"Yeah, me too," He answered, shaking his head.
****
The next morning Kris's phone rang as they were eating breakfast. "Hey, bro!" he said as he picked it up. Kris moved from the table to the counter to refill his coffee, also so he wasn't talking in Kat's ear. "That's awesome! Yeah I guess if you can't be playing then this is the next best thing, watching me! Ha! You gonna sit in the owner's box or players'? Okay, sounds like a plan. How long you staying? Where are you staying at? Downtown William Penn, okay. See you then. Have a safe trip in… Later."
Kat just stared at him as she ate her breakfast. He sat back down beside her. Knowing she was curious, he set his phone down, and picked his fork back up and started to eat without saying a word. But he couldn't hold a straight face very long and started to laugh. "I guess you want to know what that was about?"
"Duh…" she laughed and shoved at his shoulder.
"It was my cousin," Kris could see the annoyed look on her face as he continued to eat.
"Okay, you're lucky you are sexy…cause you are getting on my nerves! Obviously that was an interesting call, because the look on your face was, well, it made me want to know what was being said!" Kat said in a huff.
"Alright, geesh. Relax, cutie." He smiled at her. "It was Patrick. He will be at the game tonight. But he will be in the owner's box. Apparently Ben invited him, he has some business to discuss with Pat." Kris shrugged. "And before you ask, I have no idea why Ben wants to talk to Pat. Him and Pat have been buddies since the AHL, so maybe it is nothing. Especially since Pat's season is over." He felt bad he couldn't tell Kat, but he would as soon as he could. He probably shouldn't have even told her that Patrick was meeting with the team's owner.
"Okay." Kat put her plate in the dishwasher.
"He's coming down to the locker room before the game to see me, so I doubt I will get to introduce you today, but I was thinking of having him over this summer. It would be nice to have him here and I would love for you to meet him. Plus, I don't get to see him often enough."
"Yeah, that sounds really great. I look forward to meeting him. Maybe we could have a pool party this summer?"
"Yeah," he grabbed her around the waist, "that sounds like a great idea! We can cookout and have some of the guys over. I know Pat would love to see them. You can invite Gia too."
CHAPTER 19
It was the first game of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, they pulled into the arena garage and saw Gia's car already there. They found her in the lobby looking at all the cool interactive Renegades stuff, decked out in her Tyler Kidd gear.
"Hey, G!" Kat called. "Ready? Kris has to get down to the locker room, so we can head up to the box." Kat turned to Kris, wrapping her arms around him and taking his mouth in hers. "Good luck out there, handsome." He walked away, but not before he slapped her ass. "Hey!" she squealed.
"You know you liked it…" he said with a chuckle. "Love you, beautiful." They parted ways. Kris disappeared down the hall towards the locker room while they headed upstairs.
"So, we are sitting in the owner's box?" Gia asked.
"Not the owner's box, we sit in the players' box. The girlfriends and wives sit there."
"Oh, okay. Have you met any of them yet?"
"Some of them, yeah. They are all very nice. Okay, here we are." Kat pointed.
"Nice!" Gia said as they walked into the Renegades Club.
There were two girls already there, sipping mixed drinks, and a third walked in after they did. "Hi!" Kat called.
"Hi Kat!" Lindsey called. "You remember Emily and Trish right?"
"Sure. Hi ladies!" Kat said. "And this is my sister, Gia."
All the girls gathered to greet Kat and Gia, then all helped themselves to the bar.
Before warm ups started, Kat was watching the ice and saw Kris come out by himself, there was a man she didn't recognize at first, standing along the bench, talking to Kris.
"Hey, who's that out there with Kris?" Gia asked.
None of the girls were sure. Then the rest of the team came out to warm up while Coach Walker stood by the bench talking to the mystery man. Kat wondered if it was Patrick, it was hard to tell from all the way up here. After all, she had only ever seen him on television, or on the internet. Gia slid beside her with a beer for herself and an Apple Martini for Kat.
"Hey, thanks, sis!" Kat said taking a sip. "We obviously like to drink a little during the games."
"Who doesn't?" Gia laughed as she took a swig of her beer.
