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Sam didn't hesitate to hook her arm in mine and drag me out of the rink. She had a catering van with Sam's Creations and a cute little black cat as a mascot.
"Climb in," she offered, letting go of me to wind around to the driver's side. I climbed in without hesitation. Hell, I'd walk if I had to because I wasthatrelieved to have her on the team. "If you can cross check my list with your inventory, we'll cut time in half."
She tossed over a huge list and a pen and I got to work as she drove. Metal music played in the background and she hummed along yelling out occasional obscenities at the drivers of Haven's Crossing. I knew that struggle and couldn't blame her.
"Alright, done," I said. "That took care of about a third of this list."
"Awesome." She grinned as she pulled into the parking lot of the wholesale store. "So, my cousin didn't tell me much about you. Are you new in town?"
"Not new, just came home again," I admitted. She nodded.
"That was me last year. I was over in Verdant Springs and hated it. Haven's Crossing isn't exactly a small town but it is a way smaller city."
"Ugh, that city is on my hit list right now."
She raised her eyebrows. "How does an entire city make it on there?"
"Oh, easy," I said, giving her the rundown as we walked inside. She interrupted me long enough to explain her plan of attack then we were off, shopping as I explained.
"Shit, that makes sense then. Fuck them," she huffed. "Brock loves that damn team and I've been to enough games to know that the Hawks’ rink has style."
It was nice to hear someone outside of me and my dad say that.
"I'm hoping to change a few things," I admitted. "Updates and all that of course, but I'm more focused on bringing people in."
"Oh, girl, hit me up. Planning is my best trait, honestly. It always helps to bounce ideas around. No offense, but I mean with someone outside of your dad. He's obviously going to be reluctant to dive into too many things and may try to rein it in. That is not how creativity works," she said, tossing a huge tub of ranch into the cart. We each had one and she'd easily filled one already. I ticked off her current additions and was shocked to see we only had a few things left.
"How are you going to swing all this and your catering schedule?"
She gave a sad laugh. "There is no schedule. Moving has not done me any favors. Honestly, this opportunity couldn't have come at a better time. I'd open a restaurant if I could. This is the next best thing and that kitchen was nice. Not the 'concession stand' I was expecting."
The stand was more of a nickname, it was a full-on commercial kitchen that was attached. It would do a whole lot more than turn hot dogs and fry up some snacks.
"Alright, done," she sang out. "Time to get you back. They might miss their cheerleader."
For the first time since she arrived, I realized I was decked out in team colors. I groaned, my face heating.
"Elias won a bet and gave me the jersey, so I went all in. Again, trying to hype up the crowd."
"I'm here for it," she grinned, no judgment at all in her gaze.
Checking out went smoothly and we were back before the doors opened. That was another miracle to add to the list. The moment we pulled up in front to unload, the doors swung out and the entire team came out.
"I heard you needed muscle," Gold teased, flashing us a grin and flexing his muscles. The others shook their heads and got to work. Except for Brock who gave Sam a hug and looked at me.
"Tell me I didn't save your ass," he teased. "That has to earn a date, right?"
"Shut up, you two would be adorable."
"Three," Tate corrected as he easily lifted a huge crate of groceries. She let out a gleeful laugh and swatted my arm.
"Bitch, are you holding back on me? Three? Damn," she gasped, fanning her face. "Living yourbestlife."
"Oh no, she's not. Not yet. She has to agree first," Brock corrected, throwing me right under the bus.
"Stop flirting and help," Bryant griped as he walked past. They'd handled half the truck already.
"I'll head in and help put it away while you man the van," I told Sam before disappearing inside. Their eyes stayed on me as I rushed away, Sam's laughter filtering through the door as I escaped.
