Page 22 of Puck and Prejudice

She hooks an arm with Chad’s and leads the way. Jackson follows them. Lydia takes a step to follow, but I stop her.

“What?” she snaps.

“I think Jane wants a private moment with her fiancée.”

She crosses her arms. “How can it be private if Jackson is with them?”

“I’m sure he’s going to wait in the car.”

And marble statues don’t really count.

ChapterNine

IZZIE

I’ve never been to a hockey game before. I was never interested in the sport. But when Chad got our entire family tickets to come to his first finals game against the Vancouver Vikings, I couldn’t say no.

Chad went above and beyond to make us feel welcome. We’re sharing one of the VIP suites with Chad’s family—at least, part of his family. His older sister, Louisa Hurst, whom Jane already knew from the dance studio, and her husband and two kids, a daughter and a son. They’re friendly, but I can’t say the same thing about Chad’s younger sister, Caroline. She barely talked to us, and when she did, she had an air of superiority. It could be in my head though. Jane seems to like her fine.

We also have access to the family-and-friends lounge, where Jane met the other wives and girlfriends of the players. They acted thrilled about Jane and Chad’s engagement, but I’m not sure if they were all being sincere or if it was for show. Jane says I’m jaded for always thinking the worst about people. Maybe I am, but I’d rather be on my guard with new people than trust them blindly from the get-go like Jane does.

The game is about to start, so we’re back in the VIP lounge. Mom is busy checking out the food, which is served buffet style, and Dad is staring at nothing, holding a glass of whiskey. I wonder what he’s thinking about. I take a step toward him, but Lydia stops next me and whines, “I wish we had glass seats. We’re so far away I can’t see anything!”

“Stop being an ungrateful brat. We have some of the best seats in the arena.”

She crosses her arms. “Jane got better seats, and that cool jacket that all the WAGs are wearing.”

“Jane is engaged to an actual player,” I grit out. “We’re just the entourage.”

My words do little to wipe the grimace from my sister’s face. She sits in one of the chairs in a huff, then takes her phone out and starts scrolling. I’m surprised she’s not shooting a million videos to post on social media. Getting tickets to attend this game is a big deal, and bragging about it would be a major flex. I don’t know what’s up with her.

I turn to Dad, but now he’s talking to Mom. She brought a plate of food to share with him. At least he doesn’t have the vacant look on his face anymore.

I’m not hungry—I’m actually nervous, and I don’t know why. It’s not like I’m a player, or dating one. Iamcurious about Jackson, and truth be told, excited to see him play. He’s a defenseman, and Jane told me he’s a savage on the ice. Anyone comes close to the blue paint or touches the goalie, and they meet his fist. I know all about being the focus of Jackson’s wrath, but with me, he’s managed to contain his anger. I wonder what he’s like when he doesn’t restrain himself.

I choose a seat a little farther away from my family, needing to be alone with my thoughts. Once the game starts, I remain by myself, but then Caroline sits next to me. There goes my peace.

“Do you like hockey, Izzie?”

“I’ve never really watched a game. I’m more of a soccer girl.”

“So you like the theatrics then?”

I frown. “What do you mean?”

“I hate the way soccer players like to pretend they’re badly hurt and make a whole spectacle out of it. I can’t stand it. Just play the game, you know?”

I don’t like the way she’s dissing the sport I just declared is my favorite, but I’ll try to rise above it; after all, it’s thanks to her brother that we’re here.

“Well… that’s just one small aspect of soccer. There’s way more to it than players pretending to be hurt. There’s a reason soccer is one of the most popular sports in the world.”

She takes a sip of her white wine. “I prefer hockey.”

OK, girlie. I get it. You prefer hockey. Why are you still talking about it?

“The rules of hockey and soccer are kind of similar.”

“I’m aware, but hockey is more demanding. And hockey players are real men.”

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