Page 26 of Keeping it Real

“I’m taking Finn and Hattie for a walk in the park this afternoon.I know you guys like to grab a nap before games.If we’re gone, the house will be quiet for you.”

Alek stared at her.

“What?”

“Thanks.”He was lucky to manage that one word because the moment the word “nap” slipped past her lips all Alek could think about was crawling into bed.With her.

He was so screwed.

Seven

“This is so awesome,”Finn announced as they took in the arena from the bird’s-eye vantage point of the owner’s suite.

Sheridan had to admit to being a little in awe herself.She’d been to several of Jamie’s games when he played in Boston.The players always had decent seats to gift out to family, but she’d never once been invited to watch the game from a suite.Much less one belonging to the team’s owner.

And then there was the Mayhem’s owner, a man much younger than Sheridan expected.Wearing an Armani suit and a Jacob and Co watch that probably cost more than Alek’s house, Max Kellogg looked like he’d stepped out of a meeting on Wall Street rather than a man about to attend a weekend hockey game.He greeted her and Finn with genuine interest, but she got the sense that he was also taking in the nuances of the conversations all around while he was talking to them.

“You are welcome to watch the game from up here,” he offered.

Finn’s smile faded before he remembered his manners.“Thank you.”

Kellogg’s lips twitched.“But something tells me that sitting among a bunch of stuffy grownups”—he gave Sheridan a little bow— “present company excluded, doesn’t compare to watching the game from along the boards.Even with unlimited free food.”

“I kinda wanted to sit with Gunner,” Finn replied.

“Smart young man.”He winked at him and lowered his voice conspiratorially.“I wouldn’t stay up here either if I had the choice.But someone has to entertain the sponsors.”He gave them a “what are you going to do shrug” before breaking out a sincere smile.“Enjoy the game, both of you.And welcome to the Mayhem family.”

“Thank you, sir.”Finn was already bouncing on the balls of his feet, ready to make his escape.

Lori materialized at Kellogg’s shoulder.“I’ll take you down to the family room.”

“Thank you both,” Sheridan said.“But we can go find our seats.”

“Nonsense.”Kellogg said.“Our family room is one of the nicest in the league.Most of the entertainers who perform at the arena use it, too, and they give it high marks.”

There was no mistaking the pride in the man’s voice.This was a guy who liked the best of everything but who was generous enough not to keep it all to himself.Sheridan instantly admired that about him.

Lori ushered them to the elevator.“You’ll want to grab something to eat before the face-off.There’s an extensive buffet, but if you don’t see anything you want, one of the team’s personal chefs will whip you up something.”She grinned at Sheridan.“Within reason.”

“Wow,” Sheridan replied.She’d never been invited to the family room in Boston.That was Madison’s domain.Her sister-in-law had always insisted that Sheridan and Finn spend game nights at home to avoid messing up the baby’s schedule.

“And you’ll get to meet all the WAGs and their families,” Lori added.

That was the part Sheridan dreaded.

They took the elevator down to the lowest level.It opened to a large, airy room despite being below ground.They were greeted by the chatter of women and children seated around several tables, eating, drinking, and seeming to enjoy themselves.

“Did you bring your skates, Finn?”Lori asked.“The kids’ rink is right through that door.”

Sure enough, on the other side of the glass wall was a scaled-down hockey rink, complete with a regulation goal.Several boys and girls were racing around it.They were all trying to shoot a soft puck into the net.

“Gunner has my skates.”Finn aimed a pleading look at Sheridan.“Please can I skate for a few minutes before the game?I promise to eat something at intermission.”

“Something more than popcorn?”she asked as though she was even considering denying the kid anything.

He held up his pinkie.Sheridan wrapped hers around it, and they shook.“Don’t forget a helmet,” she called after him.

“Looks like he’s adjusting well,” Lori said.

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