Page 10

CHAPTER 10

Charlie

We’ve been at Teddy’s for a little over an hour now and I’m shocked I don’t want to leave. I figured we would make an appearance, enough for me to tell Sophie I tried, and then head out after having one drink.

I stopped after my first because I’m driving tonight, but Cami is on her second and I love watching her confidently work the room. She’s been talking with Mia, Soren’s girlfriend, for the last half hour and I try to listen in on their conversation as I talk with the guys.

Mia is telling Cami how she and Soren met—apparently they were friends first and someone made the first move—and Cami is listening intently. She hums and nods her head at all the right moments and I find myself jealous of her easy ability to make friends and carry on conversation. She just met this woman an hour ago and they’re hitting it off. I’ve known most of these guys for many years and this is the first time I’ve gone out with them.

Watching her interact with the group and effortlessly participate in their banter has a thought floating in my mind, one that is absolutely insane. So insane that I decide to think about something else, except that doesn’t seem to be possible.

Whoever I fake date needs to be able to help me get the fans, and my teammates, to love me and see me in a different light. They need to see me as essential and part of the culture, and if Cami is this good at a night out with the team I wonder if she might be up to the job. She wins everyone over with her easy charm and funny personality, and that is exactly the type of person Sophie would tell me I need.

She would never go for it, though, so I actually do put it out of my mind this time and go back to focusing on my teammates. Theo is talking about how his one year old daughter started saying “Da-Da” a few weeks ago and passes his phone around, showing her off. I watch when it reaches me and smile at her sweet little voice.

“That’s awesome, Adams, she’s adorable. How long have you and your wife been together?”

I know I’ve said something I shouldn’t have as soon as it leaves my mouth, because the entire table goes silent besides the girls, who quickly join in when they realize they’re the only ones talking. I’m not sure what happened with Adams, but it’s clear he is not married and now I feel like the biggest jerk.

“No woman in the picture. Just me and Chloe,” he says and swallows hard. I start to feel my fingers tingle, and my face grows hot.

“Sorry, man, I didn’t know.”

“No worries. I’m gonna go to the restroom.” He sets his drink down and storms off, clearly tense after that whole interaction.

“Don’t feel too bad,” Soren says, placing his hand on my shoulder and giving it a squeeze. “Adams is a private person and you two aren’t close, so it would make sense you didn’t know. Chloe’s mom cheated on him about six months after she was born. Ran off with her new guy and left a letter and papers signing custody of Chloe over to him.”

“What a nightmare,” I say, releasing the breath I was holding. I suddenly feel like the biggest jerk for not being involved in these guys’ lives. I should know that my teammate is caring for his daughter alone so I can help him pick up the slack. Instead I’ve been hiding in my own little bubble, where it’s safe and I don’t have to take any risks.

Suddenly this mission to plant roots in the community and with this team becomes about more than just staying with the Rangers for my own selfish comfort. These men deserve a teammate that is there for them on and off the ice, and I need to step up. If that means getting comfortable being out of my comfort zone, and placing myself at risk of someone stabbing me in the back, that might just be what I have to do.

The night continues on after my slip up and Adams is composed when he returns to the table. I check in with him silently and he nods his head in my direction, letting me know we’re okay. Cami continues to thread herself into the conversation easily, including me where she can and helping me when I get a little too awkward. The longer the night goes on, the more she seems to be the right person for the fake dating job.

After another hour, she tugs on the hem of my shirt to get my attention.

“I think I may grab an Uber, I’m falling asleep standing up.” She smiles sheepishly up at me.

“No way you’re getting an Uber this late at night. I’m ready to go too.”

“You don’t have to do that. I don’t want to cut off your time with the guys.”

I ignore her protests and turn to the table. “We’re going to head out. Thanks for inviting us.” We say our goodbyes and Cami hugs Mia after exchanging phone numbers. I place my hand on her lower back and lead her out of the bar, then hand the valet my ticket.

The burst of the cold air outside feels refreshing after being inside the crowded bar and I take a deep breath, feeling good about my successful attempt at making friends tonight. The drive to her apartment is quiet, because she falls asleep about five minutes in. Once I pull up, I reach over and brush the hair that’s fallen in front of her face, behind her shoulder.

“Hey, Cam, we’re home,” I whisper, softly nudging her shoulder.

“Huh?” she says groggily. After a few seconds, she realizes where she is and sits up, stretching her arms out. “Thanks for the ride and for tonight. It was fun.”

“Right back at you. Thanks for coming.”

She gets out and I watch her enter the building before pulling away.