“Are you ready to head off?”
“I am.”
***
“Dad called me again,” I told Zali. I’d called her after we’d checked into the hotel and I’d freshened up. The words weren’t flowing. I’d sat at the little desk in my hotel room for half an hour, and nothing. Nada. I had half a day of alone time, and I was desperate to make the best use of it, but my inspiration had evaporated.
Roe was accompanying the team to the Convention Centre to check out the rink. Then they were doing a light workout, warming up to get ready for the game. Once they were done, they’d have a few hours of downtime before bussing it to the rink.
Zali growled and I giggled, unable to help myself when she got all protective. “What about this time?”
“To beg me to tell Mum to come to her senses and go back to him. But, get this—he literally slept with Danielle while he was waiting for Mum to get home. Can you believe that?”
“No offence, but your dad’s a pig.”
I huffed out a laugh, equal parts sad and resigned. “That he is.” We were quiet for a moment, Zali letting me process my thoughts in comfortable silence.
I opened my mouth to speak, but Zali beat me to it.
“Okay, real talk. How sexy are the hockey players?” Zali asked rhetorically. Her voice had taken on a conspiratorial whisper. “Watching the game on TV was incredible. I can’t imagine what the atmosphere is like live.”
Heat scorched my cheeks, and I fanned my face trying to cool down. “They’re so gorgeous, Zali. Oh my goodness gracious, so pretty. And hot. Did I mention gorgeous?” I bit down on my lip to stop myself from gushing, but it was no use. “The game last night was amazing. Incredible. The atmosphere was so great, and Alec got a hat trick. It’s the first time in his career that he’s done it, and I got to witness it. And dang, does he look hot in his uniform. He’s big, like, way taller than me, but in his gear, he would tower over even Monroe.”
“Yeah?”
“He’s very good. It’s like magic when he’s on the ice. The way he moves….” I sighed.
“And Alec’s the captain? He’s the one you grew up with, yeah?”
“No, that’s Jackie. Jacques Gauthier,” I clarified and Zali hummed.
It was weird seeing him talking to Mum last night. She got all flustered and then seemed disappointed when I told Alec that going out drinking wasn’t really my scene. I loved hanging out with friends and would have gladly gone with the team, but not to that pub. It was where both the football and cricket teams celebrated after matches. The women were there to baga pro-sports hookup/husband and, frankly, I didn’t like it being pointed out to me over and over again that someone my size had no chance in hell of scoring. It wasn’t like I needed the reminder that every one of them were out of my league.
“Have you had a chance to spend much time with him? Jacques, I mean.”
I waved my hand dismissively, even though Zali couldn’t see. “A little, but he’s been busy.” She hummed again and I paused, then asked, “What? What aren’t you saying?”
“Oh, nothing.” Her laugh was soft and her voice teasing when she asked, “Did you notice anyone else on the ice, or just Alec?”
I squeaked, the heat rushing to my cheeks again.
“Okay, girl, spill,” Zali instructed me, and I couldn’t help my giggle.
“I might have kissed him,” I whispered, my voice unsteady from the butterflies that had taken flight when I thought about what had happened between the three of us.
“I can tell from your voice that it was good,” she said, but there was something else in her tone that made me hesitate. I thought she’d be happy for me, especially because we’d spoken about my lack of dating experience before. She knew I wanted to meet someone and that I’d found it hard.
Monroe. It had to be that. Goodness, did I want to tell her. But how did I broach the subject? Oh yeah, and I slept with your dad too? I lost my virginity to two men in one night? Zali didn’t judge. I knew she’d cheer me on if it was anyone else, but would she say the same thing if she knew I was falling for her dad? Monroe had spoken with her, but he hadn’t passed on the content of their conversation. Would she want to hear about it? I wouldn’t give her the details—those were private—but would she be upset? Would she think I was trying to replace her?
I pushed those thoughts aside. If I just told her about Alec, surely she’d be happy for me.
“You have no idea. Actually, you probably do with your guys, but oh my gosh, Zali, it was perfect. He was perfect.”Theywere perfect.
“I’d love to see a game,” she mused longingly. “Dad tried to get us tickets for Brisbane, but it was a no go.”
I licked my lips. I wanted her here. Maybe if she saw the way her dad smiled now, she’d be okay. Maybe if she met Alec, she could see why I couldn’t choose between them.
“I can get tickets,” I babbled. I couldn’t believe I hadn’t thought of it until now. We got tickets as part of our sponsorship, but the giveaway had been bungled, and we still had a few single seats available in each venue. “I’ve got an allocation. I’ll check on exactly how many we have. All I need to do is let the venue know your names.”
