Page 10 of Heart on Ice

“Did Kitty seriously leave?” I ask my sister.

“Yeah, but to be fair, I think it was her friends that pushed it.”

I nod. “I need a fucking drink.”

“Come on, let’s get you one or two.” My sister smiles as we head over to the bar.

Eventually, I make my way home, the crowds have dispersed, and thankfully, people are not waiting for me to get their pound of flesh. My driver drops me off at my door, and I walk in and drop my gear the moment I enter. Frankston rushes toward me and jumps into my arms, at least someone is happy to see me tonight as I hug him tightly, he licks my face, and I didn’t realize how much I needed the affection.

“You’re home early,” I hear Kitty call out from the living room.

“Wasn’t much to celebrate.” I sigh as I walk toward her, desperately wanting to fall into her arms and hear her tell me everything is going to be okay.

“Not after you messed it all up.” I still. “Do you have any idea how embarrassing that was for me?” For her? “I had my friends with me.”

“Wasn’t thinking about you while I was out there,” I snap back.

“Looked like you weren’t thinking at all.”

“What the hell, Kitty? I had a fucking shit night, and I come home expecting my fiancée to be consoling me, except I get nothing but this attitude.”

“I’m not going to stroke your ego when you mess up.” She huffs.

“Wow,” I say, shaking my head, this is utterly unbelievable.

Kitty rolls her eyes. “Do you have any idea how many people have tagged me in shit about tonight. The comments on my photos I took at the game are full of hate.”

I can only imagine how horrible they are, my phone has been going off all night. “I’m sorry.”

“So, you should be.”

I hate fighting with her. I walk over to where she is sitting and take the seat beside her. I reach out, and after a coupleof attempts, she eventually crawls into my lap. “I’m sorry I’m putting you through this.”

“They are so mean.” She sniffles.

I hug her tighter. “They will move on.”

“I sure as hell hope so. I will not tolerate this when it comes to my wedding content.” She looks up and warns me.

“Baby, they wouldn’t do that.”

“You promise.” She pouts.

“I won’t let them,” I reassure them.

This makes her smile. “I knew you wouldn’t. I wrote a statement that you can post to your fans about their harassment of me. I’ve emailed it to you.”

Oh. “I’ll check in the morning if that’s okay?” She doesn’t look happy with that answer. “It’s been a long night, I kind of want to chill.”

“Sure. That’s what I thought you would want to do. I knew you would want to be alone to brood about it so I’m heading out with my friends. I just wanted to see you before I left.”

I still. “You’re not serious?”

“Um, yeah. They all flew in to watch the game. I have to make the trip worthwhile somehow.”

“Of course you do,” I mumble as I pick her up and place her back on the sofa. “Go do whatever it is you need to do.”

“See, this attitude is the reason why I don’t want to be around you tonight. I knew you would be in a mood, you’re always a grump after losing a game,” she says, getting up from the sofa.

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