Page 11 of One Pucking Wish

I lean my head back against the seat, close my eyes, and release a deep breath. Meditating seems like a solid plan. Surely, after a few deep breaths and some Zen, we’ll be at the plane.

A yelp leaves my mouth and my butt lifts from the seat as Julien hits something else.

“Nothing to worry about,” he reassures us.

I’m not convinced, but it doesn’t matter because the team’s plane is in view.

Oh, thank you.

I sigh in relief.

Julien pulls his car up next to an SUV parked several yards from the steps that lead up to the plane. I grumble a thank you and open my door as Cade no doubt gives Julien an excessive tip. In fairness, I couldn’t drive much better, given these conditions. I’m just grateful to arrive in one piece.

A couple of the guys exit the SUV beside us and hurry up the plane steps. It’s hard to make out who they are. With the amount of snow coming down, I can only see a few feet in front of my face.

Head down, I speed up the steps as fast as my three-inch heels allow. Cade and Iris follow me.

We board the plane to see Coach Albright, the pilot, and Jaden and Max talking in front of the cockpit.

“We have to go right now, or we’ll be stuck here for the night,” the pilot states.

I step toward them. “What is it?”

Jaden turns toward me. He and Max must’ve been the players in the SUV as snow still rests atop their shoulders. “Dreven is still at the bar,” he says.

“What do you mean.” I shake my head. “Why didn’t he come back with you two?”

Max speaks up. “They called the cops. He punched a guy.”

“He punched a guy?” I shriek. “What the hell? We were all walking out at the same time. How did something escalate to violence in five seconds?”

“I don’t know. We were following you three, and the next thing we knew, Dreven’s fist was in some guy’s face,” Max says.

I shake my head. “I can’t believe this.”

“This isn’t a good look, Ms. Stellars.” Coach Albright looks at me with a frown. I know his frustration isn’t with me but with the situation. Yet I feel as if I’ve let him down in some way.

“I know. I’ll fix it.”

Iris steps up behind me. “But the plane’s going to leave.”

“I’ll take a flight out in the morning. I can’t just leave one of our players in a Canadian jail.” I blow out a breath of annoyance.

Max points toward the exit door. “Try to catch our taxi before he leaves. He was brilliant navigating these streets.”

Come to think of it, Jaden and Max left after us due to the punching detour, and they still beat us here. Yes, I definitely want their cab driver.

“I’ll come with you,” Iris offers.

“No. It’s fine. Go home with your husband. There’s no reason for us both to be stuck here.” I don’t miss the look of relief on her face. Let’s face it, who wants to be stuck here? Although a nice hotel room to myself, a hot bath, and a glass of wine isn’t a horrible way to spend my birthday eve.

I give Coach a reassuring smile and step out of the plane. My heart sinks when I see the taillights of the SUV disappearing in the snowfall.

“Wait!” I shout, waving my arms, but it’s no use. I can no longer see the vehicle, which means he can’t see me. I dip my eyes to see Julien’s car still sitting beside the plane.

Great.

Jacket wrapped tightly around my waist and my purse in the crook of my arm, I approach the car and open the back door. “Hey, Julien. Any way you can take me back to the bar?”

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