Page 149 of My Wife
Seeing my family in the stands cheering, something slips away, empties only to be replaced by something else that fills me in a way I never thought possible. At last, I’ve forgiven myself.
After the victory lap, I shake Valjean’s hand, hopeful the past is behind us.
40
JESS
Grandma Dolly takesKJ home so they can have some celebration cake before it gets too late. I make her promise to save me a slice.
While waiting in the hallway after the game, I watch as families, wives, and girlfriends gather around their players. They cheer, clap, and hug.
Even though I’m not a hockey super fan like my grandmother, understanding everything that was going on, Liam, along with the team, was remarkable. The smile he flashed while waving at his son and me was the real win of the night.
As people filter out to go celebrate, I post to @TheRealLiamEllis so we don’t have to deal with it later. I sense a shadow looming over me and look up with a smile, expecting it to be him.
Instead, one of the Toronto players leers at me, crowding my space.
My gaze darts around him, looking for an assist from one of the Knights or a passerby, but everyone is occupied. To distract him, I want to say,Oh look, a puck!
His gaze narrows and he creeps closer. Maybe he’s just sore that he lost.
Nerves wash through me as I wave hello. “Hi! I’m Jess. Can I help you? Also, you played a bang-up game. If that’s a good thing. You knocked it out of the park. Wait. That’s baseball. Good job. I don’t believe everyone should get a trophy, but maybe a participation award because you look like you?—”
“Shut up,” he hisses.
Up close, I recognize the guy. Henri Valjean, I take a step back into the painted cement wall. “Excuse me?”
He stabs the air with his stubby finger. “I know who you are. Ellis’s wife. Now you’re on my list too.”
“On your list of people who brighten your day? I really enjoy making lists. Have you ever kept a bullet journal?” I ask brightly, meanwhile, I’m concerned he’s making a hit list of people he wants to clobber with his hockey stick.
He snarls, now pointing his finger in my face. “If you know what’s good for you?—”
If he gets any closer, I’m going to acquaint him with my extra-large coffee. As enthusiastic as I was about watching Liam and the Knights play, all I could think about was snuggling up in number forty-five’s arms and I needed something to keep me awake.
Refusing to let my voice shake, I say, “Sir, you’re being rude and acting in a threatening way. You don’t know who I am. I don’t know much about you other than your name, but it would be a lot better for the both of us if you left me alone. Or go have a cookie. Or try smiling,” I add, flashing mine with quivering lips.
“I’m looking for Ellis and when I find him, it’s game over.”
“I suppose you’ll have to get in line because I’m waiting for him too. Funny, he and I first met in a line. At a coffee shop. I had to pee really bad. Speaking of, I should probably go find the ladies’ room. Nature calls. Tootles!” I wiggle my fingers with a wave.
His harsh expression turns quizzical before he glowers, hissing, “You’re not worth it, anyway.”
Relief sweeps through me followed by tears brimming in my eyes as we go in opposite directions.
As the really truly mean guy from the Titans stalks off, the Knights player the fans call The Beast approaches, looking surly and sour. His frown deepens when I wipe my eyes.
“Great game. Grandma Dolly took KJ home. I wanted to wait.” I gesture over my shoulder to the area where families wait for the players.
Alarm ices over his features. “Jessica, what’s going on?”
I shrug. “Nothing. I’m tired.”
“You’re holding what may as well be the Big Gulp equivalent of a coffee. You’re wired.”
“I only took a few sips.”
His harsh tone softens. “Please, look at me. What’s going on?”
