Chapter Sixty

Danica

S tanding in the corridor, I wave politely as Theo’s teammates begin to exit the locker room one by one, greeting their loved ones and saying goodbye before they leave for their next stretch of away games. Tony is next to me, but we haven’t spoken since leaving the Owner’s box. I feel him shooting furtive glances in my direction any time he thinks I’m not looking though.

“You okay?”

I glance over to him now, and he is staring at me intently, an expression I can’t read on his features.

“What happened back there? Well, it just- it seemed really intense.”

I bite my lip, hesitating, as I try to figure out what to say.

“Listen, you don’t have to talk to me about it or anything, but does Theo know?”

I frown at his pointed look. “About the Oakley’s being the new owners for the team? I highly doubt it. He would never have let me come to the game if he knew they were going to be anywhere near here.”

Arms cross over his chest; he stares at me hard. “No. Does Theo know about that boy Bradley, of yours?”

My brows dip in confusion. “I’m not sure what you mean?”

“Listen,” he raises his hands in a placating gesture. “I’m not trying to get in the middle of anything here, but my boy Theo? Well, he’s had a hard time of it. So, if there’s something you’re not telling him- ”

“Not telling me what?” Theo walks up behind me, wrapping me in his arms and placing a soft kiss on my neck. I jump, startled by his sudden appearance.

“Nothing. It’s nothing really. Just making small talk.” I turn in his embrace, wrapping my arms around his neck and burying my face into his chest. Freshly showered Theo is just so soothing. There is something about him that immediately sets me at ease as I breathe him in.

“Diavoletta. . .”

Lifting my head, I stand on tiptoes to kiss his jaw, then a quick peck on his lips. From the corner of my eye, I can see Tony glare at me, before he mutters something about waiting outside, and then he is gone.

Alone in the corridor, Theo glances from one end to the other, before slowly backing me up against a wall. Trailing soft kisses along my jaw and down my neck, I close my eyes, just wanting to forget for a moment, the chaotic turn of events that have occurred over the last few days. I want to tell Theo what happened. But he is getting ready to get on a plane and fly all over the country for a series of away games. If I tell him about the Oakleys, he will just freak out. No, this is probably a conversation that is best left for when we get back.

“Mmm. Do you have to go?” My words are a whisper, their tone more melancholy than I had intended.

“Depends.” He nips my earlobe, before placing his finger under my chin to lift my head. He places another light kiss on my lips. “Are you going to be a good girl, and tell me what happened tonight?”

I sigh. “Theo.”

“Danica, please just tell me. I know something happened. You just disappeared and then, when you came back, you were clearly upset. Was it because of me? Did my starting a fight on the ice upset you that much? Did I embarrass you?” He frowns, eyes concerned as he rakes his gaze over me.

What? I didn’t even realize he had been in a fight. I must have missed that while up in the box. But now that he mentions it, how the hell did I not notice his split lip? I reach up with trembling fingers to touch the injury, and he kisses my hand.

“No, Theo. It was nothing like that. I promise. It’s just-” I pause, unsure of how to proceed, knowing that I need to tell him, but hating that he is going to worry. “How much do you know about the owners?”

He looks at me, confusion written over his features. “What owners?”

“The owners of the team. The Sabretooths owners. ”

“I don’t really know a whole lot.” He shakes his head, brow furrowed. “They don’t usually have much to do with us directly as a team. Aside from the occasional promo event where we all need to be in the same room, the owner’s world doesn’t usually overlap with the team itself. At least, not at my level. The coaches, I think, tend to have more involvement. Why?”

Shifting uncomfortably, I turn my head to the side to look down the hall, suddenly unsettled by his intense gaze.

“Did you know the team was under new ownership?”

“Well, I mean, yeah. I guess so.” His frown deepens, clearly confused by my line of questioning. “It was bought out at the end of last season. They made an announcement to the public and told the guys on the team, of course. But due to some legal bullshit that’s way above my paygrade, they said they had to keep the terms of the purchase quiet until a later date.”

He pauses, thinking back on what he must have learned back when it was first announced. “Most of the time, purchases are public, but occasionally, they will keep something like this under wraps, as conditions of the contract, typically at the behest of one specific party, and it’s usually for some major publicity stunt down the road. Why?”

I grimace, unable to speak the words aloud.

“La mia diavoletta, what exactly aren’t you telling me?” His brow arches, and I flush under his scrutiny.

“Well, I was invited to the Owner’s box at the start of the third period. Security came up to your cousin and I, and said that the owners had seen us watching the game and they were big fans of mine and they would really like to introduce themselves. The whole thing seemed above-board and all, if a little awkward for me. But then, I went up there and ran smack in the middle of some ritzy business party and it turns out the new owners are the Oakleys.” My words come out rushed, and I look to my feet as I get out the last part.

There is certainly no love lost between myself and the Oakleys. Or Theo, and the Oakleys, for that matter. Though, I’m not sure they are aware of just how complex of a history we all share.

“Come again.” His words are arctic.

“Danica, look at me.” He takes my face gently in his hands, forcing me to lift my head up and meet his gaze directly.

“Did I just hear you say,” he pauses for emphasis, “the owners of the Sabretooths , my team, are the Oakleys? As in, Bradley- fucking -Oakleys parents? ”

I bite my nip, nodding nervously. Shit. I knew I shouldn’t have said anything.

