Page 120 of Meet Your Match
A bus with a stripper pole that would take us around to all the bars and clubs in the city until we shut it down.
Vince’s family had flown in for the ceremony, as well, but while his parents had retreated to their hotel, his sister held fast to my arm as we boarded the bus behind Vince.
“It’s so loud!” she screamed over the noise.
I laughed, squeezing her arm. We paused by the driver at the front of the bus as Vince held his trophy up proudly.
“I’ve dreamed about this moment since I was in high school,” he said, and by some miracle, the guys on the bus calmed enough so they could hear him. “Back then, I saw it as a solo award, as one I would earn all on my own. But now that I’m holding this,” he said, looking at the trophy and then back at his team. “I know I couldn’t have earned it without all of you. I’m honored to be a part of this team, of this organization, and I can’t wait for us to hang another banner on our rafters when we win the Stanley Cup together.”
There was a mixture of cheers and teammates making fun of him for being a mushy princess — both of which made me and Grace chuckle.
“Alright, enough of that shit,” he said, hoisting the trophy up again. “LET’S FUCKING PARTY!”
Carter had flown in for the celebrations even though he wasn’t technically on the team anymore, and he was the first to throw a cold can of beer to Vince. He caught it with one hand, cracked the top, and poured it straight into the cup of the trophy.
Grace and I stared in half amusement, half horror as he crushed the empty can and tossed it to the floor before guzzling the beer out of the trophy to the wild approval from all his teammates.
“I hope you’re ready for a long night out,” I told Grace.
Her eyes were wide, mouth parted, and it reminded me a little of how I’d been the first time I’d traveled with the team. It really was such a spectacle.
“Come here.”
I was still half holding onto Grace when my wrist was wrapped up, and a strong set of hands tugged me into awarm lap. Vince planted a wet, beer-scented kiss on me to the tune of whistles and catcalls, the trophy in the seat closest to the window.
“Um, your sister,” I said, blushing as I pressed against his chest until there was some distance.
“Oh, shit, here, Gracie,” he said, moving the trophy and scooting over so she could sit next to us. But she scoffed, flicking her long blonde hair over her shoulder.
“Please. I’ll pass on the third wheel.” She turned to the bus full of Ospreys next. “Who’s got an open seat next to them?”
It was silent for two seconds.
And then the bus erupted into chatter, every guy yelling for her attention while they shoved teammates out of seats to make room.
I threw my head back in a laugh, but Vince’s jaw was tight as he stood up and pointed a death finger at every single one of them.
“Don’t you fuckers even think about it.” He snapped at Jaxson in the very back. “Jax, let her sit next to you. You’re the only one I can trust.”
“Hey!” Carter said in mock offense.
Vince ignored him, turning to his sister next. “If any of them lay a hand on you—”
“Oh, my God.Relax,” she told him, and then she skipped to the back of the bus.
Vince was pulled into a conversation with Daddy P and one of their defensemen as the driver started us toward our first destination. I held onto the stripper pole in the middle and leaned against the seat, half-listening to them and half-watching where Grace had just slid into the seat next to Jaxson in the back.
I swore I could see him gulp even from here, his eyes like that of a deer caught in headlights as someone handedGrace a beer and she chugged half of it, wiping the suds from her lips when she was done. She pinned him with that beautiful smile of hers next, and I didn’t miss how his eyes raked over her. Grace was stunning — it was impossible not to notice.
If she wasn’t Vince’s baby sister, I’d say Jaxson might actually have a chance.
Then again, she did confide in me earlier at the hotel bar that she was seeing someone, so maybe it didn’t matter.
Still, I found it hard not to watch them as the night’s entertainment, especially when we went out to the first bar and Grace grabbed Jaxson by the hand, dragging him onto the dance floor. The look she gave me over her shoulder as she passed told me what my job was, and I pulled Vince to the opposite side of the crowded place, making sure to distract him.
It wasn’t much of a favor, if I was being honest.
Distracting Vince Tanev was my favorite thing to do.
