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Chapter Twenty-Two

SMASH THOSE BURGERS

~~Junie~~

The guys pull it off. They win the next two and advance to the conference finals. If they win this series, they play for the Cup.

In order to alleviate any more mishaps, I’ve started showing up at work hours earlier than usual to make sure my supplies are in order. Such early hours followed by late nights make for some very long days, but I get a break when the team travels. Increased security has helped, as there haven’t been any more incidents. As each day goes by, I relax more and more. Whoever this person was, it seems like they’ve moved on or given up.

Levi and I coast along. I’m not sure where we’re going with this relationship. In the middle of the playoff run is not a good time to have any deep discussions. He apologized for his heavy-handed declaration if I don’t go to management, he will. I accept his apology, yet I’m also taken aback by what he said. Is it a red flag? A sign he might be controlling once he’s more comfortable with the relationship? I’ve been in this situation before, and I never want to go there again.

The guys are running on empty while Dallas has had a nice break between series. We lost the first two in Dallas but came home to win the next two then one on the raod. Tonight is game six of the conference finals. We’re at home and have a chance to wrap up this series with a win.

I’m doing my part the best I can. I have a huge dinner planned after the game, and I’m hoping it’s a celebration dinner. The fresh-off-the-boat oysters and salmon will be delivered to the stadium this afternoon.

Celeste has been suspiciously quiet. I don’t trust her or Maddie. She’s still dating Landon, but I’ve heard through the WAG grapevine rumors about her being seen with a Skookums baseball player when Landon is out of town. I’m staying out of that one. Landon should be fully aware of what he’s getting into. According to Levi, half the team has warned him, but he thinks he’s in love. There’s a broken heart waiting to happen. From what I know about Landon, I expect him to bounce back pretty quickly, though.

Caro is close to popping. She wants this child to come before the finals or at least when Easton isn’t on the road, but babies don’t necessarily care what their mothers want when it comes to being born. I feel sorry for her. She’s gotten so large, several of us joke that she’s going to have another set of twins. She doesn’t find our teasing overly amusing, but nothing is amusing to Caro right now.

Adding to the overall excitement among the WAGs, both Darcy, Ziggy’s wife, and Geneva, Axel’s wife, are also pregnant. I’m a little envious. I love kids, but I’ve never yearned for one of my own until lately. My imagination shifts to an image of Levi teaching his son to play hockey, or maybe it’s his daughter? He’d be a great dad. He’s patient and easygoing most of the time.

I’m at the stadium hours early today for game one and prepping veggies while waiting for the food delivery. My staff won’t arrive for another couple hours. The peace and quiet is enjoyable, and I relish it. When Maddie and Milo are present the tension radiating between them is stressful.

I finish my vegetable prep and glance at my watch. More time has passed than I thought. Maddie and Milo will be here any minute. I frown as I realize my delivery is late.

I look up the number on my phone and call my supplier. The young-sounding voice on the other end of the line identifies herself as Miranda. She’s not my normal contact.

“Hi, this is Juniper Diaz with the Seattle Sockeyes. My delivery’s late. Can you give me an ETA?” Miranda is silent for so long that I think we’ve been disconnected. “Hello? Are you still there?”

“I—uh—but you called three hours ago and canceled the order.”

I go cold inside. “I didn’t cancel the order. Please double-check. Even better, let me talk to Debbie.” Alarm spreads through me, and I attempt to tamp down my panic. It’s an honest mistake. It must be.

“Debbie’s not here. She’s having her baby.”

Everyone’s having a baby or getting pregnant but me. I’m irritated by this, and I’m not sure why. I’ve never been one to have a strong mommy drive.

“Okay, then please look into this. I need that order as soon as possible.”

“Please hold.”

I pace the floor as the elevator music plays on my phone. As I’m holding, Levi saunters in. He’s unusually relaxed considering what’s at stake tonight. He gives me a quick kiss on the cheek before settling on a stool to wait for me to finish my call.

“Ms. Diaz?”

“Yes.”

“I’m sorry, but as I stated earlier, someone identifying themselves as you canceled this order hours ago.”

“I didn’t cancel it. There’s been some kind of mix-up. I need that seafood now. Can you rush it over to the arena?”

