It Feels Like

Brad was driving her home and hoping against hope that she'd invite him inside. Deep down he knew it wasn't happening. She had heard him out and she'd been polite, but she hadn't given him much. And he couldn't blame her for it. As they pulled up in front of her building, he spoke up. "I'd like you to come to a game."

"A hockey game?"

"Yes, as my guest. I'm still not playing great, but... well, I leaned my lesson. I won't separate you from everything else. Would you come?"

"When?"

"Thursday night. I'll send a driver for you."

She laughed and pushed open the door. He'd meant to get out and open her door, but she was cutting him off early. "I don't need a driver, secret agent Brad. I can take mass trans like all the other working stiffs. Do I need a ticket or something?"

She was throwing him off, evading him. And it was hard to keep a handle on the conversation when she was jumping out of his car before they were done talking and when she was laughing at him for trying to be nice. "Uh, the will call window. Just go there and give them your name and ID."

"What time?"

"Game starts at seven."

She pushed herself out of the low seat and leaned into the open door, her hands on either side of it. The red dress was wrapped snuggly around her waist and the neckline dipped down between her breasts to show some cleavage. He couldn't help but stare. "Seven it is. I hope I can follow. I don't know the rules," she said.

"It's easy."

"Says the guy who claims he's still having a tough time. Goodnight, Brad."

He could feel his cheeks flush. She was slippery. He couldn't hold onto her. "Goodnight, Keri."

*************************************

“Richie’s in love,” DZ announced to the locker room while they were all dressing for the game. It was raucous this evening, the beginning of the season excitement still in effect even after a few weeks of games. Not many guys heard the announcement.

Brad ignored the younger man and continued adjusting his equipment. It was almost time for the game. She would be upstairs in the box. Hank had taken pity on Brad and asked his wife to attend. Therese had promised to sit with Keri and explain what was going on to her. Not that Brad thought she would need it; Keri was an intelligent woman and could probably figure out the general rules of the game within a few minutes. But maybe Therese could put in a good word for him.

“So, when are you going to give me her number?” Del Zotto said with a smirk.

“I went to dinner with her on Tuesday night,” he replied.

DZ’s eyebrows went up. “You got some?”

Brad narrowed his eyes.

“You didn’t get shit. You can’t close the deal,” DZ chirped.

“What makes you think I didn’t close it a long time ago?”

“Is that why she hates your guts?”

Brad could feel his hackles rise at the good-natured teasing. Things with her were too delicate to joke about. “She doesn’t hate my guts. She’s here tonight.”

DZ smiled. “Oh, yeah? Where at? I should go say hi to her.”

“Back off, Del Z.”

Del Zotto laughed. “Fuck you, man. You know I hate when you call me that.”

“Don’t talk about my girl, then.”

“She’s your girl now? She wouldn’t even look at you a few days ago.”

“We’re getting there.”

“Richie’s in love,” DZ announced to the locker room again. This time most of the guys heard.

A roar of teasing and laughter erupted. Three towels ended up hitting Brad’s head and chest. He wasn’t sure who was responsible for throwing them.

“Maybe she’ll be your lucky charm,” Del Zotto said.

“I wish. I need it.”

DZ punched Brad’s shoulder. “This season will be better.”

*******************************

A surge of adrenaline shot through his body as he stripped the puck from Couture and skated toward the Sharks’ net. Tennyson was right behind him and to the left. He’d catch up within a couple seconds. The goalie was coming out to challenge him, to take away any advantage he had with the angle. His brain quickly processed the situation, seeing the weakness to Niemi’s stick side. Brad pulled back his stick and shot the puck in the hole.

As soon as he let go of it, Tennyson’s stick came up and hooked Brad’s leg. He hit the ice just after the puck was absorbed into the net behind Niemi. Immediately, Brad pushed himself up and threw his arms in the air before he crashed into the boards in celebration. His line mates were on him, then, hugging him and tapping his helmet.

The entire game had felt better, more comfortable, than the six preseason games and the first two weeks of the regular season. Last season he had felt like he was barely treading water, only just keeping up with the play on the ice. It made it impossible to accomplish anything when it was all you could do to keep up. But now he felt like a new man. Something had clicked, giving him the calm presence of mine to assess the players on the ice.

He went back to the bench, a huge smile plastered on his face. Already, he was itching to get back out on and continue the momentum, get another goal, an assist, whatever it took to secure an easy victory over the San Jose.

And then after the game, he wanted to see Keri and ask her if she liked the game. He hoped she liked it. He hoped she saw his goal. And he was glad he was able to produce because he didn’t want her to think he was a loser.

The rest of the game went well. The goal in the first period built up Brad’s confidence. He was able to score two assists in the third period. When the horn sounded to end the game, the Rangers were up four to one. They all headed back to the locker room to congratulate each other. Oftentimes, he would work out after the game, but she was upstairs and he was hoping she would stick around with Therese for a bit. If he hurried, he might be able to get upstairs before ten-thirty.

When coach had had his say and they all shed their gear, Del Zotto moseyed over and said, “You in a hurry, Richie?”

