12. Riggs

twelve

Riggs

I search the cheer squad as they practice their routine on the ice for tonight's game. My eyes scanning the group for even the smallest glimpse of Heidi. But I don't see her anywhere.

These last few days without her have been hell without her. Not just sexually, but her quick wit and sunny personality are something I need in my life. I know Anders and Bodie feel the same way—like we are just going through the motions, too numb to process our true feelings for Heidi. We called more penalties in the last few days than we have all year, and the team owners are beginning to notice. Two days ago, Anders almost got into a fight with some of the players during a game.

That was the final straw. We knew we needed our Baby Girl back. We had to pull a lot of strings to get back into the rotation to work a Minnesota Norse game on such short notice, but we somehow pulled it off.

"Is she out there?" Bodie glances around my shoulder.

It's two hours before the game, and we should be in our pregame meeting instead of looking for Heidi. I'm not sure how I'm going to be able to step into the referee lounge with the memories of what the four of us did in there the last time we worked a Minnesota Norse game.

"I don't see her," Anders adds. "Do you think she's okay?"

"If you mean, is she sick from a broken heart? Then yeah, she's not okay." We turn around at the new voice that has entered our private conversation to find Cassi Masterson, a cutthroat sports agent, glaring at us with her hands on her hips. "I should gut you myself for what you did to that poor girl. All she has ever wanted was to be loved and have someone make her the center of their universe. The three of you did that for her—gave her everything her heart desired—then, poof, it was gone along with the three of you."

"How did you know about us? I thought she wanted it to be a secret since we are so much older than her," I ask, still stunned by Cassi's assessment of our situation with Heide.

"Heidi and I are best friends, even if I'm a little bit older. Even though she's only eighteen, she's an old soul who had to grow up fast since her parents didn't care about her. Her older brother tried, but he was dealing with his own stuff. She was doing good living on her own with a roommate, a full-time job, she was even starting to hang out with our Ladies of the Norse group. She was finally living her life independently—then you three ass wipes stroll into her life, give her the love and connection she's been craving—then rip it away."

Hearing our shortcomings and Heidi's crushed dreams coming out of Cassi's mouth makes me feel about two inches tall. By the heartbroken looks on Anders and Bodie's faces, I can tell they feel the same way.

"But we're twice her age. She can't possibly what to spend the rest of her life with our old asses." Anders glances from Cassi to me, then to Bodie as he says the words—a look of longing in his serious gaze.

"After the way you treated her, I'm not sure she would take any of you back." We glance out at the ice, searching for our sable-haired beauty. "She's not out there. She needed some time to think about things. I let her use my cabin on the lake. I can't believe I'm doing this, but here's the address." Cassi hands me a slip of paper. "I'm trusting you with this information—don't hurt her again, or I'll make sure you never ref another game in your life. Understand?"

I take the piece of paper offered, shoving it in my pocket for safety. "Let's go get our girl," I say.

Anders, Bodie, and I turn to leave, but Cassi stops us. "What about the game, gentleman? Who's going to officiate if you're not here?"

Shit, I completely forgot about the game since it's the least of my worries. "We can try and call for replacements."

Cassi rolls her eyes and pulls her phone out of her purse, "Go on, I got this." She waves us off with a flick of her wrist.