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New Years Day | Lana
" L et me get this straight. You want me to go in there, dressed in that and get mocked by a bunch of thirteen year old girls," Trevor says, pointing at the Ice Queens team mascot costume.
Rina Lopez looks at me and I just shrug.
"I'm guessing you didn't tell him."
Once we decided to go on a date, it didn't take long for the Heatwave fans to spot us around town. The little debacle with the calendar quickly got replaced with rumors of "The Rookie" hooking up with his teammate's sister.
A rumor that was true. Very, very true.
But Rina had reached out to me before Christmas and told me that one of her players needed some community service hours. So without even knowing him, I had volunteered him to be the mascot for some of our home games in the new year.
"It's not as bad as he's making it out to be," I say.
Trevor cocks his head at me.
"He'll be a natural lady snow leopard."
Izzy, Trevor's ex, and the Heatwave team photographer comes up to us with her camera.
"I gotta admit. I've been waiting for the day when Trevor Sincaid would get his mascot debut."
She snaps photos of him as he suits up, the long fluffy tail swinging out and nearly hitting us.
"Who usually wears this thing?" Trevor says, slipping the head of it on topped with a crown and all.
"That would be me," my brother says, coming up behind me. "Sorry I'm late. I wanted to make sure the guys knew where to go."
"What guys?" Trevor says, inside the suit.
The doors burst open and the Heatwave starting lineup and a few of the others on the roster come wearing Ice Queen jerseys, drinks and popcorn in hand.
"You invited the whole team?" Trevor says, arms trying to cross in the suit.
"I didn't invite them."
"Don't worry," Keelan Landry, the team captain approaches. "We came to watch the Ice Queens take down the Storm. It's the rivalry of the year."
"Thanks for coming," I tell them.
"No problem, coach," Keelan says, saluting me. The guys all take the seats near the opposing team's bench and start chirping at the other team.
The Storm team coach looks at me arms raised in question.
"Sorry," I mouth to her.
"Alright, Rookie," Rina tells him. "You're up."
The music starts and the small crowd gathered comes to life as Trevor walks up to me and squeezes me into a hug.
"I'll be back," he says through the mascot head.
The girls I coach line up to get onto the ice behind us.
"Ew, is that your boyfriend?" One of them asks.
Trevor turns to the little forward.
"Yes! This beautiful, intelligent, incredible woman is my girlfriend," Trevor says, hugging me close to his side. "And I'm the luckiest snow leopard in all the land."
He takes a theatrical bow and the girls all give each other looks.
"I swear he's much cooler outside of this costume," I assure them.
They laugh but as soon as the announcer comes on Trevor does a few jumping jacks and runs onto the ice.
The Heatwave players go nuts at the sight of their teammate and popcorns goes flying everywhere.
Our games are never this exciting, but as my now boyfriend starts dancing on the ice—I notice the seats filling up in the arena.
"Is it just me?" I turn to Rina, "Or is this place getting pretty packed."
"You can thank the guys for that. They've been posting about this game and getting the fans to come out to support girls hockey."
My heart swells. This is what my girls deserve. This is what the sport needs. Fans that are thrilled to support.
I watch my lady leopard go full heart on the ice pumping up the crowd. It was supposed to be a punishment for him. But he's enjoying way too much. And honestly, I'm glad he's not treating it like a punishment—he's treating it like a privilege.
His entire team is.
And it gives me so much hope for the future.
He finishes his dance and the girls take their place on the ice and the fans go even wilder for them.
"How'd I do?" he asks, bouncing back to me.
"You rocked that suit. In fact, maybe you should keep it on."
He growls and pinches my butt, making me yelp.
"Anything to keep that smile on your face, my little grinch."
I drop the smile.
"My little snow Angel," he corrects himself.
"That's better."
"Now get out there and coach your little heart out. Because later, it's my turn," he says.
"You know, it's really hard to take you seriously when you look like that."
"If I tie you up will you take me more seriously?"
I think about for all of two seconds.
"Yes, yes I will."
"Good, because when the clock strikes twelve… you're all mine," he growls.
The love doesn't end here…
This was just a little taste of the Heatwave players. If you haven't read the series—start with Pucked Together . It's a brother's best friend romance with all the laughs and love from our Heatwave boys.