Page 121 of Game Changer
Cam and Josh are both wearing their little jerseys, and they’re practically spinning they’re so excited to see some of their favorite players.
The scent of hot dogs fills the air as we make our way through crowds.Of course I buy the guys hot dogs and lemonades.They get to play ball hockey with the team mascot Blade, who’s a giant basset hound wearing a brown leather bomber jacket, a scarf and goggles on his head.
I watch, smiling and laughing, but I’m on edge, constantly glancing around so if I see Steve or Jax I can duck into a hiding spot.And abandon my nephews, sure.
After the ball hockey, Blade obligingly poses for photos with Cam and Josh.As I turn to move on to another event, Cam spots Steve.
“Steve!”he calls.
Steve’s head turns and he spots us.His eyes widen at seeing me, then narrow.
He looks…pissed.
What the hell?Is he angry that I’m here?I have a right to be here.I’m still an Aces fan.
Steve forces a smile at seeing the kids.He’s met them many times, of course.They don’t know what happened at the wedding since they weren’t there, luckily, and they’re happy to see him.
“Hi guys,” he says, pausing.“How are you?”
“Good!We just played ball hockey with Blade.”
“Cool.”Steve raises his eyes to me and says curtly, “Hi, Molly.I can’t believe you’re here.”
“Why not?”I frown.“I’m a fan too.”
“I mean, I just saw a picture of you…”
“What?”I’m confused.
“We need to talk.”
I shake my head, trying to figure out what’s going on.“Obviously this isn’t a good time.”
“Oh hell yeah, it is.”
“Hey, language,” I mutter.
“Blade!”Steve calls to the mascot.Blade turns and lumbers toward us, a big dog smile on his enormous face.“Can you take these two guys and get them T-shirts?”
Blade claps his hands and holds them out to the boys.
“No…” I start to protest.
“They’ll be fine, right, Blade?”
Blade nods his big head.
“Bring them over to the autograph table after,” Steve says.
“What are you doing?”I demand under my breath.
“Come this way.I need to sign autographs in a few minutes.”He pauses.“With Jax.”
My heart bumps.
Steve takes hold of my upper arm and pulls me along with him.We go behind the table where a couple of players are signing autographs for a line of fans.
Jax is there.
