Page 80 of Unmasking Love
"Harper, that's amazing!" Wes says as he wraps his arm around my shoulders. "I'm so happy for you."
"Thanks Wessy."
We settle into our seats again, under the fleece blanket, as the teams come back out for the second period. Aiden skates to the opposite net. Wes and I get into it, along with everyone else sitting around us. The play has been on the other side for a while so I'm kind of tuned out when I see Aiden flick the puck ahead to Felix who skates towards the net in front of us at an alarming speed. Before I know what's happening the siren sounds and Renegades by X Ambassadors starts playing. Felix jumps into the boards and Wes stands to bang on the glass. The other players come in for hugs and helmet taps as they celebrate the goal. Then Felix spins around and gives me a thumbs up.
I return it, not knowing why he did that, and shrug at the people around me who are tapping my shoulder and wondering who I am.
We're still on our feet clapping as Felix skates down to Aiden and gives him a hug. Then he pushes Aiden out of the net and laughs as the players skate past the bench and fist bump with everyone.
I can see the crinkle in Aiden’s eyes from how wide he’s smiling. He leaves his second spot in line and skates back to the net. We settle back into our seats and watch the rest of the period.
***
There is one minute and eight seconds left in the third period and the puck is at the far end of the ice. Aiden is standing tall in his net, looking relaxed with his arm slung over the top bar. A whistle blows and play stops. Aiden turns around and takes a sip of his water and then before he turns back around he squirts it at the glass right in front of me and I startle back into my seat. I can see him beam through the cage on his face mask and it’s like we’re the only two people here.
The whistle blows again and he gets into position. The Renegades keep it down on the other end of the ice, until the buzzer sounds. We watch as the entire team comes out and gathers Aiden in hugs. They won, two to nothing. And I was proud to teach Wes it’s called a shutout.
Aiden and I didn’t talk about what I would do after the game. Should I wait for him here? Wait for him at home? Go to the family suite? I do have Danielle’s cell number. Or, maybe he doesn’t want to hang out at all. He probably has post-game things to do and needs to concentrate on that.
“I can see your mind is at spin class,” Wes says as we fall in with the crowd making their way to the exit.
“Huh?”
“You’re spiraling. What are you so worried about?”
“Well, what do I do now? Do I wait for him here? Call him? Wait for him at home?”
“Ah, I see.” Wes says and he grabs my arm and pulls me out of the stream of people. He leans us up against the wall and looks me straight in the eyes. This is his I’m-not-messing-around face. “What doyouwant to do right now, Harper?”
“I want to know what my new boyfriend is thinking and what he wants from me.”
“Not what I asked. I need to know whatyouwant to do. What action do you want to take right now?”
“I want to call Aiden and ask where to meet him.”
“Okay, it still revolves around him but better than trying to play mind reader. So, call him.”
“Now?”
“Yes.”
“Okay.”
Chapter 23
Aiden
Meet Melvin
TheonlyreasonIcatch Harper’s call is because I see my phone ring when I happen to turn towards my locker at this very second.
“Hi Harper!” I yell over the music in the background. “I can’t wait to see you!” I tell her because I can’t. I know I need to get a quick massage and probably some dry needling on my neck muscles but I can’t wait to celebrate tonight’s win with Harper.
“Yeah? Okay, me too. Umm, where should I meet you?” She asks and I can hear the hesitation in her voice.
“You drove right?”
“Yeah, with Wes.”
