echoing loudly in the distance with a dull roar of excitement that seemed to be growing and growing. As she walked behind him, the hallways were getting more and more crowded… and then she saw the players.

Massive, hulking uniforms full of padding, lining both sides of the hallway. They were talking rambunctiously, slapping each other on the helmets and shaking hockey sticks as they balanced on thin blades attached to the soles of their feet.

“Hey, Batiste! You said ‘hot redhead’ – eh?”

“No ‘H’ dummy…”

“My bad – ‘Ot redhead…”

“Tais-toi idiot,”Theo snapped, and she identified him by the number on his jersey combined with the quick movement as he jerked his helmet off his head. The security guard was walking her directly through the mass of uniforms as several of the guys whistled and teased Theo.

“She’s too pretty for you…”

“I bet she’s got a fiery temper…”

“I bet she keeps Batiste in line…”

“Someone has to…”

“You think she gets as angry as he does…”

“I dunno – Batiste has got a mouth on him…”

“Truth, brother, truth!”

“You’re ‘ere,” Theo began, his dark eyes searching hers. “Did you ‘ave any problems or ‘ave a ‘ard time finding the place?”

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