Actually, he was in a hurry, but he didn’t want to admit that to DZ. “No.”

“You should be. I bet you have a hot piece of ass waiting for you upstairs. Tell her when you screw it up, I’m available.”

Jealousy surged through him as he pulled off the shirt beneath all his gear. “Fuck off.”

“Touchy, touchy. Looks like she’s going to have to come to all the games if she makes you play like that.”

DZ was right; he had played better than any game since the 2012 playoffs. He’d been afraid she was bad news for his focus and game, but it appeared that his shitty performance last season wasn’t due to her at all. “Yeah,” he agreed. “Maybe she is my good luck charm.”

Someone yelled for DZ and the younger man wondered off, leaving Brad alone. He wanted to shower and then go upstairs and find Keri. And then he would talk her into going back to his condo so he could undress her and celebrate. His stomach flipped over at the thought of her in his bed. Yes, he wanted that.

When Brad stepped out of the shower, a towel hanging low on his hips, Hank walked past. “Therese said Keri left,” he told Brad.

Brad felt his heart drop. “What?”

“Keri said she had to work tomorrow morning and needed to go home. According to Therese, she enjoyed the game, though.”

She hadn’t waited around. He should have known. She’d been distant with him. He had hoped that the apology over dinner would have wiped the slate clean, but obviously that wasn’t the case. She wasn’t so easily won over a second time.

“Thanks,” he told Hank, walking over to his locker to pull out his suit.

*********************************

He dialed her number as soon as he walked into his condo. Throwing his keys on the table by the door, he stepped out of his shoes and walked over to sit in the chair by the window.

“Hello?” Her voice was soft and sleepy.

“Did I wake you?” he asked.

“I was dozing off,” Keri admitted.

Brad felt bad. “Sorry.”

“It’s okay. Hey, I liked the game. I thought you were supposed to suck, though.”

He chuckled. “I was trying to show off for you.”

“Looks like you showed off for the entire arena. Good job.”

“Thanks for coming.”

She chuckled. “Thanks for inviting me. It was exciting.”

“So exciting you went home and fell asleep.”

“I’m old. I need my beauty rest.”

He was silent for a moment, trying to decide what he should say. Finally, he just swallowed his pride and admitted it. “We have an away game in Tampa on Saturday. We’re leaving tomorrow afternoon. I was hoping I could see you tonight.”

“Why? You were the star of the game. You don’t need hot chocolate anymore.”

“Yes, I do. Can I see you?”

Keri didn’t answer right away, but he could hear her shift around in her bed. He could just see her, lying there on the narrow mattress, her body encased in that tiny nightgown that barely covered her ass. He’d give anything to be there with her at the moment. “How about brunch? Will you be back by noon on Sunday?”

Brad felt his heart drop again. Not tonight, then. No Keri tonight. Sunday brunch felt like a step back. He wanted dinner in his condo so he could kiss her, put his hands all over her. He didn’t want to sit across a table and think about how he wasn’t allowed to touch.

"Yeah, we'll be back late on Saturday evening. Where are we getting brunch?"

"Not in one of your fancy smancy places. They probably serve you a grapefruit and a mimosa. I need pancakes with whipped cream."

He laughed. "You pick the place and text me the address on Saturday."

"Deal." Keri paused and he waited for her to continue. It sounded like she wanted to say something. "Hey, Brad," she finally said. "I really did enjoy the game. And you were amazing. I hope you have your confidence back."

"I do. But that doesn't mean you can get rid of me."

She sighed. "Can I confess something?" Her voice was so soft that he leaned forward in the chair as if he was trying to get closer to her.

"Of course."

"I think you and I are going to be over when you realize how well you actually played tonight. Everyone was talking about you on the radio afterward."

"What do you mean, you think we're going to be over?"

"I'm hot chocolate in the safe house. You don't need that anymore."

His chest felt tight. "I'm always going to need that. Plus, you're my good luck charm now. Del Zotto says you have to come to all our home games."

She laughed softly. "Once bitten, twice shy," she told him.

He understood what she was saying. He'd walked off once; she was afraid he'd do so again. Spending the summer training and playing golf was fine, but it was nothing compared to what it could have been if he'd been brave enough to face her when she found out who he was. "Trust me," he said.

"Maybe," Keri replied. "I'll text you the address for brunch on Sunday. Good luck on your game. I'll go to that sports bar down the street and watch you."

He smiled. Maybe they would get back to a good place one day. For now this would do. "Hey, don't go trying to pick up guys at the bar."

"Michael says you told him I was off limits."

"Michael?"

"Del Zotto."

"That shit," Brad said under his breath. Of course his own teammates would sell him out. "I didn't want him hitting on you."

"He did anyway, but I wasn't interested. He's way too young for me. And this other guy keeps trying to get into my pants."

"Who?" Brad asked, standing up.

She laughed. "You."

"Oh." Brad sat down and put his head in his hand. "You scared me. I thought I had competition."

"You don't. Now go to sleep. It's almost midnight."

"Goodnight, Keri. I'll see you on Sunday."

Notes