Page 49 of Broken Promises

“Goal!” Maggie screams a second before the buzzer sounds and the goal lights up.

Declan throws his arms in the air, pointing the one holding his stick at me. He immediately skates over to me and puts his hand on the glass. Instead of doing the same on my side, I take my wig off, tip my head upside down to shake out my hair, andlift back up to meet Declan’s eyes. Then I put my hand on the glass opposite his. The hand with the shiny diamond that will be unmistakable.

His smile is blinding. I know all the cameras are on us right now. It was what I asked Jon to arrange. This is a Saturday night game. A million people are watching. It’s my way of showing the world Declan is mine. Of showing Declan I want the world to know I’m his.

Next to me, Kai and Cal take their hats off. Maggie is holding the sign I gave her earlier that says “Mrs. Monroe,” with an arrow pointing at me. I didn’t want anyone misunderstanding who I was. Declan’s smile never falters, but he starts laughing when he looks up. I look at the jumbotron and facepalm. Cal has made his own sign that says “Declan Monroe owns this bum,” with a hand drawn picture of a peach.

“Told you,” Kai says in my ear.

The ref blows his whistle, having let this go on longer than normal. Declan blows me a kiss and skates back into position. I’m still smiling as I watch him bend over and place his stick on the ice. I’ve always loved watching Dec skate. He flies over the ice with puck handling skills that could land him in the Hall of Fame. But now that things have changed between us, I’m suddenly seeing how powerful his legs are and the way his tongue darts out to lick the drop of sweat from his full lips.

I shake my head a little, snapping myself out of the thoughts that were quickly leading to visions of being naked with Dec. I need to focus on the game. The guys hold Chicago back and manage to keep the score at one-nothing.

“A bum?” I ask Cal after the second period ends.

He shrugs. “This is a family friendly event, Willa.”

“I’ve seen men lose teeth at these games. I don’t think you had to censor your sign,” I point out.

“Shit, you’re right,” he says, sounding disappointed.

“Look,” Maggie says next to me, pointing at the jumbotron. The camera is on me, Kai, and Cal again. So we wave and Cal blows kisses, mouthing hi to Harlow and Cora.

“How does it feel to have cameras on you like that all the time?” Maggie asks.

“You get weirdly paranoid that you’re going to develop chronic nose picking or something equally embarrassing,” I admit. “I’d love to say you get used to it, but when it’s moments like this, where I know I’ll never be able to watch my husband play hockey without attention falling on me more than it should,” I shrug, “it gets old.”

“You could watch from the family box with the other wives. The cameras can’t see in to most of it. I’ll even go with you,” she offers.

“You’re so sweet, but I’d like to stay down here with you for as long as I can. If it interferes with the game, I’ll go up to the box.” I’ve met some of the other wives and girlfriends and they all seem nice, but I like to be close enough to the action to smell the sweat. Not literally, but I like to feel like I’m a part of it.

Hockey Boy

What’s the verdict, Coach?

Goalie is protecting his right. Leaves the top left open if you can be quick enough. I’d get the puck to Ivanov. He’s faster at shooting.

That’s not an insult to you before you go there.

. . .fine.

I don’t have any other observations, but Chicago knows you’re onto their strategy. They’re a smart team, so I would expect something different for the last period. No idea what. You watched their tapes, so you should know.

I did, and they never played so defensively and effectively as they have tonight.

What did your coach say?

He said they cleaned house and got a whole new assistant coaching staff. So it’s anyone’s guess.

Dammit. He just said to get the puck to Ivanov.

I send him a smiley face and pocket my phone.

TWENTY-SIX

declan

“Listen up,”Coach yells between his cupped hands. “That was a hard-fought win, and I’m proud of you boys. Chicago was tougher than we were expecting.”

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