by S. R. Grey
I shrug. “Yeah, why not? Winner chooses whatever they want. And like before, it has to be a surprise.”
She pretends to mull it over, but I know she’ll take the bet.
She’s a gambler like me.
Sure enough, with a flip of her ponytail as she turns her back on me, she says over her shoulder, “You’re on, Zehner.”
The Best Perk
The really cool thing about working for the Wolves is I get to go to the games for free. I was excited when I first heard about this perk, but now that I’m getting to know Landen, I’m beyond pumped.
It should come as no surprise, then, that once I’m finishing up at the office the day after the event with Landen and the kids, my boss, Ahren, hands me a ticket for tonight’s game against the Kings and I almost grab her up in a huge hug.
Of course, I do no such thing.
But I do tell her, “Thank you.”
When I check the seat assignment on the ticket and see where I’ll be, my enthusiasm ramps up even higher.
“Holy crap! I’m behind the Wolves’ bench? I can’t believe this. This is the best, Ahren. You are the greatest boss in the world.”
Smiling, she says, “Just go and have fun, Cricket.”
“Don’t worry,” I assure her. “I will.”
When she sighs, though, I have to ask, “Wait. What’s wrong?”
Swishing her hand through the air, she says, “Oh, it’s nothing bad. I just feel crappy I could only secure one ticket for you. It’s just that it was such short notice with you being a new hire and all. Anyway, from here on out, I should be able to get you two tickets most game nights. This is the first game back after the break, however, and it seemed everyone and their brother wanted a ticket.”
“I understand,” I say.
And I do.
Still, Ahren assures me, “Next time, I promise, definitely plan to bring a friend.”
“That’d be great.” I smile at her. “I will.”
I instantly think of Bettina, my grad school friend who moonlights at the casino. She loves hockey almost as much as I do, so yeah, she’s definitely the one I’ll call when I have that extra ticket.
For tonight, though, I’m on my own.
That’s fine. I can sit and drool over Landen as much as I want. With no one to chat with, he’ll be my sole focus.
Oh, and the game will be on my radar as well.
Just not as much as Landen will be.
Hee hee.
Since I’ll be seated behind the players’ bench, Landen will have as much of a clear view of me as I will of him.
That’s why later that afternoon, after work and once I’m home, I decide to go all out and dress as cutely as possible.
Skinny dark-wash jeans, black leather ankle boots with heels to die for, and a black-and-red Wolves jersey over a long-sleeved white tee and I’m good to go.
Before I leave my bedroom to hit the road, I pull my hair up into a high ponytail.
But then I hesitate and let it tumble back down.
I take some extra time to curl the ends for a little more bounce.
Now I’m ready to go.
Unfortunately, since I lost a little time messing with my hair, once I’m parked—thank goodness for the almost-empty employee lot—I head into the arena and discover it’s packed and rocking.
That’s fine.
The excitement is palpable, and I’m quickly swept up in the emotion.
When I reach my section, a helpful usher assists me in finding my seat behind the Wolves’ bench.
It’s like freaking right in the center!
Smiling like crazy, I settle in.
The guys aren’t out yet. They’re still in the locker room getting ready for the game.
But warm-ups are coming up.
According to the countdown clock up on the big Jumbotron hanging from the rafters, the players should be out in about four minutes and ten seconds.
Make that nine, eight…
I tap my booted foot in time with the countdown and the upbeat music that’s playing. The game hasn’t even started and I’m already caught up in the fun atmosphere.
I don’t even care that I’m alone.
As the time ticks down, the volume in the arena increases.
And then a horn sounds, and the players from both teams fly out onto the ice.
Almost everyone jumps up out of their seats, including me.
The Kings are booed, and the Wolves are bombarded with screams and cheers.
I even find myself whooping and hollering.
The guys all skate so damn fast that they’re like a blur out on the ice.
No wonder Landen caught me with such ease.
He probably wasn’t even trying.
My mind goes to what occurred after he caught me, and we were up against the boards.
That makes me smile and blush at the same time.
Biting my lip, I peer over to the exact same spot where our heated make-out session occurred, against a board with an ad for a local pizza joint.
That’s when I see Landen.
Be still my heart!
Wow, I already like this guy so much.
Maybe too much.
Landen is stopped next to our board. He’s leaning on his stick, talking with one of the other players while he waits for his turn to shoot pucks at their goalie who just got in place in the net.
I squint to see who he’s chatting with.
It’s Blake Cavaletti.
Blake is a right winger and plays on the third line with Landen. They’re good friends, having both been traded from New York City teams this past summer.
I heard Blake got married recently to another player’s sister. I think her name is Noelle. I know for sure that her brother is Noel Sandlund.
Hmm, looks like all my research on the players is paying off.
I feel like I know some of them already.
If nothing else, I certainly know a lot about them.
But I want to know more, especially about Landen.
I’m going to have so many questions on our date tomorrow night.
He better be ready for me.
Yeah, in more ways than one, I think as I lick my lips.
Landen, almost like he can feel my eyes on him, glances over at me.
