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- CHAPTER NINE -
Miles
“Thank you all for attending tonight’s function. The new children’s hospital will forever be grateful for the donations and support offered by all of our guests tonight.”
The MC, a local radio celebrity, wraps the auction up at the front of the room. A polite applause filters around the room.
A dozen large round tables are set out in a large hall, all dressed like we’re attending some fancy award ceremony.
I’m surrounded by my teammates and their dates at a table towards the back of the room. It seats twelve of us comfortably, even if half of us are huge hockey players with broader shoulders than the other men in the room.
Empty beer bottles and wine glasses scatter the table. Our plates are being cleared after a delicious meal. A collection of waitresses dressed in neat attire begin clearing a section of the dining room for a makeshift dance floor, and a DJ booth is rolled out from one side.
I pull Ellie’s hand in mine and lean across to whisper in her ear.
“You know… If we left now, no one would notice.”
Ellie flashes a cute smile, and I see her consider it for a moment. She looks fucking beautiful tonight. The other women in the room all look fantastic, but they’re nothing compared to the stunner sitting by my side.
I know Ellie’s lapping up every second of this. An event like this for a lifetime hockey fan is the ultimate dream.
She started out nervously. I don’t blame her. Those freaks outside are enough to frighten the living daylights out of anyone. But the moment we stepped inside – away from the nagging and spying eyes of the media – she’s embraced the magical evening.
“Can’t we enjoy one dance first?” Ellie says, her green eyes gorgeous in the dimmed light.
“Of course, baby,” I say, softly. My fingers fiddling with her hanging silver earrings as they flicker in the light. “We’ll leave whenever you’re ready.” I look down at her plate and notice she’s hardly touched her food. “Are you going to eat something, sweetheart? You shouldn’t drink on an empty stomach.”
Ellie looks at her loaded plate. A seared eye-fillet steak, charred to perfection, remains glistening in golden, melted butter. A side of vegetables has been poked and prodded by her fork, but everything else remains untouched.
“I can’t eat,” Ellie says, and when I pin her a stern look, she flaps a hand against my chest. “It’s ok, Miles. I’ve only had half a glass of wine.” She holds her hand against her stomach and blows out her cheeks. “And that’s not sitting too well either.”
“Are you sure you don’t want to get out of here?” I ask, sliding my hand across her thigh. “I’ll take you home and you can rest.”
Ellie shakes her head and leans across for a kiss. “Baby… I think we both know if we go home, we won’t be resting…”
I feel the eyes of the table staring into the side of my head. Maybe we’re not talking as quietly as I thought we were.
“You’re right,” I whisper, my breath tickling Ellie’s ear. “We might not even make it out of the limo.”
Ellie giggles and the DJ starts playing the first song. A collection of hotshot football players from Texas start dancing as if they own the place.
Fucking football players.
Noah is directly across from us, and I swear he’s smiling at the sight of his sister nestled in my arms. He’s sitting beside Parker Phillips, who’s happily chatting with his new roommate. Parker hasn’t taken his eyes off her all night, and I don’t think he can believe his luck at finding a new, female flatmate.
Mason and Jacob are here, busying themselves in a drinking contest that won’t go down well with Coach Best if he finds out about it. They’re keeping a peeled eye on all the talent here, seeking out their lady of the night.
Ellie rests her head on my shoulder as we watch the dancefloor fill up quickly. Curling my arm around her, I’m pulled from the moment by a pointed tap on my shoulder. I look up, and tiny beady eyes peering through glasses stare into me.
“Hello there, Miles,” the man says. I recognise him from the hockey league events I’ve attended. “Jeff Rowlands, manager of North Carolina’s up and coming hockey franchise. We met in New York a few months back...”
He stretches his hand out, and when I give a firm shake, I see Ellie twist in her seat beside me. She leans forward on the table, and though she’s not looking at the man, I know she’s hooked on every word he’s saying.
“Yes, I remember.” I look to Ellie and slide my hand back to her thigh, trying to reassure her with a gentle squeeze.
“Yes, well. Lovely event, isn’t it?” Jeff looks around the room, and when I hum an uninterested response, he shakes his head, and his glasses slide down his nose. “Anyway, listen. I thought while I was in Vancouver, I would pay you a visit. I’ve heard the rumours and seen the news… I know you’re seeking a new venture. I thought perhaps North Carolina would be the perfect place for you.”
My chest tightens. Ellie’s face has gone as white as the ice of Viking Arena. I can barely see her eyes, but I’m sure they’re welling up at the words she’s hearing. Her shoulders slump over, and I can feel her chest is heaving like she’s struggling to hold it together.
I know she doesn’t want this move. She’s made that much clear. Maybe she can join me? She can come and we can start a new life together. It’s a new beginning for both of us…
She’ll go for that, won’t she? We’d still be together, after all.
No… No, I can’t do it. I can’t drag her away from her home. Like Noah said, she’s a Vancouver girl. I can’t rip that away from her.
“We can build the team around you…” Jeff continues talking, and although I’m nodding along, all I’m thinking about is Ellie.
She’s everything to me. This has been the best night I’ve had in a long time.
Well, nothing is forcing me to leave. I could stay… For her.
As the thought of staying in Vancouver for Ellie crosses my mind for the first time, she coughs and grabs her mouth. A combination of weird noises rumble from deep in her belly, and she quickly shoots up from her chair. She’s clutching her mouth and her stomach at the same time.
I reach out to stop her but it’s too late.
