Puck Drop: Utah Fury

by Mulliner, Brittney

  She’s told me that was her favorite Thai restaurant when she’d given me the tour. She didn’t answer right away. I looked at her and she was staring at her purse.

  “We can go somewhere else if you want.”

  She shook her head and reached into the bag and pulling out an envelope. “I was just hoping you’d go to see The Founders with me.”

  I’d completely forgotten about the show. I hadn’t paid a lot of attention to the date on the tickets. I figured she’d already gone and took Erik or a friend.

  “Are you sure you want me to go with you?”

  She finally smiled. “Of course.”

  I started my car and headed to the theater. “We only have twenty minutes. Are you going to be okay without dinner?”

  “Yeah, we can go after.”

  I reached over and took her hand. I felt bad for forgetting about the show, but I was honored she wanted to share this with me.

  I pulled in front of the theater and let the valet take my car. Chloe was standing on the sidewalk looking shocked.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “You let someone else drive your car?” I couldn’t tell if she was appalled or surprised.

  “Yeah? That’s what the valet is for.” She still didn’t look like she understood. “It’s just a car.” A fairly expensive Porche, but still just a car.

  “Erik would never…” She trailed off then turned to me. “You’re not Erik.”

  I shook my head. “Thank heaven for that.” I wrapped my arm around her shoulder and we walked into the theater.

  It was a modern building, and much larger than any of the theaters in New York. The lobby was so grand, I felt out of place wearing jeans and a button-down. If I’d known we were coming here, I would have put forth more effort. Gotten us a limo. Arranged a nice dinner before.

  I should have paid better attention to those tickets.

  Although, at the time I never would have thought she’d ask me to go with her. How far we’d come.

  An usher led us to our seats, just two rows back from the stage. Chloe’s jaw dropped, and she turned to me. “This is amazing!”

  It really was. I was going to have to give Bryce a raise.

  We settled into our seats and Chloe opened the playbill and excitedly pointed out different actors and told me about them.

  This was better than I expected. She was like a child meeting her favorite princess. When the lights dimmed, she squeezed my hand and smiled at me. She looked so happy. I wanted to lean over and kiss her, but the music started and I didn’t want to take away a second of the show.

  I tried to watch the performance, but Chloe’s reactions were too charming. She laughed, cried, and sighed throughout the first half. Seeing her face light up was all I ever wanted. Making her happy was my new mission in life. If I could freeze this moment for her I would. I’d do anything to see her like this every single day.

  During the intermission, we walked through the lobby to stretch our legs.

  “Is it everything you have ever hoped and dreamed of?” I meant it as a joke, but Chloe was nodding so fast I thought her head would fall off.

  “Reese, this is amazing. I don’t know how I’ll ever repay you.”

  I could think of a few ways, but I had a feeling she wanted to see the second act.

  “You don’t have to. I’m just glad to be here with you.”

  “Thank you.” She stood up and kissed me before pulling back and looking around.

  Right.

  We were in public and heaven forbid someone see us together.

  “Let’s get back.” I took her hand and reminded myself to respect her wishes. She wanted time. That was all. I could wait for her.

  When the actors took their bows, Chloe stood and clapped. If she could have jumped on stage and hugged each of them I knew she would have.

  Once people began leaving, I took her hand. “That was pretty good.”

  She looked up at me with glittering eyes. “Good? That was perfection! Thank you, Reese.” She stood up on her toes and kissed me quickly on the lips. Before I could react, she stepped back and smiled.

  I guess the high of seeing the show lessened her inhibitions.

  “If that’s all I need to do for a kiss, I’ll buy tickets for every night.”

  She laughed and led me down the row and to the exit. “If only that were possible.” She sighed. “This has been one of the best nights of my life.”

  Well, that’s all a man ever wanted to hear. “I’m glad.” I handed my ticket to the valet and pulled her against me. “Thanks for sharing it with me.”

  I bent down and kissed her soft lips. This. This was all I wanted. Everything with Chloe felt right. Her lips, her touch.

  She sighed and pressed into me as I cupped her neck.

  Someone coughed behind me, but I ignored it.

  “Mr. Murray?”

  I groaned and stepped back from Chloe. She had stars in her eyes when she blinked up at me. I smiled and turned, keeping my arms around her.

  “Yes?”

  The teenage valet boy was standing next to my car with the passenger door open. “Your car is ready, sir.”

  “Right.”

  Chloe laughed and broke free of my arms. She slid into the seat while I tipped the kid. I would gladly get anything she wanted to get that reaction from her. Puppy? Diamonds? A car? No problem.

  “Um, sir?”

  I looked at the valet trying to focus on the present. “Yeah?”

  “Would you please sign this?” He handed me a trading card he’d pulled out of his wallet. It was my rookie card.

  I almost laughed. “Of course. Do you have a pen?”

  He nodded and reached into his pocket.

  I took it from him and signed my name.

  “Thanks, Mr. Murray. I’m a huge fan. When the Fury announced you were on the team, I lost it. I mean I really did. My mom came into my room cause I was screaming so loud. She didn’t get it, though. She’s not a hockey fan. But I am. I can’t believe I’m meeting you. I drove your car. Wow. I drove Reese Murray’s car. This is the best night of my life.”

