Chapter 15

Cindy

I've kept my eyes focused on Tyler all night. He has glanced over to me several times, and noticed when I moved seats when Emmerson arrived late.

The minutes are flying by as the final period countdown begins. I love the vibe in the stadium when it's like this. It's such a buzz going through the crowd.

And yes, I'm wearing Tyler's jersey under my jacket, #61 on the back with the ‘C' patch for captain on the front. I even swiped a shirt for Em when I knew she was coming at the last minute. We both have our hats and scarves on as well.

The Hawks are still ahead when Jay scores the seventh goal with a scuffle in the net, and Vegas Heat score another soon after. I know Ty drives the play with the strategy they've worked out all week in their training, but anything can happen in the game. Things can turn any time and I don't envy him right now. The weight is definitely on his shoulders as captain.

Tyler is sticking to his guy like glue, not letting any passes through, and when Dean Hendrix, the right winger for the Heat, tries to score, he blocks it with his body.

The two almost get into a scuff, but Ty pushes him backwards and skates away from him. I press my lips together, watching his large form, the way he moves, the way he glides. It's so hot.

I wonder what he's going to think of me secretly wearing his jersey.

I've been doing it for a while now, but nobody knows.

Taylor scores the eighth goal for the Hawks when both teams are all down at the Vegas Heat end of the goals. Taylor breaks away and whacks the puck from halfway down the ice with no one to stop him. Unfortunately for the goalie, he slides the wrong way and the puck sinks into the left side of the net. Everyone is on the edge of their seats, including me, as we cheer and Taylor waves his stick around in appreciation. Em is literally jumping up and down, screaming next to me. Susie isn't much better on the other side of me. She's really getting into it, too.

There's literally a minute to go, but there's no way the Heat can come back from this.

Especially when Ty passes a clean, even shot down the ice across to Jay, who forwards it on to Taylor. Taylor takes the shot, but the goalie blocks it and it jumps back out. The crowd is on total edge again and just as Taylor fires again, Josh Beauman comes up behind him, trying to swipe the puck away. But Taylor is too fast. He's already taken the shot. He still gets pushed down to the ground in the process, and no one can see where the puck is with seconds to go on the clock. The goalie is covering the tiny space inside the net, laying flat on his back. The puck disappeared under his leg, but it's still not visible where it landed. Taylor is also laying on the ice inside the net after he slid in there when Josh pushed him down, taking the shot.

Finally, when they both move, the puck is sure enough underneath them inside the goals. Another score. And there's mere seconds left on the buzzer.

Nine goals to four. Everything goes nuts from then on in.

The Seattle Hawks are officially the Stanley Cup winners.

When the siren breaks, everyone goes wild; streamers fly down from the room instantaneously, helmets go crashing down onto the ice as the players celebrate. I feel bad for the Heat as they slump away, defeated as well as disappointed. But there can only be one winner.

Em, Susie and I are all jumping up and down, going as crazy as everyone else. We hug as Taylor's mom in the row in front of us reaches back to give Em a hug. It's a sweet gesture given their difficult history. They seem on good terms now.

It takes a long time for everything to come to a lull, and I'm sure the team never wants it to end.

I see my dad is one of the first on the ice, Coach Ted close behind him as they go nuts and celebrate with the boys. I've never seen Dad look so elated. When the buzzer went off, he and Ted couldn't contain themselves. I know they will play that over and over again on the replay. Angelique and Max are sitting close to the players' bench, but it's impossible to get to them now with everyone on their feet going wild.

I'm in absolute awe of Ty when The Stanley Cup is presented to him shortly after. He's worked so hard, along with my dad and the rest of the team. I'm so happy for them.

I watch Ty skate up to accept the cup. He holds it up in the air and the crowd goes bananas again. He looks so happy and elated. I can't wait to see him later.

There's no way we're not going to get together for the after party. I don't care what anyone says.

I want him to know I'm wearing his jersey and how good he looked out there.

I feel ecstatic, like this night couldn't get any better.

