Page 128 of Blitzing Emily

“It’s our pleasure,” the officer in the passenger seat assured him.

“I don’t have a game ticket,” she murmured into Brandon’s ear.

“You’ll go to the owner’s suite, and the team will take care of it.” He reached out to stroke her cheek. “You and I aren’t done yet, though.”

“I can’t believe you left. The coach must be freaking out.”

He extracted a small white florist’s card out of his pocket. “Remember that card you said you wrote? This is why I left.” He put it into Emily’s hand. “Amy texted me. She said you’d left New York, and you were on your way. Let’s just say there was some arguing with Coach on my way out the door. I told him I’d be back before kickoff.” He let out a breath. “There may not be a game for me, either. We might be watching from the stands, but at least we’ll be together.” He snorted. “The stuffed frog was a nice touch.”

Emily stared at the card, reading the sweet message she was too scared and full of pride to write. Her sister engineered their reunion. A wave of emotion washed over her. Amy wanted Emily’s happiness badly enough to take the risk her sister was afraid of.

“Hey. If you cry all over that, I can’t frame it.” Brandon put the card back into his wallet as the police car bounced over a speed bump at the entrance to the stadium twenty minutes later. It screeched to a halt in front of a doorway that read “Players’ Entrance.” The police officers escorted them into the building.

Brandon reached out to shake both their hands. “Thank you so much. I’d like to send you some autographed Sharks merchandise as a thank-you as well.”

The officers interrupted each other.

“We can’t accept that.”

“Thank you for the offer, but no.”

Brandon gave them a nod. “I’ll see what else I can come up with that won’t get you in trouble with the chief. It was great to meet you. Please tell your colleagues thank you from me, too. C’mon, sugar. We gotta go.” He picked up his suitcase and Emily’s backpack in one big hand and wrapped an arm around her waist.

“I’m not supposed to be here,” Emily protested to Brandon, but he wouldn’t let go of her. He pulled her down the hallway.

“Just let me find someone.”

He held the door open for Emily, and she walked into the locker room. She expected piles of dirty laundry, awful smells and half-naked guys wandering around. It was surprisingly luxurious, and at least everyone was dressed. It took a couple of minutes, but sixty pairs of eyes focused on Brandon. They didn’t look happy. In fact, “angry” was the word she’d use.

Damian stood. “I was about to put your ass on the back of a milk carton, dawg.” He crossed the room with a hand extended to Brandon. They shook hands, hugged each other, and Damian kissed her cheek. “Hello, love.” He frowned. “Why are you here?”

“Take your lips off my woman,” Brandon growled, but he didn’t object when Damian gave her a hug, too.

The coach called out, “Nice to see you could make it, McKenna. Hope you brought your goddamn checkbook.” He smiled at Emily. “Hello, Miss Hamilton. I’m fining McKenna an additional ten thousand dollars for bringing you into the locker room before a game. Of course, it’s a pleasure to see you.” He crossed the room to them, and Emily reached up to kiss his cheek.

“A kiss for luck,” she explained.

“We’ll catch up after the game,” he assured her. “You’re going to have to leave.”

“Bye, Coach. I know you’ll win.”

“I’ve always liked you,” the coach said.

She tugged on the coach’s jacket. “Maybe the fine could go to Lake Washington High School’s music program.”

He laughed in response.

A team employee stepped out of the crowd and took her arm. “Please come with me.”

“Hang on,” Brandon said to Emily. He hurried to his locker. He returned with a game jersey in his hands, which he draped over Emily’s head. “Perfect.”

“You might need this later.”

“Forget it. You gotta go, sugar.”

He turned back to the team, but not before she got a quick kiss and an, “I’ll see you later.” The kiss brought on a cacophony of whistles and applause.

Emily heard Greg shout, “Get a room!” He was suited up for the game. The team must have put him on the roster today.

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