Luca: A Chicago Blaze Hockey Romance

by Brenda Rothert

  “Always.”

  I gather my stuff and get in my Escalade, heading to the arena. The SUV was a recent purchase since it’s more comfortable for driving around all the kids. I may be a suburban dad-type in most every way, but I’m never driving a mini-van.

  Traffic is slow going when I get to the city, and I have plenty of quiet time to think. Abby comes to my mind, as she usually does when I get a free moment. We text almost every day now, but it’s never about anything significant. Still, it’s nice.

  She’s not coming to the game today. She said she would’ve if she’d been in Chicago, but she’s got meetings in New York. I get it, because my work schedule is nuts during the season. Still, I was disappointed. I told her I’d leave her name at the ticket office in case things changed.

  I don’t know when I went from wanting more than a casual thing with Abby, but I do. When I see Mia kissing and hugging Anton before and after games, I think of Abby. Every time my phone dings with a text, I hope it’s from her.

  It’s impractical since we live in different cities and I have very little free time since I’m usually with the kids. Neither of us wanted more when we met, but I’m starting to wonder if maybe that’s changed for Abby, too.

  I don’t know why, but I get the feeling that she needs me somehow. When we’re together, all of her attention, all of her desires are focused on me, and I can’t fucking get enough of it.

  When I get to the arena, I find it’s buzzing with people and activity already. There are lots of pregame interviews and photos going on. I’ve got some of that stuff to do myself, once I’m in my uniform. Even though the game doesn’t start for several hours, we’ll all be busy until then.

  As I walk into the locker room, one of our defensemen, Knox, calls out to me.

  “Did you touch my stick, Campbell?”

  “You wish.”

  “I’m serious. I can’t find my stick.”

  I shake my head. “I just walked in the door? How the fuck do you think I could’ve touched your stick?”

  “Well someone did, and I’m gonna crush their nuts when I find out who it was.”

  “No one took your stick, asshole,” our goalie Jonah says. “You probably lost it.”

  “That’s fucking impossible!” Knox growls. “How would anyone lose their fucking stick?”

  Knox is a tall, dark, and burly enforcer who thinks he’s too scary for anyone to fuck with. When anyone does, he rages, getting so pissed off he sometimes breaks things. He’s an easy mark.

  Victor walks into the locker room, grinning like a kid on Christmas morning.

  “Did you touch my stick?” Knox demands.

  Vic gives him a confused look. “What the hell are you talking about? I just got here.”

  Knox points a finger at him. “I love that fucking stick. If anything happens to it, you assholes will pay.”

  “Go take a Midol, you cranky bastard.” Vic sets his bag down on the bench next to me.

  “What’s got you so happy?” I ask him.

  “I just have a zest for life, Luca.”

  “Yeah, right. It’s that actress, isn’t it?”

  He grins at me. “Kristen. She’s fucking amazing, man. I never expected to fall for her. I thought we’d go on a few dates, hopefully get freaky and move on.”

  “Is she coming to the game?”

  “Yeah.” He pulls his t-shirt up over his head. “You coming over to my place tonight for our cookout?”

  “Nah, I promised I’d take the kids out for pizza.”

  “Come on, dude. Don’t you have a babysitter? Come have a few drinks with us. Hell, bring the kids if you want.”

  “It’s not their scene, man. Another time.”

  I start changing clothes, and I’m standing there in just boxers when I hear Knox yelling from the showers.

  “Where’s my goddamn stick?”

  From a nearby bench, Jonah cups his hands around his mouth and calls out, “You lost it, asshole!”

  “Jesus, he’s pissed,” I say to Vic. “Did someone take his stick or what?”

  Victor smirks. “Fuck yeah, we did. It’s suspended from the ceiling in the arena, hanging right next to the flag. He’ll see it when we sing the National Anthem.”

  I laugh at the thought. “You guys are pricks.”

  “Yeah, well at least he doesn’t have a monkey jerking his giant dick inked on his ass for the rest of his life.” Vic gives me the finger.