Em is beside herself next to me too. Taylor gets awarded with the Conn Smythe Trophy, which is such an outstanding achievement, and well deserved. She turns to hug me and Susie again. I know she can't wait to get to him.

I can hardly blame her.

It takes a long time for things to dissipate because each and every member of the team gets to hold the cup. Then my dad, Ted, and all the managers. It's a special moment in time, one I wish could go on forever.

But I'm chomping at the bit to see Ty.

We eventually leave the crowd and wait for Em to catch up with Taylor and find out what they are doing after this. She makes her way down to the players' entry door as they are heading back to the change rooms and gives him a kiss. He whispers something to her and eventually she makes her way back up to us. I'm so glad Em has patched things up with Tay. It's the best outcome she could have hoped for.

And now with the Hawks winning the cup… Things couldn't be better for all of us.

* * *

I rarely drink much, so half a glass of champagne is enough for me behind the scenes while we wait for the guys to get changed and head out to club Salt to celebrate.

Ty gives me a huge hug when he sees me. And since all the guys are hugging anyone and everyone, I don't think it will rouse any suspicion.

He pulls on the hem of my jersey under my jacket as he looks down at me.

"Is that what I think it is?"

I bite my lip, nodding.

"Shit, Cindy," he mutters, glancing over his shoulder. "I could kiss you right now if your dad wasn't standing right behind me."

I giggle. "Time for that later," I assure him. "You were great out there, you really were."

He grins his head off. He still hasn't showered and changed, and the mixture of his sweat and adrenaline running off him is really sexy. "Thanks, baby. I loved knowing you were out there."

"I love watching you."

He squeezes my hand discreetly and lets it go. "We gotta get out of here soon," he says. "I need to shower first. I stink."

I giggle again.

"Are you saying it's true?" He raises his eyebrow.

"Not at all," I say sarcastically, but I can't save myself from laughing.

"I bet you don't wanna be wearing this jersey right now." He waves it towards me and I laugh, pushing him away.

That's when my dad decides to casually walk on up to us and we both stop like we've been caught with our hands in the cookie jar.

"Sir, um... Coach," Tyler quickly amends.

I try to not laugh behind the back of my hand. So much for subtle.

He smacks Ty on the back in congratulations, even though I know they've already gone through it in the locker room before they all came out here.

I've never seen my dad look so frigging happy and my heart swells.

It's been a long, hard road for him, starting at junior level and working his way up into the NHL.

I know the move and the divorce weren't easy, but I'm glad that he's stuck with his dream and now he can call himself a Stanley Cup champion too.

I'm so proud of him.

I reach up to hug him and he holds me tight as Ty watches on.

"I'm so proud of you, Dad," I say, getting pretty choked up.

He pulls back to look at me. "Not without both you and your sister's support could I have done this," he says. "You remember that, Cinds. I love you, honey."

"I love you too, Dad."

It's the first time he's ever shown affection like this in public in front of one of his guys. It's a really touching moment.

"I'd better get that shower," Ty says, giving me a wink.

Dad beams from ear to ear. "You better, son. You're really starting to stink!"

I can't help but laugh as I watch Ty's retreating back.

"Swiped yourself a jersey I see?" Dad muses, looking down at it, covered by my warm jacket, so he can't see whose number it is.

My heart pounds in my chest, as it's not usual for me to be wearing an actual player's jersey.

"Just something I picked up on the way in," I say as nonchalantly as possible.

He gives me a contemplative look, tilting his head on the side. Just when I think he's going to say something, Angelique is there behind us with Max and she rushes toward Dad to give him a hug and a congratulations.

"Hi!" she says, turning to me and throwing her arms around me.

"Hi, Ange. Hey, Max."

Max smiles up at me. "Hi, Cindy." He's a pretty cute, nerdy kid all in all and doesn't give them any trouble. He gets along with my dad and sees his own father on alternating weekends.

"I'm gonna go back to the girls," I say to them. "I'll see you later."

