Page 37 of Mr. Charming

He nods, more enthralled with Rowan skating down the ice, passing to Henry than with what I’m saying.

Tweetie skates by, and I decide to get the hell out of here. He already scored two goals, and I don’t want to see him get a hat trick in the first game of his I’ve been to in years.

I’m halfway up the stairs when I catch everyone’s eyes glued to the ice with expressions of awe. Unable to stop myself, I circle around as Tweetie shoots the puck and the buzzer goes off. The entire arena is on their feet, cheers and roars and screams blaring. They chant Tweetie over and over again, all the fans throwing their hats onto the ice.

I watch him on the ice, celebrating with his teammates, and I smile because I do love to watch him play even if I hate it just the same. His enthusiasm is infectious, and he’s worked so hard to be so prominent this far into his career.

I turn back around and run up the stairs, unable to watch. His love for hockey is part of the reason we didn’t work out. It’s hard to remember that, though, when I see him on the ice.

With my pass, I get into the back tunnel, and I’m ready with my phone as the third period ends, and the Falcons win three to one.

They all file through the tunnel, ecstatic from their win. It’s the different reactions that I love capturing as they pass me—the goofballs on the team always sticking out their tongue or saying something into the camera, while the quieter guys just give me a nice smile and keep walking. The Trifecta and Conor are the last to come off the ice, and they’re all congratulating Tweetie on his hat trick.

“I think that solidifies our theory,” Conor says.

“Definitely, your best game of the season.” Henry draws back when he sees me holding my phone up for a video, but he smiles and nods, continuing to walk.

“I’ve had plenty of good games this year,” Tweetie says, stopping altogether when he sees me.

“Just admit it, you wanted to—” Rowan stumbles into Tweetie’s back, and I wonder what this theory of theirs is.

“It was just a good game. There was no other reason for it. It’s dedication and hard work,” Tweetie says, eyeing me and not the phone. “I was bound to get a hat trick this season with all my offseason work, unlike you slackers.”

He continues walking, and Conor dips his head at me with a small smile.

There goes that footage to use on socials. I can’t show Tweetie calling his teammates out for being slackers.

I stop the video and pocket my phone, walking down the hall. The locker room is loud and boisterous, and I continue my trek down the hallways, having learned my way around a little more this last week. As I’m about to leave and go back to my lonely apartment, the wives and girlfriends and Decker step off the elevator.

“Hey, I bet they’re so happy.” Jade beams. “Did you get some great footage?”

They start down the hall the way I just came, so I walk with them. “Um… a little. I’m sure there’s something I can use.”

“Did you see Tweetie?” Bodhi asks me.

He is so adorable.

“I did.” I feign excitement.

“He stopped smiling when he looked at the stands and you weren’t there. Did you tell him good job?” He rises on his toes and lowers his voice. “He hasn’t scored in three games.” His cringe makes me smile, and I ruffle his hair.

“I guess his luck is turning around.” I ignore the idea that maybe Tweetie was upset I didn’t see his third goal because that’s not anything I’m ready to dissect just yet.

“Daddy says it’s not good luck,” Bodhi says. “It’s practice.”

Jade wraps her arms around Bodhi, and he squirms out of her hold before running over to a little girl standing with her mom on the other side of the room.

“Is this the girlfriends’ and wives’ room?” I ask Jade.

“It’s the family room. Welcome.” Eloise envelops me in a hug.

“I was just about to go.” I peer over her shoulder and give Decker a “what the fuck” expression.

We’d both already planned to sneak out of here and not have to go to the club with them. The only reason I got Decker here was for the game, since I can get him that close to the glass.

“No, we’re going out,” Eloise says.

“Yeah, if I’m going, you’re going.” Jade points from me to her. “We just have to drop Bodhi off at my parents’.”

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