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The guys started clomping in now, disturbing our peace. What a sight they were.
“I’d like some of that and a glass of milk, please,” Gianna whispered behind me as we all stared at the hot men.
“One’s more gorgeous than the next. I think I might really like it here,” Gianna said and most of the girls giggled.
I turned around and spoke to them in a low voice, “Down, girls. They’re on a different team, but we’re still all in this together.”
“What are you saying?” Gianna asked.
“She’s saying don’t shit where you eat. Most of them are players on and off the ice—don’t waste your energy,” Jillian said, flipping her hair over her shoulder.
Before I had the chance to answer, one of the guys yelled in a taunting voice, “There’s your new girlfriend, Beau. Why don’t you go say, “hi” to her?” I had to stifle a giggle. The thought of thee Beau Moreau getting teased by his teammates gave me great satisfaction.
“Fuck off, Edwards,” I heard Beau shout back. That’s all he got out when Angelique arrived. Angelique had her two black, French bulldogs on leashes. One pink leash, one blue. I had always loved her dogs. In fact, I had to stop myself from running up and grabbing Claudette—the girl doggy—for a cuddle.
“Bienvenue, ladies and—gentlemen,” Angelique said, glaring straight over her cat eye style rimmed glasses at Beau. A smile crossed my face at Beau getting in trouble. For some reason, it made my heart happy. “Welcome to your new home. Your apartments have been assigned. In a moment, your captains will be receiving the keys and all the information you require.”
Jillian whispered to me as Angelique continued speaking, “I still can’t believe these guys agreed to stay in apartments instead of their usual enormous houses. I bet they all break out in hives the first night.”
I couldn’t help but giggle. “You’re terrible.” But she was right. It was nothing short of a minor miracle that these men had all agreed to not only be on a brand-new start up team—well, not that they had much choice in that, considering they were drafted—but also to have this entire journey filmed in front of an occasionally live audience.
The rest of the time it would be taped, edited, then played on network TV. Twice a week.
A reality-esque view on hockey players and their daily lives.
“I’m guessing they’re getting paid a lot more than we are. Besides, nothing could get them this kind of exposure in the limelight,” I whispered back. And wasn’t that the God’s honest truth?
Exposure meant endorsements. Endorsements meant mega dollars. Sometimes for years.
It also meant they’d have to give up their high on the hog living—to some degree—to get the chance at being noticed.
Personally, I thought it was kind of funny. All of those high-earning men, giving up five or six thousand square foot, sprawling homes to live here—the same place as the women’s team—tickled the crap out of me.
Not that I was bitter or anything…
“I trust that you’ll abide by the rules set forth in the documents and sign accordingly. This is your maison. However, you will treat it like a chateau—a castle, if you will. If there are any pressing issues, please contact the building’s management.”
“Again, welcome, my Angels. After you get settled, a catered meal and refreshments will be waiting for you by the pool.” Angelique walked over to the shaded part of the courtyard, the sleeves of her black and white blouse flowing in the breeze. “Captains, please,” she called, waving her hand in the air.
I sighed as I left my luggage with the girls then rushed over to Angelique. “Hello, my darling girl,” she said, embracing me in a tight hug as she did the French cheek kisses.
“Hi, it’s so good to see you,” I said, letting her go. I bent down and picked up Claudette. “Aww, I missed my baby,” I said in baby talk before giving the doggy all the love.
“Claude is your baby, too, non?” Angelique, said, her lips pursing as she spoke to Claude.
It always made me giggle when she talked to her pets like that. “Of course, he’s my baby, come here, Claude, you grumpy, old man.” I laughed as I set Claudette down and picked up Claude. He made a low growl whenever I picked him up.
“Why are you such a grumpy old man? Hmm? I’m just trying to love on you and every time I do, you get grouchy,” I said, holding him in my arms and rubbing his belly.
“Maybe he just doesn’t like you?” a deep, sexy voice said behind me, causing an immediate shiver up my spine.
I turned to Beau and rolled my eyes. “He growls when anyone picks him up. Ask Angelique,” I said, nodding my head to her.
Angelique smiled and pretended she didn’t hear me, choosing to look down at Claudette instead.
“He doesn’t growl for me. It must just be you he hates,” Beau said, an amused look on his face.
“Down you go, Claude,” I said, putting him back on the grass. “Now let’s see how loud you growl for the big, mean hockey guy.”
