Page 30 of Unmasking Love (D.C. Renegades #1)
Harper
Google is a Girl's Best Friend
"Holy shit, that's intense." I say with an exhale as I cover my pounding heart.
Watching Aiden in goal was non-stop nerve wracking. I was tuned in to every move he made but I'm still learning the game so when I yelled at him to get back into the net early on, the fan next to me said "It's okay, he can do that sometimes."
Wes laughed into his beer and from then on I tried not to yell out whatever was in my head for fear it would be the wrong thing.
He stopped three shots easily, or at least he made it look easy, and while the Renegades haven't scored yet they have more shots on goal than Denver.
Yes, Wes and I had to google the different stats on the jumbotron. That's how I learned SOG was Shots on Goal.
“Wanna go get some food?” I ask Wes. He nods and when I turn to stand up I run into a person wearing a D.C. Renegades logo and staff badge around his neck.
"Are you Harper Daniels?"
"Yes," I reply unsure why he’d be looking for me.
"This is from Mr. Youngren." The kid says and then he hands me the bag.
I thank him and open it. It's a Renegades fleece blanket. Wes gasps with delight as I pull it out of the bag slowly.
"Oh girl, your boy has it bad."
"I think you're right." I say with a smile.
"Tell me everything. I feel like I haven't talked to you since before Halloween."
"Well, I've been with Aiden." I shrug.
"And you're going to ditch me for your professional hockey player boyfriend. I knew our friendship would end dramatically someday."
“Shut up,” I laugh as we walk up the stairs. “Like you don’t ditch me the second a cute boy walks in.”
“Harper, I’ve got to keep my eyes open. Oh! I didn’t tell you, I went to a late night party on Halloween and guess who was there.”
“Who?”
“That’s not a guess, but I can’t believe I haven’t told you this yet so I’m just gonna tell you.” He still pauses for dramatic effect. “Thad.”
“My ex? The original ex?”
“Yes. But now, guess who he was with.”
“I dunno,” I start thinking about people Thad and I would both know.
“Ugh, stop, you’re ruining my moment.” Wes whines. “He was there with Joey.”
“ Your ex?”
“Yes! I walked in and they were necking and I almost threw a hissy fit. Of course, everyone knew the history there and it was all anyone wanted to talk about. I hated being the center of attention.” No he didn’t. “There was more drama than even brAVO could handle."
"Oh man. Plus tequila?"
"So much tequila. My head is just starting to feel normal today." Wes says as he steps up and orders another beer with our chicken tenders. "But enough about me, tell me more about your new boyfriend!"
"Well, as you know we hooked up, and then, I dunno, just got together. He took me out to dinner and asked if I wanted to be his girlfriend and I said yes."
"Th at's so high school and I love it for you."
"Thanks." I deadpan, I don't want to relate this to high school in any way. "I umm, actually showed him the unit downstairs and I think I'm going to call the contractors and see if I can get started on the renovation."
"Harper, that's amazing!" Wes says as he wraps his arm around my shoulders. "I'm so happy for you."
"Thanks Wessy."
We settle into our seats again, under the fleece blanket, as the teams come back out for the second period.
Aiden skates to the opposite net. Wes and I get into it, along with everyone else sitting around us.
The play has been on the other side for a while so I'm kind of tuned out when I see Aiden flick the puck ahead to Felix who skates towards the net in front of us at an alarming speed.
Before I know what's happening the siren sounds and Renegades by X Ambassadors starts playing.
Felix jumps into the boards and Wes stands to bang on the glass.
The other players come in for hugs and helmet taps as they celebrate the goal.
Then Felix spins around and gives me a thumbs up.
I return it, not knowing why he did that, and shrug at the people around me who are tapping my shoulder and wondering who I am.
We're still on our feet clapping as Felix skates down to Aiden and gives him a hug. Then he pushes Aiden out of the net and laughs as the players skate past the bench and fist bump with everyone.
I can see the crinkle in Aiden’s eyes from how wide he’s smiling. He leaves his second spot in line and skates back to the net. We settle back into our seats and watch the rest of the period.
***
There is one minute and eight seconds left in the third period and the puck is at the far end of the ice.
Aiden is standing tall in his net, looking relaxed with h is arm slung over the top bar.
A whistle blows and play stops. Aiden turns around and takes a sip of his water and then before he turns back around he squirts it at the glass right in front of me and I startle back into my seat.
I can see him beam through the cage on his face mask and it’s like we’re the only two people here.
The whistle blows again and he gets into position. The Renegades keep it down on the other end of the ice, until the buzzer sounds. We watch as the entire team comes out and gathers Aiden in hugs. They won, two to nothing. And I was proud to teach Wes it’s called a shutout.
Aiden and I didn’t talk about what I would do after the game. Should I wait for him here? Wait for him at home? Go to the family suite? I do have Danielle’s cell number. Or, maybe he doesn’t want to hang out at all. He probably has post-game things to do and needs to concentrate on that.
“I can see your mind is at spin class,” Wes says as we fall in with the crowd making their way to the exit.
“Huh?”
“You’re spiraling. What are you so worried about?”
“Well, what do I do now? Do I wait for him here? Call him? Wait for him at home?”
“Ah, I see.” Wes says and he grabs my arm and pulls me out of the stream of people. He leans us up against the wall and looks me straight in the eyes. This is his I’m-not-messing-around face. “What do you want to do right now, Harper?”
“I want to know what my new boyfriend is thinking and what he wants from me.”
“Not what I asked. I need to know what you want to do. What action do you want to take right now?”
“I want to call Aiden and ask where to meet him.”
“Okay, it still revolves around him but better than trying to play mind reader. So, call him.”
“Now?”
“Yes.”
“Okay.”