Page 37 of Puck Yes

I light up like a neon sign on the Strip as I reply with a most enthusiastic yes. I text Trina and Aubrey and tell them the good news. I’ve been obsessed with her site for months. Their replies are bursting with exclamation points. I’m in the best of moods when I change and head to the Las Vegas Sabers arena.

* * *

Several hours later, the Avengers are winning, and I am tripping. And falling. And flailing.

All on purpose.

Good thing I wore knee pads under Blob. As circus music plays, I crawl along the ice in my purple costume, heart pounding as the Vegas tiger mascot skates circles around me on one leg, his other furry leg sticking out behind him.

The tiger looks all tough and tiger smooth while I look like, well, like a bulky letter A about to get demolished. But at the last minute, I comically—or so I hope—scramble to my feet and awkwardly—also on cue—rush off the ice with the tiger chasing me like I’m his last meal.

I finally make it to the tunnel, arms flapping, the crowd booing me off. Then, their mascot thrusts his orange and black striped arms in the air and glides around the oval, whipping up the home crowd.

I’m panting as I “escape,” finding Oliver, who high-fives me, palm to paw. “Good job,” he says.

The crowd loves it.

But it doesn’t do the trick of riling up the home team, since we destroy them.

Ha! Take that, tiger.

One of the guys I sat next to on the plane scored a goal. So did the other. I’m especially ecstatic for Hayes, since he wants to prove himself, but I’m thrilled for Stefan too, which is a new feeling. I’ve been to countless Avengers games over the last few years, rooting for my brother’s team, and I’ve witnessed plenty of Stefan’s goals. But the goal the captain scored tonight gave me a little zing, especially since it came right after Hayes’s goal, and I was already on a high. It became a double high.

Or maybe a triple high since I’m still giddy about theYour Runwayassignment. But there’s nothing to do with these feelings but bottle them up.

After the media session, I’ve packed up my costume and given it to the equipment manager, and I’m ready to flop down on my big bed in my hotel room. On my way down the corridor to the exit, I spot Hayes and Stefan.

They’re huddling by the corner, dressed impeccably in their suits once again, and I wish Hayes and Stefan didn’t look so good.

But…suits.

They aren’t alone. They’re with Dev and Brady. A woman with sleek black hair stands next to Brady. She’s sporting a matching ring.

“It’s Blob!” Dev calls out, even though I’m two feet in front of him. “We’re taking New Guy out to celebrate.”

He grips Hayes’s shoulder, likeatta boy.

This is promising. I glance at Hayes. “New nickname?”

My wedding date shrugs, like it’s no big deal. But there’s the start of a smile on his face because itisa big deal. He’s moving beyond his first nickname, and that’s huge. He doesn’t answer, though, and I understand not wanting to jeopardize the fragile shift in status with the team.

Stefan nods, then points at me. “Yup. And since you’re the new guy, too, you’re coming with us.”

Wait. What? They want me to go with them?

“Captain’s orders,” Dev seconds in a tone that brooks no argument.

“Please come,” the woman next to Brady pipes in. “Then I won’t be the only estrogen there.” After a quick pause, she extends a hand. “I’m Kana. Brady’s wife.”

“Nice to meet you, Kana,” I say, but don’t yet commit to being the additional woman.

I look to Stefan first. He leans against the concrete wall of the corridor, all laid-back and easygoing like he’s just waiting for my yes or my no. But his blue eyes glint with something like…hope? Or maybe that’s opportunity flashing in his irises?

For a few seconds, I’m sure he’s up to something. Like “Captain’s orders” means he wants to give…otherorders. The kind he might give in the bedroom.

My stomach swoops, and a low, tender ache deep inside grows more insistent. I feel wobbly. Uncertain. But strangely excited too. I turn my attention to Hayes, hunting for confirmation in his eyes. Are there new guy orders, too, with this big group of hockey players and a wife? But Hayes’s expression is unreadable.

It’s up to me. Yes, I’m trying to avoid trouble of the man variety and that goes double for the double man variety.

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