Just then, Mike the senior citizen concessions stand worker, showed up with the girls' favorite game time snack, pretzels and chocolate. "Hi, ladies! Look at all the pretty girls!" he waved at them. "Kat, a little birdie told me that your sister was here tonight, so I brought an order of nachos and cheese too." he smiled.
"Thanks, Mike! What do I owe you for them?" she asked as she grabbed her purse.
"Nothing, they are taken care of." He waved his hand as she tried to pay him.
It must've been Kris. So she gave Mike a nice tip and he smiled very appreciatively.
When the game started, all the girls were seated, overlooking the ice, with their snacks and drinks. Each girl was keeping a close eye on the ice, praying no one gets hurt tonight. The national anthem was sung, and the puck ready to drop. Kris skated on to the ice with the first line. Kat nibbled on snacks nervously.
The game started out intense. The boys had the puck down, poised to score, Kris got his chance and shot it hard from the blue line to the net. It flew right over the goaltender's shoulder!
"GOAL!!!" Kat was screaming like crazy. "Yay Kris!! Wooo!" She smiled at the sexy, sweaty image of him on the jumbotron screen.
Gia laughed at her sister, "You're such a dork."
Coach Walker switched lines after the play and Kris sat on the bench. He immediately looked up at the luxury box and smiled. Butterflies danced around in her stomach.
Gia broke the nervous silence in the box and started chanting "Let's go Renegades!" Clapping her hands.
Trish giggled at Gia. The tension started to break up as they all started to cheer and clap along with her.
The Renegades were really dominating New York, they weren't allowing many shots on their goal, they were barely letting New York even touch the puck! Luckily there weren't many cheap shots until the third period. The Renegades were up 3-2, and Kris had one goal and two assists, he was on fire tonight. During the third period, a Renegades forward checked a New York defensemen into the boards, but he did it so hard that he flew face first into the glass. There was blood everywhere and he left the ice, even if it was just a broken nose, he was done for the night. Almost as soon as play restarted, a New York player came right off their bench and made a beeline for the Renegades captain, Tyler Kidd, he punched Tyler right in the face.
Gia cringed covering her face with her hands. That started a brawl between two Renegades forwards and two New York players.
At this point there were just two minutes left in the game, the Renegades tried their very best to stay clear of New York's temper tantrums, and let time run out. The Renegades kept control of the puck and pretty much just skated around with it. The game ended 3-2.
The girls made their way downstairs to the locker area. They waited anxiously in the hallway.
"I can't believe I'm waiting outside of the Renegades locker room! Eeeek!" Gia squealed.
As the media cleared out, Kat waved to Todd, the Renegades reporter for the Post. They worked in the same cubicle, he always got to cover the Renegades. Lucky.
The team started to file out into the hallway dressed up in their suits. Kat laid eyes on her superstar immediately.
Kris hurried to her, grabbing her and lifting her slightly up off the floor, as his lips came down onto hers.
"Nice goal, babe!" She squealed once he came up for air. "I should say, nice game, you were on fire out there tonight."
"Thanks!" he looked pumped from that rush all game. He ended the night with three points, one
on each goal. His smile wide and bright never left his face. He must've still been flying high from the adrenaline.
"Awww…so cute! Hey Kris, thanks for letting me watch from the box tonight, it was awesome! By the way lover boy, nice lavender suit and purple tie… " Gia giggled.
"Don't worry," he smirked. "It won't be on long anyways…" He smiled at Kat while she giggled and tried to hide her warming cheeks. Kris kissed her again, biting at her bottom lip.
"Oh, you two! Gross… Enough is enough!" Gia jokingly groaned. "But seriously, is Tyler okay?" Gia asked, concerned.
"Yes, Gia, Tyler will be just fine." Kris answered.
Kris looked at the locker room door just as Tyler walked out. Tyler looked at Gia standing with Kris and Kat. He had a swollen lip, but other than that he was fine. "Hey, Ty, now you look like a real hockey player!" Kris teased, and mussed Tyler's hair.
Gia bit her lip and smiled nervously.
