Page 122 of In Your Wildest Dreams
“Ash? Yeah, earlier.” My stomach swoops as I think about the last twenty-four hours. It all made me realize just how much I like him. Scarlett is staring at me like she’s waiting for me to say more. “Is it hard doing it all on your own while Leo’s gone?”
“It’s obviously easier when he’s here, but no. I have Jade next door and Dakota and Piper a couple of blocks away. Everly and Grace…you. We all look out for each other. The guys are more family than teammates and that extends to us. There’s nothing we wouldn’t do for each other. If you need us, we’re there.”
I feel the impact of her words. She means it. I’ve felt it from all of them.
“Game’s about to start,” Everly calls from the living room.
We all pile into Scarlett and Leo’s living room. Callum plays on the floor in front of the TV and the rest of us sit on couches and chairs.
“Is Meredith coming?” Jade asks.
Scarlett shakes her head. “No, she’s working tonight. Twins have a pre-season practice or something.”
“Spring training,” Grace says, mumbling as she chews a pretzel.
“Thank goodness.” Jade pulls a pillow onto her lap.
“I thought you liked Meredith,” Scarlett says.
“I do, but I have to censor every word I say when she’s around.”
Our host laughs quietly. “She’s not a spy.”
“No, worse. She’s a reporter. Asportsreporter.”
“For the Twins. She doesn’t care about hockey.”
Jade doesn’t look convinced. “Uh-huh. I know media. I’m a writer. She would care if the story was juicy enough.”
“I like her,” Everly says.
Everyone goes quiet and turns to her.
“You do?” Jade squeaks out.
“Yeah. Why do you seem so surprised?”
“Because she’s dating Jack.”
“Aaaaand?” Ev’s brows rise.
Jade laughs. “You know what? Never mind. Someone pass me the bottle of red.”
The camera is aimed at center ice. The Wildcats are in their green jerseys and Dallas in white. Someone is singing the national anthem and occasionally it cuts to them or the team benches. I don’t see Ash immediately, but the cameras move too quickly to capture every single guy.
“I’m here. I’m here.” The front door shuts and then Dakota comes rushing into the living room. She’s the cutest pregnant woman I’ve ever seen. She’s all bump. “Sorry. I sat down and fell asleep.”
“Feeling okay?” Scarlett asks.
“Yeah, just exhausted all the time. This little monster inside me better love me more than Johnny. Did I miss anything?”
“No. You’re just in time,” Everly says.
The teams get set for face-off and then they’re off. Ash said Dallas would be a tough matchup. I hope he has a good game. I know how stressed he’s been about how he’s playing. I wish he could see what I do. He’s this amazing force. Maybe he’s not the top scorer but he has this energy about him. I’ve seen it when he’s talking to people and when he’s on the ice with his team. He matters. They need him.
“Where’s Ash?” Everly glances at me, brows furrowed. “I don’t see him out there.”
“Uhh…I’m not sure.” The camera pans the bench again. “Are you sure he’s not on the ice?”
