Chapter 17

"Here we go!"Kate screams in my ear, practically deafening me. "Oh my god these seats are awesome! You lucky bitch, getting to enjoy this view every home game."

I hand her the loaded nachos she ordered and wave at a couple of people sitting close by. Over the weeks, I've started talking to the other regular fans, and it's hard to miss that more people have started to take an interest in the growing dynamic between Jon and me. I won't lie—it sort of makes me a bit uncomfortable, but I think people are largely being respectful.

"Yeah, well this lucky bitch is considerably less well-off thanks to these seats," I retort. I've saved for years for Jack and Darcy's eighteenth birthday presents and thankfully had some money left over from the inheritance I received from my parents. The season tickets are a dream for Jack, and I"m so pleased my mum and dad's legacy could go some way to making it a reality for him.

I'm also pleased I can bring Kate; she occasionally attends games but largely watches on TV. Jack's game clashes with this one, so he can't make it, and when I can, I plan to go to watch his games more now that he's breaking into the team and getting ice time. He needs his family and support in the stands, and over the past couple of weeks, he tells me his form has improved and his coach is pleased with the advancements he's making to his technical game. I'm proud of him but still worried he's going to burn out.

My jacket starts vibrating and I pull out my phone, and ugh, Elliott's name flashes across the screen as I hit reject. This is the third call I've had from him today followed by a couple of texts asking me to call. I replied asking if Darcy was okay to which he'd said yes, but he needed to discuss something with me. I've learned over the years that when Elliott wants something, it has to be a priority for everyone else, and he expects all those around him to drop everything for his needs. But now, unless it involves our children, he can wait. Besides, I'm in the middle of a deafening hockey stadium.

"Oh, hold these again for a quick sec." Kate thrusts the nachos back into my hands, and I roll my eyes. I knew the popcorn, big gulp, and nachos would be a handful, but she was determined to get all the snacks.

Kate winks at me before removing her black jacket revealing Jensen's jersey with his number eight-eight stamped on the back, sleeves, and chest. She leans forward and pulls her long blonde hair to the side, revealing Jones andgiggles to herself.

Taking the nachos back once again she shoots me a smug smile. "Do you think he'll notice?"

Oh, he'll notice. Jon always stops by my spot on his routine lap around the ice, and if Jensen doesn't clock it right away, Jon definitely will. "I think that's a dead cert, babe."

"Excellent!" she replies, sounding pleased with herself. I've got to hand it to her—confidence oozes from every pore. She's one of those women who truly doesn't give a shit what others think, save for a few she's close to. She's unapologetically Kate, with a bright smile and a feisty temperament in just the right measure.

A few minutes later, the players are being introduced onto the ice, ready for warmups. Music beats around the stadium and strobe lights chase across the walls. Butterflies erupt in my stomach, and a chill races down my spine. I love this part of attending games, the display and drama they put on for the fans, but I'm not going to deny the truth of why my body reacts as it does.

Every time I see him, he sends my heart rate racing, but when his tall masculine body is clad in hockey gear and gliding effortlessly around the rink, my pulse hits overdrive. It's useless denying the effect Jon Morgan has on me, and when he enters the rink and slows, dragging his gloved hand across the plexiglass with a dimpled smile reserved only for me, Kate sees it all in live color. His smile, the deep pink flush on my cheeks, and the way my breathing picks up. She grins, popping another piece of popcorn into her mouth, happy to be here for more than just one show.

The game between Dallas and the Scorpions is tight, with both teams all square at zero-zero as we get close to the end of the first period. Jensen is playing incredibly, making crazy saves even my uneducated eye recognizes to be out of this world, and Jon has been picking up defense more than usual. I've never seen him so locked into a game before. He's running the show out there, but both he and number ninety-eight, who I don't really recognize but Kate tells me is Jessie Callaghan, giving me all the gossip on his trade last season, have been denied in front of goal.

The end of the first period and the players begin skating off the ice. I catch sight of Jon, who's skating backward, removing his mouthguard. He flashes me a cheeky grin before disappearing down the tunnel.

Jensen, on the other hand, is still skating across the ice, his gaze firmly planted in Kate's direction."I think he's spotted the jersey," she comments, a giddy tone to her voice.

"Uh, yeah, it's safe to say he's clocked it," I reply, chuckling and shaking my head. The way Jensen's looking at her though, there's a possessive darkness in his eyes. Even from halfway across the ice, it's plain to see something is being shared between them, and I'm not entirely convinced it's just playful innocence.

It'sthree-two to the Scorpions deep in the final period.

The whole team has been playing incredibly, but Jon's game has hit another level, and every time he gets the puck, there's a hum of anticipation in the crowd, like he could do anything. And he could. He's a magician on the ice, his brain a step ahead of all those around him.

"Your boyfriend is so freakin' amazing," Kate shouts.

"He's fantastic, but he's not my boyfriend," I shout back, clapping at the latest move.

Kate scoffs. "Ugh yeah, he is."

"Have you just forgotten the conversation we had a couple of weeks back? We can't be any more than friends. We're too different." But at this point, even I'm struggling to buy my bullshit.

"Yeah, well I don't think you need to worry about catching feelings anymore."

I turn to look at her. "Why not?"

She exhales a laugh. "Because he's definitely beaten you to it."

I'm about to argue that she's wrong, but the noise level in the rink rises higher, and I look back to see Jon going one-on-one with the Dallas keeper. He sells him the wrong way and sinks the puck in the top right-hand corner, making it four-two and a definite win for the Scorpions.

I lose it and throw my arms up against the plexiglass in celebration and the whole team is piled on top of Jon, clearly knowing how much that meant to him.

