Page 7

Chloe

It takes me twenty-four hours to come to the realization that there’s no way around this issue.

I stayed up late last night, looking at everything online.

Then I spent an extra hour combing through all the rules the Green Thunder organization has put out, and I couldn’t find a single rule that said we couldn’t date.

I can’t believe how many people are all over this story already.

Two different sports stations besides SportsStop were talking about it.

The couple names have already started.

“What is with names?” I ask in frustration.

As far as couple names go, they’re the worst.

Our two names just do not go together.

Gunnie is the best one, and even that one is a hot mess.

I worked late last night and didn’t sleep well.

But after a few hours of sleep and coffee this morning, I look at it objectively.

Putting aside my own personal feelings and donning my business mindset, I realize that there’s really only one thing we can do, and that is to go forward with this trainwreck.

It’s what I would make any of my other players do if this weren’t me.

The problem is—it is me; and it’s Gunner.

I vowed to never humiliate myself in front of him again, and that means never getting close to him.

But there is literally no way around this.

I’ve beat it to death; and now, I have to accept it.

I head to my closet where I have a whole closet full of all different jerseys, shirts, and sweatshirts from Green Thunder.

I search through them for one that has his name on the back.

Coftman.

I sigh as I put it on.

Of course, I’ve worn his jersey before.

I’ve worn all the guys’ jerseys.

I cycle through them, but this feels like more today.

I get to the arena early.

It’s game day, and that means a full day for me.

I hit the ground running and barely have a chance to lift my head before it’s afternoon.

Afternoon is when it really kicks up.

I don’t have a chance to talk to Gunner until it’s time for them to take to the ice for their pregame warm-up.

Before I get there, I get snagged by one of the trainers for an injury update, and a member of the press when I check the press area to make sure it’s good to go for after the game.

I walk faster when I glance at my clock.

It’s getting close to game time.

I make my way down to the ice, well-practiced in traversing the steps in heels.

When I finally make it to the ice, the team is coming off the ice and into the tunnel.

I wait for Gunner, who’s one of the last off the ice.

Most of the guys just nod at me as they leave the ice.

They’re in their pre-game heads now.

When Gunner skates over, if he’s surprised to see me, he doesn’t show it.

He steps onto the black runner.

“Coftman,” I say by way of greeting.

I know we don’t have much time, so I make it fast.

“Did you find anybody?” He doesn’t give any pretense of not knowing exactly what I’m talking about.

“I don’t want anybody beside you to do it, Chloe. Thought I made that clear.”

I take a breath.

He’s definitely in game mode and super intense right now.

I hate that we’re doing this right now; I don’t want to distract him.

But I know he’ll be asked about this after the game.

“Okay. I’ll do it.” He stares down at me, and I can’t read anything off his face.

“Good.”

“I, uh, don’t really know what all to do, but I wore your jersey.”

He nods.

“I see.”

Now, I feel stupid for pointing it out.

“And I got my ticket for the section where the wives sit.” I grimace at my own words.

Apparently, I’m not capable of making this any less awkward.

“Coftman, let’s go!” Coach Seers yells down the hall.

“I gotta go.”

“Okay, yeah. Good luck and all that.” I pat his arm and he turns away.

I mentally face palm my forehead.

I patted his arm.

I watch him stride down the hall, his skates not slowing him down.

I open my iPad and let myself settle into familiar territory.

It’s Saturday night game night at the Green Thunder Arena.

Let’s do this.

And just like that, I’m back on top of my game.

This is my world, my domain.

I work through my list and then have my phone ready as the guys come past me again.

I snap pics and videos as they line up.

I take a moment to post them, hash tagging #gamenight and #GreenThunder.

I stay where I am for the opening montage, my very favorite part of the night.

I relish the thrill that happens every single game night.

I don’t know if I will ever tire of this—watching my favorite team play my favorite sport.

With my blood pumping and a smile on my face, I record the faceoff and then walk back down the hallway so I can access the entrance to the arena.

I walk through the arena until I get to the section I’m looking for and take a deep breath before I walk down the steps, easily traversing them in my heels.

My stomach knots, and I’m more nervous for this next part than anything else today.

I stop at the end of the row and take it in for just a moment.

This is the “wives” row as they’ve dubbed it.

It started out as Sebastian’s family’s row, and they added Stephanie and Brielle.

Then Amber joined the row.

I’ve spent time with Sebastian’s family at plenty of events over the last few years, so I know them.

.

.

sort of.

It’s Sebastian’s dad at the end that notices me first.

“Chloe,” he says with a genuine smile.

“Hey, do you mind if I join your row? I have a ticket for the—” I don’t get to finish the words.

“Of course.” He steps out of the way, grabbing his wife’s arm and pulling her along with.

She stops cheering to turn towards me, and her eyes light up.

