Page 62 of Cross Check My Heart
The slight furrow of his brows as he glances at my phone again has me worried that he somehow knows it’s Lilly. If he’s suspicious though, he keeps his mouth shut as he nods and gives a dismissive “nice.”
Landon elbows me and holds up his phone.
“Ari is here. I’m gonna go show her where her seat is, wanna come with?”
“You didn’t put her up in the box?” Carter questions with his brows raised. His wife, Allie, always sits up in the box that’s always reserved for partners or family of the team. Landon shakes his head, a smirk on his face.
“Nah, she loves being up close. She seems to think that if she’s closer to the ice, I’ll actually listen to whatever nonsense she’syellin’ at me.” Dean pops up faster than Tigger before Landon finishes talking.
“Yeah, we got time to kill.” He clears his throat, as if trying to calm himself down. He runs a hand through his curls as he starts bouncing on the pads of his feet. “Arianna here alone?” Landon nods, typing out a response as he heads toward the locker room doors, Dean and I trail behind.
“Yeah, Ma and Pa couldn’t get off tonight. But Coach said that he got two tickets for Lilly next to her, and I think they’ll get along perfectly.” My heart skips and I focus on keeping my facial expressions neutral.
“Lilly’s coming to the game?” I ask, aiming for nonchalance. Landon glances at me as he nods, that wide smile spreading across his face. It’s a good thing Grey isn’t here because if he wasn’t suspicious before, he sure as hell would be after that.
“Yeah, apparently, she’s coming with that friend she brought to the beach. Coach is really excited. It’s the first time any of his kids are comin’ to a game.”
“Kids? Like… plural?” Dean questions. Landon’s smile falters a bit, and he chews his lip as we round a corner, coming toward the doors.
“Apparently, he has two more kids up in Vermont. Not that they’re technically kids, he said his oldest is a year older than me and the youngest is twenty-one.” Dean nods, his step bouncing with the movement as he fusses with his hair again. I glance at Landon, wanting to see if he notices the way Dean keeps fidgeting more than normal but he’s focused ahead, smiling at the glass doors we’re approaching.
The moment they open, we’re met with a very high-pitched squeal, and before I even process what’s happening, a blur of red, yellow and white is hurdling at Landon. He catches her with ease and laughs as he twirls her around once before setting herdown. Keeping an arm around her shoulder, he turns them to face us.
There’s no doubt that these two are related. Her red hair has more curls than Landon, but everything else matches. They both have the same light green eyes, noses covered in freckles, and that contagious wide smile.
“Ari, you know Dean, but this is our team’s newest addition, Do—” She cuts him off with a whack.
“I know whoheis. Nice to meet you Dominik.” She shoves some loose red curls from her face as she talks. Flashing her smile, I extend my hand but she’s already turning away from me. The smile on her face when she sees Dean has me fighting back a knowing smile, but it’s definitely not my place to say anything.
“Hi Dean!” There’s no hesitancy as she throws her arms around his neck and pulls him in for a tight hug. Dean glances over her shoulder at Landon as he hugs Ari back. Landon’s smile becomes tight as he watches his sister, but other than that he simply shakes his head and laughs.
“Will you be joining us for Thanksgiving this year Dean?” He lets her go and steps back next to me, but I don’t miss the faint color spreading across his cheeks as he nods.
“Good, Ma would have been upset if you made other plans.” The three of them ramble on about the Sinclair family, leaving me trailing slightly behind, wondering how I missed the fact that Dean was that close to Landon’s family. Landon wraps an arm around her shoulders, leading them toward the seats. For a moment, I wonder if I should head back to the locker room and let them catch up, when a familiar laugh hits my ears.
Turning my head to glance over my shoulder, I see Lilly walking toward us. Paige and Coach James are walking on either side of her, laughing. Someone yells for her dad and he falls behind her slightly.
My heart rate picks up as I take her in. She’s wearing dark blue skinny jeans, her light brown curls are pulled back in a messy, but somehow put together bun, on the top of her head. The all-red shirt has the team’s golden yellow Bobcat mascot with the effect that it’s ripping through the shirt, claws extended and jaw open. However, it’s when she turns around to face her dad and I see the back of her shirt that has satisfaction coursing through me.
There on the back of her shirt, in big bold black letters that are highlighted with the same golden yellow of the bobcat, is me. MIKELSON spreads across her shoulder blades, above my team number, thirty-three.
When we got back from our weekend getaway, it was easier than I thought it would be to show her the box of merch. I knew she had taken a bunch of things from it, but I hadn’t thought twice about how the sight would make me feel.
Lilly turns back with a small smile spread across her face, one that grows wider when she sees me in front of her. The pure happiness that radiates off her has me wanting nothing more than to kiss her. I hadn’t even noticed that I had fully stopped and turned toward her until Dean called my name. Clearing my throat, I glance over my shoulder at him and motion toward Coach. Landon stops, turning him and Arianna to face us as they chat to themselves.
Coach notices us then and I just barely catch the relief that flashes across his face. Lifting a hand, he motions to Paige and Lilly to head toward us. When they get closer, I notice Paige is wearing a similar shirt to the one Lilly has on. At least coming to a game like this, no one is really going to question what you’re wearing, so long as you’re supporting the team.
“What are you boys doin’ out here?” Coach questions as he stops in front of us. Thankfully though, he doesn’t seem pissed.Dean hiked a thumb over his shoulder, pointing toward Landon and his sister.
“Cap’s sister texted him that she was here. Dom and I followed like lost puppies to get some air that isn’t filled with the scent of dude sweat.” Coach chuckles and he turns toward Lilly and Paige.
“Girls, I believe you know the guys.” He lazily gestures to the three of us. Landon smiles brightly at them as he squeezes his sister’s shoulder.
“Hey ladies! Glad y’all could make it tonight. This is my sister, Arianna.” Arianna wiggles out of his arm and holds her hand out enthusiastically toward Lilly, who takes it with a smile.
“I’m Lilly, his daughter.” Coach’s head whips toward her, a warm smile mixed with shock spreads across his face. Lilly doesn’t notice though, as she continues. “This is my friend, Paige.”
“Actually, it’s a good thing we bumped into you guys.” Coach says, shaking out of his shock. He shifts on his feet, clasping his hands together as he glances between us and Lilly. “Marcus just called, he needs me to go over some things before the pre-game meeting. Are you okay if the guys take you to your seats?” Lilly nods in understanding, flashing him a gentle smile as she motions for him to go.
