Page 47 of Crush
***
Frankly, I didn't even know what all the fuss with these guys and Brynn was about. The truth was, I barely even saw her through the night. It seemed like wherever I was, she was somewhere else. I was happy that she was making friends with the Brawlers wives and girlfriends, but I started to feel a little left out.A little abandoned by my date.
And when Ididfind her, we never talked for long. It was like she couldn't even look me in the eye. Then one of her girlfriends would grab her and they'd race off somewhere else, always with a wine glass in hand.
I started to feel like she was avoiding me or something.
And okay, whatever, she wasn'treallymy date. So it's not like she was obligated to spend the night with me. In fact, technically speaking, I couldn't even be mad if she hit it off with one of the single guys. Hell, they could even take her home, and I'd be way out of line if I made a scene over it.
Although the thought does make me irrationally angry …
When the time came for dinner, we took our seats. While Brynn and I sat at a table together, there wasn't much talking between any of us at the table—because this was the part of the night when the Brawlers owner and various bigwigs passed around a microphone to give their big end of the season and beginning of the playoffs rally speech.
And then our GM, Mr. Tremblay, took another turn with the mic. “The votes have been counted, and I have written here, on this very piece of paper, the names of this year'sBrawler King and Queen.”
The crowd cheered and jeered. I caught eyes withthe coupleIvoted for—Lance and Paige—to let them know that I thought they had this thing in the bag. I mean, it's not every day that a couple has a story like theirs and still ends up happy and together.
But then I noticed Brynn staring at me. She had something she wanted to say to me.
Over the sound of the drumroll on the PA, I mouthed the word,What?
She mouthed back,It's us.
I waved my hand at her.That's ridiculous.
But her gaze never strayed, and her knowing smile never wavered as Mr. Tremblay unfolded the piece of paper and finally read the names.
“For the seventh year in a row, it's your Captain! Congratulations to Shea Ellis and his date, Brynn Conley! Come on up here, you two!”
The audience roared.
And I laughed. I laughed, because what else could you really do?
As I stood, I clapped my howling teammates on the back and whispered in their ears, “Very funny, Ilya.” “Hilarious, Brooksy.” “You had something to do with this too, Radar?” “You know I voted for you, right Lance? You only robbed your lady of the crown.”
Brynn took my arm and walked with me to receive our crowns.
She tugged on my arm and whispered in my ear, “I told you so.”
“How'd you know?” I whispered back.
“I had a funny feeling.”
“I'm sorry. I think this is my teammates' idea of a joke. I hope you're not embarrassed.”
“Just a bit.”
The owner and Mr. Tremblay placed the weighty crown on my head and a glimmering tiara on Brynn's. “And now, music please, as the King and Queen lead us with the ceremonial first dance.”
With several feet separating us, Brynn and I looked at each other for what felt like an eternity. Making the moment seem like it lasted even longer was the fact that the music hadn't started.
The two of us did the only thing we could do—we laughed. The audience could sense our hesitation, and they all laughed, too.
And then, finally, the slow song started to play.
I stepped forward and asked for her hand. “Dance?”
She took my hand. “Yes.”