“I’m afraid I can’t do that. When you canceled the order, we sold the fresh seafood to another customer. As you know, such quality products are in high demand. Don’t worry, we won’t charge you for the order.” She makes it sound as if money concerns are all that matters. I don’t give a shit about the cost. I need my order.

“I don’t care about a refund. I want my order.” I rein in my temper with great difficulty. Levi watches me with concern. Of course, Milo and Maddie choose this very moment to arrive and witness another screwup. All three of them silently stare at me.

“Even if we had it, our delivery guy is making other deliveries.”

“But I need it now.” I’m begging her, but she’s not understanding my dilemma.

“I’m sorry. We can offer you 10 percent off on your next order.”

“I don’t want 10 percent off. I want my order now.” I’m not backing down, but neither is she.

“I can’t help you. I’ve explained our situation multiple times. You shouldn’t have canceled your order then changed your mind.”

“I didn’t cancel my order.”

“Then it was canceled by someone representing you.”

“Let me speak to your manager.”

“My dad’s not here right now either.”

“Your father owns the company?” This is getting better every second.

“Yes, he does. I’m sorry, but I need to go. I have a customer waiting. Have a nice day.” She ends the call, and I stare at my phone willing it to fix this predicament I’m now in.

“We don’t have the seafood?” Maddie’s smirking as if she finds my pain horribly amusing.

“No, we don’t. It appears someone impersonating me canceled the order.” I’m about to lose my shit. This can’t be happening again. “We need to pivot and quickly. Milo, check our supplies. What can we substitute for the missing protein? Maddie, start calling around and see if you can get a replacement elsewhere within the next hour.”

Maddie pouts but does as I ask. Levi comes up and puts his arms around me. “It’s time to come clean with management. Someone is doing this on purpose. They need to know.”

“I guess you’re right, but not now. I don’t have time. I’ll talk to them tomorrow.” I hold on to him tightly as if he’s my lifeline. Surprisingly, he is. For so long I’ve stood on my own with support from Caro and Inga. I haven’t asked anyone for favors or made excuses, but it’s time.

“I’ll go with you if you want moral support. We fly to Dallas at ten, so it’d need to be first thing in the morning.” His eyes pull me in. He’s concerned, but wrapped in the warm security of his arms, I feel as if I’m safe no matter what happens. I’m not the type of woman who needs a man to protect her, but I have to admit it’s nice to lean on someone else once in a while. I never saw this side of Levi until we restarted our relationship.

You’re still in the honeymoon period , the jaded woman inside me warns. Chris seemed like the perfect man until I married him. But Levi isn’t Chris. Yet I am me, and I doubt my judgment is sound. As I’ve been told countless times by Caro, I sure know how to pick ’em. She doesn’t support my relationship with Levi. Does she see something I don’t? Or does she not see in him what I see?

I snuggle in closer. Enjoying his strong presence and breathing in his masculine scent before I gently extract myself from his arms. “I have to get back to work.”

“I understand. You’ll rock it tonight whatever you serve.” He gives me a gentle kiss on the forehead.

“Good luck tonight. I’d better get myself organized.” I post my menu a day or two ahead on the whiteboard in the player’s lounge. They’re counting on salmon, and hopefully Maddie found a supplier willing and able to deliver immediately.

Levi reluctantly leaves. He hesitates in the doorway and glances back. When our eyes meet, he winks and blows me a kiss. My heart does a pitter-pat, and I find myself smiling despite the current mess I’m in.

I hurry to the back where she’s on the phone. I can tell she’s not happy with what she’s being told. When she finally hangs up, I say, “Any luck?”

“None.”

I heave a sigh as Milo steps forward. “We have a lot of hamburger.”

“Hamburger?” The guys are expecting fresh seafood, and I give them hamburger? This is not good.

“We can do smashburgers, make it gourmet. They’ll eat them up.” Maddie’s suggestion surprises me. She’s never been this cooperative. Of course, I’m immediately suspicious she’s setting me up for something worse.

“Smashburgers it is,” I announce. “We’ll serve it with homemade fries. We do have enough potatoes?” I look to Milo for the answer, and he nods.

“Let’s get the pregame meal ready, and we’ll worry about postgame dinner after that.”

My staff might be dysfunctional, but they know their jobs, and they jump into action.