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Rolling her eyes, “Don’t I know it!” Rose shrugs and moves around from my desk. “I’ll meet you in front of Clappers at six.”
“I’ll be waiting by the door to make sure you show up this time.”
She makes a motion of crossing her heart. “I promise. See you at six!”
* * *
I’m feeling betterand despite having butterflies about walking in here, I’m happy to be out. It’s been quite an adjustment, moving from a small town to New York City, but I love the smells, the sounds. There is always something going on. I don’t ever feel alone.
But I do feel lonely. Especially after that night I spent with Eli.
He was attentive and hot as hell. He wants to come off as a cranky guy. Sullen and mad at the world, but I saw through it. I think he’s just been burned a time or two. Maybe he’s afraid of love. Maybe he’s afraid tobeloved.
“Honey!” Rose is walking toward me, hand in the air, phone to her ear. She’s laughing and makes a kissy noise, then pockets the phone and gives me a hug. “Sorry, I just finished a call with my brother. He’ll be back in town next weekend and I scored us tickets!”
Holding the door open for her, we walk in together to Clappers. I feel like I didn’t get a good look at this place last time, but it’s pretty modern and classy looking. Dark wood with spotlights and low hanging bulbs over the tables. The bar is lined with neon blue lights that shine from underneath, illuminating the bottles. Tucked back in the corner are deep-seated booths with dark wood and cushions.
We snag two stools at the bar.
“Vodka cranberry, please.”
My stomach rolls at the mere mention of vodka. “Just a seltzer with lime, please, for now.”
“Still feeling off?”
“Yeah, and I have to be up early tomorrow, so better to just play it safe. What were you saying about tickets and your brother?”
The bar cheers loudly and bangs on the bar top. “Oh, here they come! Turn it up, bartender!” Rose yells out and I watch as the televisions at the bar all turn to the hockey game.
“Guess they aren’t playing at home. The subway was pretty empty for a Friday.”
Rose laughs. “I forget that you’re still so new around here.”
“Why?”
“This isn’t just a sports bar. It’s the official bar of the Strykers.”
“Wow really? That’s pretty cool.” I look around, noticing all the hockey gear and posters and such. It reminds me of Eli and his apartment as I made a dash for the door.
“And the tickets I’m talking about are for next week’s home game. I asked my brother for a few so we can go.”
“We’re going to a game? I’ve never been to a hockey game! How much do I owe your brother for the ticket?”
“Honey! My brother is on the team!” She’s laughing as my face no doubt displays shock. “I knew I liked you!”
I laugh along with her. “Why? Because I’m an airhead?”
“No! Because you weren’t making friends with me for who my brother is. You wouldn’t believe what I’ve dealt with once people make the connection.”
“Girl, I’m sorry that happened. I’m sure it makes it very hard to trust. If it makes you feel any better, I don’t even know your last name, so I wouldn’t have put it together, anyway!” We both laugh, but she points to the TV. “Watch, here he comes.” We listen as the announcer calls out the starting lineup.
“Luke Zagari, starting Right Wing.”
“That’s him!” She yells and jumps up to kneel on the stool she’s sitting on, pumping her hand in the air. The bartender high fives her and a few others cheer her on.
“Your defenders … Blake Getz, Riley Maddens and Zeke Stone, goalieeeee!”
The place goes wild. Barking and cheering. I smile and clap along with them. All the players have their gear and helmets on, so their faces are hidden. But their bodies. Oh, they’re big and bad and oh so, sexy.
