Page 49 of Ice Contact

I stare down at the note, my pulse racing and my fingers pounding out a rhythm on my coffee mug. I read her response and a giant, dumbass grin spreads across my face.

Olivia, will you be my girlfriend?

XYes

_ No

“Oh, thank God. If you said no, breakfast might have gotten really awkward,” I say grabbing the note and holding it in my hand.I’m saving this for later.“Why does this make me feel like I’m in high school again? Except way less nerdy.”

She snorts, rolling her eyes and sipping her coffee. “Hayes, there is no way you were nerdy in high school.”

“Oh, I was atotalnerd, Olivia. Scouts honor,” I swear, holding up two fingers in the universal scout hand signal. “I’ll get my yearbooks from my mom sometime and show you. I was a certified nerd. Glasses, dorky clothes, and braces. Acne from all the sweat under my chin strap was no joke.”

“I didn’t know there was such a thing as hockey acne.”

“Oh, it’s real. Thankfully, my skin got used to it as I got older and I learned about facial cleansers. But I was not the fine specimen of sexiness you see before you today,” I say as I wave my hand across my face like a game show hostess.

She eyes me with a smile, blushing as her tongue wets her bottom lip.

“I would have loved nerdy Hayes. He sounds like my type,” she said with a shy smile. “For some reason, you make me feel like I’m back in high school too. Especially since you asked me to wear your jersey. No one ever asked me to wear one in school. You’re my first.”

“Wait…you’re telling me I got your jersey v-card? I’m the only guy who’s ever given you a jersey?”

“Yep. Only you.”

I lean across the table pressing my lips against hers. “I am so fucking thankful to have you as my girlfriend and honored to be your first jersey.”

What I hold back from telling her is I hope I’m her last.

33

olivia

I’ve been to a lot of hockey games in my life, but never in a suite like this. There are huge TVs on the wall, photos of famous Riders players from the past, a fully stocked bar, a buffet that’s already making my mouth water, and a dessert display that Hayes and his sweet tooth would demolish.Damn, I could get used to this.I knew the players’ wives were up here for some of the games, but I never really paid attention, too focused on everything I have to do before the game. Seeing them all here, cheering on their men, is a different experience. I take a deep breath, rubbing my hands down my thighs. I want to make a good impression. I am normally one of the coldest people in America, but tonight sweat is pooling under my jersey from my damn nerves.How am I sweating in an ice arena?It’s funny how I can sing in front of the entire crowd but being in a suite with less than thirty people has me sweating bullets.

Every woman here is in ‘show makeup.’ I have work makeup, which is a quick morning foundation, blush, and eyeliner, then I have my show makeup, which is a long process with lashes, bronzer, highlighter, curled hair, hair extensions, and all my fancy jewelry. Every woman here seems to have on their showmakeup.Are they like this every game?I’m suddenly glad I went the extra mile tonight with my hair and makeup.

I asked Hayes if I could bring Maggie along since I didn’t know anyone, and I’m so glad she was able to come. Especially because I wasn’t sure if these women would be nice, catty, cliquey, or just flat out mean. At least I’d have a friend to help me navigate potentially shark infested waters.

“Liv, this is asicksuite. Except every girl in here is a perfect ten.” Maggie steps behind me, dropping her head on my shoulder as she glances around again. “I’m over here looking like a five in my nicest jeans and Riders t-shirt.”

“Whatever,” I scoff, forcing her to stand next to me. “We are bothsolideights, and you know it.” We both laugh, the tension in my shoulders melting away.

“Olivia!” a gorgeous blonde woman, with a very pregnant belly and holding a toddler on her hip, says. “I’m Kara Reeves, Zack’s wife. Welcome to the WAG suite.” Her smile is super friendly and welcoming, helping the rest of my anxiety disappear.

“Thank you. It’s nice to meet you, Kara, I’m Olivia Brooks, and this is my friend, Maggie James.”

“Nice to meet you, Maggie. Olivia, we all know who you are. We love hearing you sing the anthem.” Wait…the WAGS know who I am?Kara drops her voice, leaning closer as she glances at the ice. “Listen, Zack told me what happened. We’re going to get you back out there singing. I don’t know who else they have lined up, but we need our weapon back.” She winks with a conspiratory look, straightening and gently bouncing the toddler in her arms.

My face heats as I rub my palms down my thighs. “I appreciate the kind words. Sometimes things happen beyond our control, and this was one of them. I’ll live,” I say, shaking off the disappointment of not being down on the ice tonight,motioning to the toddler hiding his face in her chest. “Who is this little cutie?”

“This is Jackson,” her face softens, “And the two littles running around like heathens are Sophia and Molly. Another boy - yet to be named - is on the way,” she says, rubbing her belly. “That’s Zack’s mom and dad over there with the girls,” she nods with her chin, “They are excited to see Zack back on the ice after his injury, and, of course, to see their grandkids. To tell you the truth, I’m ecstatic to have extra hands at the game with these three wonderful, high-energy children,” she says as we all laugh. “Come on, I’ll introduce you around, then we’ll find some seats.”

Kara walks us around to meet the other wives and girlfriends, and I relax even more when I realize everyone is actually nice.Not the shark fest I was expecting at all.Some are very young, and I immediately feel old around them. I forget some of the rookies are just barely in their twenties. Kara seems like she’s at least closer to my age. Not that any of that matters. More than anything, I’m blown away that here I am, at thirty-one, and some of these girls are not even legal to drink and are dating high-profile NHL players. When I was twenty, I was still stumbling my way through life, nowhere near being in a relationship with a pro-athlete.

We find our seats and get ready for the starting line ups. Everyone cheers as the players are announced, being the loudest for their man on the ice. Kara is so gracious and has gotten us three seats together. She stands beside me as we rise for the anthem,of course it’s the Singing Grannies, and puts her hand on my back.

“Just know that while we all love America, even though most of us are Canadian, we love it more when you’re singing.” I give her a warm smile, thankful for all her help in breaking the anxiety of someone else performing tonight.

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