Page 88 of Beauty
Is she in the owner’s box?
I take a lap around the ice, looking for her, knowing that to the rest of the world, this is nothing but the celly they’re used to.
When I don’t spot her, my heart sinks. Though I shake off the emotion quickly, remembering that Ollie will be waiting for my signal. So I tap my chest and point to the camera when I pass it, letting him know I might not be with him, but he’s always right here with me.
It’s our thing. I may get distracted from time to time, but I could never forget him.
I’m heading to the bench to switch out lines when Vetter skates up behind me.
“Looking for the Bolts’ new piece of ass, Harry?” he taunts.
Teeth gritted, I stupidly turn to face him. “What did you say?”
He gets up in my face, his helmet knocking against mine. “Team passing her around yet? You get the first drag?”
By the time the last word leaves him, my stick is on the ice and my gloves are too. Without hesitation, I cock my arm back and clock him in the jaw.
It’s a blur from there. The man didn’t expect me to react that way. I don’t react to chirping. Never have. Because I’ve never had a weakness like her.
Later, I’ll be pissed that my obsession has already been exploited, but right now, I relish in the deep thrill that overtakes me, ecstatic that he’s so shocked by the hit that he’s still wide-eyed and stunned when I grab his jersey and hit him again. Before I can get a third in, War pulls me away.
He’s a little too late. The rest of Minnesota’s line is in the mix now, and my teammates are jumping over the boards to stop them from attacking the two of us from behind.
By the time the refs break up the skirmish and they’ve doled out ten-minute penalties for both Vetter and me, both benches have been cleared and everyone but the coaches is panting for breath.
I skate toward the penalty box, my heart racing and anger flowing through my veins. And the emotion only grows when I search the arena and don’t see her anywhere.
TWENTY-NINE
SIENNA
For more than a year,this man chose not to make contact. He put his career and his friendships with my brothers over his promise to come for me, and now, after seeing me in a damn Bolts jersey, he’s willing to risk everything to, what? God, I don’t even know what he wants.
We’ll never be done.
His words from the other day bounce around in my head as I press myself against the wall in the owner’s suite. I ran here to hide after Gavin chewed Noah out for not focusing on the ice.
What is he thinking?
“You know you can’t see the game from back there,” Lex singsongs. She’s the only one of my sisters-in-law without kids, so she’s the only one who makes it to just about every home game these days.
I take a small step forward, though I keep my distance from the glass separating the suite from the arena. “You don’t have to stay up here with me. I’m sure Aiden loves having you down there.”
She grins. “Big dopey idiot runs into the boards if I’m too close. I sit up here unless Sara forces me to freeze out there.”
A rush of relief I didn’t expect hits me. At least I won’t be alone. “Okay, good.”
It’s strange how quiet the owner’s box is with the rest of the girls at home with their kids. Blessedly, Ezra chose to stay rink side. Listening to him mansplain the game was getting beyond old.
I’d rather learn about hockey from Addie. My nine-year-old niece probably knows as much as he does, and she’s a lot less smug about it.
“Looks like whatever was irking Harry has resolved.” Lennox angles in closer to the glass, her pink hair hiding her face. “Oh shit,” she squeals. “Yes. Ah, get it, Beauty!” She jumps to her feet along with the rest of the crowd and screams.
Without my permission, my body glides forward. Then I’m standing beside her, my focus intent on the action as Noah slaps his stick against the ice, sending the puck flying into the back of Minnesota’s net. Excitement bubbles up, and I give in to the urge to jump up and down in celebration.
Aiden and Warren smash into Noah, hugging him and jostling him. How they do it on skates I’ll never know, but with the way my body is buzzing, I can’t imagine the high they’re riding.
This is exciting. Far more exciting than I expected it to be. If I’m honest, I’m having fun.
