Page 7 of Mind Pucked

So, I’ve been trying to work my way into his old inner circle. I want to know everyone he knew. I want to understand the dynamic and see if any of the rest of them feel the same way I do—that Jackson may have had something to do with it.

Lucky for me, I have money and connections. The kind of money and connections that managed to get me VIP season passes to see the Chicago Blue Jays. And tonight, I’ll be at the third game in a row, sitting next to a woman named Quinn.

Quinn Eastburn is the wife of Dean Eastburn, who’s also a long-time Blue Jays player. They have three kids together. Buteven more importantly, those kids are friends with Hayden. And Hayden is Jackson’s daughter.

She’s only four, and from what Quinn tells me, she’s been traumatized from losing her mother. She doesn’t talk to many people, and has almost no trust, but she seems like such a sweetheart.

If I wasn’t here for investigative purposes, I would still love doing what I’m doing, which is making a connection with the children in order to get to the adult. Because from what I hear, Quinn has always helped out with taking care of Hayden, even before Lyla’s death.

If I get to know Quinn, and Dean, maybe they’ll have something worthwhile to say. Maybe I can get to the bottom of this.

I take a look at my makeup in the mirror, making sure it’s not too much. I don’t want to look desperate, but I have been trying to appear like a superfan.

Other than the fact that Preston played it, I have to admit that I didn’t know much about hockey until a couple months ago. I started really looking into it when this plan came to me. So, I’ve learned to cheer at the right times in the right ways. I’ve learned how fun it can be to watch them beat the shit out of each other on the ice. And I’ve watched other young women to see how to dress.

Jeans and a jersey. Natural looks. Still with a feminine air. It makes them notice you. It makes you fit in too.

I grab my purse and keys and head out the door of my apartment, being sure to lock it behind me. I climb down three flights of stairs, cursing at everyone for the fact that I just had to end up on the third floor. And I had to pick an apartmentwithout an elevator, mostly because I love the look of it and the fact that it has more square footage than any other one-bedroom apartment in town.

The price I pay for luxury.

I’m a little breathless as I reach the bottom of the stairs. I get to my car—the little blue Honda I’ve had since I went away to college—unlock it, and climb in.

Taylor Swift is playing on the radio, and I turn it up. I sing along off-key, not really giving a shit, as I make my way downtown to the rink for the game.

The stadium won’t be packed—it usually isn’t until later in the season—but the traffic is a little bit slow as I make my way there.

Plenty of time to get in my head about all this and think about turning around multiple times. Sometimes, I do feel guilty about what I’m doing.

It’s not like anyone asked to be entangled with someone like Jackson. I doubt Quinn knows he’s directly harmed someone. But the suspicion must be there. There must be more people who think that Jackson had something to do with Preston’s death.

It’s going to take a lot to convince me otherwise.

I get to the stadium slightly early. Just in time to grab something to drink in the long line before I make my way to my seat. I’m so close to the rink I’m sure I’ll be able to smell blood if any is spilled.

That guilt flares up again as I realize how many people would kill for seats like this. But I took it from them, because I just can’t let the past go.

I’m about to take a seat when I hear a bit of commotion coming down the stairs toward us. I look to my right and I see that Quinn is on her way with all four children in tow.

Lucy, Joseph, Thomas, and Hayden all have different personalities, and are all in a whirlwind as she tries to get them to settle down and follow her to their seats.

I can’t help but smile and let out a soft chuckle. I’m sure it’s pure chaos, but it’s the kind of chaos I thrive on. I’ve only given it a brief thought in the past couple of years because of my age and every damn thing I’m busy with, but I would love to have a house full of kids one day.

They always just make me smile.

I meet them at the end of the aisle and hold out my hands. Two of the kids grab hold and start talking away at me about whatever happened at school that day. I’m only half listening, giving Quinn a soft but empathetic smile. I can tell she’s been sweating because her hair is stuck to her brow. She’s trying to juggle the kids and all the snacks at once.

“Rough day?” I ask her, and she nods as we finally get the kids to the seats.

“You have no idea. Dean’s been talking about having a fourth, and I’m just absolutely against it. I’m considering getting my tubes tied. I absolutely love these kids, but some days, it’s too much.”

I nod. “I can totally understand that.”

Quinn cocks her head to the side. “You look a little young, but do you have any?” she asks.

I shake my head. “No, not yet. Definitely a little young, and a little single.” I laugh at it, but there’s this hole that hits my stomach at the thought. I don’t want to be single, but I’ve been too busy running from my past and then digging too deep into it to worry about relationships. Before that, I was just way too sheltered.

“Oh.”

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