Page 20 of Hooking a Firefly
Chapter 9
Ashlyn stared out of the window in her office and frowned.She couldn’t stop thinking about Harrison.Not that she had ever been able to; however, this time was different.They had taken a different step.There was something more between them than before.Ashlyn had ruined it before it could take flight, though.She wanted to run to him and beg forgiveness, but she wasn’t certain if she should.Partly because of all the reasons she’d kept him at a distance in the past, and she wasn’t sure of her welcome.There was a high probability she had destroyed something fundamental between them.He may never want to speak to her again.
It would sting her pride to go to him and apologize, but if she hoped to have him in her life, she had to set that aside and lay everything before him.She might not have much time left.Maybe if he understood, he wouldn’t hate her so much.It was time to tell him about her vision once and for all.He was right.Harrison deserved to know the truth.
He had a game that night and she wouldn’t be able to talk to him afterward.She didn’t know his schedule; however, she was willing to bet he was already at the arena preparing for it.Faith might be able to get them tickets again.She seemed to be spending some time with one of the players.Ashlyn wasn’t certain if it would go anywhere, but she wasn’t against using that connection for her own gain.This was too important not to try everything she could.
Ashlyn pulled out her phone and shot Faith a quick text.She didn’t feel up to a phone call and sometimes things were just easier when written out.It didn’t take long for her sister to respond.Faith, as luck would have it, already had tickets and was more than willing to allow Ashlyn to tag along.She texted back that she would meet her at the Firefly Arena, then she left her office.She would have to make a quick stop at home to change her clothes.She couldn’t attend a hockey game in a pantsuit—even if it was fashionable.
It didn’t take her long to reach home.When she went inside, she headed straight to her bedroom and stripped off her clothes.She pulled on a pair of jeans that she had purchased the day she went shopping with Faith.These ones were not as skin tight.They however were still distressed skinny jeans with a button fly.She slipped a cropped lavender button up cardigan with nothing underneath.Then she slipped on a pair of black ankle boots that zipped up the side.She was ready…or as ready as she could be.Ashlyn did nothing with her hair.Leaving her auburn locks down to tumble over her shoulders would add to the look.Now that she was dressed appropriately, it was time to meet Faith at the Arena.
Her heart raced inside her chest as she drove to the arena.It simultaneously felt as if it was taking forever and too fast.It was crazy to even feel that way considering she wouldn’t even be able to talk to Harrison until after the game.It had only been a couple of days since they had last seen each other.If she didn’t talk to him tonight, she might not get a chance for at least a week.The Fireflies were about to head out on a series of road games.It would be far more difficult to speak to him then, and she didn’t relish the idea of becoming a hockey bunny, following the team from city to city.
She pulled into a parking spot and turned the car off, then stepped out to head toward the entrance she’d told Faith to meet her.Her sister was waiting when she arrived.“Good.You’re here.”Faith grinned.“Have you taken a liking to hockey?”
Should she tell her sister the truth?She had always liked hockey.Ashlyn had started watching years ago after that first kiss she’d shared with Harrison.What would her sister say if she knew how much she had fallen for him and had loved him from afar ever since.She didn’t say any of that, though.It would take far too long to explain it.That was a conversation for another time, another day, if Ashlyn ever got that opportunity.Instead, she smile and answered as honestly as she could, “It has its moments.”
Faith looped her arm through hers.“That’s great to hear because I plan on dragging you to as many of these as possible.”
Ashlyn wrinkled her nose.“Just don’t tell Scarlett.I don’t feel the same about baseball.She might have to go to support her husband, but it is not for me.”
Faith laughed.“Don’t worry, I’ll go with her to the baseball games.You can pay me back for my sacrifice later.”
She furrowed her eyebrows.“I don’t know how I feel about that.”Ashlyn shrugged.“But I’ll let it go since I won’t be made to suffer through baseball.It’s so boring.”She shuddered.
They walked into the arena and then went to their seats.It was the same place they had sat before.“How did you manage this?”
Faith sighed.“They’re determined to give me the same seats so that I’m easier to find.I think both Alek and Ivan want to torment me.”
“Really?”
“Yes,” Faith said and sighed.“I can’t be certain, but I think they have a bet going on between them.They’re both trying to win me.”She made quotations with her fingers when she said the word win.“But the jokes on them.I’m willing to play along all season so I get these fabulous seats.I’ll let them off easy after the playoffs.”
“Do you think they’ll make it that far?”
“It’s a good possibility.”Faith grinned.“Either way, we’ll have great seats.You did say you would join me.”
“And I meant it.”Ashlyn only hoped she would be able to keep that promise.
The players skated onto the ice.Ashlyn sat back and kept her attention on them.She was waiting for Harrison.He was the only man out there that she wanted to see, and when he skated out, she froze in place, waiting for him to look in her direction.When he didn’t, her heart fell.It was early yet.Surely he’d notice her at some point…
It was almostthe end of the third period.The Fireflies were up by two goals, and as long as they kept their momentum up, they would win.Harrison couldn’t wait for the final buzzer, so he could go to the locker room and take a hot shower.This game had been brutal, so far, and he wanted to speak with Ashlyn.He had noticed her seated next to Faith again, but he didn’t want to read too much into her presence.Instead, he had done his best to ignore her and concentrate on the game.
The countdown on the clock was moving.Faster and faster until it was fifteen seconds shy of the buzzer going off.A breakaway hit at mid-ice and a player from the other team was charging him with the puck.He went left, then right, until he took his shot.The puck came flying at Harrison.He reached out with his gloved hand and caught it midair as the buzzer echoed around him.Game over, and they had won.His heart was racing inside of his chest.He tossed the puck into the air and headed toward the locker room.His teammates were celebrating, and normally he would too; however, he had something else he had to do.
After his shower, he walked out of the locker room and headed in the direction he hoped to find Ashlyn.He couldn’t be certain, but he expected she’d wait with Faith as she had the other night.Many of the players’ wives and girlfriends met in a certain area.He stopped when a guy caught his attention.There was something familiar about him.He went to turn around, but he noticed Ashlyn walking toward him.He grinned and went toward her.She screamed and ran toward him.
What was happening?She moved in front of him as the man he’d thought was familiar lunged toward Harrison.The guy had a knife.It went into Ashlyn and his blood ran cold.He caught her against him and then yelled for security.He didn’t know who the man was, but he would not get away with hurting the woman he loved.“It’s going to be okay, baby.Hold on.”
Faith ran over.“What happened?”
Blood had pooled in her stomach and turned her purple sweated burgundy.He shook as he rocked with her in his arms.“He fucking stabbed her.”The bastard meant to hit him, not her.It was then that it occurred to him what this meant.She’d seen this.Ashlyn had known that someone would try to hurt him and she’d put herself in danger.He was so damn mad at her.
Her eyelids fluttered open.“Harrison?”
“Yes, baby.Don’t talk.It’s going to be all right.I promise.”
Her lips tilted upward into a soft smile.“Don’t make promises you can’t keep.”She coughed.“He needs to be caught.He’s the one.”