  I point at him and nod. “True.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  Abby

  I can’t get over how different Percy looks outside the gym. In jeans and a t-shirt, with some makeup on, she’s even more beautiful, which I would’ve thought impossible.

  “You’re officially my coolest friend,” she says as we get into the car waiting for us at O’Hare. “That plane is badass.”

  “It belongs to my company,” I remind her.

  She snorts out a laugh. “Own it, girl. You’re stupid rich.”

  “Kinda,” I concede. “But I really do reinvest a lot of my profits into the company and employees.”

  “You looking for any personal trainers?” She grins and nudges me.

  “Good afternoon, ladies,” our driver says to us. “I trust your flight was good?”

  “It was, thank you,” I respond.

  “Where can I take you?”

  I hesitate, mentally considering all the places in Chicago I could suggest. There’s a great tearoom downtown and Michigan Avenue has some fantastic boutiques.

  “Wherever the Chicago Blaze play,” Percy tells the driver. “We’re going to a game there.”

  I shoot her a look. I was absolutely not coming to this game until I had a last-minute change of heart this morning. My libido couldn’t say no to an opportunity to be with Luca. And even now, I’m not sure it was a good idea.

  “Going to the charity game?” the driver asks. “That usually draws a big crowd.”

  “Yes we are,” Percy answers, patting my thigh reassuringly.

  “Why aren’t you wearing red?” The driver gives us a reproaching look in the rearview mirror. “Blaze fans are always dressed in red.”

  “Oh.” I glance down at my blue shirt. “I guess we can stop by the gift shop when we get there.”

  The driver nods approvingly. “You’ll want a West sweater. He’s our goalie. Best goaltender in the league, hands down.”

  “A sweater?” I ask, puzzled. “In the summer?”

  “That’s what hockey jerseys are called.”

  “Oh.”

  He proceeds to recommend bars and restaurants near the arena, his Chicago accent thick and his hometown pride evident. Our conversation distracts me and I forget how nervous I am about this whole thing, until he pulls up in front of the arena.

  When I reach in my purse for money, the driver waves me off. “Your fare and a nice tip were paid by your secretary when he booked me. He paid me to drop off your bags at the Palmer House too, so I’m heading there next.”

  “Great, thanks.”

  “Have a good one,” he tells us. “Don’t forget, you want a West sweater. Jonah West.”

  Percy grins at me as the driver pulls away from the curb. “I’m guessing you’ll be getting a sweater with your man’s name on it.”

  “He’s not my man.”

  “Sorry, I mean your piece.”

  “Who invited you?” I grumble, laughing.

  She looks down at her watch. “What time does this thing start? I’m kinda hungry.”

  “Oh, we’re eating hot dogs and nachos in the arena.”

  Percy turns to me, her lips parted in shock. “What?”

  “Yeah, did I forget to mention that?”

  “You know I don’t eat that shit, Abby!”

  “Today you do. Today is a day to rest and have fun.”

  “Lord have mercy,” Percy says softly. “I don’t know if I can eat a hot dog. Aren’t those things made from lips and assholes?”

  “Mmm,
lips and assholes.”

  We make our way to the ticketing area and as we stand in line, my phone dings with a text. I take it out and see that Luca finally responded to my message this morning telling him I’m coming.

  Luca: Great! Ask for Gloria at the ticket box, she’ll take care of you. Come down to the hallway outside the locker room after the game. I’ll meet up with you when I’m done with interviews.

  Me: Okay. Good luck!

  When we get to the front of the line, I ask for Gloria and the person behind the window picks up a phone and presses a button to call her. Within five minutes, a middle-aged woman with pretty, spiky silver hair comes to meet up with me and Percy.

  “So nice to meet ya’ll,” she says in a southern accent. “Guests of Luca Campbell, right?”

  “Yes,” I say. “Great to meet you, too.”

  She turns and gives us an apologetic look as she leads us toward a hallway. “I’m so sorry, Luca told me ya’ll weren’t coming, so I’ve already got the Friends and Family section filled.”

