Page 34 of Worth the Risk

“Oh, thank God! I’m a nervous wreck. I don’t do well in these kinds of places,” I tell her nervously. “How long have you worked for the team?”

“Just a year. It’s been amazing. I love when I get to travel with the team. I didn’t get to travel much growing up, so this has been a dream come true,” she tells me. I brighten when I hear she’ll be traveling too.

“Oh, that makes me so happy! I’m freaked out about traveling. I don’t fly well,” I confess.

“I won’t be on every away trip, but I’ll be on quite a few. Away trips we don’t take the whole PT team, so we take turns,” Elsie explains.

A ruckus draws our attention to the door as the team all come in at once. Everyone claps and cheers.

Luca is near the back, and I can see him scanning the crowd. When his eyes land on me, he smirks and gives me a subtle head nod as he reaches up and touches his lip. My entire body tingles thinking about the kiss in my office only a few hours ago.

“Holy hell, that was hot,” Elsie whispers. My head whips to hers.

“What?” I ask nervously. My face feels hot and I can tell a sheen of sweat has appeared on my forehead. I’d fan myself if it wouldn’t give me away.

“The way Luke looked at you,” she says, her eyes wide. “Are you guys a thing? I mean, I don’t think it’s technically against the rules, but I figured it was frowned upon to fraternize with the players.”

“Oh, no, it’s nothing. He lives next door to me,” I tell her nonchalantly.

“That’s what they’re calling it now? ‘Nothing?’ Hmm. Guess I need to find me some ‘nothing’ too,” she teases. I’m about to correct her again when my uncle sidles up to us.

“Ladies,” he says, and Elsie’s posture completely changes. Uncle Bennett gives her a look, and Elsie’s eyes drop to the ground. Oh, I think she’s already found her ‘nothing.’

“Hi Uncle Bennett. Thanks for sending Elsie over to save me,” I tell him. He gives me a crooked smile.

“I figured you two would have some things in common. How’d you enjoy your first full hockey game?” he asks.

“You’ve never seen a hockey game?” Elsie asks incredulously. I shrug.

“Well, I mean, I’m from Georgia. Hockey isn’t exactly big there. Plus my last job was with a college football team,” I explain.

“Oh. Well this is so much better than football,” she tells me passionately. I sneak a peek at my uncle, and he’s watching Elsie with a heated look as she explains why hockey is better than football.

“Okay, I get it. I do. I’m still learning about hockey, so cut me some slack,” I tell her, laughing.

“I’m sorry. I just love hockey. I grew up with it, even played on some teams myself,” Elsie says with a sheepish shrug.

“I know you said you’ve been working for the team for the last year. How old are you, if you don’t mind me asking?” I ask.

“Oh, I’m twenty five,” she answers. She turns and looks over her shoulder at a couple players whooping it up by one of the ice sculptures, and I make a very pointed look at my uncle. He’s thirty five. He refuses to look me in the eyes.

“Well, I’ve had an incredibly long day, I’m going to head out. Uncle Bennett, can you give Elsie my contact? I’d love to chat with you more when I’m not about to fall asleep on my feet,” I tell her. She nods enthusiastically. I give my uncle a hug.

“We’re gonna talk later, mister,” I whisper in his ear.

“I figured.”

I sneak around the edge of the party and quietly head outside. Pulling up the Uber app, I see a bunch of drivers nearby. It’s only a few blocks to the apartment building, but I’m exhausted. I just want to get back to my aunt’s apartment quickly.

As a car pulls up and I confirm it’s my driver, I slide into the backseat and begin to close the door.

The door is yanked from my hand as a voice says, “Room for one more?” as Luca slides into the seat beside me.

Luca

Ican’t help it. I watched her as much as I could at the party. When I saw her sneak out, I followed. I don’t think anyone saw me, but honestly at this moment, I don’t really care.

I’m done fighting this.

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