Page 90 of Wild Ever After
“It’s no big deal. She’s just still salty that I turned down the Hat Tricks and Puck Bunnies podcast.” She lets out a loud sigh. “Sometimes I think it’d be easier to walk away and deal with the consequences.”
This is the first I’ve heard her say anything even remotely close to wanting to quit. I’ve thought it a million times, but I know what her job means to her.
“I bet a thousand other magazines would be thrilled to have you.”
She yawns again. “Melody would lose her shit. I have no idea what she’d do to us.”
“Hey.” I squeeze her shoulder, bringing her tighter against my chest. “If you don’t want to work there anymore, we’ll deal with the fallout.”
“Just like that? What about not wanting to create waves during the season?” She looks up at me, searching my face.
“I can ask my agent or Elyse in the front office. She deals with PR for the team. We can figure it out, if that’s what you want.”
A slow smile spreads across her face. “I don’t know how you’re real.”
“James is probably still awake.” I start to sit up, but Jade pushes me back down.
“Give me some time to think about it?”
“Of course.” I roll on top of her. “Take all the time you need.”
32
YOU CAN HAVE WHATEVER YOU WANT
JADE
On a chilly October night,the Wildcats have their first home game. I ride to the arena with Scarlett. I completely forgot about the WAG box until we’re walking through the doors of the swanky suite.
It has a private bar, cushy seats, a large screen to follow the game closer, restrooms, a private nursing room, and even a playroom for the women with small kids.
The girls that know each other hug and catch up. Excitement hangs in the air for the game and season.
Someone thrusts a green beanie in my hand. It has Sato in white with the number seventy-seven.
“What is this?” I ask, glancing at my best friend.
“You’re officially a WAG.” Scarlett grins at me and then puts on her own beanie with Leo’s last name and number. “Amalia owns an adorable clothing boutique. Mostly kid stuff, but she makes custom gear for the wives and girlfriends every year. I have a sweet leather jacket from the playoffs. She’s married to Morrison. He’s number twelve. They have a little boy named Johan. Cute but a total terror,” she whispers the last part.
“I don’t think I should be in here.”
“Why not?” She ignores me and leads us to seats next to Piper and Dakota. “You’re one of us now.”
Declan told me that his team was his family, but I don’t think I realized exactly what he meant until now.
“How’s work?” Piper asks. “Loved your article on makeup sex, by the way.”
“Yeah, that was gold,” Dakota agrees. “Johnny and I don’t really fight, but sometimes we pretend, just so we can have hot makeup sex.”
“Work is…” I struggle to find the right word. “Challenging.”
“Melody is on her ass,” Scarlett answers for me.
“She wants me to push harder into the whole married to a professional hockey player angle.”
“Makes sense. Hockey players are hot,” Piper says.
Everyone murmurs their agreement. Me too. Declan’s body is insane, which I already knew, but seeing him use it like this is definitely doing something to me.
