Page 45 of Retaking the Shot
Orlov chimed in, saying, “As long as you can handle our captain here, you’re good in our books.”
“Oh, I can.” Ford winked at me.
We all got into the limo and Ford settled in beside me. I couldn’t help but feel a sense of completeness. This was my team, my world, and now Ford was being welcomed into it.
As the Hummer pulled away from the curb, I leaned over to him, whispering in his ear, “Get ready for a wild ride, baby. These guys may be a handful, but they’re family.”
Once we rolled to a stop outside the club, we all piled out.
The bouncer, a burly guy with an intense glare, nodded at us after Butcher spoke to him, and we breezed past the line. Entering the club, the thumping bass immediately surrounded us. The dance floor was a sea of moving bodies, and the DJ’s beats resonated through the venue so loud I could barely hear anything else.
I guided Ford through the crowd, weaving through the people toward our reserved VIP section. Buckets with champagne sat in the middle of a few tables in the section, and Butcher grabbed one and popped the cork.
“Who’s ready to party?” he hollered.
Knowing Ford wasn’t drinking anymore, I grabbed two bottles of water and handed him one while the guys filled flutes with champagne and ordered more drinks.
The VIP section offered a perfect vantage point overlooking the dance floor, and I leaned toward Ford and asked in his ear, “Want to dance?”
“Hell yeah.”
I grabbed his hand and led him onto the dance floor. We danced our asses off and as the night continued, the club became a blur of laughter and celebration. The DJ pumped up the volume, and our group let loose, some finding strangers to dance with and going off to dark corners to do whatever it was they did.
At midnight, the club erupted in cheers and confetti, and I pulled Ford close, kissing him with everything I had.
“Happy New Year, baby. I’m so happy to be starting it with you.”
15
Ford
Over the next few weeks,Coop and I settled into a routine where we spent as much time together as possible, despite his hectic hockey schedule. Even when he wasn’t in town, we talked every chance we got.
Even after an emotionally draining therapy session like the one I had just finished, I was still looking forward to getting home and hanging out with my man. He was in town and only had practice earlier in the day, so he was going to pick up dinner for us and meet me at my apartment.
I texted him that I was on my way and then read the message my mom sent while I’d had my phone off during therapy.
Hi sweetie! I was wondering if you and Emmett wanted to come out for dinner this week?
She had been asking to meet my boyfriend every time we chatted. Unfortunately, with her and my dad traveling back and forth from Hartford to check on my grandfather and Coop’s games, we hadn’t been able to find a date that worked yet.
I was actually going to ask him if he wanted to go to Hartford with me on Sunday. Then he could meet all of you. Besides, Grandpa said he was getting bored, and I thought he might like to meet one of his favorite hockey players
That’s a great idea. Let me know as soon as you know if it’s going to work
Will do
I climbed into my car and made the short drive to my apartment. As soon as I walked inside, I dropped my laptop bag by the door and headed to my bedroom to change out of my work clothes.
Not five minutes later, there was a knock at my door. I swung it open and smiled when I saw Coop holding a pizza box on the other side.
“Hey, baby.” I leaned in to kiss him and then moved to the side so he could enter. “Good call with the pizza. I was just thinking that sounded good.”
“Well, I hope you’re hungry because I got wings and breadsticks too.” He held up a plastic bag in his other hand.
“You can’t go wrong with those.” We moved to the kitchen, and I pulled down a couple of plates and handed one to him.
“How was therapy tonight?” he asked, grabbing two pieces of sausage and olive pizza and a few hot wings.
