Page 2 of Whirlwind
Hockey has some strange protocol when it comes to the wives group. Players must allow their significant other to be included in the group. In all the time I’ve been around the team, I’ve never met a woman who was only casually dating a player. Maybe it’s not like that on every team, but this one keeps the family well protected.
That could be due to Coach Cole. He’s a legend in the industry and highly regarded by his players. His team is more than a group of players to him. Like he does with me, he considers them family.
Me:
Heading down now.
I lock the door to the condo behind me.
Zander is driving, and Damian rides shotgun, while I slide into the backseat next to Willa.
“Hey, guys,” I greet.
“Hi,” they say in unison.
“You look especially spicy tonight,” Damian adds.
“You know me, I rarely get a chance to dress up. Might as well take advantage.” Cocktail dresses may not be my norm, but I do enjoy getting dolled up from time to time. Not that I’m a troll every day or anything. Only, I’ve never had a job that required more than casual attire, and this is the Pacific Northwest. Outdoor wear is practically dressing up around here.
“If I had legs like those, I’d show them off every chance I got,” Zander says.
“You could fit five of my thighs in one of yours. If you had legs like mine, it would take you five minutes to get from one end of the ice to the other,” I say. “That would seriously drag down your career.”
“It’d kill it,” he agrees with a laugh. “What’s the cross street of this place?”
“First and Blanchard,” Willa answers. “The door is in the alley with a red light over it.”
“Sounds very clandestine,” Damian says.
“Can’t be that clandestine or nobody would know about it. This whole concept baffles me. Isn’t the point of a business to be seen and popular?” Zander asks.
“Sure,” I say. “There’s something to be said about intrigue, though. It’s sexy, and that sells.”
“We are weirdly preoccupied with sex,” Willa says.
“You mean, society in general?” I ask.
“Yeah, humans. Well, I guess animals are, too,” she answers.
“Oh, definitely. Did you know the antechinus during mating season will literally have sex until it gives out and dies?” I ask.
“An ante what?” Zander asks.
“Antechinus,” Damian answers. “It’s an Australian marsupial.”
“Sometimes, I forget how oddly smart you are,” I tease him.
“Oddly?”
“You’re too pretty and rich to have that kind of intellect, too.”
“Brat.” He laughs. Damian is smart. He’s also kind and a natural provider. Willa and Zander are lucky to have him in their lives. They’re all lucky and so in love with each other, I almost get a sugar high when I’m around them. “I happen to know plenty ofoddanimal facts. Like, whale dicks can be as long as ten feet.”
“Jesus,” Zander mutters, pulling into a parking spot around the corner from the bar.
“That’s…substantial,” Willa says.
“Male alligators always have a hard-on. It never goes away,” I say.