He mutters under his breath; a litany of curses would be my guess. But he speaks too softly, the words being muttered in what sounds like Italian, for me to be able to catch most of what he is saying.

“Yo! Giovanni! Let’s go man!” We both startle, glancing down the hall to where one of his teammates is now waiting. “Hurry the fuck up and kiss your girl goodbye. The team’s waiting, we gotta hit the road.”

“God fucking dammit.” This time, I do catch his words. Moving closer, he presses me hard against the wall, kissing me urgently as he runs his hands through my hair.

“I don’t know what this means, but it can’t be a fucking coincidence, them being here. Not with everything that is going on. Be a good girl for me, and don’t do anything stupid while I’m gone, yeah? Stay with Tony, Darrion, and Jayce. And call Finn, tell him what you told me. I’m not gonna have cell reception for a few hours, once I get on the plane, but still text me when you get back to the apartment okay? My place will be safe for you there.” He looks me in the eyes, pressing a firm kiss to my forehead. “I love you.”

Wow. He hasn’t said that to me in so long. It throws me off, spoken too soon and under all the wrong circumstances after years of being without them.

“Dude! Let’s go already!” His teammate is moving closer, voice filled with annoyance as he tries to corral his wayward captain.

Theo ignores him, bending down slightly to meet me at eye level. “I know my timing is shit, and we still have a lot to talk about. But I promise we are going to figure it out. Together, okay? Just be safe. Don’t wander off by yourself. And text me. Let me know when you get home. I love you.”

And there are those words again.

“Dude!”

“Fuck off, Robinsky. I’m coming, alright?” Theo’s voice is exasperated as he calls out to his teammate.

The man is mere feet away now, and over Theo’s shoulder I can see the man snicker, throwing me a wicked smirk as he mutters “No you’re not, and I bet that’s the problem.”

Theo steps back from me abruptly, swiveling on his heel to glare daggers at his friend. “What the actual fuck, man?”

The man in question steps forward, holding out his hand to me with a charming smile on his face. “Callum Robinsky. And you are? ”

My gaze flicks hesitantly to Theo who is glowering at his teammate.

“None of your fucking business, playboy.”

“I’m Danica. It’s nice to meet you.”

Our words overlap, and I’m not sure if he catches my introduction at first, but he takes my hand graciously, and then seconds later his eyes widen, a huge smile breaking out across his face.

“Danica? As in Danica Ellis?”

Uh. Theo is cringing now and for a moment, I’m worried that I shouldn’t have said anything.

“Oh, my fucking God! Wait until the boys hear about this. Dude!” He turns, slapping a large paw of a hand on Theo’s shoulder, causing Theo to stumble slightly under the unexpected weight. “You’re back together with Danica Fucking Ellis?”

Excitedly, he grabs me and wraps me in a bear hug. I freeze, shoulders tensing at the unexpected contact.

“Dude, get your man-paws off my girl!” Theo is grabbing at his friend, but Callum is unphased as he rocks me from side to side, before lifting me off my feet and spinning me in a dizzying circle.

My arms are constricted in the tight embrace, but I reach over to awkwardly pat Callum on the back. “Yep. That’s me. Danica fucking Ellis.” I laugh at the absurdity of the introduction. “It’s nice to meet you too.”

He sets me down gently on my feet, stepping back an arm’s length.

“Wow! I just have to say, it’s such a freaking honor to meet you! I am a huge fan. I didn’t recognize you outside of the leotard.”

“What the fuck?” Theo hisses, stepping up to my side and placing a protective arm over my shoulder.

“No! Shit! I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it like that! I just meant, I’m used to watching you on television, when you are competing in competitions. I don’t know if I have ever seen you in street attire. Let alone my man here’s hockey jersey.” He winces awkwardly at his words.

“I mean, I don’t watch you like a creeper or anything. My little sister is super into gymnastics, so I have gone to competitions and shit with her for years, and whenever I am home visiting, we always watch them online or on tv when she isn’t actively training. And she is a huge fan of yours. We both are, actually. Your Olympic routine last summer was incredible. Shit! Can I get your autograph? For my sister, I mean?” He pats himself down as if in search of a pen, but comes up emptyhanded .

I smile, trying to hold back my laugh. “I don’t have a pen on me either, unfortunately. But next time I see you, what if we facetime your sister to say hi? I can always sign something for her then too.”

His face brightens at the mention of calling his sister. “Really? You wouldn’t mind? That’s not too much is it?”

I look to Theo and then shake my head. “I’m sure I’ll get to see you after your next home game. I would love to talk to her. And if she’s ever up in the area for a visit, you should bring her by Prism. She could show me some of her stuff and maybe I could give her a few pointers.”

“Wow! Okay cool. Yeah, she would totally love that. Thanks so much! It is so great to meet you in person. You are just. . . wow!” He looks from me over to Theo, and his face falls. “Oh man. I really want to stay and talk with you some more, but I’m so sorry, we really do have to go. Coach is gonna kill us if we don’t get on the bus.”

I nod, smiling politely. “It’s alright, I understand.”

Theo takes my hand in his, pulling me with him down the hallway, and Callum falls into step with us on my other side. “Walk with me?”