“It really is nothing,” Char insisted. “Casey asked me to wear it, and I decided I would.”

  “He ‘asked’ you? Okay, chica, what are you not telling us?” Maya Dominguez demanded. She was a sports reporter, and engaged to the team captain, Colton Tremblay.

  “Nothing.”

  “Okay, that’s the third nothing,” Angie Rollins said. “Not that I’m counting or anything, but three nothings usually mean something.”

  “Fine. Y’all are relentless.” Char rolled her eyes. “Casey and I have been spending some together the past couple days, and he asked me to wear his jersey tonight. I figured ‘what the heck?’ It doesn’t have to be a big thing.”

  “Except that it is,” Jessica said. “The next step will be to make it Facebook official.”

  “Shut up.” Char glared at her best friend.

  “You and Casey. Oh, my. ¿Me estás tomando el pelo?”

  Char spoke fluent Spanish, and knew exactly what Maya had said. She sighed. “No, I’m not kidding, but can you please not make a big deal out of this? Because it doesn’t have to be.”

  “Relax, hon.” Jessica put an arm around her. “We’re only giving you a hard time because we love you.”

  “That’s right,” Angie said. “And we love Casey, too. If you’re the woman who can finally succeed in taming him, then more power to you, and you will have our full support.”

  Char believed it, and appreciated it, but sensed they were all skeptical. Then again, she had her own doubts, and plenty of them. Yet she persisted anyway, even taking the bold step of wearing Casey’s jersey in public, for reasons she didn’t completely understand herself. At least none of them expected an explanation she couldn’t give. “Thank you, but right now I’m more interested in you helping me get this table set up.”

  “Yes, boss,” Meryl teased.

  “In a second.” Jessica held up her phone. “I need a picture first.”

  “What are you doing?” Char demanded, when she realized Jessica had just taken a picture. Of her. In Casey’s jersey. “Don’t you dare send that to Ryder.”

  “Too late.” Jessica laughed as she slipped her phone back in her purse. “With a little luck, he’ll show that to your boy toy before they take the ice, and he’ll have a little extra motivation tonight.”

  “Let’s hope so,” Maya agreed. “We need the win.”

  “True.” If seeing her in his jersey gave Casey a little extra motivation, then Char wouldn’t complain.

  ***

  Casey was guilty of the occasional bragging about his conquests to his teammates, but he’d kept mum about Char. He respected her position within the Generals organization, and he wasn’t going to broadcast anything public if she wasn’t ready. Hopefully he hadn’t pushed her beyond her comfort level by suggesting she wear his jersey tonight.

  “Hey, Case, look at this.” Casey glanced over toward the locker stall next to his, where Ryder held his phone out. “Looks like you have an admirer.”

  Casey peered at the screen. It was Char, looking hot as usual, and sporting a maroon and gray Generals jersey. Although the picture was taken from the front, and his name wasn’t visible on the back of the jersey, Casey could make out the number nineteen on the sleeve. “Well, I’ll be damned. She actually wore it.”

  Ryder gave him a puzzled look. “You expected her to?”

  “Not expecting, exactly, but I asked her to.” Casey concentrated on his skates.

  “Something you’re not telling me?” Ryder asked. “When did you see Char?”

  “Last night, for dinner.” And this morning, too.

  “What? Since when are you two friends?”

  Casey shrugged. “Since a few nights ago, at her birthday party. The one you invited me to. Is that okay?”

  Ryder didn’t answer right away. “Depends. You’re not going to hurt her, are you? Because she’s Jessica’s best friend.”

  “Like I don’t know that?” Casey already didn’t like where this conversation was headed. “What makes you so quick to assume I’m going to hurt her?” He stood up and pulled his jersey over his pads.

  “Hey, man, chill. I’m not assuming anything. Just saying, be careful.”

  Casey nodded. “Got it. No need to worry.”

  “Good. Then let’s go kick some Ducks ass tonight.”

  The team headed out of the locker room, down the tunnel, and on to the ice for pregame warm-ups. Plenty of fans were gathered at glass level to watch the warm-ups, and it looked like it would be a packed house. Casey wanted to put on a show, especially since he knew Char was in the building. He looked to the area where the players’ wives and girlfriends always sat, but the section was mostly empty. They were still out in the concourse working the toy drive.

  Casey finished a lap around the rink, and assumed his position to take practice shots. Hopefully he’d be feeling his shot again tonight and he could pot a goal or two. And he hoped Char would be watching when he did.

