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Kimsnorted a laugh. “Luckyme.Minelove the guy.Sometimes, more than me.”
“Youknow that’s not true.Livingthousands of miles away may solve that ex-boyfriend problem.”
Fingerscrossed,Kimheld up her hand. “Ihope.”
Lookingdown at the ice from theSuns’ private suite for family members,Kimcouldn’t believe she hadn’t attended a game inTampaduring the past two seasons.Sheremembered many of the wives she’d met and relaxed when they recognized her with a warm greeting.Davehad played withAndrewChadwickwhen they were both on theBlues, andKimhad met his then-fiancée,Caryn, when theMartinfamily visitedSt.Louis.
Solong ago—Iwas an awkward teen, butCaryntreated me like an equal.Nowlook at her—married and the mother of adorable four-year-old twins.LaurenknewCarynfrom the university, and not only were they best friends, but they co-owned a business.AndrewandCarynhad introducedDaveandLauren, but they didn’t date exclusively until both ended up inTampa.
KimspiedDavewhen he skated out for warm-ups.Sheflashed back to when he playedMajorJuniors, and she took pleasure in annoying—embarrassing?—him by banging on the glass during warm-ups before games.Kimchuckled to herself as the idea formed and touchedLauren’sshoulder to get her attention.
“Sorryto interrupt—IthoughtI’dwatch warm-ups closer to the ice.”
“Sure,Ican go with you.”
“Iknow the way.DoIneed my pass to return here?”
Laurensmiled. “Thatworks.Callmy cell if you need me.”
Steppingoff the elevator on the lower level,Kimfound the aisle leading to center ice.Shepurchased a large tub of popcorn before descending the steps to the ice-level seats.Shesaw a group of young women gathered around the glass, trying to get the attention of certain players.
Daveeither didn’t see or didn’t acknowledge her, soKimremained in the aisle beside the bench.Shewatched the warmups, munching on popcorn just as she had years ago.Tenyears?Agawky twelve-year-old watching the big brotherIidolized behind the glass.Davealways ensured she had a few dollars for snacks and hot chocolate.Whenevershe slapped the glass, he’d laugh and skate over to spray ice toward the glass.Itwas our thing.Noone else got it.Dadsaid thatIembarrassed him, butDavenever complained.
Davehad calledKim“HalfPint” back then—she hadn’t experienced her growth spurt, and he towered over her—plus she obsessively read theLittleHouseon thePrairiebooks.Shedidn’t care; she loved his attention.Sheenjoyed sports and played hockey—not a girly girl.Bothher older brothers helped her learn to skate.Jaketaught her how to throw a baseball—not like a girl!—hit a pitch and play shortstop.Theytolerated her playing in pick-up games until she joined the girls’ softball and volleyball leagues.
Kimplayed both sports at a varsity level in high school.Sheconsidered trying out for a team in college, but the time commitment interfered with her schedule.Kimknew she’d found her sports home when she discovered intramural sports with flexible schedules.Manygirls joined sororities;Kimchose sports.
Shealmost dropped her popcorn when skates scraped against the ice near the boards, and she winced as a deluge of ice sprayed against the glass before her.Shesaw the smirk on her brother’s face when he stopped in front of her.
“Sorry, couldn’t resist.”
Settingher popcorn beside her,Kimsuppressed a giggle as she smacked the glass inDave’sface. “Forold time’s sake!”
Davelaughed, then pointed at his jersey, then atKim. “Afterthe game,” he mouthed.Witha wink, he raised his hand before skating away.
Kimstayed for a while longer to watch the team warm up.Notlong ago,I’dpretend that theMartinname and number on the jersey were mine—not that anyone believed me.Iloved the jerseys—one from hisMajorJuniorteam and his first pro jersey fromSt.Louis.Iwore them proudly, even at the university… untilFinnsaidIlooked like a groupie—a puck bunny—and thatIembarrassed him.So,Istopped wearing jerseys.
Whenshe noticed some of the girls with signs staring at her,Kimsprinted up the stairs and looked back at the team.Shedidn’t realize the momentum carried her further until her foot caught on the top stair, tripping her and launching the popcorn bucket into the air.
Kimfought to keep her balance and braced for the fall, but firm hands gripped her shoulders before she hit the ground.Sheclutched the stranger’s arms to regain her stability, hoping that neitherDavenor the guests in the suite witnessed the near-faceplant. “Excuseme…I’msorry!”
Popcornfell like rain when she brushed the hair away from her face and littered the floor.
“Thanksso much,” she gasped as she looked at the person who helped her.She’dassumed an usher but saw a guy—a fellow student?—wearing aFloridaCoastalUniversityT-shirt.Twinklingcobalt blue eyes framed by a cap of thick, unruly brown hair and a smile with the hint of a smirk met her eyes.Anunexpected jolt seized her chest.OMGorgeous—the hottest guyI’veever seen.Saysomething,Martin.Don’tbe an idiot.Withan effort, she tore her gaze from his mesmerizing eyes.“Th.. thank you.I’mso sorry…Ididn’t realize…”
“Nota problem.I’mglad you’re okay.”Hiscrooked grin nearly put her into a trance, andKimfelt her face flush.
“I’msuch a klutz…Ihope popcorn doesn’t stain your shirt.”
Theguy shrugged. “Nobig deal.”Hereached to brush a few kernels fromKim’shair. “Youcan market a new perfume…”
“EaudePopcorn?”Kimforced a laugh.
Maintenancepersonnel arrived, breaking the spell.Broomsin hand, they placed warning placards around the spill.
“I’mso sorry.Ididn’t mean to create work for you.”
“Noproblem, ma’am.Justbe careful.”