Dad smiles as he wraps his arms around Ange and Max and then walks them over to the players' lounge, where he can get them a drink.

My heart soars at the sights around me. Players' wives, kids, girlfriends, parents. Everyone lingers excitedly. I don't think anyone can believe the cup is over and that they won. I'm sure the players are all going to be reliving it for some time to come.

Dad will be for sure.

Ty shoots me a text from the locker room.

Tyler

Cind, I'm just getting changed. Meet you in 5. Don't go anywhere

I laugh when I look at it. Like I would.

I text him back.

Cindy

We're all apparently heading to Club Salt later. Unless you have any better ideas?

I see the bubble flash up as he types back.

Tyler

Oh I have ideas, baby. I'll tell you about them when I get out there

My heart hammers in my chest at the prospects of spending some time with him tonight, and I think it's going to be a long night no matter what happens.

* * *

When the after-drinks at the stadium go for way longer than expected, we finally all filter out. The majority of players are continuing at Club Salt, including Em and Taylor, and I said I would go, even though I'm just about ready for bed. Susie opts out to head home, as she isn't much of a partygoer. And I'm surprised that Ty has similar ideas to Susie.

He pulls me aside as some of the guys mingle and Taylor and Em walk ahead of us.

"Do you want to go out tonight?" He asks, brushing the hair off my face, rubbing over my cheek with his thumb.

"I want you to have a good time and celebrate if you want to," I say.

I don't want to be selfish and steal him away if he wants to go out with the guys.

He shrugs. "Some of the other guys headed home already."

I giggle. "The ones with wives and kids."

He laughs too. "I'd prefer to spend it with you, Cindy. If you want to."

"I'd love that." I'm not even much into clubs these days anyway, not that I've really ever been.

He tugs my hand. "I'll let the guys know I'm heading home."

We break apart and step back onto the sidewalk, following Taylor, Em, Ashton and Jay. There's a few other players too ahead of them.

"We're gonna head off," I whisper to Em when we catch up.

She smiles up at me and gives me a hug. "Don't do anything I wouldn't do!"

I laugh. "I'll most likely go home to check on Henry." Since I left him with a bowl of biscuits and the TV on how he likes, he should be fine, but I don't like leaving him alone for long periods and it's been a while tonight.

She laughs and shakes her head. "That sounds about right."

"I'm gonna make sure Cindy gets home safe," I hear Ty saying to Ashton and Taylor as they work out the taxi arrangements to the club. Dad, Ange and Max have long since gone home.

Soon enough, we're making our way to the parking lot.

"My car or yours?" Ty asks as we walk together in the dark. It's brisk out. The temperature has dropped tonight, but somehow I don't feel cold.

I glance at him. "Better take mine," I say. "I didn't drink much tonight."

"True." He nods. "Unless you want to take the controls and give my Maserati a spin?"

He tugs on my hand, pulling me into him as I laugh. I press my hand against his chest, looking up at him. "I don't think so. It's a world away from my little SUV."

He laughs, too.

We find my car quickly, and he says he'll come back for his in the morning. I'm sure that's what most of the players will be doing who have left for the club. It's secure I guess, so I don't think he's worried.

"Tonight was great, Ty. I'm so happy for you." I breathe into his chest before we get in my car.

His arms wrap around me and he holds me close. I get the full wrath of his manly cologne up close and personal. It's been too long since I've smelled it.

"It's been the best night of my life," he says. "All the hard work, everything we've worked for, and seeing your dad so happy. It's the best feeling."

"I know, it was so cool seeing it all unfold," I say, as we both turn at the sounds of someone shuffle a few cars up from us. There's a girl standing in the dark, hovering sort of. Maybe a fan, I don't know.

I quickly buzz my car to unlock, and we get inside.

"Hey, wait," Ty says as I start up the car. The lights turn on and I back up. "That looks like Stace…" He trails off, looking out the window into the dark, but I don't see anyone anymore. She's disappeared.

"Stacey, your ex?" I quiz, squinting out the window as well. She was only two cars up, but she seems to have gone.