  “Oh, well…can I buy other tickets?” I ask.

  Gloria waves a hand. “No, honey. I’ve got other VIP seating for you, it just won’t be in Friends and Family.”

  “Okay, thanks.”

  “Are you hungry? We’ve got a buffet upstairs and you’ve got plenty of time to eat before the puck drops.”

  “That would be great.”

  I look around at the arena as we walk, admiring its size. Our driver was right—everyone is wearing red. There are lots of families here, all smiling and looking excited about the game.

  “Listen, if there’s anything at all ya’ll need while you’re here, you just let me know,” Gloria says to us. “I’m here to make sure you have a fantastic time and get a warm Blaze welcome, okay?”

  “Thank you.” I stop, remembering our lack of red shirts. “Can you tell us where the gift shop is? We need to get some shirts.”

  “Don’t worry, I’ll get you some. I’ll bring them to your suite.”

  Percy gives me an approving look. We’re getting red carpet treatment, which is nice but makes me question once again if I should’ve come. I really like Luca, but this feels pretty relationship-ey.

  Relationships hurt. Maybe not at first. Maybe not even for a while. But eventually, they rip you to shreds. I’m not getting shredded again.

  Gloria shows us to a spacious suite with plush, comfortable seats, a stocked bar and a spectacular view of the ice. As I look out over the vast rink, a sense of excitement tingles down my spine.

  Luca’s going to skate out there. I’ll get to see him play. If this whole thing starts to feel too personal, I can back off and stay alone in one of the two rooms I got for tonight at the Palmer House. For now, I just want to live in the moment and let myself enjoy the game and my time with Percy.

  “Girl, that buffet is sick,” Percy says as she walks back into our suite after going to the bathroom. “I took a glance when I walked by. It’s got chicken and veggies—”

  “Boo,” I cut in. “What about nachos?”

  “Yeah, that too. It’s got everything. Let’s go eat, please.”

  We eat a delicious meal, a few people greeting us when they read the badges Gloria gave us that say we’re guests of Luca. One of them is Lily West, the wife of the goalie the driver mentioned. She’s warm and nice but doesn’t ask how we know Luca. I like her immediately.

  When we get back to our seats, we find a few neatly folded Blaze shirts on each one, a Blaze baseball hat sitting on top of each stack.

  “Can we take Gloria home with us?” Percy jokes as she unfolds a shirt.

  There’s pregame stuff happening on the ice, so we each pick a shirt and hurry to change in the bathroom. By the time we get back, the announcer is introducing the players.

  I can’t help the rush of pride I feel when Luca’s name is announced. He raises his stick and waves as the crowd cheers. My heart flutters as I see him blow a kiss toward the Friends and Family section. Does he think I’m there?

  Percy turns to me, looking stunned. “You didn’t tell me he looks like that, Abby.”

  “Like what?”

  “I just saw his face on that Jumbotron thing. He looks like he’s responsible for lots of lady boners. Those blue eyes? Lord.” She fans herself.

  “I think someone needs a little male companionship.”

  “A little?” She scoffs. “You keep your eye out for any of these guys who might like a fit black woman with some attitude, okay, girl?”

  “Sure,” I say, smiling.

  The National Anthem begins and we stand up, hands over our hearts. I squint as I look over at the flag.

  “Is that a hockey stick hanging next to the flag?”

  “Looks like it,” Percy squints, too. “Weird.”

  From the time the game starts, I’m riveted. I can’t always figure out where the puck is, but I do pretty well at following the direction of the players. The retired players seem thrilled to be back on the ice, celebrating their goals with fist pumps and cheers.

  Everything about the game is fun. The money raised is going to Alzheimer’s research, which a former Blaze player apparently advocates for.

  After the game, which the current players win 5-4, all the present and former players come out onto the ice together. I can’t keep my eyes off Luca. His helmet is off now, so I can see his face. There’s an older retired player standing next to him, and when he slips, Luca steadies him with a hand under his elbow.

