Page 114 of Playmaker

“What?”

He shook his head at me. “They’re big boys and they play hard. And they get well paid for it. It’s part of his life.”

I apparently was missing essential information about being with an athlete. I hadn’t seen Cooper with bruises when we were together, but it hadn’t been hockey season. Would he be bruised up tonight? “They don’t mind?”

He looked at the ice. “Apparently not.”

Cooper jumped over the side back onto the ice along with some other players. He didn’t look upset, just focused on the game.

Huh.Maybe I’d thought he’d be shooting glances at me. Nope. Totally into the game.

After the first period, Ottawa had scored, and the Blaze had not. Darcy asked if I wanted to stretch my legs during the intermission, maybe get something to drink. We went out to the mezzanine where there were vendors, and just like at the movie theaters, the prices were inflated. It rubbed me wrong, but I still bought us beer because Darcy was here to keep me company and I wanted to thank him. Though, based on the way he was absorbed in the game, he didn’t mind being here at all.

We missed a couple of minutes of the second period by the time we were back in our seats. Not long after we returned, Ottawa scored, and the mood of the crowd deflated. Even more after another goal.

I didn’t have to know hockey to know this wasn’t good.

Then, a few minutes later, Cooper was on the ice and something happened—it was kind of a blur, and there was a loud noise and everyone around us stood and cheered.

“What happened?”

“Watch the Jumbotron.”

They replayed what ended up being a goal. They slowed it down so I could see it better.

“Cooper got the assist!” Darcy pointed out.

“Yay?”

Darcy nudged me. “Yes, yay.”

Then the crowd got to me. I found myself groaning when someone was pushed into the boards by another player, and sighing when Ottawa scored. I booed loudly before I realized what I was doing.

Darcy laughed at me. I poked him. “Don’t say anything.”

The game was going again before everyone sat down.

Intermittently everything stopped. We were in another of the commercial breaks Darcy had explained to me in the first period.

He sighed. “Something is wrong with the team.”

The guy sitting beside Darcy agreed with him.

Despite myself, I asked, “Why?”

“Ottawa was one of the lowest-ranked teams last season, and they didn’t do much to improve over the summer. The Blaze aren’t looking good against them. Maybe it’s just a hangover from that loss in the finals, but I hope they shake it off.”

Darcy’s new friend nodded. “They had a short offseason. Maybe they haven’t got what it takes. And losing, in overtime like that? Brutal.”

Not long after, the players all cleared the ice and the second intermission started. There were a couple of fans out to play some kind of game. I’d have chanced getting through the ladies room if Cooper hadn’t asked me to stay put. Darcy was talking with his new friend, and I didn’t want to intrude on their conversation. An announcement distracted me from my complaining bladder.

“And now, a special kiss cam you won’t want to miss.”

The kiss cam had been going on all night. Darcy and I had debated what to do if they put it on us. My suggestion had been walking out, while he thought he should kiss my hand or pretend to make out with me. I’d vetoed both ideas, so fortunately it hadn’t come up.

But suddenly the spotlight was on me. And before I could escape, someone was in the aisle by my seat.

I jerked my head around and forgot to breathe.

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