Page 50 of Ice Contact

As we head into the third period, both Hayes and Zack are having great games. They are playing on the first line tonight, Hayes has a goal while Zack has an assist, but the Riders are still down by one. Before play starts up, Kara and I talk more about our guys while Maggie wanders off, refilling her drink and talking with some of the other ladies in the suite.

“If you don’t mind me asking, what’s it like being married to a player? How do you handle all the travel and odd schedules?” I ask twisting my fingers in my lap.

“Well, it’s not always as easy as it looks from the outside,” she sighs, “but there is nothing I wouldn’t do to help Zack live out his dream. It can be tough when he’s on the road, especially when the kids are having a bad day throwing tantrums and missing daddy. Thankfully, we can pay for a housekeeper, so at least I’m not taking care of the kids and trying to keep the house in order. But the amazing thing is that when he’s home, he really picks up the slack. He helps get the kids fed, plays with them, and helps put them to bed every night.” A warm smile lights up her face. “And seeing Zack out there on the ice, I’m just so proud of him. You can see the passion he plays with. He has that same passion for our family, and it makes me love him more every day. Just don’t tell him I said that,” she winks, absentmindedly rubbing her belly. “Four kids are going to be a handful, and if he hears that, we’ll have ten before you know it.”

“Your secret is safe with me,” I promise, pretending to zip my lips and throw away the key.

“And this group of girls here helps too,” she gestures around the room, “We all know what the other is going through when they are on the road, so we reach out if we need something.”

I glance around, finding it surprisingly easy to picture myself connecting with the women surrounding me.Maybe it wouldn’t be so hard to fit into this group after all.

“So, Olivia, tell me about you and Hayes,” Kara smirks, “I mean, Zack told me a little about you two, but I’d love to hear it from your perspective. That man’s game has been on fire this season, and my instincts tell me that’s no coincidence.”

Warmth fills my heart at the thought of Hayes talking to anyone about me. I rub my hands on my thighs, “Oh…did Hayes talk to Zack about me?”

“Honey, let me tell you something about Zack. He can get anyone to spill their guts, especially about their feelings, in an instant. He had me telling him my life story and deepest secrets on our first date.” A wicked smile sharpens her features, her eyes focused on mine. “Also…my guess is Hayes likes to talk about you, and he doesn’t know many people here yet.”

“Good point,” I murmur, biting my lip. “We haven’t known each other that long actually. It’s all so new and so fast, but…it feels as if some force put us in the same place at the same time to be together. Ugh…that sounds cheesy saying it out loud.”

“Olivia, it’s not cheesy at all. I know exactly what you mean. Sometimes it doesn’t take long to figure out life has brought you exactly where you’re meant to be.”

Her words hit me like a truth tidal wave to the heart. I do feel like everything I’ve been through has led to me being here tonight. My heart races as I watch my boyfriend, out on the ice, putting his heart and soul into the game, just as he has with me these past few weeks.

Molly tugs on my leg and asks if she can sit in my lap with her little tablet, bored with the game and watching a show. Picking her up, I sit her in the seat with me. Glancing around the tablet, I see Hayes flying across the ice.Does he want a wife? Kids? Would he want me to be that wife?My heart swells at thethought, but I try to calm myself down. We just made it official with a note, but here I am already dreaming of walking down the aisle with a baby on the way.

Snuggling the little munchkin close, I watch the Riders speed around the ice, leaving the other team in their dust. With everything I went through with Cayden, I never felt like this. I always hoped it would get to this point, but if I’m being honest, I never actually saw it happening. I think in the back of my mind I knew he wasn’t in this for the long haul. A hint of regret brushes through me, but I quickly shake it off. As awful as that was, I can’t regret what brought me to where I am today, to Hayes. He seems to be in this with no fear, no concerns, no doubts, and melting my heart along the way. And I’m starting to think I may be feeling that way myself.

Despite Zack and Hayes both having a stellar game, the Riders lose 3-2. Afterward, Kara walks us all to the hallway outside the players locker room, and I can’t help but constantly glance around. I’ve been in lots of different areas of this arena, but never here.

“Wow, Kara, that locker room smell is…potent,” I say as she lets out a roaring laugh.

“I almost forgot what it’s like tonotsmell that. I swear, I’m desensitized at this point. You’ll get used to it. Just wait until the playoffs,” she scrunches her nose, “it will be way worse with the superstitious guys not washing various clothing items.”

“Okay Kara, what’s the scoop on the single players here?” Maggie asks. “The tea I got from the other WAGs is that Volkov, Johansen, and Boucher are all eligible bachelors.”

“Yes, I believe they are single. You sure you’re up for the hockey wife life Maggie? All of those guys are great. But emotionally? Some of them are tough nuts to crack.”

“Well, they do call me the nutcracker,” Maggie smirks, leaning back against the wall as we come to a stop in the tunnel.

“Since when has anyone calledyouthe nutcracker?” I snap back with one eyebrow raised.

“Since now.”

“DADDY!” Kara’s daughters scream in unison as they race toward Zack.

“Hi babies! Did you have fun with grandma and grandpa?” Zack asks as he wraps them up in a big hug, reaching over to wiggle his fingers toward Jackson and leaning in to give Kara a quick kiss.

“Daddy, we hadsomuch fun! We got snacks and I drew on the wall with one of my crayons and sorry the bad guys won the game and Miss Olivia let me sit on her lap and I saw you on the ice. Wait, are we going home now?” Molly says in one run-on sentence.

“Wow, that was a lot of information there, pumpkin. You drew on the wall in the suite with your crayons?” He looks up at Kara who just shrugs. “Yes, baby, we are headed home now. Do you girls want to ride home with me?”

“YES!!! We get to ride in Daddy’s truck!” the girls shout, dancing around the hallway.

“Oh! Zack, this is Olivia Brooks, Hayes’girlfriend,” Kara says, introducing us. “And this is her friend, Maggie James.” He reaches out to shake Maggie’s hand first, then mine.

“Olivia, it’s so nice to finally meet The Weapon in person. I see you here at all the games, but never had a chance to tell you how beautiful of a voice you have,” he says. “For what it’s worth, I’m sorry me signing those pucks got you in trouble. No offense, but I was trying to get that guy away from me.”

“Nice to meet you too. Honestly, I should have been trying to get away from that guy a long time ago, so I get it.” We both chuckle, each with our own sour memories of Cayden and his selfish heart.

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