  It’s a subtle way to keep the man upright without embarrassing him. Something about the gesture touches me deeply.

  Gloria returns to escort us down to the locker room, asking us how we liked the game on the walk to the elevator.

  “I think you’ve got a couple new fans,” Percy tells her with a smile.

  “You are so familiar to me,” Gloria says to Percy, glancing over at her as we walk. “Are you an actress?”

  “Me? No.” Percy laughs. “I’m a personal trainer. I used to be a runner.”

  “A runner?” A light seems to come on for Gloria. “You’re Persephone Hill!”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  “I watched you in the Olympics; you were incredible.”

  “Thank you so much.”

  There are kids in the wide hallway outside the locker room, and Gloria brings a few of them to Percy to get autographs. Percy glows and happily obliges.

  I’m lucky my trainer has turned into a good friend. She’s a gem.

  While Percy is being social, I’m hunched over my phone reading work emails. I don’t want to risk anyone asking me how I know Luca and if I’m his girlfriend.

  It takes around half an hour for players to start emerging from the locker room in their suits. When Luca walks out in a charcoal suit with a dark blue tie and white dress shirt, my heart pounds with happiness and anticipation.

  I start to walk in his direction, but I only make it a few feet when three children run up to him, both girls throwing themselves into his arms.

  Oh God. The warmth I was feeling turns ice cold. He told me he didn’t have kids.

  Or did he? I know I read he’s single with no kids on the Blaze team website, but have we ever discussed it?

  “Uncle Luca, good job!” the youngest girl says to him.

  Uncle. I take in a deep breath and let it back out. He’s their uncle; they aren’t his children.

  He sees me then, and his expression softens but then turns guarded.

  “Hey,” he says, opening his arms to hug me. “I’m glad you came.”

  Everything feels right again as I let the familiar scent of his cologne comfort me. His embrace is strong, but affectionate.

  “Me too. Thanks for asking me.”

  “Who are you?” his younger niece asks me, looking back and forth between us.

  Luca steps back from me, saying, “Guys, this is my friend Abby.”

  Their looks vary. His nephew looks ambivalent; his older niece looks shocked and his younger ni
ece is beaming.

  “Abby, this is Cora, Jack and Emerson. They’re my nieces and nephew.”

  “Oh.” I relax considerably. “So is your brother or sister here, too?” I look around.

  “It’s just us.” Luca brushes a hand over the brown curls of the youngest girl, Emerson. “I’m raising them.”

  It’s such a tender gesture, but for me, it cuts like a knife. It jolts me straight into memories of what I lost and can never get back.

  “You’re pretty,” Emerson says to me.

  I think I respond. I’m not sure. Panic is making my chest constrict and my head feel woozy.

  “Do you want to come out for pizza with us?” Luca asks me.

  I swallow hard, praying I won’t pass out. “I…can’t.”

  “You okay?” He reaches for my elbow, steadying me in the same way he steadied the former hockey player earlier.

  “I just…I have to go,” I manage. “I can’t. I’m sorry.”

  I turn and walk toward the stairs, stumbling partway there. Percy runs up behind me.

  “Abby, what’s going on?”

  I have tears running down my cheeks when I turn to her. “Please get me out of here, Percy. Please.”

  Her eyes widen with sympathy. “Of course. Here, take my arm.”

  We climb the stairs, and the further we get from the locker room, the less I feel like I’m going to faint. When we finally get outside, I lean against a wall and take in a few deep breaths.

  “Want to talk about it?” Percy asks softly.

  I shake my head. “No. I can’t.”

  “It’s okay,” she says in a gentle tone. “We won’t talk.”

  “I need to go to the hotel. My anxiety medication is there in my bag.”

  Percy takes out her phone. “I’ll get us an Uber. You just stay right there.”

  I close my eyes and breathe in, then out.

  Luca has kids. They may not be his biological children, but they’re his in every way that matters.

  I can’t be with a man who has kids. It’s a hard limit for me. No matter how much I like Luca, we have to be over.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Luca