Page 58 of Getting the Grinder
A few minutes later, I’m bracing myself in a vehicle that looks like a golf cart with no roof, a Winnipeg staffer flooring it down the concrete-floored tunnel.
“Messed up your knee?” He gestures at the knee brace.
“Yep.”
“That’s no damn good.”
There’s a thick metal support post ahead, but he’s still driving at top speed, heading straight for it.
“You see that, right?” I ask.
He turns the steering wheel hard at the last second. “I know this place like the back of my hand. Been driving these tunnels for years.”
He picks up a remote and pushes a button. “Time for a little elevator ride.”
We ride the elevator up, and as soon as the doors slide open, he floors the gas pedal again. I’m going to be lucky if I get to will call with nothing more than my knee injured.
There are still a few people in the arena’s lobby, but they wisely give the driver a wide berth. I give as many apologetic looks as I can.
“Will call’s closed,” the driver says. “You sure this is where you’re supposed to go?”
“I’m s?—”
I stop when I see a woman with long dark hair sitting on a bench. Her hair is curtaining off her face, but I know it’s her. Mara. My pulse pounds as we get closer.
She looks up and sees me, breaking into a smile.
“She’s here for you?” the driver asks, slowing down.
“Yeah.”
He whistles. “Lucky man.”
When he stops, I get out of the vehicle and walk over to Mara.
“Surprise,” she says, her eyes questioning. “Hopefully a good one.”
“Are you kidding? Nothing could beat this. I can’t believe you’re here.”
I wrap my arms around her waist and she hugs me around my shoulders. Her soft body and light citrusy smell make me forget my bad mood from the loss.
“I know it’s crazy,” she says, pulling away to look into my eyes. “You’ll be home tomorrow. And it’s Friday night, so I couldn’t leave until after work and I just got here. Also Canada. But here I am.”
I cup her face and kiss her. The kiss lingers for a few seconds until a horn beeps.
“It’s a family venue,” the driver cracks. “You two want a ride back down to the tunnel?”
I consider. “No, thanks. We’ll get a ride.”
“You got it, Mr. Abbott.” He touches the tip of his hat. “Have a nice night.”
He takes off, quickly reaching breakneck speed.
“What the hell?” Mara stares after him. “He has to be going at least twenty miles an hour.”
“Yeah, it was an interesting ride up here.” I smile at her. “Worth it, though. You wanted my body bad enough to fly to another country for it. I’m touched.”
There’s a wicked gleam in her eyes. “Will I be touched, though? That’s what I want to know.”