When he finally gets back to his feet, he makes a beeline in my direction, stopping dead in front of me, and sending up a spray of ice.Removing his mouth guard he shouts, "Angel!" and all heads turn my way as I feel my cheeks warm. "That was for you."Jon smiles down at me through the glass then skates back to center ice, leaving the crowd reeling. It's the most public display he's shown to date, confirming all the recent rumors that the captain of the Scorpions has eyes for a fan.

"Like I was saying," Kate sings at me when I retake my seat. "He beat you to it."

Life has never been so good.

Sure, it's not perfect, but it's damn close. I've just played the best game since I can remember, acknowledged by a clap on the back and a knowing smile from Coach Burrows. I know my position as captain and starting center is still far from secure, but tonight was a start. Dallas is top of the league, and tonight was always going to be a hard-fought battle, especially since we desperately needed the W before we hit the road for a two-week away series.

"The fuck was that pass, Jon!" Jessie fist-bumps me as we head toward the showers.

I haven't pulled off a pass like that in years, even surprising myself."Moment of inspiration, I guess," I shout over to him and turn on the faucet, the steaming water hitting my body and easing my aching muscles. I'm going to be sore in the morning, since I pushed myself to the limits tonight.

"Screw the pass! I want to know what the hell's going on with you and that hot-as-fuck brunette we saw all that time ago in the cocktail bar. You've been eye-fucking each other for weeks, and don't think we didn't notice you skating over to her and declaring your love at the final buzzer," Kyle Johnson shouts from across the locker room.

Jesus, for a rookie he really does have some balls, much of it misplaced when he's addressing me as his captain and even more so when referring to Felicity as hot-as-fuck. My spine steels at the thought of another man's appreciative eyes on her."Shut the fuck up and wipe down my pads, will ya? They smell particularly bad after my performance tonight." The rest of the guys laugh.

Thoughts of that moment I shared with Felicity at the end of the game replay in my mind. I've never seen her so animated, and the way she cheered me on, it was like she was there to support me as my girl, like she was totally invested in me and my game. My chest fills with warmth, and I realize I need to see her again tonight. I want to capitalize on what we shared over breakfast, the kiss by the waterfront, and the easy conversation.

Grabbing my towel, I throw it around my waist and head for the locker. I pull out my phone, hoping she and Kate haven't left the stadium yet. The game finished at least twenty minutes ago, and I was going to head to the baths and gym for a light cool down given the state of my body. But something tells me being in my girl's presence will do more to soothe me than any cool down ever could.

Me

You still at the rink, Angel?

It feels like we're hovering in this space between friends, who kiss, and something more, but today she let me in slightly, and I have to keep trying. With Zach's advice forever on replay, it feels like it's now or never.

I throw on a pair of black pants and a button-down white dress shirt—rolling the sleeves to my elbows because I'm still overheating—and slip on some back dress shoes. My hair's still wet, so I grab a clean black Scorpions cap and throw it on.

"In a hurry?" Zach sidles up to me. He's already dressed and ready to leave.

"Yeah, hoping to catch Felicity before she heads out."

A smile tugs at his lips.

I check my phone. Still no reply, and she hasn't even read it. Shit.

"You coming to Riley's tonight?" Zach asks with a hopeful look in his eye.

It's then I take in his outfit. Zach is a good-looking guy, and tonight he's dressed with purpose in a tailored suit and his hair is styled. He's out to drown himself in beer and, at my best guess, pussy too. My best friend has never done hookups, and at the look in his eyes, he needs someone to accompany him and make sure he doesn't do anything, or anyone, too stupid tonight.

"Yeah, why not. Gimme five, and I'll meet you out in the parking lot." I grab my bag and pull out my phone again, scrolling for Felicity's number.

"I'll drive," I tell Zach.

He throws me an appreciative smile before exiting the locker room.

I'm walking down the private hallway on my way out toward my car when I dial Felicity. She's still not seen my text, and an uneasy feeling comes over me. I don't know whether she's ignoring me or genuinely hasn't seen my message, but either way, I don't like it.

Finally, she answers on the last ring."Hello?" I can barely hear her, the sound of voices and blaring music overpowering her soft voice.

"It's Jon. Are you okay? Where are you? Are you alone?" The questions spill out of me in a panicked tone I can't hide. I'm powerless when it comes to this girl. It's clear she's in a bar somewhere, without me. She looked stunning at the game today; tight blue jeans, a white sweater, and a black leather jacket with her signature emerald scarf popping the color in her eyes. Guys are going to be all over her.

I throw the double doors open to the players' parking lot and spot Zach leaning against my car waiting for me.

"Where are you?" I repeat, almost shouting now, my voice sounding way harsher than I intend.

"Hang on," she yells. I hear a few more voices and Felicity replying before the noise dies down, replaced with traffic and horns.

"Ugh, that's better. I can actually hear you now," she huffs out.

"Where are you? I messaged you, but you didn't reply." I pop the trunk on my car, and Zach throws his bag in before we both get in and my phone connects to the Bluetooth system.

"Oh sorry, didn't see that. I'm in some bar with Kate. We came here for a few drinks and food. Sorry we didn't wait, but Kate saw Jensen after the game, and he mentioned you would be coming here and?—"

"So where are you?" I cut her off and feel like an absolute asshole. Jesus, what's gotten into me, and why am I so tightly wound up?

"Alright, cool your jets, Grandma. We're in um..." She pauses, clearly checking where she is, and I inwardly chuckle. She's so fucking cute. "Riley's," she finally confirms.

"Yeah, Jensen would be right then." I crank the engine on my Porsche, pleased with my choice of car so I can get to her and the lecherous men as quickly as possible.

"We'll be there in ten, baby," I confirm, tagging on the baby because fuck it. I'm done messing around.