Tyler greeted the girls. "Hi, Kat. Hi there, Gia. Gia, would you maybe want to go get some coffee or something?" Gia winced at the sight of his swollen, red lip.
"Trust me, it looks worse that it is." Tyler winked.
Kat laughed to herself. Coffee, well, I know where that is going! She thought, it all sounding too familiar to her.
"Yeah, I would." Gia smiled. "Well, guys, I guess I am gonna go. Talk to you later, Kat." Gia flashed Kat the shut up look.
***
The whole drive home, Kris was still reeling from the awesome game. "You look like a little boy, bouncing around over there." Kat laughed as she watched him.
Kris went to prepare their after-game snack while she went upstairs to change. Returning to the kitchen, her stomach was giddy with anticipation. She couldn't wait to see his reaction once he realized that all she had on was a Lafleur jersey. It was long, it fell about mid thigh on her. She knew with him being so wound up over the game, this should put him over the edge.
Kris leaned against the counter drinking a bottle of water. Once he noticed that she didn't have any pants under that jersey, he about choked as he drank.
"So, where's those sandwiches?" Kat snickered, and went on like nothing was askew, taking the plates to their seats. Hopping up on the stool, she crossed her bare legs, and took a bite of her turkey sandwich.
Kris was motionless at the counter. She was enjoying his reaction. If he was a cartoon character, his tongue would be rolled out onto the floor, and his eyes bulging out of his head. She held her best poker face until he sat next to her. They ate their sandwiches in silence. Kris kept staring at her bare legs. She wasn't blind, she knew what he was doing, but she playfully ignored him. After they ate, she put their dirty dishes in the sink. Kris snuck up behind her and as she turned around, she stepped right into him.
He looked her over and said "Nice sweater…" He ran his hands up the back of her bare thighs. Lifting her jersey he continued to run his hands up her body.
She had on panties, but they were smaller than any she normally wore.
"What are you trying to do to me?" Kris laughed. Holding her jaw in his hand he leaned down and kissed her hard. "You've teased me long enough, I can't take anymore."
Kris grabbed her up and carried her upstairs. "After the excitement of tonight…damn, this is hot!"
When they got to the top of the stairs, Kris dropped her to her feet, and chased her into the bedroom. Kat giggled as she ran. Kris grabbed her from behind lifting her slightly up off of the floor.
"Kris! Put me down!" She giggled.
"Why should I?" Kris said, as he sat her back on the ground.
She whirled around and grabbed his shirt, pulling him to her. Swiftly, she pulled his shirt off, and unbuttoned his pants. She shoved him lightly onto the bed, and he propped himself up on some pillows. Kat pulled his pants off, climbing on his lap. She could feel his warmth through his boxers. She made a little grinding movement on him, teasing him, before lifting her hockey jersey off. The sight of her bare breasts made him harder, she could feel it. He reached up to feel her breasts, then swiftly flipped her on to the bed.
Kat gasped with a giggle. Kris slid off her panties, and kicked off his shorts, he ran his hands up her hips to the curves of her rib cage. He ran a hand up her neck, and into her hair, pulling her face to his, kissing her madly. As he kissed her, he pushed into her. Throwing her head back, her fingers gripped the sheets beneath her as a moan escaped her lips.
Kris pushed into her harder, filling her to the hilt, and just when she couldn't stand anymore, they exploded together. Kris pulled her hips close to his while Kat still thrashed under him.
Kris curled his hot, sweaty body behind hers, cuddling her in his arms. "God, I love you, beautiful." Kris whispered in her ear.
Kat smiled, and pressed her bare body back against his. "I love you too."
****
The boys moved to the second series after winning four games in a row. Kat had been worried Boston would be their opponent for the second series; but they choked and were already out of the playoffs, which was fine with her. She didn't need another match up between Kris and Rancy, or the possibility of another appearance from Anna.
The second round was a rough one. The boys got into a few more scrums than usual, playing off their emotions more than normal. Even Kris, who didn't typically fight. But he was shoved a lot by New Jersey and tripped a few times. Kat noticed a retaliatory shove from Kris and some barking going on. Kris slammed his stick into the boards and was screaming at the ref. He was losing his cool and about to drop the gloves when the ref pulled him back. Quite frankly it was hot. She liked watching him being tough out there. They boys ended up easily taking the series from New Jersey.
