Lily: Entering the lion’s den
Del: Play nice
Lily: Grrrrrrr…no promises
I pocket my phone as I reach the aisle they’re sitting on. Both women smile at me simultaneously. That’s a good sign.
Sophie jumps up and rushes in for a hug. “You made it!”
At least I’m prepared this time to return her embrace. “Of course. I can’t wait tosee Payton play.”
Which is true, actually. I’m curious to watch how he moves on the ice as compared to our morning runs. Payton’s one of those joggers who makes running appear effortless as he floats along. He’s a natural athlete. And at this rate, I’ll be able to manage a marathon with ease. Not that I’d want to, though.
Mia smiles and wags her hand her way. “Come sit.”
Sophie waves me in ahead of her, so I guess they want me to sit between them. I shift into high alert because that can only mean one thing—they want to get to know me. Hopefully, the game will be the bigger attraction tonight.
“How are you settling in? Have you had a chance to explore Sarabella?” Sophie blinks her big eyes at me with her ever-present smile. This girl is like cotton candy—sweet and pink.
“Just the beach. Payton and I jog on it every morning.”
Mia’s eyes widen. “Every morning? Oof. That’s dedication.”
I leave out the part that I have to go where he goes, of course. “Helps to have a running buddy.”
Sophie rests her hand on my arm, so I swing my attention back to her. “If you need help finding anything, just text me.” She digs into a large brown bag at her feet and hands me a business card sporting the Sarabella Herald Tribune logo and ‘photojournalist’ next to her name. “I know Sarabella inside and out.”
“She does.” Mia nods with a wide grin. “If it weren’t for her, my wedding would have been a disaster.“
Sophie giggles. “She’s exaggerating.”
Mia snorts. “Not really.”
I can’t help but smile at these women. Kind of reminds me of a foster home I stayed in briefly when I was about ten years old. The family had two girls around my age. I felt like I had sisters for the first time in my life, but then their father got a promotion that required them to move out of state. Back tothe group home I went and the next time I was placed with a family, I knew better than to get too attached.
Pregame announcements blast through the speakers. Cheers and shouts fill the arena in epic volume as the first line of the Sun Kings is introduced. When Payton’s name is called, my heart does a little flip-flop, then shifts into overdrive when I see him skate out fully geared. Despite the helmet hiding a lot of his face, I can still see those oversized dimple grooves on each side of his mouth. And I don’t miss how he taps the ‘A’ on his shirt as he takes his place on the ice.
The national anthem is sung by a local talent, and I’m fascinated with how the fans pass a huge American flag across the seats on the other side of the arena. Once the announcer introduces the players, they take their positions in the center of the ice. Payton takes his place for the puck drop.
For most of the first period, I study him, impressed with his skill and how he skates on the ice. He’s graceful yet powerful. I’m drawn to his every move and search for his return after he leaves during rotations. The more I watch, the more I’m convinced he’s more comfortable on skates than walking on his own two feet, except when he gets shoved into the wall, which Sophie said were called boards. But I’m more concerned with the opposing team player who slammed Payton for the third time in the first period.
I lean toward Sophie. “Is it me, or does that guy keep going after Payton?”
“Oh, it’s not you. That’s Houston Jennings. He’s had it in for Pay since the end of last season.”
“Why?”
She shrugs. “Not sure exactly, but I suspect it’s because the Sun Kings knocked them out of the Kelly Cup playoffs last season. Pay stole the puck from him and shot the winning goal.”
I need to find out more about this guy. While Sophie and Mia go to the concessions for sodas and softpretzels, I use the restroom as an excuse to send a text to Del so she can do a quick check.
Del’s reply hits my phone just as I’m about to head down the steps to my seat.
Del: Nothing comes up immediately. Let me dig a little more.
Hmmm. Something must have caught her attention if she wants to do further research on this dude. In the meantime, I’m concerned for Payton, but not enough to alarm him. I’ll wait for an update from Del in the meantime.
“Everything okay?” Sophie’s voice breaks my concentration.
