Page 95 of What if I Told You

Griffin snorts. “Right? I mean it’s all in the pelvis, but damn, they make it look painful.”

We sit through a few more dances that include a twerking dolphin, Grizzy leaping like a ballerina, Bracken Brawler moonwalking to some Michael Jackson, Ozzie Osprey dancing to “I’m a Little Tea Pot”, and Icer doing the “Electric Slide”. When Growler takes his turn on the ice, “I Want to Dance With Somebody” is played across the arena and the whole crowd is on their feet joining him as the rest of the mascots dance along as well. When the song ends, the stage managers come out to the ice and pull up the red carpet making us all wonder?—

“Where the hell are Remi and Lumin?”

Ledger asks what we’re all wondering but then the mascots scatter to the outer walls of the ice as the lights go down and the spotlight shines in the center. I can’t hold back my grin knowing that whatever is going on, it’s going to be epic. As soon as the tune starts to play in the arena the crowd goes absolutely wild knowing exactly what’s about to happen.

“Now I’ve…had…the time of my life…”

“Oh shit!” Bear straight up belly laughs. “Are they for real?”

Just as the song begins, Remi steps on the ice in his skates and floats to the center of the arena followed by an unusually sparkly Lumin.

“Yep,” I say with a nod. “I think they’re for real.” I look on in wonderment and awe as my girl dances to the ever-famousDirty Dancingsong with Remi, only mildly jealous that it’s not me down there dancing with her.

Holy shit, she’s going to skate this.

They skate their hearts out and when it comes time for the couple’s famous lift, my eyes grow huge as Ella skates to the opposite end of the ice from Remi and he motions for her to skate to him. She lets herself go and flies to the other end as fast as she can and just as the two of them meet, Remi drops to his knees and lifts Ella up over his fluffy bird head to the amazement of the crowd.

“Fuck me!” I shout above the sound of the music. “She’s amazing! They’re amazing!”

Milo and Colby laugh behind me, clapping me on the shoulder as Milo nods. “She is definitely made for this job. It’s cool that she and Remi get along so well. They can have a lot of fun together. Jonah’s a good guy. He’ll never disappoint.”

“Ella and I were just watching his video not too long ago. Of that day when he asked out the Zamboni driver. Sorry, I forget her name.”

“Giana!” Colby answers. “Oh, my God, that was a fucking fun day. When Jonah asked our wives about helping him they wouldn’t stop squealing for hours. They loved being a part of it.”

“Yeah.” Milo nods. “And now Jonah and Giana are married! Talk about hockey love, huh?”

“Yeah.” I smile. “That’s really awesome.”

Turning back to watch Lumin and Remi take their bows I consider the fact Ella and I aren’t too much unlike Jonah and Giana. If someone would have told me I would find the love of my life in a hockey arena, I would have laughed in their face. But here she is, the mascot of our team.

Telling her about that job might very well be the best thing I have ever done. Better than any goal I’ve ever made or game I’ve ever won.

I got the girl of my dreams and I couldn’t be happier.

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

ELLA

Charlee Landric

GIIIIIIRL! You KILLED it out there! Congratulations on your huge mascot win! Seriously, we were all watching online. You were magnificent!

Rory Malone

OMG Totally agree! And that Dirty Dancing performing was *chef’s kiss*!!!

Scarlett

That’s my girl! Did you love every second of it?

Me

I really did! The dodgeball game is a little tough to play in costume but the dancing and the skills test were so much fun!

Kinsley Shay

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