Page 43 of Temptation On Ice

“We’ve loved hearing about Combat Companions’ mission. It’s really important to us that the team has local charitable partners and uses this incredible platform to highlight organizations doing great work,” Paige adds. A little girl who looks like her mini-me runs up and tugs on her sweatshirt, pointing at the puppy. Paige nods, and the little girl sits down next to Axel to pet Ajax.

“If you’re agreeable to the idea, I’d love to write a story about this partnership and Combat Companions for the Atlanta Free Press newspaper sometime this season. I think it would be a perfect feature story that sheds light on our local heroes and the work you do, which allows veterans to live out normal lives after service injuries,” Ainsley says.

“Oh, my goodness, yes, we’d love that!” Cami says before I can answer. “We’re always looking for ways to get our name out there. We’d be honored.”

“We can exchange numbers, and I’ll reach out,” Ainsley says as she pulls her phone out of her bag and quickly swaps info with Cami.

“We won’t keep you longer. Grab some of the chicken tenders before my kids eat them all,” Harlowe says, gesturing at the food set up along the back of the hospitality suite. “But don't pass up the pretzel sticks. They’re legit the best. The Hypnotic Hydra is the house cocktail. It’s potent but super tasty, if you like to drink.”

“It was nice to meet you,” Paige says.

“I’ll be in touch about the story,” Ainsley adds.

The women wave as McKenna pulls us away.

“Come on, I’ll show you around, and you can catch warm-ups in just a bit. I got you great seats where you’ll see all the action. I’ll have someone grab you when you need to come back to get ready for the puck drop. After that, we’ll do some photos, and you can head back to your seats for the game. We kept it pretty simple for this game. I’m saving more of the fun for our theme nights.” McKenna leads us to the buffet area as we wave goodbye to the Olsens.

I try to keep up with everything she’s telling us, but my mind wanders to Sebastian. Is he getting ready right now? What’s his pre-game routine? Does he get nervous? As the team captain, does he have to give some kind of motivating speech, or is that just for the coach?

Cami elbows me in the side, and I snap my eyes down to her.

“Let’s grab snacks and go watch warm-ups,” she says. I look around and realize McKenna has flounced off and left us alone by the buffet. “You’re extra weird tonight. You sure you’re feeling okay? Are you going to projectile vomit all over the ice like a frozen version of the Exorcist?”

I scowl at her. “I’m perfectly healthy and won't be throwing up anything.”

“Then what’s your deal? You’re extra cranky and quiet, and you’re looking around like you’re expecting someone to pop out of the wall and ambush you. Wait! Oh my God, you’re looking for Sebastian, aren't you? You have such a thing for him.”

“Cami, I swear to God, I will Super Glue your lips together if you don’t stop shouting about him.” I purposefully don’t address her accusations. I know how to tactically evade questioning when I want to.

“It is about him. You’re so transparent. God, Tuck, if you’re trying to be nonchalant, you have to get a better handle on things before you see him again, or it’ll be completely obvious. Now, let’s get food and go find our seats.”

Thankfully, she drops it there, and we do exactly that.

Our seats are front row to the ice, which McKenna tells us is called on the glass, and across from the home team bench. We’ll get to watch the Hydras’ coming on and off the ice, face-offs at center ice, and any puck battles that happen along the boards. I’m learning so much about hockey.

I put my backpack of dog gear on the floor between my feet and settle Ajax on the unoccupied seat next to me with special ear protection while we eat. The pretzels are as good as Harlowe claimed, and I share the tenders with Cami. We skipped the cocktails as neither of us needs to get buzzed while we’re technically working. A cold Coke is good enough for me, even if Callum thinks it’s too much sugar. He can pry the full sugar sweet treat out of my cold, dead hands.

The music changes to something fast with a dubstep sound, and the teams skate onto the ice, doing laps around each side. Players take the pucks that are scattered on the ice and slam them into the open net one after another. They circle in a fast rush of navy blue and neon green uniforms that match Ajax’s puppy jersey before dropping to the ice for stretches that are way more appealing than they should be. Is humping the ice therapeutic in some way? I see a flash of dark hair and the uniform of number twenty-two with Montenegro across the back.

Sebastian.

He looks good out there, talking with his teammates as he passes pucks and takes shots. He skates back and forth across the ice, doing fancy-looking puck handling that I’m sure is easy for him now, but I’d never be able to manage.

Cami slaps my knee. “Give me the dog.”

I look over at her with a raised brow. “Excuse me?” I don't trust her motives for asking out of the blue like that with a devious smile on her cherubic face.

“Look at him, he wants to see the warm-ups, too. Besides, I’m cold and could use a warm puppy to cuddle,” she says with a pout.

I roll my eyes, but pick up Ajax and pass him to Cami. She cuddles him like she said, so I relax back in my seat and go back to covertly checking out Sebastian on the ice.

Suddenly, Cami stands up with Ajax in one arm and bangs on the glass with her fist. She then waves her free hand above her head and holds up the puppy, making him dance to the music in front of the glass like a total lunatic. She’s making a complete spectacle of herself, but it’s getting the attention of the players on the ice.

I palm my face and try to shrink down in my seat, but it’s a tiny stadium seat that doesn't allow me much wiggle room, and my knees are already pressed to the boards in front of me, so there’s nowhere for me to hide. I look up just as a few of the players skate to the glass with big smiles on their faces, all focused on the dog.

All except the captain, who is looking right at me. He comes to a stop off to the side of his teammates, as they crowd together, making stupid faces at the puppy and Cami, who’s eating it up. Sebastian smiles and lifts his chin at me as he gets right up on the glass and looks down at me.

“Wait for me after,” he mouths. “Please.”