Page 26 of Trouble

He glances at me in the rearview mirror, then quickly returns his focus to our surroundings. “Yes, ma’am.”

“Could you take me to the players’ entrance?”

He gives me a warm smile. “Yes, ma’am. Mr. Fitzgerald directed me to drop you there.”

My belly does a swoop at the mention of Cade. For most of the day, I was focused on sneaking out without getting another lecture from Declan. Then Dina’s text diverted my attention to my family. All of it put a damper on my excitement, but now that I’m here, so close to Cade, the giddiness returns.

As the car comes to a stop, Lennox steps up to the curb. She’s dressed in a Bolts jersey and black pants, with her pink hair pulled back in a pretty braid. I love how confident she is in her own skin. While she’s much taller than I am, we’re both curvy, and she knows exactly how to accentuate all her assets.

“Ah, you’re here!” she cheers as the driver comes to a stop.

The man can’t even open his own door before she’s yanking on mine. She clutches my arm and drags me out of the car, then pulls me in for a hearty hug. I swear her boobs swallow me. I laugh the entire time, already knowing this was the best decision I’ve made all week.

“Players’ entrance, huh?” I say, unable to temper my wide smile.

She grins and holds out her arm. “Stick with me, Mel. I know all the good tricks.”

I follow her inside, practically floating with giddiness. Normally, I’m flanked by security no matter where I go, but since Ford cameup with the idea of hiding me in Bristol, where both the police department and fire department have taken on the task of keeping me safe, I’ve given my security detail time off. They deserve it after the last few months.

Cade spoke to Ford about tonight, promising that his driver would be my security to and from the arena, and that once I arrived, I’d be with Lennox and Sara. Everyone in Boston knows the Langfields are ridiculously overprotective about their women, so obviously I’m safe in their company.

So even though they’ve got their own security stationed everywhere, and even though there are eyes on us at all times, I feel a lighthearted freeness that I haven’t experienced in years.

My phone buzzes, so I pull it out of my pocket. Dina again. I don’t want to lose this feeling, but if she has sent me a picture from the festival, there’s no way it won’t bring me down. I just want to live within the sparkle for a little while, so I press the button on the side of my phone, powering it off, then tuck it away again.

“Looks like trouble has arrived,” a voice says from up ahead in the private hallway.

Heart leaping, I take off at a run toward the hot man in a navy blue suit. Already, his dirty blond hair is swept back, as if he’s been running his hands through it.

Cade opens his arms, and I launch myself at him. In one fluid motion, he grabs my ass, holding me tight against him while I wrap my legs around his waist.

“Hey, Coach.”

His face splits in a smile so wide it’s blinding. Tipping his chin up, he presses his lips to mine. “Fuck, I missed you,” he says, his breath skating over my skin. With another kiss, he squeezes my ass. He says it like he’s surprised he feels this way, and somehow, that makes me feel even lighter. I like surprising him. He’s certainly surprised the hell out of me.

When he pulls me closer, his fingers digging into my ass, Lennox squeals. “Okay, there’s press,” she warns.

Cade is zeroed in on me, his blue eyes full of fire. “I don’t care. I’m currently kissing the hottest woman I’ve ever seen. The woman I’m lucky enough to call my girlfriend.”

My cheeks heat, and my heart thumps hard against my breastbone. “I don’t care either.”

“Good,” he murmurs, dipping back in for a kiss.

“Great, you’re obsessed with one another. But we’ve got a hockey game to coach,” Gavin calls as he walks past us, waving his clipboard.

“Coming,” Cade calls after him.

“Not till tonight,” Lennox jokes behind me.

Cade sets me down, still laser-focused on my face. “So much trouble,” he mutters. With a final peck to my lips, he strides away.

I don’t take my eyes off his ass until he’s completely disappeared from view. He’s got the perfect bubble butt, and the way his suit pants mold to it allows me to see every flex as he moves.

Lennox links her arm with mine and tugs me toward the suite. “That was fun.”

She’s not wrong. Everything about Cade is fun.

I haven’t been able to stand in line for my own beer or souvenir in years. Most people would gladly give it up if they could, but it’s one of those normal activities I miss. When I’m touring, venues provide gift bags full of their team’s merch, and when I’m out and about, I’m always assigned a server who takes care of my every need.

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