  I waited for him to calm down before handing the card and pen back to him. I’d made two people’s nights. Huh. Not too shabby.

  “Thanks…”

  “Oh. Ryan. I’m Ryan Fina.”

  “Thanks, Ryan. I hope you can make it to a game.”

  He nodded. “Oh. I will, Mr. Murray.”

  “Alright, you have a good night.” I turned and walked to the driver side.

  “I will.”

  I waved and got in. Chloe was grinning like a mad woman. “You have a fan.”

  I nodded and pulled away from the theater. “I guess I do.”

  “Feels good, doesn’t it?”

  It had been a surprise. I didn’t think people here would recognize me. “It does.”

  “Get used to your anonymity while you can. Your time is running out before people start recognizing you and mob you everywhere you go.”

  I laughed. “Does that happen to Erik.”

  She shrugged. “Sometimes.”

  “Well, I am a better player than him.”

  “So humble, too.” She smirked.

  “The fans are going to love me.”

  “They will.” She laughed. “How about dinner now, Hot Shot?”

  “Oh, you’re hungry?” Her stomach had growled during the last part of the show. I felt bad again that I hadn’t planned better.

  “Starving.”

  “And you expect me to feed you?” I teased. Her eyes narrowed even though she was still smiling.

  “Listen here, Mr. Murray.” Her attempt at being threatening was humorous. “You’ve got to feed me or I’ll get hangry. You don’t want that to happen.”

  “Oh no. I wouldn’t want that.”

  “I didn’t think so.” She sat back and directed me to a burger joint.

  Only Chloe could leave a night at the theater and be okay with fast food after. Any other
woman would have wanted a fancy dinner, but not her. Just another thing I loved about her.

  We sat in the car eating our burgers and watching people in the restaurant.

  “I know how to show a lady a good time, am I right?”

  She wiped the corner of her mouth and smiled. “You are. This is perfect.”

  I grabbed a fry from the bad. “I’m sorry I didn’t get us reservations for somewhere nicer.”

  “You think anything else would sound better than a greasy burger and fries right now?”

  I watched her lick her lips and smile.

  “No, I don’t think so. This is pretty perfect.”

  She nodded. “I think so too.”

  I reached for her shake, but she swatted my hand. “I warned you to order your own. I don’t share.”

  I pulled my hand back. “I was just checking.”

  She looked down at the cup and sighed. “You did buy it. If you want some you can take a sip. But only one.”

  I wanted to kiss her. She was perfection sitting next to me eating fast food in my car. She was a no-frills woman. She was everything, and somehow, she’d chosen me.

  “I appreciate your willingness to sacrifice, but I don’t like vanilla shakes.”

  She smiled “Neither did anyone in my family. I learned to like them so no one would steal it.”

  I burst out laughing. “That’s genius!”

  She nodded. “I know.” She looked another bite and smiled at me.

  “You’re amazing.”

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Chloe

  I needed to do something to show Reese how much he meant to me. He’d upped his game, so I wanted to make sure he knew I felt the same. I’d made some calls and used a few favors people owed me to set up a surprise.

  Everything was ready. The right people had been contacted and the word had been spread. Tomorrow was the big day, and the last thing to do was get Reese there.

  “Hello?” He sounded a little out of breath.

  “Hey, how are you?”

  “Good. Just at the gym with Olli and Hartman.”

  “Oh no. Are they killing you?”

  He scoffed. “I can hold my own with those two.”

  “I’m sure you can.” There was nothing for me to be nervous about, yet I was dreading asking the next question.

  “What are you doing?”

  “I’m still working, but I was wondering if you’re free tomorrow?”

  Someone dropped weights in the background. “Sorry. I’m free.”

  “Great. I’ll pick you up at ten.”

  “Okay. See you then.”

  I hung up and spun my chair around. “Kristen!”

  She came rushing into my office looking around. “What’s wrong?”

  I put my feet down to stop spinning. “Everything is ready.”

  “For?”

  I rolled my eyes. “You know what.”

  She laughed. “It’s all I’ve been working on for the past few weeks. I’m well aware everything is ready.”

  “Are you going to be there?”

  She nodded. “I wouldn’t miss it.”

  I closed my computer and stood. “Let’s head out then.”

  She held up her hand. “Excuse me? You’re leaving early?”

  “Yeah?”

  “You never leave early.” She narrowed her eyes. “Am I missing something?”

  “Nope. I just thought you’d like to get home early since you’re kind of working tomorrow.”

  “Huh.” She turned and left the office. I followed her and laughed as she grabbed her purse and led the way to the elevator. She wasn’t wasting any time.

  When we got to the parking garage, she waved and headed for her car.

  “I’ll see you tomorrow,” I called after her, but she got in her car without responding.

  Fine. Now I needed to keep myself busy for the night so I didn’t blab to Reese.

  * * *

  I knocked on Reese’s door exactly at ten. I’d been standing in the hall, waiting, but didn’t want to seem too eager. The last thing I wanted was for Reese to guess what was happening.

