AllFreeNovel
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I have the last seat in our row, and as I wait for all of them to settle, I glance around at the mostly empty place. In about half an hour, it’ll be teeming with people, and I bet one whole paycheck that about half of the place will be sporting Max’s jersey.
As if to prove my point, a group of what I guess are college girls takes selfies with the ice behind them, and they’re all sporting CASSIANO 13 on their backs. I slide quickly to my seat before they spot me in my signed jersey. That’s gotten me glared at by grumpy women a few times before, and heckled by a few men who thought I was into hockey purely for the hot guys.
Pfff.
Speaking of, my hot guy didn’t text again, so I guess all I can do is hope he’s more relaxed after my award-winning selfie. I sit back to start making progress on my enormous vat of popcorn, watching as the crew works on the skills track course. Some crew members set down cones, stoppers, and little flags. Others test cameras around the arena, or check lighting.
This is Max’s third All-Star appearance, so I’ve been here, done that.
I’m halfway through the popcorn bucket when the thing gets going. My eyes spot Max sliding onto the ice right away, and it could be girlfriend-radar, but I think his eyes find me just as easily. He skates a turn around the ice and confirms my suspicions by braking right in front of us.
“Hey.” His lips stretch into a wide grin.
I spring to my feet and lean against the glass. “Hey back.”
“We’re here too, you know,” his mother grouches.
“Oh, hi. So glad you could all come. I hope you have a good time.” Max’s expression shifts to the fakest innocence a son could muster. His parents are categorically not amused.
“You got this,” my mom tells him with vehemence. “We’re rooting for you.”
“Sí.” Dad shakes his head. “I mean, yes.”
Weird, I mouth at Max.
He ignores that. Instead, he kisses his glove and then taps the glass with it, right where my hand is pressed against the glass.
Ugh. He’s so sappy. I love it.
Unfortunately, someone calls his name and he pivots away. My whole body deflates and I plop back on my seat, already missing him. Yeah, I’m just as sappy as him.
Mom says something I don’t get over the din, and my attention is still trained on CASSIANO 13 on the ice. He’s being interviewed right now, but it must not be for the main production because they’re not showing it on the jumbotron.
I brush salty crumbs off my priceless jersey and stand up for the national anthems, all the while ogling my beautiful boyfriend in his full uniformed glory, knowing he’s currently the best skating forward in the league because I taught him all my tricks. He’s going to crush everyone else tonight, friend or foe. And then I’m going to reward him. If our parents don’t stay the night.
Going by how the dads chug beer as the night progresses, I think the answer is unfavorable for romance.
Well, the good thing is that the parental units now know what’s what. The first couple of All-Star Games, I had to explain every single nuance, until the one who ended up drunk off her ass was me. I was so thirsty from all the talking that I ended up drinking everyone’s beers.
Not tonight. They’re all calmly watching. Almost too silent. But that’s okay, because it allows me to quietly drool over Max without distraction.
Gosh, does he have to look so gorgeous when he’s glistening with sweat? Even the enlarged view of the jumbotron doesn’t make him look more down to earth. There’s an equal amount of squealing from children as from women every time his face is on the screen. Mine included.
“So, what’s the plan after this?” I ask the parents when the whole thing is close to ending. “Are you heading back home right away? I can hitch a ride with Max when he’s done.”
“Are you trying to get rid of us, child?” Mrs. Cassiano gives me A Look.
“No, no.” I shake my hands. “It’s just getting late, and it’s quite a drive.”
“She is clearly trying to get rid of us, Alessandra,” grunts Max’s dad.
“I—uh…” My parents are no help. They keep their attention on the show very intently.
I lean back in my seat, catching the hint that they’re staying the night. Even though I was really looking forward to tonight because Max has had an intense away schedule for the past two weeks, and I’ve had a rough time trying to make my clinic take off. Repeat clients are great, but finding new ones has been more challenging than I expected.
Sighing, I tell myself to suck it up. Of course Max’s parents would want to stay for tomorrow’s game too. But surely they’ll leave on Sunday, and Max and I will at least be able to have an afternoon date or something before we have to get back to work on Monday.
Finally, the last skills challenger positions himself at the start line. I lean on the edge of my seat, almost smushing my face against the glass because of course it’s Max. He’s the main dish of this whole show.
