Page 26 of One Pucking Chance

“And move out of the way. We have somewhere to be.”

He eyes our outfits. “I had no idea you were into sports.”

I shrug. “There’s a lot you don’t know about me.”

“Does this have to do with your boyfriend? You going with him?” He raises a brow.

“I said I’d help you get a meeting with Bobby if you earn it. That’s where this stops, Simon. We’re not friends. Now, please move.”

He raises his hands in mock surrender. “Alright. Alright. I’m leaving. Have a good night.”

“Yeah, you too.”

Miranda and I make our way to the front parking lot where the limo Jaden sent is waiting.

“Awesome, let’s go be sports girls!” Miranda claps her hands. “Can’t wait to cheer for the home runs.” She eyes me, and I shake my head. “Baskets? Points? Scores? Goals?”

I nod. “Yeah, that one, I think. They shoot a puck into a net and make a goal.”

“Yes!” she cheers. “Let’s go watch that.”

The limo driver turns into an unoccupied alley on the far side of the arena. As he pulls to a stop along the curb, a door opens, and Ms. Dreven appears. Instead of the classy business attire she wore last time I saw her, she’s sporting a Cranes jersey, skinny jeans, and some expensive knee-high boots.

She opens the limousine door and welcomes us to the stadium.

“So far, so good,” Miranda whispers behind me.

She’s right. This private entrance is setting my nerves at ease.

Ms. Dreven thanks the driver and leads us in through the door. “So I hear this is your first live hockey game,” she says as we follow her through the hall.

“First hockey game, period.” I chuckle. “I’ve never watched one.”

“Oh, you’re in for a treat. I’ve seen the most anti-sports people converted after watching a live game. There’s nothing like it.” She motions toward Miranda’s jersey. “I hope Miles sees you. It’ll make his day. He’s one of our new guys, and I’m guessing there won’t be many number sixteen jerseys in the crowd today.”

She’s wearing a number twenty-nine jersey with the name Dreven embroidered across the back. “I’m assuming number twenty-nine is your…”

“Husband.” She smiles. “He’s the goalie. Can’t miss him.”

“That’s fun,” I say.

“Yeah, it is,” she agrees, a proud smile still on her face.

After following her through a series of back hallways, the noise of the stadium grows louder.

Ms. Dreven gestures toward a door. “This is you. The suite is very private. A few friends and family members of the players are in there, but they won’t bother you. You’ll have a server who can bring you any food or beverage you want, and there’s a bathroom in the suite so you won’t have to leave,” she says.

“Thank you,” I say as I enter the suite with Miranda right behind me.

“Enjoy the game,” Ms. Dreven says. “Jaden will meet you in here afterward.”

We thank her again and head inside. There’s a bar top along the back wall of the suite where a bartender is mixing drinks. “Want anything?” I ask Miranda.

“Definitely.” Miranda follows me to the bar. “What’s a very ‘hockey game’ type of drink?” she asks the bartender, making air quotes with her fingers.

He smiles. “Anything you want to be.”

“What do people drink the most?” I ask.

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