Page 16

CHAPTER 16

Charlie

My stomach still feels unsettled the next day as I board the plane for our game in Nashville. We’ve officially reached the month of December, and while that adds another level to the pressure for a re-sign, that isn’t the reason why I’m feeling uneasy.

I should have timed things better, because leaving Cami after dropping a bomb like that didn’t feel right. I know she says she’s okay with everything, but this is going to be a lot. Changing our friendship to be something more in front of the world is not an easy task, physically or mentally. I pull out my phone and type a text to her, because she never was one to keep her feelings from me, and our relationship isn’t one of tip-toeing around a problem.

Me

I feel bad leaving you last night after our conversation. We didn’t even really get to talk about logistics or about how you were feeling. I’m glad you agreed, but are you sure you’re good with this?

Cami

Aw, are you worried about my feelings Charles?

Me

You know I always am Cam. You’re my friend.

Cami

I know, me too. I’m good, really. I mean it’ll be weird, but we will figure it out like we always do

Me

And you know there’s going to be media all over you 24/7?

Cami

I know that

Me

And we’re going to have to hold hands and kiss and stuff.

Cami

Are you trying to talk me out of it?

Me

No, of course not. I’m grateful you’re willing to help. I just want to make sure you know what you’re getting yourself into.

Me

What if none of this even works?

Cami

Wow, a double text. Someone’s anxious today

Cami

Don’t worry, superstar. I’m working on a list right now of things we can do to help your image, and I can handle the craziness. It’ll probably be exciting

Me

You promise to tell me if it’s too much? We’ll call the whole thing off.

Cami

I promise. Now get on the plane, get your head in game mode, and stop worrying about me. Go kick some booty

Me

I won’t ever get used to the no cussing thing.

Cami

Me

How does that not count?

She doesn’t reply, but she doesn’t need to. I make my way toward the back of the plane to the last row and my unofficial assigned seat, but as I go Soren’s hand on my wrist stops me.

“Hey, man, want to sit up here with us?” I look around to the guys in the aisles around him. Soren is in the window seat, leaving the middle open and the aisle for me. In the aisle across from us is Adams and in the row in front of him, Murphy. I could do without being in close proximity to Murphy, I hate the guy. He’s constantly making the most misogynistic and gross comments and is overall just an annoying rookie. He gets on my nerves, but I need to be making friends and at least he’s in front of Adams and not Soren and I. I shrug and plop down in the aisle seat next to him.

“Have a good night last night?” I ask Soren as I get settled in my seat. Our flight today is just under three hours, so it won’t be too long.

“Yeah, not bad. Just hung out with Mia. We usually try to spend the evening together before I travel.”

“We all know what you mean by spend the evening together , right, boys?” Murphy laughs at his own joke even though no one else does.

I ignore him. This is exactly what I mean; he’s arrogant, crude, annoying and doesn’t know when to stop. A few weeks ago we won a shutout and he started messing with the other team after the game, taunting them about how they didn’t score. He got himself in a fight and ended up with a broken nose.

“How long have you two been together?” I ask, ignoring Murphy.

“About four years now. We started dating before I was drafted, so she’s been with me the whole way.”

“That’s nice, it’s scary dating now.” Adams rubs the back of his neck. “I never know if a woman is in it for me or for fame. And now that I have Chloe, it’s really important that I know the difference.”

“Yeah, man, I bet that’s tough,” Soren replies. “Charlie, you dating anyone?”

I tense up. My first instinct is to say no, but I know that these guys are going to start seeing Cami around more often, and after meeting her at the bar they would be curious why I didn’t say anything.

“Um, yeah actually. The girl from the bar the other night, Cami. We just started seeing each other.”

“I knew it! You owe me,” Adams says, making eye contact with Soren.

“Damnit,” he groans. He reaches into his bag and grabs a few folded bills before handing them over.

“What’s going on here?” I ask, confused.

“I bet Soren something was going on between you two. I could tell there was something there.”

