Page 18 of Pucking the Team

“And he’s very determined when he sets his mind to it,” Theo said, “so put it right out of your mind now, honey.” He gestured to two big wooden doors thrown open to a function room. Beside the right one was a huge sign withMeet The Viperswritten above the snake logo that seemed to be on everything I’d looked at during the last few hours.

If only the bus hadn’t had that plane image on its side. Perhaps I wouldn’t have mistaken it for an airport shuttle. But then again…maybe it had all worked out—well, this part of my day at least, the rest had gone to hell and back and been nipped on the heels by rabid hounds every step of the way. But at least I had somewhere to sleep and Steven had no idea where I was.

“You should come with us,” Theo said. “Get something to eat.”

The thought of eating did sound like a good idea, I hadn’t had anything since a smoked salmon and cream cheese bagel at breakfast, and my stomach was rumbling at the same time it was churning with emotion.

“Need to grab the food before the fans come in.” Ben nodded at the revolving door. “It’ll be crazy town for a few hours then.”

Quite a crowd had formed. Eager faces straining to see inside the hotel lobby. Two security guards were holding the fort—chests puffed up and full of self-importance—beside a red-roped cordon.

“You really have got quite the following, huh.” I studied a plate of canapés a waiter was carrying toward the function room. They appeared to be mini goat cheese tartlets. Yum.

“Ah, they’re not here for Theo and me. Ramrod, that’s our captain, he’s the main attraction along with Phoenix and Brick who have both been the player with the most points in the entire NHL several times over.”

“Sounds impressive.” The smell of food was suddenly a magnet, and I stepped in the direction of the function room.

“It is.” Ben set his hand on the small of my back. An intimate gesture, perhaps, but then I remembered how gentle he’d been with my buttons and I didn’t mind.

The room was vast with huge windows almost level with the water, giving the impression of stepping onto a boat. A long shiny stone bar was bustling with wait staff, and along the right side, beneath a massive painting of wild mountains, was a table heavy with food—hot steaming curries, cold platters of meat, a side of salmon decorated with paper-thin cucumber slices. Quiches, pork pies, salads, and pasta were dotted about.

“Damn, I’m starving,” Theo said, grabbing a plate.

“Let’s dig in.” Ben did the same.

“Do you think it’s okay for me to just—?”

“Eat,” Theo said, “and yeah, it’s all cool. You’re with us.”

Who was I to argue? I reached for a plate, and Dylan appeared at my side.

“Hey,” he said. “How you doing?”

“Better now I’m out of that bloody dress.”

“Yeah, I bet. And you’re hungry?”

“Yep, not much puts me off my food.” I reached for a scoop of what appeared to be chicken tikka curry. “And this smells so good.”

“It does. Think I’ll join you in that.”

Ben and Theo were enthusiastically loading their plates. I followed, and so did Dylan.

When we took a seat beside the window, I searched for Eduardo. When I spotted him I froze, fork halfway to my mouth.

He was standing by the bar with what appeared to be every female member of the hospitality team draped around him. Photographs were being taken, and he was enjoying every moment of it, judging by his wide grin.

“Is he always like that?” I asked.

Dylan, Benjamin, and Theo all turned their attention to where I was pointing with my fork.

Theo laughed. “Yep, he’s our very own Casanova.”

“I swear he enjoys Meet and Greet as much as a game.” Dylan shoveled in rice.

“I take it he’s single,” I said.

“Single today, besotted tomorrow, heartbroken the next.” Benjamin rolled his eyes. “But never in love…at least not yet.”