Page 114 of Perfect Playbook

“If we’re seeing Logan, the answer is yes.”

An optimistic desperation grips me, but before I put the pedal to the metal, I take out my phone and text Logan.

I need to see you.

Chapter Thirty-Eight

It’s hard notto speed all the way to Santa Fe. I have to get there before Logan starts pregame prep. Not that I have any clue what I’m going to say or do to get in the building, but I hope like hell I can get there before Logan has to warm up. I should have told him I was coming tonight before the game. Before I let him play with his head as mussed up as mine is.

He thinks I’ll be watching from home. Hell, he probably thinks I won’t watch at all. I’ve been such a hard-ass with him; the guy is a hero for fighting through my shadows. Geez, even my text was lame. I should have just writtenI love you.

I checkthe clock on my dashboard. Shit. We got caught in so much rush-hour traffic, it’s five-thirty. Even if I wanted to illegally pick up my phone now to write something a hell of a lot better and more romantic, I can’t. He’ll be warming up off ice or having a briefing. Whatever they do pregame, all I know is that Logan told me for two hours before puck drop and for an hour after the game, if I ever had an emergency, I needed to call Colt or Dash. Meaning, he cannot pick up his phone.

When we finally arrive at six, there are already fans littered around, tailgating. My brother hasn’t stopped searching online and coming up short for tickets. When I finally dish out fifty bucks for parking, I turn off the ignition.

“Tell me you found tickets.”

“No luck. But in my searches I did find out why. They’re playing the Huskies tonight for the first time this season.”

“Dang,” I say under my breath.

He adds. “I guess everyone is thirsty for more knuckles after last season when Ashton beat the C-R-A-P out of Jolie’s ex and the story broke that those two were together.”

Then a lightbulb goes off. Jolie. The box. A Dane or a Hunter or both will surely be in the box tonight.

I text Jolie.

Hi can I ask a massive favor? Are there any box seats left for tonight? If I’m being really greedy three tickets would be amazing.

I wait, biting my lip the whole time as an ellipsis from Jolie’s end comes and goes. Comes and goes.

Finally…

Jolie Hunter

Sorry babe. I actually has a couple extra but I was having Braxton-hicks contractions so we gave them to Ashton’s brother. Fletcher and some of his teammates are there tonight. Maybe ask Logan?

His phone will be off.

Jolie Hunter

Damn. That’s true. I guess that means I can’t text Ashton either. Sorry. You know I would have!

I came all this way and now I’m starting to feel like I overreacted. But I don’t want to ruin Logan’s mindset. I don’t want to wait another second to commit to this man. It’s unfair. To both of us.

Nino has had a long day and been in the car for hours. I turn around and reach into the backseat to unclip him. “Come on, baby. Let’s stretch your legs.”

The parking lot is massive. Dusk descends, but headlights illuminate the space in equal measure as the sun sets. The smell of barbecue fills my senses. Someone not far from us turns on some sort of sound system booming out energetic music.

I hold Nino’s hand. “I’m not sure we’ll make it to the game tonight.” I try to mask my defeat with my stoic mom tone, but it doesn’t work.

“Are you okay, Mom?”

“I just… really want to see Logan tonight. That’s all.”

“Will you ask him?”

I bend down to Nino’s eye level and rub his arms. “Ask him what?”

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