Intrigue

I called Jon as soon as I woke up this morning. I wanted to get Ava’s number to see if she wanted to do a girls lunch with Ericka and I. I figured it may make her feel a little more comfortable before the game.

I called Ericka first who readily agreed to meet me. I also called Mike. I knew the girls would love him. I called Ava next. She picked up on the second ring. “Hey Ava, this is Alex. I’m Brent’s fiancee. I was at the restaurant yesterday. I wanted to see if you wanted to do lunch before the game with myself and a few friends.”

She shyly agreed. "Ok, can you meet me at my office at one o’clock. I want to stop in there early and get some paperwork together so I can work from home." I made breakfast for Brent and Madi and then jumped in the shower. By the time I was getting out, he was putting on sneakers and getting ready to leave.

“I threw a jersey on the bed for you. Madison is in the pack and play.” He said as he came in the bathroom and gave me a kiss goodbye.

Once I got showered and dressed, I dressed Madison, grabbing her Seabrook jersey and throwing it in her diaper bag. I also put his team Canada jersey in the bag. It would be huge, but comfy.

We left the house and were at the office within fifteen minutes. I brought toys and snacks to keep Madi occupied. Within a half hour Mike strolled into my office with coffee and donuts.

“Hey sweetheart” he said kissing my cheek then picking up Madi. “I got you a present Madi” he said to her handing her a light up fairy wand. She was so excited, waving it around.

“Only you Mike. She’s never going to want to put it down.” He just smirked at me.

He reviewed some of his notes with me for the new case. It was a rape charge on a 32 year old worker in a nursing home. It was going to be a tough sell to the jury. We didn’t have much evidence but I knew Mike was capable of putting on a good show for the jury. The selection for the jury starts next week so we were in full preparation mode now.

I was working from home all week so I could also look for a nanny. I was going to work Monday, Wednesdays and Thursdays starting after this week I had decided, mainly in a consulting role more than anything. It would reduce my salary considerably, but we had plenty and Brent and I didn’t over-indulge.

I looked up at the clock and realized it was noon. “Come on Mike, we have to clean up. Ava and Ericka should be here soon so we can go to lunch.” He looked up and smiled.

“Yum, so looking forward to this game. Madi and I are going to scope out the hotties from the other team. Who are they playing?” he asked and I grinned.

“Philly. There are a few of them, that is for sure.” I said as I threw the rest of the files in a pile. Madi was walking around the office on her little wobbly legs.

My phone rang and I saw it was the front desk. “Hi, I have an Ava Labelle down here to meet you."

“Yep, send her up. Thanks Frank.” I went to the elevators to meet her. She looked adorable in jeans and a black fitting long sleeve shirt.

“Hey girl. How are you?” She gave me a timid smile. “I’m good, a little nervous. How are the people in the box?”

I just laughed. “Honestly, since I didn’t get to go to too many games, I don’t know too many of them. Most of them don’t go to a lot of the games. Pat’s wife Abby is great, but she is busy with Isabella. So it will just be me and you, my partner Mike and Corey’s girlfriend Ericka, and she is new. “ She seemed to relax awhile.

We got back to the office and I started to get Madison’s stuff together as Ava and Mike talked. “We might as well go downstairs, Ericka is parking her car now.” I said and we headed for the door.

Lunch was nice. I got to know the girls a bit more. Ava was great. She was a waitress right now while she was in school studying to be a paralegal. She actually asked Mike and I a ton of questions. She was in her final year for her Bachelor’s degree and was seriously considering law school.

Ericka and Mike got along well. Ericka liked to talk fashion and arts, just like Mike did. Ava and I discussed sports. She was definitely more my speed. “So do you have any brothers or sisters?”

I asked her and she nodded. “Nah, just me and my dad. My mom passed away about ten years ago.” I smiled warmly at her.

“Yeah, it is just me. Although I have inherited a big mouth family. My brother in law is crazy. Plus I feel like I have a ton of brothers anyway with all the guys on the team.” She laughed.

“So tell me more about Jon. I know tv Jon, but not much else. Is he a good guy? I have to admit, I was a little bit hesitant about agreeing to come and see him play. The whole athlete thing freaks me out.”

I just shook my head. “Honestly, I felt the same about Brent. Jon is a good guy. He doesn’t get much of a break, especially during the season. He is super busy, but if you can deal with that, he is every bit worth it.” Her smile told me she may just be around for a while.

We finished lunch and headed towards the arena. “Madi pumpkin, wanna go see Daddy.” I slipped mine and her jersey on as Ava and Ericka picked up their tickets from the window.

Ava came back holding a jersey and smiled at me. “I guess he wants me to wear this huh, she said, pulling it over her head.”

I just laughed. “Ahh, humor him. Watch how happy he gets.” We walked down towards the ice, where the guys were already practicing. Corey nodded as he look over at Ericka, she seemed really excited he was playing today. I sent Brent across the ice and knew he would eventually make his way across. There were a ton of girls around us. All trying to get the attention of the players.

Ava whispered “how do you deal with that?” to me.

I just patted her on the back. “I don’t I just try to ignore them and I have faith he will too.” Jon skated by us and glanced up with a big smile before shooting a hard slap shot at the empty goal. Brent finally made his way across the ice, putting his usual glove up and I pressed Madi’s hand against the ice. He mouthed “love you to me” and skated away.

Mike’s focus stayed at the other end of the ice. “Come on playa, lets go see the other guys.” Mike and I watched them practice from behind their bench. I point out and named the players. Jeff seen me and waved.

“Ahh, he is hot Alex” Mike whispered.

“He is straight Mike. Most of them are.”

He pouted. “A guy can dream can’t he besides how do you know they are really straight.” I just chuckled and pulled him up towards the concourse. Madi was starting to get restless so we headed toward the boxes.

The guys won the game 3-2, so they were in a good mood emerging from the locker room. Kaner picked up Madi and swung her around. Duncan came out giving everyone high fives. Corey came out quickly, looking disheveled. You could tell he had rushed to get out to her. It was adorable.

Brent finally made his way out. “Let’s get a sitter and go out and celebrate.”

I just laughed. “Umm and where do you think we are getting a sitter from now dear?” I asked and he grinned.

“I guess you are right. Let me grab my stuff and we can leave.”

Ava sat quietly off to the side waiting for Jon. She had taken the jersey off and had it folded neatly beside her. “He should be out soon. The media always holds him up a little.”

She smiled. “No big deal. I can wait.” I walked over towards her.

“I gotta get out of here and take Madi home and feed her dinner. Give me a call and we will hang out sometime this week.” She agreed and I grabbed Madi off of Kaner.

“See ya later sweetheart” he yelled blowing kisses to her. Brent emerged with his bag and we headed toward the exit his arm wrapped lazily around my waist.

We ended up home and in pajamas by seven o'clock. It was great. Madison was exhausted and as soon as she was done eating dinner she knocked out. Brent and I laid on the sofa and feel asleep quickly. We knew we had a long day tomorrow. We had set up like thirty interviews for a prospective nanny.

Notes

:)