I’m still standing, so I wave.
He nods in acknowledgment.
We hold each other’s gazes then.
Even from halfway across the arena, the energy between us stirs to life.
Blake is still talking to Landen, but he’s not paying a bit of attention.
He’s looking at me, smiling.
I smile back.
Finally, Blake looks over to see what’s captured Landen’s attention.
Chuckling and shaking his head, he turns back around and taps his friend with his stick.
He then skates over to the front of the net to take his practice shots.
Blake gets three pucks in, but the goaltender stops two.
Landen is up next.
He pops in four of what will be five practice shots in quick succession.
“Wow,” I murmur. “Color me impressed.”
He has only one puck left to shoot.
Glancing up at me, he mouths, “This one’s for you.”
Winding up, his eyes still on me and clearly throwing off his goaltender, he wails the puck into the net.
Now I’m more than impressed.
I am in full and total lust for Landen Zehner.
This One’s for Cricket
I am on fire.
Four shots, and all of them whizz past our goaltender.
It’s only a warm-up, but after I shoot the final puck into the net for Cricket, I decide to devote my whole performance on the ice tonight to her.
Talk about a motivator.
And is it ever!
Early in the first period, Blake sets me up with a beautiful pass while I’m out in front of the Kings’ net, battling with one of their defens
emen.
The guy is trying to get me out of the crease but ends up backing me into the perfect position to score.
Winding up, I whiz the puck past the goaltender the dumbass defenseman is unintentionally screening.
Score!
“Thanks, you stupid fucker,” I murmur to the defenseman as I skate away to celebrate with Blake and my other teammates.
The dude does not like that.
Skating up from behind, the fucker cross-checks me.
I spin around to face him, ready to roll.
But then I decide not to retaliate.
The referee has already seen what the defenseman did, and he’s now watching for my reaction.
Why get sent to the penalty box, right?
So I just stand casually, smirking at the jerk defenseman as he gets called for the cross-checking penalty.
Good, serves you right.
It’s all upside for our team from there.
Our captain, Brent Oliver, scores a goal right before the second period ends.
And then I pick up an assist on a Blake Cavaletti goal midway through the third.
We end up winning the game.
I start thinking that maybe I need to dedicate all my games to Cricket.
Yeah, maybe I should.
At dinner the next night, while Cricket and I are out on our first date, I share with her that I dedicated the game to her.
And then I tell her, “It ended up being one of my best of the season.” Taking a sip of merlot, I set the glass back down and add, “All because of you, pretty lady.”
“Oh, Landen, stop,” she purrs demurely.
“It’s true,” I insist.
Jesus, she’s blushing, and it’s so adorable.
Waving her hand dismissively, Cricket states quietly, “I’m sure you would’ve scored those points no matter what.”
“No.” I swipe my mouth with my cloth napkin, having just indulged in a juicy bite of filet mignon. “I don’t think so. I felt extra motivated playing for you.”
“That’s sweet of you to say,” Cricket replies softly as she toys with the stem of her wineglass, the merlot swishing.
She looks beautiful tonight.
I’ve thought that from the start.
I’ve been enthralled with her since I picked her up for our date.
Yeah, the moment she opened the door of her townhouse, I had no choice but to stop and drink her in. From her beautiful, flowing honey-blonde hair down to her sparkly, shimmering silver dress and black stiletto heels, I was a goner.
“Wow” was all I could say.
Good thing she seemed just as enamored with me.
That made me glad I chose to wear my sharpest black suit tonight.
It’s cool too that we sort of match.
We didn’t plan our monochromatic attire. It’s just the way things worked out.
The only splash of color for me is my siren red tie, and she has tiny red bows on the backs of her heels.
We look good together.
Like a couple.
Yeah, just like that.
Taking a small sip of wine and setting her glass down, Cricket asks, “What are you smiling about over there, Landen?”
Shit, I can’t tell her what I was just thinking.
It’s far too soon for a we-make-a-good-couple talk.
So I go with something that’s also true, but a little less incriminating. “I, uh, I was just thinking about what a nice night we’re having. That’s all.”
“I’m having a great time too. The steak is excellent.” She pauses, peering over at me meaningfully. “But the company is even better.”
Nodding in agreement, I tell her, “I’ll drink to that.”
We raise our wineglasses and tap the rims.
Cricket is about to say something more, but the waitress shows up to clear our plates.
Damn interruption.
She asks if we’d like dessert, but Cricket and I say no and just ask for espressos.
The waitress, jotting that down on her order pad, murmurs, “Certainly, Mr. Zehner.”
“Hmm, so she does know who you are,” Cricket says once the server is out of sight. “And she was playing it so cool up until now.”
“She was.” I shrug. “But it happens.”
“Clearly,” Cricket says, smiling and shaking her head. “And look at you, just so calm and cool about it.”
“It’s just part of the job,” I assure her.
The waitress returns with our espressos, and after she leaves, I lean back in my chair.
“So, Cricket,” I begin, “how about if you tell me a little more about you. Do you realize I don’t even know your last name yet?”
