Page 16 of Final Score

A wicked smile crossed my lips as I set my now empty glass down. “Excuse me.”

Dressed in tight black leggings and a red cropped hoodie, her brown hair in a messy bun atop her head, she even looked the part she didn’t know she was about to play. The bonfire party invitation had come with specific instructions, no fancy clothing. This was a comfort only event. It was also Oliver’s favorite party theme. He’d spared no expense on snacks and alcohol on his Mother’s credit card.

“Hi gorgeous.” I looped an arm around her shoulders, kissing the top of her head.

I was determined to melt that ice box heart of hers and judging by the way she no longer pulled from my embrace, it was working. I waved at Fallon, who ignored me entirely, walking out the back door towards the bonfire.

“Hi. Are you going to tell me why I needed to bring this?” Kat asked, waving the plastic bag in front of my face.

“Soon.” I answered. “First we’re going to enjoy the party.” Ushering her through the doors and out onto the patio. Hoping she hadn’t seen the jealous looks from a group of girls in the kitchen.

The back yard was lit up with fairy lights around the large brick patio. Couches and chairs were scattered around a plastic table set up for beer pong. Music filled the air through the speakers as we passed a table of snacks and a cooler full of beer. The bonfire was located at the far back corner of the yard, right by the edge of the woods.

The bonfire created a quiet environment away from the initial party zone. Perfect for anyone who needed a break from the craziness. Most of the chairs around the fire had already been taken. Finding an open spot, I sat, pulling Kat into my lap. Oliver, Ronnie, and Fallon sat a few feet away, obscured by the fire and cigar smoke.

For the first time in a long time, I felt at peace. The constant noise in my brain quieted, and the world stopped for a moment. It was unusual. I always felt this way on the ice, never off it. I had a strong feeling my current state had to do with the woman sitting in my lap.

The orange glow from the fire highlighted Kat’s features in the darkness. She is dangerous. We were becoming more comfortable with each other’s presence every day, and I was falling for Katherine Townsend. There was no stopping it now.

Being with Kat felt like a breath of fresh air. Something I hadn’t realized I’d needed until now. I wasn’t about to tell her how I felt. That would go against everything I was trying to do. I needed to win her over and let her decide how she felt in the end, on her own terms. But damn, if it didn’t feel good to hold her in my arms with everyone thinking she was mine.

Commotion on the patio pulled me from my thoughts, letting me know our guests had arrived. The show was about to begin. I felt Kat tense in my arms as she looked toward the house. Realizing just who I’d invited tonight.

“Why the hell did you invite my ex-boyfriend to your party?” She asked, crouching lower, as if she could make herself disappear into my chest.

“I thought he should see something.” I whisper, watching Noah and his friends join a group playing beer pong table on the patio.

“Let’s hope he’s better at pong than he is at keeping women.” Oliver laughed, blowing a puff of smoke into the wind.

Tapping Kat’s side, I motion for her to stand before grabbing the plastic bag sitting at my feet. “Is this why you asked me to bring his jersey to the party?”

“Something like that.” I respond, nodding at my teammates sitting around the fire. It’s showtime.

The team stands, forming a circle around the fire as I speak. “We’ve been National Champs 2 years running, and I know this year won’t be any different. You all know I don’t lose and now I’ve got my very own good luck charm.” I smile as I pull Kat closer.

“With those things in mind, I thought we’d sacrifice this to the hockey gods tonight, just to be safe.” Holding the old Saints jersey above my head, the crowd erupts into cheers. The ugly green, white, and gold jersey lights up in the fire-glow like the bat signal for arrogant hockey players. Just as I had planned, it gets Noah’s attention. He charges toward the fire, his group of burly henchmen trailing close behind.

Kat tenses at my side as I toss the jersey into the fire. The flames engulfing it whole. “That is the last time you’ll ever wear another mans name that isn’t mine.” I promise, taking a long sip of the whiskey in my cup.

Kat laughs, her eyes sparkling with joy as she watches the fire dance across the jersey. “You’re insane.” She isn’t mad.

“Only the good kind.” I respond, kissing her firmly on the lips. “Don’t worry, love. There’s another jersey upstairs on my bed with your name on it.” Blushing, Kat buries her face into my chest. Right on cue, Noah pushes his way through my teammates at the edge of the fire.

I move Kat behind me. “Go sit with Fallon.” I tell her, not taking my eyes off the threat in front of me. I feel her leave as Oliver comes to stand at my right, blocking the girls from Noah’s sight line even further.

If it came down to a fight, Noah and his two friends would be outnumbered in a second. Not that he would have the balls to fight me, but I had to be prepared just in case. Noah knew it too, his eyes blazing with hatred.

“I will beat your ass right here and now.” He yelled, puffing out his chest in a poor attempt to look menacing.

“I don’t think you could, even if you wanted to. But you’re more than welcome to try.” I motion for him to step forward. “I’ll even let you have the first hit.”

“Your team can’t win a championship without its Capitan.”

“Is that a threat?” I ask, taking a step forward. Noah retreats, as I knew he would, bumping backwards into his friends.

“It’s a promise.” He sneers. “I’ll get the evidence to prove it.”

“Evidence of what?” I ask, taking another step forward. “That I’m devilishly handsome? The king of hockey and have a smoking hot girlfriend? Thanks for that, by the way.” I smirk, enjoying the fact that I’m getting further under his skin with every word. “You’ve got nothing.”