  “Hey.”

  I smiled up at him. He was wearing a plain, black T-shirt and jeans. Good. I wasn’t going to have to make him change.

  “You ready?”

  “Yeah. Are you going to tell me where we’re going?”

  I pressed the elevator button and turned to him. “Absolutely not.”

  He nodded. “Interesting. Neither would any of the guys. I’m beginning to think you’re all conspiring against me.”

  Good thing I had thought to tell the team to keep their lips sealed.

  “You’re going to have fun, I promise.” When we got down to my car, he opened my door for me before getting in. “You’re such a gentleman.”

  He laughed. “It feels strange not driving.”

  “Just sit back and relax.”

  “I’ll try.”

  I met his eyes and smiled. He made me so happy, I just hoped today showed him how much he meant to me.

  “It’s about a forty-minute drive, so get comfortable.”

  I pulled out and headed toward the freeway. It was a good thing Reese was new to the area. He wouldn’t be able to guess where I was going.

  He grew more alert once I pulled off the freeway and headed to our final destination. I tried not to laugh as he read signs and asked me if that’s where we were going. He had no idea.

  Even as I pulled into the parking lot and stopped, he was looking around, completely clueless.

  “Where are we?”

  I got out and ignored his question. “Come on and see.”

  He took my hand as we walked into the building.

  “Surprise!” The crowd of reporters, team members, the mayor, and some parents yelled, causing Reese to step back.

  “What?” He squeezed my hand. “What’s going on? It’s not my birthday.”

  I smiled up at him. “Welcome to the first day of Murray’s Youth Hockey for Utah.”

  His jaw dropped and he looked around. Erik, Olli, and Hartman were standing at the front of the group with a few other members of the team.

  Kristen stepped forward with the official plaque we had made to commemorate the date. “Congratulations, Reese.”

  I positioned him for photos the press requested for the next few minutes before taking him to the ice.

  “This arena was used for the Olympic hockey games when they were held here. Now it’s home to your foundation, and there are some people here who want to thank you.”

  I stepped back and gave a signal to the kids skating. There were only about a hundred of them, but this would be our first phase of the year. I was determined to help Reese meet his goal of one thousand kids a year. We would do it, slowly.

  The kids cheered and held up a banner that said, “Thank you, Reese Murray.”

  I watched his expression change from confusion to pure happiness. He rubbed his hand over his jaw as his smile grew.

  “You did all this without me knowing?”

  I shrugged. “You did the paperwork. I just put things into motion.” I nodded over my shoulder. “This is the first group of kids. All of their gear has been provided for free, and we have a team in place to teach lessons. They’re pretty excited to meet you, though.”

  He nodded. “I don’t know what to say.”

  “Then shut up and get your skates on.” Erik shoved Reese’s skates at him before stepping onto the ice. Olli and Hartman followed.

  “Thank you, Chloe. I can’t tell you what this means to me.”

  He stepped toward me and I had to fight the urge to kiss him. I hugged him instead. Once we separated, I pointed at the skates. “You should probably get out there.”

  He nodded and laced up his skates. The moment he stepped out, a crowd of kids formed around him.

  He was laughing and smiling for the next hour as he skated with them. Erik and Hartman had them form lines to take shots at Olli, who
was nice enough to bring his gear. They gave the kids pointers and took the time with those that were struggling.

  A few of the other guys had set up cones and were having kids run drills with them. Reese bounced between groups, cheering people on and helping a few get comfortable on skates.

  “My cold heart is melting.” Kristen appeared next to me and leaned against the boards.

  “It’s pretty cute isn’t it?”

  Watching Reese working with kids was my new favorite thing. I could watch it for days and not get sick of it.

  “We did good.”

  I nodded. “We did. Thanks so much for your help.”

  I owed her big time. Like a new car or something. If only I had the money to do something that grand. I could dream about it though; she deserved it.

  “Do you think it’s time to tell everyone?”

  The good feeling I’d had all day vanished. Gone. Goodbye, bliss.

  I took a deep breath to keep from saying the first thing that came to mind.

  “Not yet.”

  “The longer you wait the more it’s going to hurt.”

  I shook my head. “Things are going well right now. I don’t want to ruin that.”

  “Hey.” I turned to her and waited. “I know you. Keeping something this major from Erik is killing you.”

  I couldn’t deny that. This was the first secret I’d had since we moved in together. His reaction was the only thing keeping me from telling him right now. I didn’t want him to be mad. I didn’t want something to come between us. We were in a good place, and I wasn’t willing to ruin that.

  Did that mean I was willing to sacrifice things with Reese?

  “Why do I have to have one or the other?”

  She watched me for a moment. “Who says you do?”

  I wasn’t surprised she understood my question. Working closely together for so long allowed us to get each other’s meanings even when we were doing poor jobs of communicating them.

  “Erik is going to freak.”

  “What if he doesn’t?”

  I couldn’t fathom that. There’s no way he would be okay with me dating one of his teammates.

  “I don’t think you’re giving your brother enough credit.”

  Too bad I knew him better than she did.

  “I’ll talk to him eventually.”