Page 122 of Rebound
“Let me guess, I’m public enemy number one?” I say wryly.
Chelsea rolls her eyes. “You know how they are. They still think you’re in the wrong and must have done something to have Josh leave you. I can’t wait until Jamie gets traded so I can finally be around fun people. By the way, did you really get married toRoman Maddox?”
Chelsea’s eyes drop to my hand and the ring on my finger, and she squeals.
“Yeah, I did.”
Once Sage posted photos of the Titans Christmas party, it was only a matter of time that everyone found out. There was no mistaking the rings on our fingers. It’s part of the reason I’m here today, playing the role of the dutiful wife. Also, I want to see the look on Josh’s face when he sees me with Roman’s ring.
“I’m so happy for you. Jamie and I always wished Roman would stop looking at you and actually tell you how he felt. Josh wasn’t the right choice for you, and I always wanted to tell you, but Jamie told me to keep my mouth shut.”
Hmm, interesting. I had no idea he was watching me so openly that other people noticed. Was I the only one whodidn’tnotice?
“I should go find my seat,” I say.
Chelsea frowns. “I wish I could sit with you, but I have to stick with the other girls.”
“Of course, don’t worry about it. I’m so happy we got to see each other again.”
I hug her again and on my way to the arena, I change my mind and walk to the friends and family room instead. It’s part of the tunnel the players walk out of. I don’t want Roman to see me for the first time when I’m in the audience.
I find Sage directing her intern to set up the camera and tripod in the perfect location. They’re closer to the dressing room so they can film the players as they walk out.
Sage waves to me when she sees me. She’s the only one who knows I’m here tonight because she helped me secure the ticket. I know it’s crazy to pick this particular away game to attend when I could have attended the one in New York or New Jersey. Those are also Roman’s old teams.
He didn’t have as contentious a relationship with them as he did with the Falcons. Not even the Titans hate him as much as the Falcons did. They’re very clique-y and they follow Josh’s direction in all things. If he hated Roman, they all hate Roman.
That’s why I’m not surprised to hear that I’m the bad guy for them because they likely believe whatever excuse Josh fed them for leaving me at the altar.
The game is about to start and one by one, the players start walking out. There’s a crowd of people here, but Reese is the first one who spots me. His face splits into a grin as he comes over to hug me.
“I’m loving this new messy version of you,” he says, grey eyes sparking with mischief.
Drew is the next to notice me, shaking his head as he walks over. “Of all the games, you had to pick this one to attend?”
“Do you want me to leave?” I raise an eyebrow.
Drew frowns at me, but I know he doesn’t mean it. “If they start a fight, I’m blaming you.”
“Oh, sure, blame the woman because two men can’t regulate their emotions.”
With a roll of his eyes, he kisses my forehead. “Don’t be a menace.”
“Good luck,” I call as he walks out the tunnel to roaring screams. Damn, I do miss the thrill of it all, sometimes. The wild, chaotic energy of walking into an arena and feeling everyone’s eyes on you. It was such a high, no wonder it took me two years to recover from it. Consequently, those two years also aligned with me dating and being engaged to Josh.
I smile when Roman walks out and laugh quietly at the look of surprise on his face when a little kid asks him to sign his jersey. It’s like he doesn’t even realize how crazy hockey fans are about him. Hockey fans love a bad boy.
Roman straightens from signing the jersey and jerks back in surprise when he sees me in the crowd. He’s walking over to me in a second, lifting me up as he presses a hard kiss against my mouth that leaves me breathless. The look in his eyes is pure joy and with a sudden ache, I realize this is probably the first time someone’s shown up for him. It makes me want to hug him tighter.
“What are you doing here?”
“Sowing seeds of chaos, apparently.”
His grin is blinding. “That’s not very angelic of you, angel pie.”
“We got married in a drunken escapade in Las Vegas. I don’t think I’m as angelic as people think I am.”
Setting me back on my feet, Roman leans down for another kiss. “Thank you for coming.”
