Page 16
CHAPTER 16
Tempe
W hen Rafferty pulls up to Brienne Norcross’s home, my breath catches at the spectacular display before us. The mansion, massive and imposing, basks under the glow of thousands of twinkling white lights. Silver-bowed wreaths hang symmetrically in every window and the bushes flanking the grand entrance shimmer with sparkling bulbs, creating a fairy-tale-like atmosphere that rivals the Phipps Conservatory where Stone and Harlow were married.
Stepping out of the car, I clutch my coat against the chilly December air, my eyes wide as I take in the scene. Rafferty, noticing my awe, gives me a knowing smile and offers his arm.
“Pretty spectacular, right?” he murmurs.
“I’ve never been to a house like this. Never known anyone this wealthy. It boggles.”
“Well, as you saw at Stone’s wedding, Brienne is as down-to-earth as they come, so just relax and have fun tonight.”
As we approach the entrance, the grandeur intensifies. The front door opens, a liveried butler awaiting our arrival. Laughter spills out with the sound of Christmas music released into the night. We step inside and are immediately enveloped by the festive cacophony and warmth of the party.
After depositing our coats with the man who opened the door, we walk around the large rooms. The mansion’s interior is even more breathtaking than the outside. Crystal chandeliers dangle from the high ceilings, each one alight with countless Edison bulbs that cast a soft, golden glow over the festivities. The floor beneath our feet is a polished marble mosaic that reflects the twinkling lights and vibrant decorations. Dark, paneled walls lined with elaborate crown moldings are adorned with pine-scented garlands and twinkling fairy lights that snake around the room, adding a magical touch to the already stunning décor.
I soak in every meticulously crafted detail, from the hand-etched trim moldings that depict intricate patterns of flora to the luxurious silk rugs underfoot, each one a splash of color and craftsmanship.
The furniture is all heavy and traditional, richly carved and upholstered in sumptuous fabrics, and looks more like art than seating. Massive oil paintings, each one deserving of a spot in a gallery, hang on the walls, their ornate frames as impressive as the art they enclose. What little I know of Brienne Norcross is that she’s more Renaissance woman than old-fashioned mogul, so it’s hard to imagine her living in what amounts to a museum. Still, it’s beyond magnificent to behold.
The main hall is dominated by a majestic Christmas tree that stretches toward the ceiling. It’s lavishly decorated with silver and gold ornaments, ribbons, and a shimmering star on top that competes with the chandelier for brilliance. Underneath, a sea of beautifully wrapped gifts promised joy and surprises, and Rafferty had explained that Brienne is now stepmom to Drake’s three little boys.
Rafferty leads me through the crowd, past a group robustly singing carols around a grand piano, their voices filling the hall. I’m still in awe, my eyes roaming over the details of the house, each one more impressive than the last.
His hand is warm in mine, squeezing gently as we pause to take it all in. “Not a bad place for a Christmas party, huh?” he murmurs, his breath warm against my cheek.
“Not bad at all,” I agree, smoothing down my velvet dress, its deep green chosen to complement my eyes. Rafferty looks particularly sharp tonight in his tailored charcoal suit, the soft fabric catching the light as he moves.
We’re quickly spotted by the guys I’ve come to call Rafferty’s Crew since they rallied around us during the scheme to foil Tansy. Atlas and North approach, both holding expensive crystal highball glasses.
They each shake hands with Rafferty, which seems overly formal, but then again… this whole party is so glamorous. North leans in, kisses me on the cheek. “Merry Christmas, Tempe.”
I blush over the fondness in his voice, touched by how easily they’ve accepted me. Rafferty told me tonight on the way over that he had texted his “crew” and told them there was no pretense anymore. That he and I were an official couple.
We chat for a few moments, Rafferty stepping away briefly to get us drinks. We’re eventually joined by King and Willa. “This beats office parties any day,” King jokes, eliciting a round of laughter.
“I’m admittedly a little dazzled,” I say as Rafferty’s arm comes around my lower back.
“Same,” Willa says, leaning toward me. “You and I are new to this, so let’s stick together.”
“I’m new too.” We turn to see Mazzy joining our group, Foster standing behind her. “Us girls need to stick together.”
“And so it begins,” Foster says dramatically.
“Not outnumbered, but totally outclassed,” Rafferty says, giving me an affectionate squeeze, and I fucking beam. How is this my life?
The sudden eruption of cheers and applause from an adjacent room piques our curiosity. Rafferty gives me a questioning look and I shrug.
He catches a woman walking by and asks, “What’s going on over there?”