I don’t know what he was picking up, because there wasn’t anything there , but I don’t question him. It just makes our story that much more believable.

“Ah, well it’s new. We’ve been friends for a long time, but just started making things a bit more serious.”

“Dating friends is dangerous waters,” Murphy chimes in. “You screw it up and you lose more than just someone to warm your bed, you lose a friend too.” I clench my fists at his words. They annoy me because he’s right. Thankfully Soren speaks before I say something to him I’ll regret.

“Maybe, but friends can make the best romantic partners too. Mia and I were best friends before we became more and I think she knows me better than anyone because of that.”

Murphy huffs a laugh and turns around before pulling his noise-canceling headphones over his head, dismissing himself from the conversation.

“What’s that guy’s problem?” Soren asks.

“He’s just an ass.”

Murphy holds his middle finger in the air at my comment.

“Don’t let him get to you. I’m serious, I think our friendship is why we’ve lasted for so long.”

“Chloe’s mom and I were not friends and you saw how that turned out. Data suggests you are set up for success, Cade.”

“I’m sorry about Chloe’s mom,” I say, not quite sure how to broach this topic of his family after so many years of running from friendships. “How is life with a one year old?”

“No worries, man, it’s in the past. Sucked, but what can you do?” He takes a deep breath and slowly releases it. “Life is insane. Being a single dad to a new toddler is…I don’t even know what it is. Easily the most difficult thing I’ve ever done. I just hired a new nanny though, so hopefully that will help lighten the load a little.”

“Good call hiring help,” Soren says. “It’ll get easier. I mean I don’t know that for sure, but from what I’ve heard parents say, it should get easier.”

“Fingers crossed.”

We talk for a bit longer about Adams’s daughter and her new nanny before settling in for the remainder of our flight. I close my eyes to try and gain an hour or so of extra sleep, and before I know it flight attendants are coming around asking us to prepare for landing.

The Nashville Predators’s arena is pretty large and can fit 17,500 people. In comparison, Madison Square Garden can hold a little over 18,000. Getting into game mode in a stadium that isn’t ours is a bit harder, but after so many years I have it down pretty solid.

I stick to my same breakfast if possible, depending on how early the flight is, and once we get about half an hour to landing I plug my headphones in and turn on my game day playlist. I move through my routine of getting things put in my locker, stretching and working on my PT exercises, and getting dressed for the game.

I’m about to head out to the ice when my phone buzzes in my locker.

Cami

Good luck, superstar. I’ll be wearing number 9 and shouting for you from the couch

Me

Number 9 and not number 13, right?

Cami

I’ll send proof

Cami’s picture comes through and I open it and smile. It’s a picture of her, standing in her living room with her red, white, and blue jersey on. It hangs low, past her knees, and it looks like she’s wearing it as a dress. I know better though, she absolutely has on a pair of sweat shorts under there. Her curly blonde hair is thrown up into a messy bun, tendrils falling and framing her face. Her cheeks are flushed and her face is clean of makeup. She’s sticking her tongue out at me and motioning toward the big number 9 in the center of her jersey.

A pang goes through my chest and I realize I’m missing her. I wish I could reach through the phone screen and pull the tie holding her hair up, then sink my fingers into it.

Where did that come from?

Cami

I might tease, but I’d never wear another number, Charles

Me

Good. I don’t want to see another number on the back of my girl.

I panic a little after I hit send. Was that too much? I can’t unsend it, but she isn’t responding and I need to put my phone away. Reluctantly, I put it back in my locker and head out to the ice.

* * *

After the game, I make my way back to the locker room. I’ve been on edge the entire three hours wishing I knew what her response was and freaking out that I had freaked her out. The message wasn’t outwardly flirty, but I called her mine and I don’t want her to take that the wrong way.

Despite my distraction, I played pretty well and only visited the penalty box twice. I walk straight into the locker room and to my locker, pulling my phone out to see a text from Cami, along with other unimportant notifications. My stomach is in knots as I unlock it.

Cami

9 til the end of time, superstar