Page 65 of Catalyst
“Fantastic. It’s good to see you. What a game tonight.” They continue to talk back and forth, and I look over at Adam when it’s clear Matthew won’t be introducing us.
“That’s Declan. He’s the owner of the bar.”
“Ah, and what are we waiting for?”
A noise has me turning toward the door as a whole slew of giant men come streaming in. My jaw drops when I recognize them all.
“That’s… that’s the whole Raptors team,” I stutter.
“Surprise,” Adam whispers into my ear.
I sit there agog at how my life has made this weird and incredible turn. After everything that’s happened to me, I thought my quiet life in Westlake was all I needed. I truly didn’t believe I’d have anything more, and I was genuinely okay with that. I love my life. I have friends who mean the world to me, an amazing house to live in, and a steady stream of income. What more could I have ever asked for?
So sitting here, next to my excessively wealthy and successful boyfriend, while I watch almost the entire New York Raptors team enter the bar… It’s surreal, to say the least.
Desmond walks toward our table, a smile stretching across his cheeks. His dark hair is still wet, and a piece is curled down his forehead. The man is handsome. I’m just going to say that right now. I am irrevocably in love with Adam, but I’m not blind. I can only imagine the women that flock around this group of men.
“Hey! It’s so great to see you. Thanks for coming to the game,” Desmond says when he gets to the table.
Adam stands from his chair and gives Desmond a hug. “It was a hell of a game. Thanks for hooking us up with tickets.”
When they pull apart, Desmond leans down to kiss Tilly on the cheek. “Hey, sis.”
“Did you have a few cookies before the game? You were looking a little slow.” The mischief in Tilly’s eyes makes me grin.
“Brat.” Desmond turns to me, full of male swagger, a flirty smirk on his face. “Now, who are you, beautiful? And what can I do to get you to spend all your time with me?”
I snort, unable to hold back my surprise that this hockey god is openly flirting with me.
“Desmond!” Tilly slaps his arm.
Adam sits back in his chair and wraps his arm around my shoulders. He pulls me into his chest in a show of possession. I feel like I should be annoyed by his display, but come on. I have two fuck-hot men who want me. I am preening right now.
“Desmond, this is my girlfriend, Ellie,” Adam says.
“Of fucking course, she is. You always were able to pull the hottest women,” Desmond grouses.
“Fuck off. Who’s the man with a different woman in his bed every night?” Tilly rolls her eyes.
“Damn, sis. Your claws are sharp tonight.” Desmond grabs a chair and sits down between me and Tilly. He ducks away from her punch with a laugh.
Desmond and Adam start to catch up, and I settle in to listen. The bar is loud now that the team has shown up, and music is blaring from the speakers. It’s only the team and their guests here, making me wonder if Declan shut down the bar so they could party without the interruption of fans.
It doesn’t matter either way. I’m just pumped to be here. If I forget about the threatening text, this has been one of the best nights of my life.
Adam laughs at whatever Desmond just said, his face lighting up and his blue eyes sparkling. Is it possible for this much happiness to last? Am I allowed to hope it’ll stick around?
I’m waiting for the other shoe to drop because history has proven that it will. The question is, will I still be standing after it does?
CHAPTER30
Adam
I slammy finger onto the backspace key, clearing out the asinine sentence I just wrote. It shouldn’t be this fucking hard to write a letter to the editor about my past. I lived it. I should know what words to use to describe my relationship with Sasha. But everything I write comes out sounding robotic, and I’ve never hated my nature more than I do right now.
I don’t share my feelings with anyone. I can’t even say those three little words to the woman I’ve fallen head over heels for. How could I believe that writing about my dating history for the press would be the easiest thing in the world?
I’m an idiot.