She throws her thumb over her shoulder. “Coach West just popped the question to Ava and she said yes!”
Oh my! A Christmas Eve proposal. So romantic.
“Come on,” Rafferty says, taking my hand, and we follow the rest of our group toward the sounds of celebration.
As we enter the grand room, the air is thick with excitement and joy. We spot Coach West and his girlfriend—or rather, fiancée—Ava, at the center of a bustling crowd. They are beaming, wrapped in each other’s arms, and I don’t miss the massive rock winking from her left ring finger.
We hadn’t seen what transpired, so we weave through the crowd to find Boone and his fiancée, Lilly, chatting excitedly near the bar. I so enjoyed meeting them at the wedding.
“What happened?” Rafferty asks.
Boone, with a wide grin, gestures animatedly. “No freaking clue. Just suddenly the whole room was quiet and Coach dropped to one knee, holding up a ring to Ava. It seemed pretty spontaneous to me.”
“Which is what makes it so awesome,” Lilly exclaims.
I can’t agree with her more. I love surprises.
Lilly, clasping her hands, adds, “She started crying, said yes before he even asked. It was so beautiful, so heartfelt. Everyone just erupted into cheers.”
Rafferty nods appreciatively, a broad smile spreading across his face. “That’s Coach for you. Always knows how to make a moment count.”
We join the line of well-wishers and as we wait, Rafferty tells me more about Coach joining the team last year. When it’s our turn, Rafferty steps forward with confidence, pulling me slightly closer by the hand.
“Coach, Ava, congratulations!” he says, loud and clear over the murmurs of the room. Rafferty gives his coach and Ava each a hug and then turns to me. “I want to introduce you to my girlfriend, Tempe.”
I smile, hold out my hand for both to shake. “Congratulations, and it’s so nice to meet you.”
Coach West looks somewhat surprised but recovers with a gracious nod toward Rafferty. “Seems like I have some congratulations of my own to extend.”
“I’m the lucky one,” Rafferty says.
We chat a few more minutes and then after grabbing another round of drinks, we make our way back to Rafferty’s crew in the other room.
For the next half hour, we stand in our tight group, chatting about hockey and life. Willa, Mazzy and I end up together, discussing the holidays and making plans to get together. I ask if we can invite Farren and there is no hesitation in bringing her into our newly formed friend group.
I’m introduced to other members of the team as well as some of the people who work for the organization, but my head swims with it all and I can hardly remember any of them. They are all gracious though, and I can see why Rafferty has told me on more than one occasion that the Titans are like family.
“If we can have everyone gather in the front hall,” a man’s deep voice booms, but when I crane my neck, I can’t see who is making the announcement.
Rafferty takes my hand and we shuffle along with the crowd, people pouring in from various rooms into the massive foyer with the grand staircase. Standing up about ten steps is Brienne Norcross, and beside her, her husband, Drake McGinn. On the step below them are three adorable little boys I assume belong to him.
Brienne’s pale blond hair is twisted behind her neck and she’s wearing a stunning sheath gown in bloodred with massive rubies dripping from her ears. She exudes wealth and sophistication, yet she’s so adorably human when she puts her fingers in her mouth to issue a shrill whistle that immediately stops the chatter and commands silence. Drake smirks beside her, his hand coming around her waist. He pulls her to his side, whispers something in her ear that causes her to blush.
I have to admit, it’s sexy and romantic all at once. Drake seems the antithesis to Brienne in that he’s huge, tattooed, muscled, with long hair and a beard. I’d have never matched them together, but seeing the way they look at each other with such intense focus, I don’t see how they could ever be matched with anyone else.
Brienne turns back to the crowd standing shoulder to shoulder, all peering up at her. She grins, holds out her arms, and says loud enough to carry through the house, “Welcome and Merry Christmas!”
Everyone claps and cheers, and she motions with her hands to pipe down.
“My Titans friends,” Brienne begins, commanding attention, “Drake and I are thrilled to host you tonight. It’s a chance to unwind and celebrate the incredible hard work and spirit you all bring to this team. So far, the season has tested us, but it’s also shown us what we’re capable of when we come together. Tonight, let’s remember to enjoy the moment and one another’s company. We are family, and it’s as a family that we’ll continue to dominate on the ice.”
“And the race track,” someone calls out from behind us.
Brienne laughs, nodding. “Thank you, Gage.” I glance back and locate Gage Heyward, one of the assistant coaches, grinning at Brienne. “Yes, our city’s new race team that I purchased will debut on March 2 in Bahrain. But rest assured, my focus right now is on this season. We’re currently at the top of our division and one spot away from the top of the conference. We have put together the best team this league has ever seen, and I’m confident we’re going to take this all the way.”
