Page 25

God, I love her. “No, nothing like that. I’m not going into details about what we did, but he was incredibly amazing. Perfect. He was so gentle with me and kind.” A giggle slips out when I notice the look they’re giving me. It clearly says ‘bullshit’ . “Well, at first.”

“Aw, she has hearts in her eyes.” Steve puts his hands together under his chin. “Ah, to be young and in love.”

“Steve, you’re not even two years older than us.” I give him a ‘stop being stupid’ look. “Oh! And by the way”—I turn to Emma—“Sy invited us to his game tonight.” I smile broadly. I know my friend loves hockey games, although I’m pretty sure she only goes to see the players.

She shrieks and jumps up from the chair, rushing around my desk and practically jumping in my arms. “Oh, thank you. Thank you. Thank you! We are going to have SO much fun!”

“You’ll have to thank Silas, he’s the one who told me to bring you.”

“Oh, trust me, I will. I’m going to kiss that man when I see him.” She smirks.

“Don’t you dare!” I practically shout. Wow, where did that come from? Emma’s smirk grows, she knew I’d react to her comment. The witch.

“Umm, what about me? Did we all just forget that maybe I would like to see some sweaty men in action, too?” Steve announces, sounding scandalized.

“Sorry, I’ll ask for next time. Promise. ”

“You better, bitch.”

“Why is it that I always find you three in here?” And there goes Amanda, my wonderful boss. She’s right, this has become a daily thing. She shakes her head with a smile. “Meeting in five,” she declares with a knock on the doorframe before leaving.

Steve and Emma both get up, ready to head to the conference room. But I stop Em by the elbow, needing to ask her a specific question that I would rather not have an audience for.

“Wait, I wanted to ask you something.”

“What is it, babe? Need some painkillers? I think I have some in my bag.”

“Yes, that would be great. But that wasn’t my question. I was wondering... has a guy ever...” I’m overheating so badly at the thought of saying this out loud that I feel the need to fan myself.

“Ever what?”.

“Spanked you... down there,” I mumble the words out.

“Has a guy ever spanked my ass?” Now she looks confused.

“No. I mean, down there ,” I say through my teeth as I look down at my crotch.

She gasps loudly, gaining the attention of a few coworkers passing by. “He pussy spanked you!?”

I rush my hands to her mouth, trying to shut her up. “Shh! Emma, please!” God, I never should have said anything. I’m so embarrassed! “Yes, he did... it was strange, but good... I feel weird liking it. Is that fucked up?” I ask, worry lacing my voice.

Emma passes her fingers through my hair, placing it so it falls down my back in a motherly way.

“Of course not, sweetie. Everyone has things they like and don’t.

Some just like kinkier things, like you and your man.

Nothing to be ashamed of. Now come on, or we’ll be late for the meeting.

But when we get home, I want you to give me all the sordid details of your night with the big man.

” She locks our arms together and drags us out of my office.

Later that evening, I’m sitting in my bathroom on a bar stool that Em brought from the kitchen while she curls my hair like she did yesterday. I don’t know what she does differently, but when I do it, they never turn out as nice.

“I feel like an impostor. I’m going to a hockey game dressed like a hockey fan. And yet, I know nothing about hockey. Sy has been trying to teach me about it from time to time, but I just can’t seem to wrap my head around it,” I tell her through the mirror, feeling disappointed in myself.

“You’ll get the hang of it after a couple games, I’ll help you. And you have every right to be there, you’re being a good girlfriend showing support for her boyfriend. Is Morgan gonna be there?”

“Yeah, she texted me earlier to ask if I was coming to the game. She’s going to sit with us.”

“Oh my God, I can’t wait to meet her!” Emma bounces on the spot in excitement. She’s ridiculous.

“Just don’t be weird and ask inappropriate questions, like how big Clay is in the sac,” I scold her.

“Why do you always have to be a buzzkill?”

I chuckle in response. I don’t have a choice, knowing her, she definitely would ask Morg a question like that.

Emma sets the curling wand down by the sink and passes her fingers through my locks, separating the curls and giving them a more natural look. “There, all done.” I look myself over in the mirror. I went minimal with my makeup, only mascara and lip balm.

“You’re glowing, Cece. I like this look on you,” Emma says as she looks at my reflection.

“Yeah, me too.”

I leave the bathroom and walk over to my bed where I had laid out my clothes. Pulling off my robe, I slip into my tight-fitted jeans and pull a long-sleeve shirt over my head. Once I’m done, I sit on the bed and place my hand on the pretty black box Silas left me.

When we got home, two identical boxes were propped up against our door. One with my name and the other Emma’s. Inside were our tickets and a jersey with ‘ HAYES ’ and number ‘ 19 ’ written on the back.

Lifting the lid of the box, I put the ticket aside and retrieve the jersey.

It’s mostly blue, with two white bands and a red one between them at the bottom.

The same white and red bands go around the upper part of the sleeve.

On the front, a big white ‘ G ’ takes center stage with a golden Griffin crawling through it. It’s spectacular.

I pass my arms and head through the holes and stand only to frown. I look down at the jersey. The sleeves are way too long, and the hem passes my knees. This thing is huge, it must be a mistake.

Emma trots back in at that moment in her jersey, which is a lot smaller. She slows her steps when she sees me, eyes going wide. “Oh my God.”

“I know, I look ridiculous.” I flap my arms out in defeat.

“It’s his jersey.”

“I know it’s his jersey, but I think he messed up the size. It’s way too big.” I start rolling up the sleeves to get my hands free.

“No, babe. It’s his jersey. Look.” She walks over to me and touches a patch on the top left side of the jersey. “It’s his captain patch, it’s literally stitched in. This is his hockey jersey.”

“Wait, what? Why would he give me his jersey?” I furrow my brow. This doesn’t seem like a gift you make to a girl you just started dating.

“Because he’s crazy about you!” She takes me by the shoulders, giving me a little shake. “Dammit, I should have called four months like Amanda.”

“I am not getting engaged or married anytime soon!” I say with annoyance.

She pats one of my shoulders, giving me a sympathetic smile. “You should probably tell your boyfriend that, because I can already hear those church bells ringing.”