Page 50 of Second-Rate Superstar
Dakota was incredible. I’d known that early on, but now that I was getting to know her? Fuck, she was constantly on my mind. I’d never felt this way about a girl before. Not even when I thought I wanted a future with Lacey.
I didn’t even have Dakota and wasn’t sure I would ever get enough.
Going back on the road so soon after our last skating session and my sly ice cream date add-on was torture. Time and distance could be a setback, allowing her to overthink and re-evaluate our current relationship. I texted her occasionally—but not too much to seem needy or desperate—to touch base on her hockey research. She was getting there, but slowly.
I couldn’t imagine how overwhelming it must be to cram learning the entire game into a few months. I’d had my whole life, and there were still things I was learning. Hockey was unique in that the game was constantly changing and evolving. Rules were updated in any sport, but the style of play adapted to those currently playing. What used to be a game of big hits, requiring massive enforcers on each team, was now one of speed and skill, involving scrappy players with creativity.
For fans of the game, it was an exciting time. Highlights were mind-blowing on a nightly basis.
And that’s why I sent Dakota a few highlight reels while on this most recent away trip. She’d been through the basics, and now it was time to see the game in action. Asking her to watch an entire game without me there to explain it in real-time would be too much, but short clips of players making unreal moves and scoring in unique ways might help spark inspiration for whatever she was working on.
I had to admit, I was curious as to what her book was about. Sure, the sport had plenty of female fans, but I still didn’t see the appeal of reading about it instead of watching. I held out hope that, eventually, Dakota might become comfortable enough with me to share more details about her latest project. She knew all about my job, but I knew very little about hers.
By the time the Comets touched down in Hartford, I was desperate to see her. The team plane arrived late at night, as we often returned home after playing our last road game, so it would have to wait until the following day.
I knew I wouldn’t sleep a wink. The anticipation was too great for the moment when we would be reunited. I still couldn’t believe that pint-sized girl had somehow found a way to make me believe there was a person outthere who could see past the noise surrounding my life and into the heart of me.
I might never get a chance like this again, and I wasn’t about to waste it.
Knocking on the door of the house Dakota shared with Bristol, I bounced on my feet, unable to contain my excitement. A phone call received this morning with a change of plans had provided an opportunity. If what Dakota had said about having no one after losing her mom was true, this was my chance to show her the human side of hockey players. Better than that, the family side. Social media loved seeing players with their kids; it melted everyone’s hearts.
Yes, I knew taking Dakota with me to the hospital when Max was born fell under that category, but Natalie went off the rails with her oversharing and probably did more damage than good. Truth be told, I was still a little scarred from that encounter.
The door opened, and I was met with Bristol’s smirking face.
“Ooh. Dropping by unannounced? I like it. Doesn’t give her a chance to overthink.”
Bristol made it no secret she was on my side. An ally on the inside was invaluable.
“Is she home?” I asked.
“It’s your lucky day.” She stood aside to allow me entry. “She’s upstairs in her bedroom slash office, probably staring at a blank document again. I’m sure she’ll be glad for a distraction.”
“Here’s hoping.” Crossing my fingers, I threw her a wink. “Can you go get her for me?”
Eyeing me, Bristol shook her head. “Not necessary. You can head right on up. Her door was cracked, which means she’s open to interruption. Hers is the room on the right, past the bathroom.”
Skeptical, I arched an eyebrow. “Are you sure?”
“Of course.” She waved me on toward the stairs.
I sent up a silent prayer that Dakota would be glad to see me versus the alternative of her threatening my manhood for breaching her inner sanctuary without warning.
Calm down. She’s fiery, but she’s not Hannah. It’ll be fine.
Maybe I should have texted first, but it was too late now.
Taking the stairs, I saw the cracked door on the right that Bristol had mentioned. Giving it a light rap with my knuckles, I waited for a reply but was met with silence. Shit. She was probably sleeping; it was still early. I’d just wanted to see her so damn badly that I hadn’t considered her flexible schedule might mean she was a night owl who slept in.
Pushing the door open to peek inside, I found Dakota, not sleeping but sitting at her computer with headphones on. Leaning against the doorjamb, I watched as her fingers flew furiously across the keyboard. She was so in the zone I almost felt bad for interrupting.
The headphones must have been noise-canceling since she hadn’t heard my knock. Walking into the room, I half expected her to catch my approach from her peripheral vision, but when she didn’t, I moved behind her to see what she was working on.
Was this a violation of privacy? Probably, but I was too curious.
The screen was split down the middle, and my eyes first went to where the words magically appeared, filling up a blank document. A smile crept onto my face, glad that the writer’s block Bristol had alluded to downstairshad vanished. Movement on the other half of the screen caught my eye, and I nearly swallowed my gum when I saw what she was watching as she banged out the words.
Banged. You’ve got that right.
