Page 48 of Pucking Rebound
Kali sounds mad when she says, “Stealing your money is the slimiest thing to do. I hope the fucker rots in prison.”
“He’s pond scum.”
“He’ll be dead at the bottom of a pond when Wade hears about this,” she says, making me chuckle as the crowd around us grows louder, the arena now close to full.
I don’t want to talk about Graham anymore, he’s practically eaten up my entire day, so I change the subject. “How was LA?”
When Kali removes her arm from around me, I reach down to grab my coffee off the floor. It’s now cold but I drink it anyway.
At the same time, Kali pulls a foil-wrapped burger from her purse. “I’m starving.”
She’s always hungry. I don’t know where she puts it. She never stops eating.
Sipping the cold caffeine, I listen to Kali talking around her food, as she tells me everything about the photoshoot with Calvin Klein that will most likely lead to a huge life-changing contract for Wade and how well the filming went for the TV show he also did while he was out there.
I almost cry again when Kali recounts the romantic moment she told Wade she loves him and he said it back, all of which was captured on camera at the photoshoot. I’m so happy for them both.
“I think he’ll ask you to marry him,” I state, sounding more confident than I have about anything. I start to perk up as the caffeine hits my bloodstream.
“You think?” Kali’s cheeks turn pink, and I can’t help but notice the way she rubs her ring finger.
“I feel it in my bones.” Although my judgment has jumped over a cliff and is currently being eaten by sharks, so I could be wrong, but I don’t think so.
The arena comes alive with excitement as a countdown appears on the overhead displays. “Here we go.” Kali claps her hands. “I never watched hockey before I took this job and now, I love it.”
“Same,” I agree, and we both burst out laughing.
“We’re puck sluts.” Kali throws her hands in the air, whooping and cheering, while I cover my face from embarrassment because it’s so out of character for her.
Love does funny things to people.
“I’m not with her.” I raise my hand in the air and point at Kali, talking to no one in particular.
“I’m the only puck slut out of the two of us,” she mutters out the side of her mouth. “I’m the one sleeping with a player.”
I shift in my seat, unsettled at her comment. I’m grateful that the lights have plummeted us into darkness.
“This is a great burger.” Kali moans. “Hockey players have great stamina. Wade can go all night.”
I make a fake gagging noise, although I’m smiling. “Oh, shut up, that’s my brother you’re talking about,” I whisper shout in her ear.
With her voice full of humor, Kali counters, leaning into my side, “I’m just saying, you should maybe try it for yourself. Hockey players are, well, just wow. That’s all I’m saying.”
“Okay, stop talking.”
The first note of “Thunderstruck” by AC/DC plays through the arena speakers and yellow and blue lights dart around the ice, causing the fans to go nuts as the lights flash in time with the thunderous heavy double beat of the drum.
“Are you squirming?” She laughs, shouting over the music.
“Like a fish out of water, now shut up.” I’m smiling when I reply, diverting her away from conversations about her having sex with my brother. “Anyway, I work for the Eagles and the players are strictly off-limits.”
“It never stopped Wade and me. We couldn’t if we tried. I love him.”
“Okay that’s cute, but will you stop with the sexual references?” I smile knowing she’s trying to get me back on the wagon, or is it the pony? God knows. Whatever it is, she doesn’t know I’m already back on it.
“I’m just pointing out that you will return to your regular day job and manage your own businesses, and won’t be employed by the Eagles when the season ends.” She pauses. “Every single player is fair game for you when the off season begins.”
She’s made a great point.
