Page 150 of Lost
God, she’s seriously so cute.
Bundling up, we walk out the door as she sips her cup of coffee, and climb into Caleb’s SUV.
“Who do you know on the team?” I ask the brothers. “That’s how you get tickets, right?”
“Levon Phillips and I met at my bar a few years ago. Occasionally we still meet up to work on community city projects to catch up. He went to college at the University of Lyons and then got picked up for professional hockey,” he explains. “He may be younger than I am, but he’s got a good egg.”
“I get dragged along on the community service projects because I keep them fed and I’m not afraid of heights,” Lars says drolly, making me grin. “I end up on a lot of scaffolding for things, and every time I wonder why I’m the one on thegoddamn thing when there are two other equally capable people on the ground.”
“I’m not a bird,” Caleb crows, making me believe that this is a well-loved conversation. “My feet need to stay on the ground, Lars. I don’t enjoy shaking all the way up the ladder and worrying about falling down.”
“And yet, I’ve watched you climb up and do dumb shit for the bar all the damn time,” Lars grumbles.
Nova’s hand hides her smile as she listens to them, but I don’t bother to.
“I usually take a few shots when I have to fix shit. Then I can justify getting up there because then I really do think I can fly!”
They continue to tease each other until we arrive and they find a parking spot in a lot several streets away from the stadium. Tucking Nova against me as we walk protectively, we walk with dozens of other people also making the trek for the hockey game.
Her outfit makes me smile, because it’s eclectic and very her. The rare pair of jeans is making its appearance tonight along with a cream knit sweater underneath a patchwork heavy jacket that extends down to her feet. Her blonde and purple hair is weaved into several braids before she pulled it up into a messy bun.
She looks beautiful, her curves accentuated in the pants. I love her skirts and dresses, but I love the way her ass looks when denim cradles it.
“Your hand is on my ass,” she murmurs, looking up at me. It doesn’t matter how tall she is, I love the fact that she has to drop her head back to meet my gaze.
“No better place for it, Little Queen,” I reply, earning me a grin.
Walking up to Will Call, Caleb grabs our tickets and we walk through the main gate toward our seats. It’s loud in here, but Iknew it would be so I prepared for this. Pulling out my ear plugs that still allow me to hear the sounds I need to hear, I push them into my ears. The chaotic energy lowers enough to keep from draining my social battery too quickly, and I’m able to take a full breath.
“You okay?” Nova asks as we walk to our seats.
“Perfect,” I promise. “Now I can hear you and pay attention to the game without being overwhelmed by the noises all around me.”
Nova squeezes my hand as she nods, and we walk down to where the glass is. Brow raised, I glance at her in surprise as we move down the row to our seats.
“We are so close,” she agrees. “Levon always gets them great seats.”
Getting comfortable with Caleb and Lars on either side of us, I watch as everyone settles and the buzzer goes off. The announcer begins to speak, announcing each player loudly as they skate onto the ice. The home team goes first, and then Caleb and Lars begin to hoot and holler as they begin to announce the away players.
“Levon’s family are big hockey fans. They love watching him play. Since this team isn’t from Minneapolis, we don’t get to see him very often. He still leaves us tickets year round in case we want to watch other teams,” Caleb explains, leaning in beside me to talk to me.
Levon is a big fucker. Thick thighs, broad shoulders, and big hands. He looks like he could take someone the fuck out with very little trouble. Watching him skate out onto the ice is overwhelming, especially since so many players on the Knotty Puckers team are well built.
“That’s nice. They all look really fucking scary,” I mutter.
“I mean, I met him because I was breaking up a fight, Tyde. I may have gotten in a shot too since he was starting bullshit in mybar,” Caleb snorts. “I was so pissed. We bonded afterward and it was fine. He is a hot head though. He gets into fights pretty regularly.”
“Don’t they get in trouble for that?” I ask slowly, watching as the game begins.
“Yea, but it doesn’t stop the shit talking,” Lars says, leaning around Nova to talk. “They call it chirping. It may seem random, but Levon will make people on the opposing team insane with his comments until they blow up. It’ll get whoever he wants into the penalty box so they can continue the game. Though, sometimes it’s just because someone pissed in his coffee.”
“Lovely,” Nova laughs. “I can’t say it doesn’t work though.”
“Levon believes that if it ain’t broken, don’t fix it,” Caleb says, nodding as a hockey player checks another into the wall. “Those are the boards, and fuck, look at number six go! Fuck yeah!”
“He’s a new player, and he’s on fire,” Lars explains. “Let’s go!”
I get pulled into the excitement, cheering when the Knotty Puckers score, and gasping when it looks like a fight may break out.
