Page 111 of From Helsinki with Love
“You’re amazing, Vivian. I hope you know that,” Em says from my other side. “I’m glad Jasper met you.”
I feel a warm flush rise to my cheeks. “Thank you for your kind words. It’s still hard to believe I’m here, watching myboyfriendplay.”
“You belong here with us,” Haisley points out.
“And I hope I will for years to come.”
* * *
With two minutes left in overtime, Jasper has the puck and passes it to his teammate Lee Anderson, who skates to the Woodpeckers’ goal. The next few seconds are blocked from my view, but when the fans start cheering, I realize that the Peacocks scored.
“He did it!” I shout over the celebration.
“Oh man, I bet you’ll have the best sex after a win like that,” Haisley comments as the stands start to empty after the goal.
Em harrumphs. “H, not everything needs to be about sex.”
“I know, but I miss the feeling of having a hockey player boyfriend,” she says with a pout.
“Maybe you should find another one,” I suggest.
Haisley waves her hand. “We’ll see, even though I must admit the perks were great.”
“I have to agree on the positives,” I admit with a smile on my face.
Em rolls her eyes. “Can we talk about something else?”
“Love, just because you don’t have time for dating and getting laid, it doesn’t mean that the rest of us can’t talk about our sex lives,” Haisley comments playfully.
Her friend laughs. “Thanks for rubbing it in.”
“I know someone who wouldn’t mind doing some rubbing if you catch my drift.” With that, Haisley gets up and starts going up the stairs. We follow her to the same elevator we used before. But this time, she presses the down button.
“Where are we going?”
“The family room so you can leave with your man,” Haisley says before seeing my confused expression. “It’s a room where family and friends can wait for players after the games. Some call it The Wives’ Room,” she explains.
“I’m so thankful you’ve taken me under your wing with all the Peacocks stuff. It’s a lot to learn,” I tell the women. “I would have been so lost without you.”
“No worries. We’re glad to have another female member in our little group,” Em smiles my way.
The hallway is bustling with activity as we exit the elevator, but I don’t see any players. We walk to a big, open room with a fully equipped kitchen, many sofas and TV screens on every wall. There are also other family members and friends who are eager to see their loved ones. Em spots someone she knows and goes to talk to a stunning blonde woman.
“That’s Lee Anderson’s wife,” Haisley whispers. “Courtney is such a lovely person; you want to know her if you need any invites to the WAG events.”
“WAGs?”
“Oh, it meanswives and girlfriendsof athletes. I forgot that you’re a newbie.”
“So, I’m a WAG now?”
Haisley chuckles. “Yes, you are! If it helps, all the Peacocks WAGs are great. Some other teams have such drama between them, but not here.”
“That’s great to hear. I’m not a fan of drama.”
“Believe it or not, I hate drama, too.”
Her comment makes me laugh. “I can believe it, even though you seem to follow the beat of your own drum.”