Her eyes widen. “Holy crap, you’re right. It’s Nance.”
“Ah, got it. So where are you from originally, Miss Nance? I feel like no one I meet is ever actually from Las Vegas.”
“I’m not,” she replies. “I was born and raised in Phoenix. I came up here for school. What about you? Do you hail from the East Coast or the West Coast, or somewhere in the middle?”
Chuckling, I tell her, “I’m from the east, though not anywhere close to the actual coast. I’m from a little town called Rose. It’s in upstate Michigan.”
Nodding, she muses, “Huh, I’ve never heard of it.”
“Not many people have.”
Folding her hands on the table, she leans forward. “Okay, next question. Do you have any siblings?”
I nod. “Yes, I have two older brothers. What about you?”
“I have a sister. She’s nineteen.”
“That’s cool.”
“Oooh, I just thought of another question.” Cricket props her elbows up on the table, placing her chin in one palm. “How’d you get so good at blackjack?”
I snort. “You’re one to talk. You’re like a damn card shark. I should be the one asking you that question.”
“Sure. But you go first.”
“All right.” I take a sip of espresso. “I learned how to play cards with the guys on the team plane. We have a lot of long flights to get to some of the games, and cards are a way to pass the time. You end up picking up some tips and tricks after a while.”
Leaning back in her seat, she says, “I see. That makes sense.”
“So where did you learn how to play?” I inquire. “Card school?”
That makes her laugh. “Ha ha. No, no card school for me. I actually learned how to play online.”
We look at each other, and I can’t help but burst out laughing.
“What?” Cricket says. “It’s true.”
Still chuckling, I say, “It’s just that you’re so good. I would not have expected an online card school to produce such talent.”
Preening, she replies, “Why, thank you, Landen. I think I may just be a natural, though.”
I shrug and concede, “Maybe so.”
Turning playful, she replies, “There are no ‘maybes’ about it, mister. That’s why I know I’m going to kick your butt later tonight when we get to the casino.”
She levels me with her stunning azure eyes, and I suddenly have an epiphany—I don’t really want to sit in a stuffy casino back room with her and a bunch of strangers. I have a better idea, one where we can be alone.
So slowly, I say, “Ah, yes, our little wager. About that… I’m thinking maybe we should change our plans.”
Brow creasing, she asks, “Change our plans? How do you mean?”
“Eh…” I shrug. “Do you really feel like playing cards in a back room tonight with a bunch of people we don’t know? Or would you rather do something that’s sure to get your heart rate racing? Something with just us. And don’t worry, there can still be a bet involved.”
“Hmm, I have to say I am intrigued.” Cricket crosses her arms, and she really does look interested. “But you’re going to have to be more specific before I commit. What exactly do you have in mind, Mr. Zehner?”
My Heart is Definitely Racing
&nb
sp; Landen suggests a change in plans, and I let him know that I’m open to that.
Hey, what can I say?
I like mixing it up.
And I actually don’t feel like sitting in the back room of a casino with strangers.
I’m up for something more one-on-one with Landen.
Truth be told, I’d like to get really one-on-one with him.
With a naughty smirk, so maybe he’ll see where my thoughts are heading, I ask what he has in mind.
Smiling and shaking his head—I think he knows—he tells me, “We’ll get to that, Miss Nance. But first…”
“Yes?”
I flutter my lashes, and he mumbles, “Woman, you are killing me here.”
Folding my hands on the table like a good girl, I promise, “Okay, I’ll behave. Go ahead and tell me your idea.”
Muttering something about me hopefully not behaving later, he then says, “You may have noticed the car I picked you up in tonight.”
I snort. “Yeah, it would’ve been hard not to notice. It’s a freaking Ferrari in, like, fire-engine red.”
“That would be the one,” he says smugly.
“So…” I unfold my hands and lean forward. “What does your flashy car have to do with our change in plans?”
Smirking, Landen says, “Well, if you know anything about that flashy car, you know it goes really fast. Like really fucking fast.”
I’m curious as to where this is heading, so I prompt, “Go on.”
Sighing, he shares, “I was never really able to open up the Ferrari back in New York. It was just too congested. Even the back roads outside of the city were packed with cars almost all the time. And even when they weren’t, they were always patrolled.”
“I’d imagine,” I interject.
“But out here in Nevada…” Landen gives me a wink. “It’s a different story. I’ve found plenty of lonely, quiet stretches of road in the untamed parts of the desert. No police, no anybody. In fact, I discovered a particularly cool area just recently.”
“Yeah? How’d you come upon that?”
Shrugging, he says, “I was out driving around aimlessly one night just for something to do, and I found a road way out in the middle of nowhere that was completely desolate. I mean, not a soul to be found. I’ve gone out there a few times since, and no one is ever there. It’s this really long stretch of paved road that goes on for miles. I think it’s a part of a highway that was never finished. Anyway, I’m sure there are cars that travel it from time to time, as it’s not closed off, but I think no one is out there much, if ever, late at night. ”