“Chloe.” I’m engulfed in a hug before I’m prepared for it.

I awkwardly pat her back and move past her.

Then it’s the awkward process of climbing across all the people.

The way it worked out, the only available ticketed seat was the one almost completely in the middle.

I finally make it to my seat, and it’s Bri that notices me first.

“Hey, Chloe,” she stands and gives me a hug.

I'm careful of her belly, that’s looking more pronounced these days. “Are you sitting with us?” she asks, surprise in her eyes.

“Uh, yeah. I got a ticket for this row,” I say lamely.

“Great! I’m so glad!” She hugs me again before sitting down, and I settle in the seat next to her.

Amber leans over Brielle. “Chloe?”

I wave. “Hey.”

“Why are you here?” she asks, and Bri elbows her in the stomach.

“What? It’s just a question.”

“Where’s your baby?” I yell over the noise. She leans back and points next to her where I see Stephanie holding Amber and Rico’s little girl. I have to admit, she looks pretty cute in the Garcia jersey and huge noise-canceling headphones. Amber gives me a look and then settles back in her chair. She and I don’t exactly have the best relationship. I sit back in my seat and respond quickly to two emails from two members of the media about interviews after the game. Only then can I sit back and enjoy the game. It's pretty early in the season, but the guys have been playing well.

.

.

not that that’s a surprise.

Everyone is expecting them to go all the way this season.

I’m sure hoping they do; it’s been too long for Green Thunder fans.

The last time we won the Cup was back in 2013.

I’m sucked into the game as soon as my eyes are on the ice.

I catalogue each of the players tonight.

Aiden’s having a great time with a score already under his belt.

Sebastian is still dealing with a shoulder injury that’s keeping him from being at his peak.

Zac had a concussion two games ago, so this is his first night back out on the ice.

Dylan is a starter this season as a defender; he plays alongside Zac, the other defender.

Aiden plays center, Sebastian right winger, and Gunner left winger.

I love watching Aiden, Sebastian, and Gunner play together; they’re like magic.

It doesn’t get any better than them.

Of course, Rico’s pretty good too in front of the net.

I’m going to be sad when any of them decide it’s time to retire.

I don’t think I’ll be able to handle it.

But for now, it’s time for some great hockey.

This is a team we’re expected to beat easily, so I’m not worried about this one.

We're up by one at the end of the first period. Bri stands as soon as it’s over. “I have to pee,” she announces, and Stephanie volunteers to go with her. She hands Riley back to Amber, and the two leave. I stand and stretch at the end of the first period and check my messages to make sure I’m not missing anything that’s happening during the game. I snap a quick shot of the score board, add a few photos I took of the game so far and post them.

“So,” Amber says next to me.

I finish with my hashtags and return my phone to my pocket. “So...” I return.

“Okay, I’m just going to point out the obvious. You're sitting in the row of family and wives, and you are neither of those things. So again, my question. Why are you here?”

I turn to her and raise an eyebrow. “Is it not okay that I’m sitting with you?”

Amber shrugs. “It’s fine if that’s what you want; you just usually have an ulterior motive. As long as you’re not here to cause problems, it’s all good.”

I look her in the eye. “I’m not here to cause problems.” I look down at Riley and smile. “How’s she doing?”

And just like that, Amber softens right up. “She’s crawling and says Da-da.”

“Not mama?”

Amber shakes her head. “Of course not. She’s daddy’s girl through and through. But we’re going to get a mama out of her yet,” she says, kissing Riley’s chubby cheeks and earning her a precious giggle.

“Rico didn’t tell you why I was here?” I question carefully.

Amber turns back to me. “Nope.”

“Oh.” I make a move to sit back down.

“Wait, you have to say now. You can’t just not tell us,” Amber complains.

Thankfully, the buzzer sounds for the second period to start. I point to the game as the noise starts up again. “Time for the second period.”

She shakes her head. “You’re evil!” she shouts above the noise.

I shake my head and point to my ears, even though I heard her just fine. The next period flies by with Aiden scoring again and Sebastian scoring as well. Rico keeps the net clear, and we’re headed into the third period with hopefully a shut-out and a perfect game for Rico. I manage to avoid conversation during the break, and we head into the third period. Gunner scores with two minutes left in the game, putting us up four to zero. I stand up after that score and start making my way to the end of the aisle. Bri turns sideways to let me through.

“It was good to see you,” she says in her sweet voice.

“You too.”

“I’m going to find out why you’re here,” Amber says as I pass her. I nod but keep moving.

“Chloe,” Stephanie acknowledges as I pass her.

“Stephanie,” I say in return. I crawl over a few more people and finally make it to the end of the row and begin to make my way through the building and down to the tunnel, so I can get a few last photos and videos of the games as the guys come off the ice. And then it will be time to head to the press room.