Page 29 of Off the Stick
Anna nods with understanding.“No problem.Next time, then.In fact, tomorrow night is Taco Tuesday at the Ale House.Their street tacos are fantastic.”She punctuates her sentence with a chef’s kiss.
Crap.
I should’ve known better than to choose a spot where other Vikings employees might frequent.I don’t want anyone to see us together and draw the wrong conclusion about me fraternizing with a player.Picking up my phone, I start to type a message to Dane asking that we meet somewhere else, but I’ve already received a text from him.
Hockey Boy: I’m here in a booth at the back.See you soon.
“Everything okay?”Anna asks, compassion embedded in her words.“You seem panicked.”
I quickly tuck the phone into my jeans pocket and wave with a smile, standing from my desk chair and reaching for my purse hanging on the cubicle wall hook.
“Oh, no, I’m fine, just running late.I’m so sorry I can’t go with you today, but I will definitely plan on it next time.”
I give Anna’s arm a squeeze as I pass her and we go our separate ways.“Have a good lunch.”
“You too,” she echoes as we walk off in different directions.I hurry into the bathroom to empty my full bladder and double-check my appearance before I head across the street to meet my fate.
* * *
The pub is hoppingas I enter the front door.Although not officially connected to the arena, the Ale House is certainly a hockey-loving pub with strong ties to the team.I give myself a mental slap for not choosing a place a bit more discreet.
Too late now.
I walk past the busy hostess station and weave through the crowd searching for Dane.It’s definitely a sports pub with all the team-related photos, gear, and signed jerseys collected over the years on the walls.The entire interior is a hockey fan’s dream come true, and I’m sure it’s packed on game nights for those who don’t have tickets to see the game.
Following the directions Dane texted me, I wind up heading toward a wall in the back corner of the restaurant and soon spot Dane in a booth, his arm draped over the back of the seat, chatting with a long-haired waitress.
Sudden regret washes over me that’s so powerful and compelling I nearly turn and walk back out before he sees me.
This is what I have feared all these years.Dane—the Ax Man—Axelrod is a sports hero and celebrity who has fans all over the world, people who think he’s larger than life.
If I thought Dane had a big head before he hit the big leagues, I can only assume how much bigger it’s become with that level of reverence and adoration he receives from fans and the media.I’ve heard all about his over-the-top, self-important cellies out on the ice, seen post-game interviews where he doesn’t hide his inflated sense of self-worth, and read about the various escapades he has with a revolving door of women.
I’ll admit, Dane is an excellent right winger who has become a fan favorite since joining the league.I always knew he would be.And he deserves to be recognized for his skills.
And for his skills off the ice?I don’t even think about it.
Okay, maybe that’s a little lie.
Perhaps there’s a little jealousy permeating my attitude toward Dane.But it shouldn’t matter to me.Dane is not mine.I gave up that right to be jealous a long time ago.
Except we’re connected still—and will be forever—because of the teeny-tiny fact that Lennon is his daughter.
I am prepared today to shield my daughter from knowing the truth about Dane.
Which means I will clearly explain to him that, while he may have fathered Lennon, we do not want anything from him—not his money or his name.He has no responsibility in this matter whatsoever and should keep it that way.
Honestly, I think it’ll be a relief for him.He can walk away without the baggage of a nearly five-year-old little girl to mess up his lifestyle.No harm, no foul.He can go about his free-and-easy life without making any promises he can’t keep to us.
I quietly stand behind the waitress, who giggles over something Dane has said.She leans forward over the table in a suggestive manner, and Dane’s gaze goes to her cleavage.I clear my throat to announce my presence.
Dane’s scandalously flirty smile suddenly morphs into something more cautious and reserved.The woman straightens and twists around, her eyes flickering over me.The corners of her mouth turn up into a half-smile as she looks me over, probably wondering who the hell I am and why I’m here to see Dane.
Don’t worry, honey.I’m not in this game.
“Excuse me, I didn’t mean to interrupt,” I say, offering a polite apology.“Sorry I’m a little late, Dane.”
Dane stands from the table and brushes past the waitress—who looks slightly flustered and a tad peeved.Or maybe that’s just my assumption based on my past experiences with women who wanted Dane.She moves aside as Dane steps toward me with his arms out wide, and he encloses me in a warm embrace.His spicy scent makes my tummy shimmy with fluttering nerves.
