the VIP section and hopefully, Julia will see us doing a celly on her behalf if she’s watching. With a new baby and a toddler, I can’t even imagine that she has time to go to the bathroom let alone watch a hockey game, but maybe she is. For the rest of the game, I chat with Sue-Ann about knitting and hope I don’t run into any of Blaine’s floozies on my way to the player exit.
Chapter Seven
Blaine
I try not to limp as I waddle out the players’ exit to look for Cora. As expected, I didn’t have my best game, but luckily, Max carried me just like I would do for him. In the end, Spencer killed it and we won anyway 2-1.
I spot her before she sees me since she’s deep in conversation with Sue-Ann. This gives me a few unspoiled minutes just to watch her. My stomach clenches as I stare. The way she listens without interrupting even if she’s not interested in the conversation. That’s one of my favorite things about her. The way she tucks a lock of long hair behind her ear. The way she tries to hide her curvy body underneath layers of fabric. Tonight she has on leggings, a shirt, an oversized sweatshirt that almost hits her knees, and a wraparound scarf. She’s holding her heavy winter coat slung over one arm even though it’s only October. It can get a bit chilly in the arena, but my God, Cora looks like she’s thinking about taking part in an Iditarod race.
But she still looks like a goddess from where I’m standing, because Cora sees me as a person not a famous cock or a walking wallet.
Too bad I’m a card-carrying member of the platonic planet.
I calm my stride and straighten my tie until Max sideswipes me. “You look good, Rice, so quit preening.”
“So says the happily married man. Even if you look like something the cat dragged in, your woman’s a sure thing.”
He whistles low. “Not always. Sometimes me and my smart mouth find their way into the doghouse and my cock goes into hibernation. And your woman is what? A nothing?”
Damn, I wish I could call her my woman.
I speed into a trot and leave his smart mouth in my dust. I half-hug Cora when I get there. “I sucked tonight, so don’t even give me one of your fake good game speeches.”
Those tiny crinkles between her eyes appear. “I wasn’t going to. As your friend, I speak the truth. And if the truth isn’t nice, I don’t speak at all.”
I want to slap the arrogant grin off Max’s face. He loves Cora. Hell, everyone loves Cora. Mostly because she calls me out on my shit. Every guy, especially every professional hockey player, needs their own personal Cora lest they get too big for their jock strap.
Dylan comes up behind us. “Hey, a bunch of us are headed to Spud’s downtown for some cocktails and appetizers to celebrate our win. You guys game?”
I look to Cora and at her nod, give him a high five. “Love that place! They have the best wings.”
Max and Sue-Ann tag along behind us and Dylan leads the motorcade to Spuds. I score a place to park outside on the street and Cora tumbles out to head inside. I’ll drop her off at home later since she took an Uber to the arena. Dylan called ahead and they have a big table all ready for us in the back. Spuds caters to the Caribou players because we’re good for business. Ever since Duluth caught wind that we like to hang at Spuds, the craft beer bar has been at maximum capacity after home games.
I help Cora off with her coat and scarf and settle her into a seat. Since I already know what she wants, I even order for her when the server stops by so she can keep chatting with Sue-Ann who’s on the other side of her. Spencer went home to his new baby, of course, but some of the other guys and their wives or girlfriends showed up too. Dylan is the only one who is flying solo, but that doesn’t surprise me. I need to sit down with that poor dude and ask about the woman who shattered his heart so badly he doesn’t feel like he warrants another chance.
He’s good people, and I can’t think of a guy who deserves it more. And despite being hit in the face with a