Page 80 of Offensive Plays

She gives me a terse nod to the girl and we speak volumes in our silent exchanges.

She’s trying to set me up. The woman will never give up. I sigh heavily but take the empty seat next to Cassidy.

She’s a simple girl. Pretty, but simple. Her gown is floor length and doesn’t hug her curves. Like she’s purposefully trying to avoid looking too sexy. Her chestnut hair is pulled up into a braided updo and she’s covering her shoulders with a shawl. She gives a demure look up to me as I pull my chair in.

“So, Cassidy,” I begin.

She perks up and swallows hard. She has a hard time looking me in the eye.

“Do you… enjoy hockey?”

“Michael,” my mother scolds. “Forgive him, Cassidy. My son seems to have a one track mind these days.”

“It’s a fair question. We’re at a hockey team charity, Ma.”

“I actually do like hockey,” the shy girl says. “I watch your team play pretty regularly.”

“You do?” I ask.

“Yeah. You guys have one of the highest scoring lines in the league.”

I look over at my mother whose glare is taking on a softer edge.

“Would you look at that, Ma? Someone else who appreciates hockey. Shocking, no?”

My mother waves my comment away and I smirk.

“Who’s your favorite player?” I ask Cassidy, turning my attention back to her.

She gulps.

“I won’t be offended if it’s not me.”

She laughs gently. “It’s actually the left-winger, Joshua Hicks.”

“Really?” I can say I’m genuinely intrigued.

Hicks is a showman. He’s known for his trick plays and tip ins. And he won’t hesitate to rub it in our opponent’s faces when he scores a sneak shot.

“Well, I’m sure he’s around here somewhere.” I say scanning the room. “I’d be happy to introduce you.”

My mother stiffens across the table. “I don’t think that’s necessary, Michael.”

“It’s her favorite player, Ma. It would be rude of me not to.” I give her a stern look. “In fact, there he is now.”

I point to where Hicks is surrounded by a group of fans. He’s making charades that look like a recap of our last game against Vegas. The crowd gathered around him bursts into laughter at something he says.

“Come on,” I say pushing my chair back.

Cassidy looks at my mother, almost as if asking for approval. And my mother rolls her eyes. “Make it quick, please.”

I extend my hand out to her and she slips hers in. With that, my mother is very pleased. She and Lillian both look at each other with matching grins, as we dismiss ourselves from the table.

Away from the watchful glare of the matriarch of my family I can finally say what’s on my mind.

“I’m sorry I haven’t responded to your messages,” I say.

She looks up at me as we stop near the group of Hicks and his fans.

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