Page 84 of Offside and Off-Limits
“Where’s Dan?” Clara asks her sister, but she doesn’t have the chance to respond as Troy Hart, the arena and team owner, steps up to the mic, Coach Hauser flanking him like a bodyguard, and the crowd falls into silence.
“Catch you soon.” Clara gives my hand a squeeze before she slips away, pulling her phone from her purse, ready to record. Troy begins his speech by assuring everyone that we're headed for an incredible season, puffing out his chest like he's personally suiting up for game one.
I get his passion. Troy Hart once played in the League, and he wants our new team to be a success, as does the rest of the town. I also happen to agree with him. We may be new, we may have been a disparate group of players not that long ago, more used to battling it out against one another on the ice than working together to win, but we have some serious talent on the team, and a drive to achieve big things.
Coach Hauser says a few rousing words, taken right from the coach’s inspirational handbook, and when they wrap up, the room erupts like we just won the Cup, the cheers, hoots, and applause practically shaking the walls.
“Everyone believes in this new team,” Keira says as a waiter offers a tray of drinks.
I pick up a glass of water and take a sip.
“No champagne to celebrate?” Keira asks, lifting a flute to her lips.
“Can’t. The first game’s in four days, and Coach is pretty clear about us not drinking during the season, just like my Blades coach.”
“So, you and Clara are together now,” Keira says.
It’s not a question.
“She deserves a good guy, and you’re a good guy, right, Cade?” She gives me a questioning look, and I know she’s being protective of her sister. I may not be the guy I once was, but the rest of the world doesn’t know that.
Not yet anyway.
“I know I haven't known Clara all that long, and people might be suspicious of a guy like me, with the reputation I’ve got. But you can trust me when I say, I’m in love with your sister, and I will do anything to protect that love. You have my word.”
“But what about all those stories about you being a womanizer? You’re not exactly known as a steady relationship kinda guy, by the looks of things, and Clara has Benny and Hannah. She’s a package deal.”
“I gave up that lifestyle a long time ago, only the world hasn’t quite cottoned on.” I lean in a little closer to her. “Keira, I know you’re Clara’s sister and you love her, but please believe me when I say I’m all in with her.Allin.”
She studies me for a beat, and I’m hoping she hears the sincerity in my words. When she finally opens her mouth to speak, her features have softened. “I believe you,” she says softly, her lips tilting upward. “Just make sure you treat her right. Got it?”
I grin at her because I have every intention of treating Clara right. “I promise.”
“Good,” she replies simply before taking a sip of her drink.
Asher catches my eye and makes his way past a few people to us. We shake hands, slapping each other on the back, before I introduce him to Keira.
“I know you. You’re the one who threw the bucket of water over this guy at the Drench for Defense,” Asher says.
Keira lifts her hands up in the air, grinning. “Guilty.”
“Nice shot, by the way,” Asher says. “So, you’re Dan Roberts’s wife, right?”
“And Clara’s sister,” Keira replies, throwing me a meaningful look.
“Clara’s sister, huh?” Asher says, also shootingme a look. “Cade knows Clara pretty well, from what I hear. Right, Cade?” he teases.
I slap him on the shoulder once more. “You might be my teammate, but off the ice you’re just a guy who uses my gym.”
He chortles and I glance at the stage where Troy Hart and Coach Hauser just gave their speeches. “As much as I’d like to stay here and get grilled by you, I’ve got something pressing I need to do.”
“You know I know where you live, right?” Asher says with a sardonic grin.
I shake my head at him. “You’ve used my gym more than once. Remember, old man?”
He barks out a laugh at my jest. But he doesn’t know the full story. Not yet, anyway. He doesn’t know I turned over the leaf I knew I needed to do by moving to this town.
And turning that leaf led me to the love I now have.
