Page 28 of One Pucking Chance

“Oh, that’s awesome. Thank you.” Miranda grabs a finger.

We look around the server to the Appletons, who are smiling big, and give them a wave and a thank you.

Miranda returns her attention to our server. “Can I order a Crane pen and paper set, please? I need to make a list.”

“Absolutely. Anything else?” she asks.

I hold up my empty martini glass. “I think I’m going to need another one of these, please.”

“Me too!” Miranda holds up her foam-covered hand, pointing the obnoxious finger at our server.

The server nods and steps away to help someone else.

“Who are you?” I ask, amused.

“What?” She shrugs. “I just really like this sport.”

“It hasn’t even started.” I cover my face, hiding another laugh.

Miranda grabs my arms. “Oh my gosh, Anna. What is happening?”

I follow her gaze to the ice below where the guys are… on their hands and knees, and… thrusting?

“Why are they humping the ice?” Miranda shrieks before hurrying to cover her mouth.

I’m laughing so hard now that tears form in the corners of my eyes. “You better hope no one was filming that little outburst. That’s not a good look to have out there.”

“Okay, but seriously…what is happening?” She looks from me to the players.

Mrs. Appleton leans forward and turns our way. “They’re stretching. And yes…it’s my favorite part, too.” She wags her eyebrows, causing Miranda and me to fall deeper into hysteria.

Once the game starts, the night flies by in a blur. We eat and drink, and Miranda orders an obscene amount of swag. The game is exciting, and though I barely know what’s going on, I’m jumping out of my seat and cheering as if my life depends on it. I’ve never understood sports until now. I totally get it. Jaden somehow got hotter as the night went on. He’s covered from head to toe, from his helmet to his bulky pads to his skates, and still—beyond sexy. It’s a rush from start to finish. I have next to no skin in the game, yet I wanted the Cranes to win so badly. And when they did—the euphoria in the arena was palpable. By the end of the night, the Appletons feel like family, and I feel like I’ve been a hockey superfan all my life.

Best yet, for almost three hours, I was a hundred percent present in my life. I didn’t think about my lines for tomorrow or worry about my dad, Simon, or the fans catching a video of me from an unflattering angle. I was in the moment with my best friend and an arena full of people, and it was brilliant.

Who knew I was such a sports girl?

Certainly not me.

CHAPTER

TWELVE

JADEN

Seeing Anna in the VIP box cheering for me was a dream come true. Whatever comes, I can die a happy man. The home season opener was incredible. We beat Chicago four to two in an epic battle. The crowd’s enthusiasm was infectious. I hope Anna could feel the buzz that we’ve all grown to crave. Because once the obsession penetrates, you’re all in.

I shower and change in record time, anxious to get up to the box to see her. My teammates’ jaws drop when I announce that I won’t be joining them at our favorite bar, The Station, tonight. Normally, I’m all for a boisterous celebration after a win. But tonight, I have something more important in mind.

When I arrive, the VIP box is empty save for Anna and another woman.

“Hey!” I say as I enter the suite. “What’d you think?”

Anna and her friend turn around, and I have to stop myself from laughing. It looks like the Crane store has puked all over the friend, covering her head to toe in Crane gear. She’s holding two large store bags to her side.

I motion toward her swag loot. “You must be Miranda, and I’m guessing you enjoyed your first hockey game?”

Her head falls back and forward with fervor as a resounding, “Yes! Loved it,” comes from her mouth. “We are fans for life.”

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