Barefoot Blue Jean Night

I’m actually excited to go to the hockey game. I haven’t been to one since Steve and I got married. The game always intrigued me. If Mason enjoys himself enough, we could make this a regular thing again.

It’s two weeks later and a couple days before Mason’s birthday. The game tonight is the closest game to his birthday that Steph could get tickets for. Apparently the boys are playing the Dallas Stars. I haven’t heard much about them but Mason and Nathan are excited.

We meet up with Steph before the game and she shows us around the arena. I forgot how familiar this was. It was nice being back here. Patrice and Marchand made a surprise appearance on our tour to say happy birthday to Mason.

“Happy birthday, Mase.” Patrice smiles and pats his head.

“Thanks, Patrice.” He smiles and thanks Marchand as well when he offers birthday beatings in the form of a couple light jabs in the shoulder.

The guys make sure to tell Mase and Nathan to come back down after the game to meet the rest of the guys. They’re so excited. I thank the guys as Steph herds us back to our seats upstairs. We just missed warmup, but the game will be staring in 5 minutes.

“Thanks Aunt Steph for the awesome seats.”

“No problem, bud. Happy birthday.” I laugh when he calls her Aunt Steph. He’ll call her aunt but he just calls Patrice by his first name.

“Mom, you have to watch the Dallas Stars captain #14. He’s so good.”
Mason is bouncing in his seat. I’ll take this as a good sign.

“And don’t forget his centerman. He’s awesome too, #19.” Nathan buts in.

I cringe at the familiarity of the number. I realize there are probably lots of them, so I shrug it off.

The boys cheer as our team is mentioned and the game begins.
I’m watching the teams closely. I take a peak at number 14 and 19 like the boys asked. My breath catches when I see the name on the back of #19 jersey.

Seguin

Damn Steph and her matchmaking. I turn and glare at her. She gives me that innocent smile and shrugs her shoulders.

“Hey mom, didn’t you hang out with Seguin?” Damn that kid’s awesome memory.

“I used to, along time ago when he played here, when they won the cup.”
I tried to respond politically with swearing up and down.

“I remember that. That’s how you and Dad met.” He gave a sad smile.

“Yeah, I’m surprised you remember.”

He leaves it alone and goes back to the game. Just my luck. The second I turn back to the game, they’re on a tv timeout and Seguin is skating by. Steph sends a wave. He smiles and waves back. He does a double take on me though. Making sure it’s actually me.

Before he can say anything, the whistle is blown and he takes his mark on center. Patrice is there to defend the Bruins. They exchange words and Patrice gives a shove.
I hear Steph mutter something.

“What was that?” I look pointedly at her.

“I said, I told Patrice not to do this tonight.”

Patrice is thrown out of the face off. Quickly the puck is thrown down before Patrice and Tyler find each other again. They start a shoving match with I’m assuming some not nice words.

I can slightly hear the ref, “Keep your personal matters off the ice, gentlemen.”

Through the rest of the game, the guys check each other and shove each other, legally so neither accrue a penalty. The game ends with a Dallas win 2-1.

“Sorry, we couldn’t get you a win for your birthday.” Patrice apologizes to Mase.
He leads him and Nathan into the dressing room to show them and to meet the other guys.

I decide to just hang out in the hallway for the next couple minutes.

“Hey Lo, I thought it was you.”

I snarl and turn around to face him. Immediately I regret my decision. The man did the impossible and got more gorgeous than the last time I saw him. I give him a once over and see his dress shirt sleeves are rolled up over his forearms. Both arms are full of tattoos. It’s enough to make my panties wet on the spot.

“It’s Lauren, to you.” I finally find my voice.

“Listen, Lo--I mean, Lauren. I really want to apologize for my behaviour back then. I was really young and stupi--”

“Hey, mom. Since it’s my birthday, can I got to Aunt Steph and Patrice’s house for cake?Whoa, you’re Tyler Seguin!” Mason shouts.

Patrice and a couple of the other guys show up chatting with Nathan still. Patrice immediately comes to my side.

“Is he bothering you, Ren?” His anger is still evident in the tone of his voice.

I look at Tyler and his eyes make me feel guilty.

“How would you like to come meet some of my teammates? You know, since it’s your birthday and all.”

“Can I, mom? Can I?” Mason pleads with me.

“Yeah mom, can he?” Tyler adds with a hint of something I can’t put my finger on.

“Take Brad with you.” Mason jumps up and down and kisses my cheek.

Patrice makes a move to go but I throw my hand out to stop him. Once the rest of the group are out of earshot, I slap Patrice on the arm.

“What is wrong with you? And you too.” I look at Steph. “Both of you need to stop trying to set me up. Making sure I see Tyler doesn’t help. If anything it ruins everything and makes me realize why I stopped dating. Now, I’m not going to ruin this for Mason, this is the first time he’s wanted to be involved in hockey since Steve passed away. So behave yourselves while I go find my son.”

I round the corner and run into a solid wall. A solid wall of gorgeous man chest. Tattooed arms are extended to help me up from the floor I’m currently laying on.

“Eavesdropping was never your forte, Seguin.”

Notes