"Yeah. That's weird." He shakes it off and I do too, putting the car into D and making my way out of the stadium lot.

"What would she be doing here?" I ask.

"I've no idea. It can't have been her. I haven't seen her in over six months."

He's only told me little bits and pieces about her, and they both agreed to go their separate ways when they split. He said he didn't feel ready to move in with her after nearly a year together. I realize we're only in the early stages, so I don't want to pry too much into that. But I don't really know anything about his life, other than he's close to his family. They came out back tonight with his brothers and his gorgeous little nephew, but Ty couldn't exactly introduce me as his girl or anything. I was glad at least I got to briefly say hello to them before they left. They seem like a great bunch of people, and from what Ty has said, they all seem to get along really well.

"What do you want to do?" I ask him. When he settles into the seat and I'm making my way out of the city, but I don't know what we're doing now or where we're going.

"What do you want to do? Are you hungry?"

"I'm okay," I say. "You?"

"A nightcap might be good. We could go to my place and hang out. It's not far from here?" He suggests.

I nod, but I'm tentative because of Henry. He notices and squeezes my hand.

"Or your place, if you prefer? Or none, Cindy. I'm easy."

"It's not that." I shake my head. "It's Henry."

He thinks for a minute, then laughs. "Your little Frenchie?"

"He's at home watching the game. I left it on for him."

He chuckles next to me. "I'm happy to go hang out with Henry if you're okay with having me there."

"You must think I'm a complete weirdo." I sigh as I drive. My heart is pounding at the thought of having him in my place. I want him there, but it's just not something I'm used to.

He looks at me strangely. "In what way?" He keeps hold of my hand as I drive, rubbing his thumb along the back of my skin. It feels good like this, so easy.

We don't have to hide or worry about who's watching.

"With not jumping your bones already."

He throws his head back and laughs. "You say some funny things, baby."

"I'm being serious!"

"Sorry." He coughs into his hand. "I don't think you're a weirdo. You explained to me your reasons for taking things slow, and I respect them. Granted, it's a new thing for me. But I told you I'm happy to wait until we know each other better and until you're ready. I mean it."

I glance at him for a moment and notice he's watching me intently.

"Thank you for understanding," I say. "A lot of guys don't. Believe me, I've been on so many first dates that never eventuated because I wouldn't sleep with the guy."

He shakes his head, running his hand over his face. "Guys can be complete dicks, Cindy. That's all I can say."

"It isn't like I'm not attracted to you," I murmur.

He chuckles again. "I know. You don't have to explain it to me. There's no pressure."

"But at my age, I know it can appear strange." I sigh.

He rubs the back of my hand again with his thumb. "Don't do that. Don't doubt the things that make you unique, Cindy. When the right guy comes along, he will understand. Like the one that's sitting here."

I press my lips together, fighting a giggle. My gosh, he's certainly a very different guy behind closed doors. He's all broody alpha out there in the open, but a sweetheart when we're alone. I love that about Tyler. I feel very safe and protected with him.

"You're very sweet," I say, as I try to concentrate on driving, and not his large frame taking up the entire right side of the car.

"Don't go telling anyone," he chuckles.

I laugh too. "Oh, we wouldn't want to spoil your reputation."

He squeezes my hand again as we make our way back to my place. He talks about the game and some of the highlights, and what it felt like holding the Stanley Cup.

"It was such a cool moment," I agree. "I couldn't believe the final goal, too. Talk about heart stopping."

"I know." He chuckles. "I mean, we knew we had it in the bag by then, but until that buzzer sounds, you don't really take it in."

"You were sexy out there." .

He turns his head. "Me?"

I nod. "Yup."

"Do you know what's sexy, Cindy Carter?"

I shiver at the way he says my full name. "What is?" I ask him, anticipating his reply.

"That you're secretly wearing my jersey."

I run a hand over my face. Yes, there is that. "How do you know it's your number?" I joke.

He gives me a dark look for a moment while nudging me. "You know, it better be my number, baby girl. That's all I can say."