The roar of approval startles me and Rafferty laughs when I jump.
Brienne waits for quiet once more, which happens without the need to whistle. Her words are simple. “Eat well. Enjoy each other’s company tonight. And may all your holiday wishes come true. Thank you for coming.”
More applause and then people disperse back to various rooms. Rafferty leans down, his lips near my ear. “We can leave whenever you want. I know you want to spend time tonight with your family.”
I’m so touched by his offer. I hadn’t said anything to him, but it was a bit of a dilemma for me to leave Mom and Cooper on Christmas Eve, even though they both insisted I come to this party—Mom because she’s a romantic, and Cooper because he thinks it’s the coolest thing ever his sister is dating a hockey star.
Still, I don’t want to take Rafferty away from this frivolity with his team. He must sense my hesitation because he makes a command decision.
“Come on,” he says, entwining his fingers with mine. “Let’s go thank Brienne for a great party and bug out.”
“But I… I…,” I say. He looks at me curiously. “I mean, yes… I’d like to spend time with my family tonight, but I also don’t want to stop spending time with you.”
Rafferty’s smile melts my heart. His thumb grazes the back of my hand. “That’s an easy fix. Invite me to hang out at your house for a while tonight. We can stop at the grocery store on the way home and get stuff to make homemade hot chocolate. Maybe watch a Christmas movie with your mom and Cooper?”
Everything up until now has seemed dreamlike with Rafferty, but it’s at this moment I realize, he’s truly the man of my dreams. Not because he’s famous, rich or lusted after by women, but because he’s a good man.
A truly good man.
“Okay,” I breathe out. “That sounds like a great plan.”
It takes a while to make our way to Brienne. She has a line of people wanting to extend their thanks and when we do finally reach her, she’s as graciously kind and personable as she was at the wedding. She even extends an invite to me and Cooper to join her in the owner’s box for a game this season and said she’d “have her people reach out to me.”
I’m on cloud nine as we make our way through the house back to the front door when we’re drawn up short as Tansy steps into our path. We both knew she’d be here since everyone in the Titans’ organization was invited, and she’s Brienne’s cousin, but there are so many people filling all the nooks and crannies of this massive home, we had yet to see her.
She’s beautiful, and for a split second, I decide to give her the benefit of the doubt, willing to wish her a genuine Merry Christmas. She glances between me and Rafferty. Her lip curls and her tone is artificially sweet. “Still keeping up this little charade? It’s adorable.”
I feel Rafferty’s arm tighten around my waist, his body language as protective as it is defiant. “Tansy,” he replies, “I’ve decided that whatever Tempe and I are, we’re absolutely none of your business. We’re here to enjoy the evening, just like everyone else.”
Tansy’s smile doesn’t reach her eyes and I can tell she’s about to say something caustic. But Rafferty beats her to the punch. “Stop being pathetic, Tansy. You need to move on.”
I’m shocked he’s insulting her, because I don’t want him to provoke her into causing trouble with Brienne.
I brace over her sharp, bitter laugh. “Move on? From what, Rafferty? From you using this poor girl as a shield against your own mistakes?” Tansy’s glare flicks to me, challenging. “How does it feel to be used like that, Tempe?”
I’m about to speak, to defend us, when Rafferty’s grip on me tightens. “That’s enough,” he says, his tone final. “You don’t get to talk to her like that. We’re done here.”
“But are we, Rafferty?” Tansy’s voice is menacing. “What would Brienne think of your little arrangement? Maybe I should ask her.”
Rafferty leans in toward Tansy, his response dangerously low and cold. “You do what you have to do, Tansy. I’ve done nothing wrong, and I’m not going to let you threaten me or us anymore. In fact, I’m thinking that the next time you try this shit with me or Tempe, I’ll go straight to HR and let them sort this out.”
Tansy glares at him for a tense moment, then scoffs. “You don’t have the guts,” she says flippantly before turning on her heel and striding away, her exit as dramatic as her entrance.
As she disappears into the crowd, I let out a huge sigh, =Rafferty’s eyes searching mine for any sign of doubt or fear. “I’m sorry you had to see that. I’m done worrying about what Tansy might do.”
His words are meant to reassure, but a knot of worry lodges in my throat. “What if she goes to Brienne?”
He smiles, a wry twist of his lips. “Then she goes. We have nothing to hide. Let’s not let her ruin our night, okay?”
I think about Rafferty’s idea to make hot chocolate and watch a movie, and I can’t help but think there’s nothing that could ruin this night.