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Me:And going to your first hockey game will help?
Nate:Yeah. It would be nice to know that there is someone in the stands who doesn’t hate my guts.
Me:I doubt people hate your guts.
Nate:You’ll see. Guardians fans aren’t the forgiving kind.
Nate:It would really mean a lot to me if you could make it.
Me:Then I’ll be there.
Nate:Thanks. Goodnight, Lottie.
Me:Goodnight, Nate.
Chapter 13
Charlotte
“Well, this is a first for us,” Piper smirks as she shows our VIP badges to one of the security guards. “Never thought you’d come with me to watch a game out of your own volition. You hate sports.”
“I know, but it seemed important to Nate, and I want to be supportive,” I reply, throwing a thankful smile at the usher as he escorts us to the private suite with the other big wigs.
“Then it’s a good thing you came. Nathan will need all the support he can get on this first game. Something tells me that this isn’t going to be pretty.” Piper frowns beside me.
I’m about to ask Piper what she means by that, but I am robbed of the opportunity when she puts on her sports agent mask and starts mingling with the few suits who look better dressed for a board meeting than watching a hockey game.
I let her do her thing, giving her space to network by walking over to a secluded spot near the large window ahead. The glass pane is strategically placed in front of the spacious room, which faces the ice rink below. From this vantage point, I can see agiant sea of white and green paraphernalia and merchandise in the stands. Fans of all ages are eager to watch their team on the ice. Though I’m all the way up here, I can hear the jubilant chants and cheers of the Guardians’ fans, anticipating the start of the hockey season.
What Piper said earlier about me is true. I’ve never been much for sports, but I appreciate how an event like this brings everyone together and how people from every creed, race, or social background find a common denominator and equalizer to support their chosen team. There’s a special kind of beauty in seeing so many people unified by their love of something, even as inconsequential as a hockey game.
“Spectacular, isn’t it?” a deep, velvety voice asks beside me.
I turn to my side and face a man who looks like he has either just stepped out of a GQ photoshoot or came from an underground mafia meeting on the south side of town. I’m a little torn on which scenario I should lean into. He’s that contradicting.
Dark, penetrating eyes assess me as I try to temper my fight or flight response to such an imposing figure. There is an array of tattoos on his exposed forearms and a larger one that sneaks up to the nape of his neck, hinting at a more intricate design hidden under his white-collar shirt. Still, his intimidating ink pales in comparison to the charcoal shade of his dark, foreboding eyes.
A man like him should look out of place in this luxurious suite, yet he seems completely relaxed and at ease in this environment.
I, on the other hand, know that I look like a fish out of water.
One glance over at me and everyone in here can tell that I’ve probably never attended a hockey game in my life. However, this man standing tall beside me doesn’t look like fits in either, butno one spares him a second glance, almost as if his presence is expected.
Warranted, even.
“First time?” he asks, the corners of his mouth lifting with mirth at my inability to form words.
I nod amicably while discreetly looking over his large shoulder to see if I can find Piper anywhere, hoping she will come and save me from this stranger. But just as the thought comes to my mind, I kick myself for being so judgmental. Just because a person looks a certain way doesn’t mean that’s who they are. Even if everything about this man screams peril and danger, that doesn’t mean he is.
He could be a total teddy bear for all I know.
Well… he could be.
A very dark, mysterious teddy bear…with claws sharp enough to rip someone’s throat out.
Besides, there must be over thirty people in this room. I’m sure he won’t do anything nefarious here with so many witnesses.
Right?
