Page 7 of Three Pucking Wedding Dates

“I won’t be here long anyways, right?”

He sends me a mischievous look. “We’ll get you more clothes.”

I playfully elbow him as we get off the plane and start walking through the terminal. The truth is that I’m just happy to finally be off the plane, so I’m not too eager to think about going home right now anyway.

Gray pulls his phone out from his pocket and clicks something before his entire face scrunches up.

“What’s wrong?” I ask, concerned.

“Oak, there are reporters waiting at the gate. You should head out first—I’ll catch up with you later.”

“Reporters?” I repeat, taken aback by the news. Why would they be here?

“Yes.” He sighs. “They follow me everywhere. You can’t be seen with me.”

“I’m not good enough for you?” I frown, feeling offended.

“You’re too good for me, Oak, but that wouldn’t stop me from being with you anyways.” He rubs my shoulder. “But, that’s not the point. If they see you with me, you’ll become some ‘mystery’ girl, and they’ll tail you all over the place, even when you get home. You’ll be on the cover of magazines, and nothing about your life will be private. They won’t stop. Is that what you want?”

That sounds horrible. Is it the way he has to live? “No.”

“Then just do me a favor, and go in front of me. I’ll wait here for a second. We’ll just look like two passengers that came off the same plane.”

“Okay.” I sigh. This is all so different from the last time we saw each other, but I guess he wasn’t some bigshot NHL player back then. “How did you know about the reporters? I didn’t realize you could see the future.”

Gray laughs. “Charlie, my driver, always keeps an eye out for us when we’re traveling. He’ll meet you at the front of the airport and take you to the rink where the Utica Legends are playing.”

“Your team is playing today?” I ask, eyes wide. “And you came to get me? Gray, you shouldn’t have. You should have?—”

“I think I’m capable of making my own decisions,” he cuts me off. “I chose to come get you, and I wouldn’t have changed it for the world. Besides, Reid and Theo are there, so the game will be won anyways.”

I nod, not knowing what else to say. “Are you going to be okay?”

“Hey,” he says softly, his eyes full of concern. “Don’t worry about me, okay? I’ve dealt with reporters before. I’ll meet you at the rink.”

I force a smile, trying to hide my unease. “I know you can handle it. I just…I don’t like leaving you behind.”

“Trust me, I’ll be right behind you,” Gray reassures me, giving my hand a gentle squeeze. With one last lingering look, I turn away and start walking toward the front of the airport.

My heart races as I search for Charlie among the sea of faces. An older gentleman with salt-and-pepper hair catches my eye,holding up a sign with the name “Archer” on it. Relief washes over me, and I hurry over to him.

“Charlie?” I ask hesitantly, praying that I’m not about to introduce myself to a complete stranger.

“Miss Price,” he says with a kind smile, extending his hand. “Gray asked me to keep an eye out for you. He would like for me to take you to the rink.”

“Thank you,” I reply.

The flash of cameras and the clamor of reporters’ voices catch my attention, drawing my gaze to where Gray stands surrounded by a throng of media personnel. He seems unfazed by the sudden onslaught, answering their questions with a practiced grace that highlights his experience in the spotlight. I watch, amazed at how effortlessly he handles the attention, when his eyes flick toward me for just an instant, sending a silent message of reassurance.

“Quite the scene, isn’t it?” Charlie comments quietly beside me, his gaze also on Gray and the reporters.

“Yeah,” I agree, still watching Gray. “He’s really good at handling them.”

“Experience,” Charlie replies simply, his voice polite but reserved. I can tell he’s not one to engage in idle gossip, so I decide to focus on getting to know him better instead.

“Gray mentioned that you always look out for him,” I say, turning my attention to the older man beside me. “How long have you been working together?”

“Nearly five years now,” he answers, maintaining a professional tone. “I’ve been driving for the Archer family since Gray was first drafted into the NHL.”

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