Page 49

“Come on. We need to buy some raffle tickets for a chance to win a signed puck.”
“You can get a signed puck whenever you want.” I point out.
Francesca loops her arm in mine and pulls me toward the nearest table, selling raffle tickets. “Well, this is for a good cause.”
“Would you two ladies like to buy some raffle tickets? All proceeds are going to the children’s hospital. You can win some pretty amazing prizes.”
“Sure.” Francesca says as she reaches into her back pocket and pulls out a wad of cash.
She buys more than enough to secure at least one prize, and I buy a more modest amount, opting for only twenty raffle tickets.
The crowd that’s lingering in the lobby lines up at the arena doors for their fifteen minute time slot to skate with a player.
A security officer verifies their tickets before opening the doors and allowing them inside.
“Do you want to go watch the players and fans skate? We don’t need to stand here all day. We have workers that can handle everything.”
“Sure.”
If I can hide in the stands, then I can steer clear of Joseph.
I follow her all the way down the stairs to the ice. She sits in the row directly behind the team’s bench. Several players, including Joseph, glance our way. This is not what I wanted. I wanted to blend in with the crowd, not have all eyes on me.
I settle into my seat and watch as families skate with our players and get their autographs after their fifteen minute time slot.
Children’s faces light up as they hug their favorite player. It’s honestly the cutest thing I think I’ve ever seen. Who knew they even made ice skates that small?
Fans leave the ice with huge grins on their faces as they gush about this once in a lifetime event, promising to treasure these memories for the rest of their lives.
I turn and grin at Francesca. “This was such a great idea.”
“I was already thinking that we may have to host this event every year or even twice a year. It’s been such a tremendous success. The community loves it.”
I lean over and whisper, “And they don’t even realize the extra security we have because they are floating on cloud nine.”
“Exactly. Although, hopefully, next time we won’t have to have this many security officers.”
“You may have to because of over enthusiastic fans.” I nod toward the ice where a security officer is escorting a couple of women off the ice and away from Rhett.
Francesca leans forward as Rhett skates over to her. “What happened?”
He glances behind him to make sure no one is close by. “They were reporters.”
“What did they want?” I ask, interjecting myself into their conversation.
“To ask about the family and rumors circulating about the Marino family, Rossi family, and vigilante gang going head to head to head.”
“Ugh, leeches. Why can’t they just leave us alone? We have enough going on. We don’t have time for their bullshit.”
Rhett places his hand on the plexiglass separating him from his woman. “That’s why I signaled to security. We already figured a few reporters would slip in. That’s why we came up with a plan.”
“We’ll have better vetting next year, and I won’t wait until the last minute to plan an event of this caliber.”
Rhett gives her a smile before turning away and joining Spencer Reed, who is currently skating with two little boys and their parents. They laugh at something Rhett says before welcoming Rhett into their group.
Francesca and I watch as each new group takes the ice to greet the players, skates, and takes their picture before leaving with grins on their faces. Some fans sit in the stands and wait for the raffle.
“I bet their faces are going to hurt from smiling so much.” I scoot down in my seat and rest my feet against the boards in front of me.