Page 113 of Hockey Halloween
Teddy bit the inside of her cheek as hard as she could to stop from crying.
“Someone took a video of a private moment and posted it. What you might not know is that Teddy quit so I could stay. Saving me again. Let’s save her. Help me makethisgo viral.”
The screen went blank for a second before Cole, Knight, and Archer appeared against a green screen that turned into a 90s pop dreamscape just as the first few notes of NSYNC’s “Want You Back” poured through the sound system. The crowd went crazy as the three Sinners, Archer up front, mouthed the words anddanced the routinefrom the music video. Their steps were approximations, altered for beginners, but still really impressive. They had to have had help. Miranda caught her eye from the mouth of the tunnel and waved with an amused smile. She was the creator and ex-captain of the Lady Sinners and had apparently called in a favor.
Teddy covered her mouth with both hands as she watchedArcher, sweet, shy, private Archer doing hip rolls and thrusts, swinging his arms like he didn’t care who saw. And he did it forher. When the song ended, the arena exploded in cheers and applause that lasted several minutes. It wasn’t until Archer in the flesh swung out of the players’ bench and skated to her with a microphone that the crowd quieted down. Now the game cameras hadthemon the Jumbotron. Looking only at her but speaking to the crowd, Archer said, “What do you say, guys? Can we keep her?”
The response was even louder this time. There was real vulnerability in his eyes, and he swallowed hard, and his voice wavered. “Teddy?”
There was no holding back anymore. Tears streamed down her face, blurring her vision as she nodded. He pulled her into his arms and leaned down to kiss her. It was deep and consuming and full of everything they hadn’t gotten to say. The screams from the fans blended into the background, the bright lights fading away. All that remained was this giant, awkward, adorable, devastatingly handsome hockey player kissing her like his life depended on it.
When they finally parted, he lifted her hand and kissed it before skating back to the bench. The announcer boomed, “Let’s hear it for Teddy Walker!”
She wiped her face, though more tears came and managed a smile, waving as she walked back down the carpet to the tunnel. The crowed cheered. Her mind spun. Did that just happen?
Miranda guided her to a reserved seat by the glass to watch the game. It was closer than she’d ever been to the action, and it felt so much faster up close. Every time Archer glided by, he met her eyes and smiled, and her heart flipped. Hereallydid that. The ultimate introvert put himself out there in front of thousands of people. Millions, if his video did what she knew it would. If actions spoke louder than words, Archer Reid, her handsome hermit, just screamed his feelings to the world in 90s pop music.
The periods passed in a blur of cheers, flying players, and flashing goal lights. When the Sinners won, the arena raved and then emptied out. Teddy stayed where she was until Miranda appeared again and gave her acome with mehead tilt.
For some reason, Teddy’s heart galloped and her mouth went dry, but she followed. They walked through the hallways of the basement until they reached the area in front of the locker room where the team had filmed their first video.
Miranda patted her shoulder. “You’ll want to wait here. They get pretty naked in there, and it does not smell great.” Spoken like it came from experience.
Teddy nodded and Miranda winked then disappeared into the elevator.
Lost in thought, she almost jumped out of her skin when the locker room door opened and Archer stepped out, freshly showered and in his post-game suit. He was so stunning, all she could do was stare.
He chuckled low. “You talk for a living, and words escape you now?”
She felt the flush creep into her cheeks, and she shook her head. “I…I can’t believe you did that.”
“Are you mad?” His voice was quiet, his cobalt eyes searching.
“Mad? Are you kidding? That was the single most romantic, brave, incredible thing anyone’s ever done for me. I know what it cost you.”
“Not near what it would have cost me to let you walk away.”
She took two strides, grabbed his lapels, and pulled him down for a kiss that almost rivaled the one that got them in trouble in the first place. He seemed stunned at first then stepped into her, his hands curving around her waist and kissed her back with want and need and something much deeper that left her breathless.
Love finds a way.
Archer
Thursday, November 6
Another morning sitting across a desk from a Sinners executive, this time Jacey Phlynn, the team owner. Teddy sat beside him, her hand linked with his between their chairs, fingers laced tightly. It was theoretically to lend his strength to her, but if he were being honest, she was the one keeping him upright. Saralynn had okayed his video for the game last night. Did she not ask Jacey first? He was getting a bad feeling about that.
The PR head in question hustled in, closing the door behind her and went around to stand next to Jacey. “Sorry I’m late. I was looking at the recent numbers and mentions. Last night’s video shot into the stratosphere.”
Archer frowned. “The one I made? But I didn’t upload it anywhere. I just gave it to you to play here last night.”
Saralynn nodded. “And I had our film team get it live in the arena including the end when you asked the fans if you could keep Teddy. What’s the next thing beyond viral? Cause that’s what this is. Two million views and counting. It made the local news, national news, there are even other countries picking it up. The NHL official account reposted it.”
Jacey sat back in her chair looking impressed. “That was…genius. Listen, I never wanted to lose either of you. The league tried to tie my hands. But given this publicity, there’s no way we could let you go. If you’ll stay.” Jacey’s gaze settled on Teddy.
Teddy’s hand tightened around his as she sat straighter. “Yes. Thank you. I have so many ideas. And the longer I’ve been here, the more I see how much this team is a family. And I’d love to be a part of it.”
Jacey grinned. “I think after last night, it’s safe to say you’ve both been initiated into the fold. Welcome to the Sinners.”
