Page 60 of Unbroken Promises

HG: How about a kiss for luck?

Me: Don’t push it.

HG: Right. Sorry. We’ll get there.

Along with my beautiful, and slightly macabre, bouquet of roses which were giving off a very ethereal gothic vibe, Theo had apparently left for me one of his jerseys to wear, in the “off chance” that I would, in-fact, decide to attend his game. Which is why, thirty minutes later, I was just finishing up the details on coordinating my look by placing a black rose into my red curls that I had so diligently tamed when I was surprised with another text from my Hoodie Ghost.

HG: Tony is going to meet you out front tonight. I don’t want you going alone, and Darrion and Jayce are going to be busy for a few hours. I’ll meet up with you as soon as I can after the game.

Cheeks flushed from the cool of the arena, the air is electric with excited chatter and upbeat music playing before the start of the game. I look around the crowd nervously as I follow Tony down to our seats. True to his word, Tony was waiting for me with our tickets outside the arena, just as Theo said he would be. He leads menow down the stairs until we are standing directly in front of the glass, next to the sin bin. I glance around curiously, noting that while the arena is packed, the section we are in seems rather empty.

“This is where we are sitting?”

Tony just nods, a sheepish grin on his face as he shakes his head. “Yeah, he wanted you right here, where he could see you.” With that, he gestures for me to slide into the row and I take the seat he motions to.

There is a shift in dynamic as the music changes, lights dimming as the announcer comes over the speakers. Spotlights suddenly highlight the ice, and the music changes to “Bulls on Parade,” and one by one, the Sabretooths make their way out to the thunderous applause and cheers of their adoring fanbase as the announcer gives each player a kickass introduction.

“You know him, you love him. You may even love to hate him. Theo “Slick” Giovanni!” The announcer emphasizes his last name as number 96 bursts onto the ice, and the crowd goes insane. Women are screaming that they love him and want to have his babies, grown men look like they are about ready to cry as they cheer him on. I can’t help but laugh, shaking my head as I cheer along, the atmosphere infectious as he does a lap around the rink.

Theo is focused as he makes his way across the ice, putting on a show for the crowd, but comes to an abrupt stop when he reaches me on the other side of the glass. He points to me once, throwing me a wink and a kiss, and then he is off again, joining the rest of his teammates. His antics draw a lot of attention to where I am sitting, and suddenly I am painfully aware of the fact that despite the arena being packed, the seats directly behind and on either side of us are completely empty as people strain closer, trying to get a look at the mysterious woman their star defenseman was blowing kisses at.

My cheeks flush, and I lean into Tony, speaking loudly to try to be heard over the crowd. “What’s the deal with our seats?”

Tony looks around me at the empty spaces, before turning his attention to me once more. Bending down, he speaks directly into my ear, “He didn’t want anyone bothering you during the game, so he bought out the other seats.”

I frown in confusion. “What? This arena is packed. How did he manage to do that?”

Tony laughs, shaking his head. “Yeah, it’s actually a sold-out game. Not sure how he managed. I just know that he made it happen. My cousin can be kind of a lot sometimes. He has good intentions though.”

Players are lining up for the puck drop, and the crowd goeswild as the Sabretooths take control of the biscuit, effectively drowning out any response I could have made. I settle into my seat, getting comfortable for the game ahead.

Chapter Fifty-Eight

Theo

We are in the last half of the third period, 5-1 with Sabretooths taking the lead over the Calgary Cougars. It has been a bloody game, the opposing team taking any chance they can to check us into the boards or try to start a fight; but despite this, our team is on fire. We literally have never played so well together, moving across the ice like pieces of a well-oiled machine. I have even managed to score a goal and two assists by the end of the second, garnering the wild approval of our fans and targeted attacks from the opposition. None of that matters though, because my girl is finally back where she belongs, front and center, cheering me on.

Skating into position for the face-off, I line up across from McMurray, one of my biggest rivals in the division, and wait for the puck to drop.

“Hey, looks like you got a new puck bunny hanging around. The whole arena is buzzing about it.”

I ignore him, trying to focus on the game.

“You know, I thought she looked familiar. Could it be, that she is the same crazy chick you fucked around on back in your rookie year? Looks like she finally came around to your throwing your dick around like its candy for the little bunnies to suck on.”

My fists clench the stick tightly, and I’m worried if he doesn’t shut up that I may just snap the damn thingin half.

“Since she doesn’t seem to mind sharing any more, maybe she would want to try me on for size. I’ve heard great things about fiery redheads. Wonder if she’s as wild as those curls of hers. Guess she would have to be, not waiting for the dust to settle on that last dude’s grave before jumping on you for a ride. She must make for one hell of a good time though, if you’re willing to risk all that crazy. Word around town is that bitch is psychotic. Tried trapping her last guy into marriage so she could get his family’s money. Wonder why she would come crawling over to you though? If she was so desperate for some loose cash.”

That’s it. I lose my fucking shit. Dropping my gloves to the ice, I am slamming into the asshole before the refs have a chance to blow the whistle. My fist slams into his face, knocking his helmet off, and I keep pounding into him. Blood splatters to the floor, and the screams and jeers of the crowd blur into a dull roar that echoes the ringing in my own ears. Hands grab at me, trying to pull me loose, but I shrug them off, throwing myself on top of the fucker as I continue to pound my fist into his face. I feel the satisfying crunch as his nose breaks and blood spurts across both of us, splattering down onto the ice.

It takes three teammates and two refs to finally drag me off the dude who is half-conscious laying on the ice. I swipe at the cut above my eye, removing the blood that has dripped down into my face as I suck my split lip into my mouth. The refs are in my face, yelling at me as they push me towards the sin bin, but I tune them out as my eyes automatically search the crowd for my girl.

Will she be upset that I started the fight? Embarrassed by the fact that I am more hot-headed on the ice than I used to be? Will she want to leave? I only just got her back, and I don’t want to do anything to push her away. But that fucker started shit-talking, and then mentioning her relationship with Brad? What the actual fuck? How does he even know about that?

I reach the box, throwing myself down onto the bench, and go to swipe at a bottle of water, drinking greedily. Looking over to my left, I just need to see my girl, reassure myself that we are okay. But when I look to where sheshouldbe sitting, her seat is empty, no sign of her or Tony anywhere. What the actual fuck?

I keep shooting glances over to their seats. Maybe she wanted snacks. Or needed to use the restroom. There could be lines. It’s no big deal. She didn’t just up and leave because she was so disgusted with me fighting on the ice. Danica has seen me get into it with other players before, albeit not very often. Normally, I am the more level-headed player on the team; though I will always throw down to support my teammates. It’s part of what makes me a good captain. Knowing when to use my fists, and being able keep a level head when tensions are high.

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