Page 96 of Lucky Shot
Knowing that makes my heart race a little faster. I’ve seen the evidence that he finds me attractive now. I saw it when he dressed in front of me just ten minutes ago.
A shiver races through my body. He squeezes my hand in response.
“You sure you’re okay?”
I smile at him. “Yep.”
We’re stepping up to the restaurant now. It’s not just expensive, but my understanding is that the entire place was rented out for this. If you bought a ticket to the game tomorrow, dinner is included. I shudder to think of what the tickets cost.
We were given a brief schedule of what the tickets included per tier. Dinner was for all levels, but the price tag determined whether you were sitting with a hockey player or not. There were also tiers that allowed you a one-on-one ‘social event’ with a hockey player (I did not sign up for that!) or provide fans access to the bidding room after dinner where our game night jerseys for this event will be up for auction.
Not even washed!
I suppose that’s part of the appeal, but ew. I like to pretend that the true draw is that these jerseys aren’t replicas. There’s literally only one like them and it’ll be the ones we wear.
All proceeds from this entire thing go to charity. The donations will be split equally between a few. I only agreed to participate in this because Gays Can Play, Too is one of those charities that was chosen. The NHL organized the program as more and more gay players started coming forward. We all suggested a more inclusive name—something more diplomatic—but this kind of stuck. I think the official, legal name is something different, but everyone knows it as Gays Can Play.
Whatever. As long as it’s promoting inclusion, I don’t care what it’s called.
My thoughts stutter when the front doors open and the massive throng of people look like a wall in front of me. Oh, fuck. Immediately, my heart begins to race and my palms become sweaty. Did it just get really hot in here? The light sheen of sweat that’s starting to cover my body makes me very aware of the collar around my neck.
Ohfuck, ohfuck, ohfuck. I might pass out. If I don’t panic first.
Demi lets go of my hand and I nearly lose my mind right then. But his touch returns with his hand on my back, pulling me close. My face turns into his shoulder, and I breathe him in.
“I’m right here,” he says quietly, his hand moving up and down my back. “I’m not leaving your side all night. I promise.”
I force air into my lungs and nod. “Sorry,” I whisper.
“Don’t apologize. When we’re done with our obligations for this event, you and I are going to have a serious conversation about you continuing with crowded events, Pretty.”
I’m not sure if it’s his words and the sentiment behind them or that he calls me Pretty. But my heart changes rhythm and I smile.
“Don’t pretend you didn’t hear me,” he says when I don’t answer.
“I heard you,” I say, wrapping my arms around his waist. “Honestly, I think I’d agree to give you my left kidney if you can get me out of here without me causing a panicky scene at some point tonight.”
He hums. “I’ll take something else. Both my kidneys are fine.”
Now I grin widely. For just a minute, I forget that I’m here. Surrounded by people. The chatter and noise fades for just a second and it’s just Demi and me.
“Lix.”
The moment is shattered and everything else comes rushing back. I shiver and step a little closer to Demi.
I feel Demi shift and his body shakes slightly as he grasps someone’s hand. “Hey, Sid.”
“I gotta say, I didn’t expect this crowd,” Sidney answers. I know him by name, but I don’t think I’ve ever talked to him. He’s one of Edmonton’s goalies—Demi’s teammate. “It’s not so bad once you make your way through this initial wall of bodies, though.”
“Good to know.”
“You’ll also appreciate that we’re not assigned tables. There’s a dozen that have a ‘reserved’ sign and there needs to be a few hockey players sitting at each for the actual meal. But apparently, we’re old enough to choose amongst ourselves who that is.”
Demi snorts. “Fortunately, there’s definitely enough here who enjoy attention and will fill the seats. You included.”
Sidney laughs. As they talk, I’m watching the expressions of people walking in through the door. Mostly, it’s surprise at the crowd of people. Probably the noise level too; it’s almost buzzing in my ears. But there’s excitement as well.
“Who’s this?” Sidney asks.
