Page 163 of Sin Bin

Bianca, who stood on the other side of Meadow, looked around curiously. “I wonder what’s going on?”

“Your guess is as good as mine,” Meadow said.

All eyes were trained on the screen. When Sanaa Lathan suddenly appeared, a chorus of gasps and appreciative cheers went up from the crowd.

“Oh shit.” Logan laughed as the guys pounded him on the back.

The ballroom fell silent as Sanaa began speaking. “Hello, Logan. I’m not sure if you remember me—” This drew incredulous laughter and guffaws “—but we met back in February when your team came to L.A. to play the Kings.” A photo of her and Logan flashed up on the screen, drawing more laughter and wolf whistles. In the selfie, Logan wore the biggest grin as the beautiful actress kissed his cheek.

Sanaa came back on the screen with her luminous trademark smile. “I wish I could be there to celebrate with you, but I’m actually filming my next movie. But I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to send heartfelt birthday greetings to one of my biggest fans. Happy Twenty-Fifth Birthday, Logan. Enjoy your big night. The next time you’re in L.A., drinks are on me.” The actress blew him a kiss and fluttered her fingers in a wave.

As the screen faded to black, the crowd clapped and cheered wildly.

Laughing warmly, Meadow leaned over Logan and kissed his grinning cheek before he was mobbed by teammates and friends slapping his back and vigorously pumping his hand. Mr. Tavárez was among the congratulators.

“This boy has been crushing on Sanaa Lathan since he was still wet behind the ears,” he told the gathered crowd. “I’ll never forget the first time he saw her. My wife and I were watching Love & Basketball one afternoon when Logan came inside from playing. He took one look at Sanaa, dropped his jaw and whispered ‘Who is that?’ As my wife and I burst out laughing, Logan plopped right down in front of the television and watched the rest of the movie with his eyes glued to the screen.”

As everyone laughed and started razzing Logan, Mr. Tavárez winked at Meadow and whispered in her ear, “Don’t worry, baby girl. You stole his heart first.”

She could only blush before Jenna shimmied her way through the rowdy crowd, beaming with satisfaction as she gave Logan a big hug and playfully patted his chest. “Bet you weren’t expecting that, were you?”

“Hell no.” Logan grinned and shook his head at her. “You’re just full of surprises. How the hell did you pull that off?”

Jenna laughed. “As you may recall, I was an actress before I married Sergei. I met Sanaa years ago on the set of Out of Time, that movie she did with Denzel Washington and Eva Mendes. I had a small part that no one ever remembers,” she added with a sheepish grin. “Anyway, everybody and their mama knows what a huge crush you have on Sanaa Lathan. She and I have the same agent, so I called in a favor. Sanaa remembered meeting you and was happy to record a special birthday greeting.” Jenna’s eyes twinkled knowingly. “I figured Meadow would appreciate that more than a Vegas showgirl popping out of a cake to serenade you.”

Logan laughed, rubbing his chin. “Good call.”

Meadow secretly agreed.

After Jenna got up on the stage to announce that dinner would be served shortly, everyone headed to their assigned tables. As they enjoyed a lavish three-course dinner, toasts and speeches were made, and they were shown a highlight video that captured the greatest moments of the season. The team’s phenomenal year included Reid scoring his three hundredth career goal, Viggo posting the highest number of hat tricks in the league, and Logan breaking a few scoring records. The video also showed heartwarming footage of the players serving the community, visiting disabled and hospitalized children, and passing pucks over the glass to young fans.

When the video ended, the ballroom erupted into thunderous applause and cheers that grew louder as Jenna strode out onto the stage and beamed at the crowd like an Oscar presenter.

“In one week, the NHL will announce the finalists for the most coveted awards. Several of our guys are strong contenders to take home a prize. Like Hunter, our indomitable captain whose exemplary leadership and generosity more than qualify him for the King Clancy Memorial Trophy. Like Viggo, the league’s top scorer who’s favored to win the Hart Trophy for the second time. Like Reid, our history-making defenseman who’s up for his third—yes, third—Norris Trophy. Like Logan, our birthday boy who had a monster season and led the league in power play goals, catapulting himself into the MVP race. We won’t talk about his penalty minutes,” Jenna added, coughing into her hand.

The crowd laughed uproariously as Logan ducked his head with a sheepish half smile. Meadow rubbed his back consolingly.

Jenna put her hand on her hip, her blue eyes sparkling with mock defiance. “I’m going on record to say that if Coach Bohler doesn’t win the Jack Adams Trophy, I’m staging a revolt. Same goes if my husband gets robbed of the Vezina.” She grinned as a roar of raucous laughter and applause swept through the room.

When the noise died down, she continued. “Individual awards are wonderful. But it took a team effort to get us this far, and it’s going to take all hands on deck to reach the promised land. Congratulations on a spectacular season, boys. Now let’s make team history and bring home the Stanley Cup!”

The crowd was up on its feet cheering, clapping and hooting. The players exchanged backslapping hugs and kissed their wives and girlfriends. Viggo and Scarlett’s long lip-lock drew widespread laughter and whistles.

After dinner, many couples headed to the dance floor. While Logan was talking to a group of trustees who oversaw the children’s ranch, Meadow excused herself to hit the restroom. It was crowded so she had to wait some time for an empty stall.

When she returned to the ballroom, she wasn’t surprised to see Logan surrounded by a pack of bunnies. Jess, who was dancing with Dubinski, caught Meadow’s eye and mouthed, I told you not to leave him!

What was I supposed to do? Meadow mouthed back in exasperation. I had to pee!

As she approached the table, she overheard one of the girls say poutingly, “C’mon, Logan. You’ve been ignoring us all night. It’s not fair. I mean, is she that special?”

“She is. She’s very special.” Logan lifted his eyes, meeting Meadow’s gaze. “Enjoy the rest of your evening, ladies.”

Dismissed, the bunnies turned and raked Meadow with scornful looks, then sneered and rolled their eyes. As they stomped past her, one girl hissed at the others, “Where the fuck did she come from?”

Meadow stared after them in disbelief, then turned and shook her head at Logan. “Seriously?”

He pulled out her chair, giving her a rueful look as she sat down. “Sorry about that. They can be…”

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