So much had been going on, trying to cover her assignments at work, spending time with Gia, and all the excitement about the games, the next two rounds were a blur. But here it was game four of the Cup Finals. The crowd in Rivers Arena was going nuts. The Renegades could take it all tonight, or Detroit could push it to a game 5.
"I think this is the loudest it has ever been in here." Lindsey commented. It was the third period and the Renegades were leading 2-1. "All they have to do is hold them off from scoring…"
Emily knocked on the table, "Shhh!! Don't jinx them!"
"Kaden is a crazy good goalie, you don't need to worry–" Gia started to say, as Emily interrupted her.
"C'mon, guys! Don't jinx this!" Emily was mad superstitious. The girls just humored her, but tonight she was extra stressed.
Kat was downing beers to keep her nerves quiet, and hadn't eaten much all night. Her stomach hurt, it was twisted in knots. This could be it. She hadn't seen Kris much that day, or all week for that matter. Coach kept the guys away from all distractions, and all she really wanted was to hold him.
Gia was spending a lot of time with Kat, both wishing their hockey player was at home with them. Kat shivered. She still hadn't mastered dressing warm enough for the arena.
"Five minutes left!" Gia yelled.
Ugh, Kat took another big gulp of her beer. Gia reached over and grabbed Kat's hand. "Don't worry," she whispered to Kat. Kat had been pretty quiet since the second period.
There was a break in the play. She turned towards the television in their box, and the camera was on the guys sitting on the bench, they were winded, then it cut to Kris, on the ice, ready for the puck to drop. He was drenched, sweat dripping off his hair, and face. She swore he had been on the ice almost the entire third period. She also knew she would never hear him complain about it.
She directed her attention back to the ice just in time to see another incredible stop by O'Conner, the girls cheered, while she just let out a breath. She was pretty sure she had been holding her breath the whole game.
There was one minute left in the game, and the guys were just playing keep away with the puck. The crowd started to chant… 3… 2… 1… the buzzer sounded and the crowd yelled and screamed, tossing hats and towels into the air and on the ice. The atmosphere was insane!
&n
bsp; The announcers introduced the Renegades as the Cup champions.
The guys flooded off of the bench onto the ice, and gloves and sticks dropped everywhere. They hugged and congratulated each other.
Kat jumped up and almost fell over.
"Kat, you okay?" Gia called through the noise.
"Yeah, not sure if it is all the beer, or lack of oxygen." Kat called back. They won, they did it! Gia ran over to her, she grabbed on and hugged her.
"They did it, Kat! Woooooo!!!" Gia yelled.
The girls looked on as the Cup was wheeled out onto the ice. Tears started to well up in Kat's eyes, why am I crying? That's it, no more beer for me, she thought.
The team celebrated on the ice, giddy like little boys they gave high fives and hugged one another. It was their moment, they earned this.
CHAPTER 20
Kris and Kat were eating breakfast on the porch in the warm sun. Summer was finally here, and now that Kris was home it was time for relaxing and fun.
"So, have you heard from Gia since the other night at the game?" Kris asked.
"No. Why? She came over to Ice with us afterwards, but I lost her in all of the chaos, she had texted me right before she left." Kat was flipping through a magazine while she ate.
"I was, uh, just wondering," Kris stammered.
"Really? Just wondering? That was a pathetic attempt at covering your concern." She giggled. "Why? You keeping tabs on her now? What are you worried about?" Kat looked up from her magazine and grinned. Kris was starting to become protective over Gia, like a little sister. It was cute.
"I was just wondering... Well, I saw her with Tyler at the party, then I lost track of Tyler too, so I was curious…"
"Yeah, I saw them at the party too." Kris didn't look at all satisfied with that answer, so Kat continued. "Yes, I saw them in the corner making out. Geesh… They are grown ups, babe, whatever they choose to do is none of our business. I know a hockey player who took a fan home as soon as he met her…" She laughed.
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