  ***

  Char watched the first two periods of the game on a video monitor in the concourse while manning the Foundation table. It meant she didn’t have the greatest view of Casey’s two goals. When the third period began, Meryl insisted on taking over, sending Char to the seats in the arena’s lower bowl to watch the rest of the game.

  “Your guy has the magic touch,” she said. “Go cheer him on. Maybe he’ll get the hat trick.”

  Char decided not to protest either the reference to Casey being her ‘gut’ or the offer of help so she could watch the remainder of the game from the stands. Instead, she happily took a seat in row eight as the third period began, with the score tied at two.

  “Okay, bring Casey the good luck so we can finish this in regulation,” Jessica said. “Ryder and I have a date.”

  Char didn’t want to think about what Casey’s post-game plans might be. No. She wasn’t going to go there. “As if I have anything to do with it?”

  Jessica shrugged. “You never know. It’s hard to argue with the way he’s played since you two hooked up.”

  Hooked up. Yeah. That’s exactly what it was. So why was she here, wearing his jersey, and risking embarrassment and rumor by doing so? Char didn’t get the chance to analyze further, because Casey took a beautiful pass from Ryder and buried it past the Ducks goalkeeper, giving the Generals a 3-2 lead. With the hat trick, the fans in the arena tossed their hats onto the ice.

  As Casey skated over to the bench to celebrate with his teammates, he glanced a few rows behind the bench, locking his eyes with Char. She smiled at him, and he blew her a kiss.

  There were squeals and sighs around her, from female fans who wanted to believe the kiss was intended for them. Char had little doubt, though, that it was directed at her, and she couldn’t help but blush.

  “Yeah, I’d say you’re a good influence on him,” Maya remarked. “Please, keep it up.”

  Casey’s goal stood as the game winner, and as the final seconds expired, Char got up. “I need to go see about wrapping up the toy drive and getting everything put away in storage until Tuesday’s game.”

  “I’ll come help you,” Jessica said.

  “You don’t have to. You said you have a date.”

  “Yeah, but Ryder won’t be ready for a while,” she said. “Hey, I have an idea. Let me send him a text and tell him to invite Casey. You guys can come with us.”

  “You can’t be serious.”

  “Dead serious. C’mon, it’ll be fun.”

  After a second’s hesitation, Char shrugged. “Sure, I guess, if Ryder can get him to come along.” Why not? The proverbial cat was already out of the bag, anyway. If he agreed, she’d have a better idea what Casey’s intentions were.

  Chapter Nine

  The locker room was full of high-fives and congratulations, and after scoring the hat trick, Casey was the man of the hour. He wasn’t certain whether it was a coincidence or not, but the scoring slump he was in a couple weeks ago ended once Char came into the picture. Now, if he could persuade her to stay in the picture, and not only because he liked the impact she had on his game.

  “Any big plans tonight, Case?” Ryder asked.

  “Not really.” His post-game routine had changed, and Casey wondered if he could get back to it, or if he even wanted to. Tonight he had no desire to. He also didn’t want to straight home to an empty apartment. “You?”

  “Jess and I are going out for a late dinner, and she texted me, said to invite you.” He gave Casey a wink. “Sounds like she’s trying to persuade Char to come along, too.”

  “Is that right?” Casey perked up. Could Ryder and Jessica actually be allies for him? He hadn’t expected it, but he wouldn’t complain. “Then that sounds great. Where are you going?” Not that it mattered. If Char was there, it was where Casey intended to be.

  “Don’t know yet.” Ryder shrugged. “Food, drinks, we’ll figure something out. I just want to be with my girl. She doesn’t get to come to many games with her work schedule.”

  Casey smiled into the mirror as he knotted his tie and smoothed down his damp hair. “Yeah, me too.” His girl. Singular. What the hell happened that he liked the sound of that?

  They left the locker room and made their way up to the concourse. The arena was almost empty now, except for workers cleaning up after the game and security personnel. Casey wasn’t used to walking through it after games, and found it to be a different environment. They got to the Foundation table where Char and Jessica and a few others were working to take everything down.

  Ryder greeted Jessica with a kiss, and Casey longed to do the same to Char, but he didn’t know how she would react, so he kept it casual. “Hi.”

  “Hello, Mr. Hat Trick,” she said with a grin. She no longer wore his jersey, much to Casey’s disappointment. Instead, Char was dressed in a gray sweater and jeans that perfectly hugged her hips. “Great game.”

  “Thank you. The shots just seem to be finding the back of the net lately.” He shrugged. “Maybe it’s luck.” And maybe you’re bringing it. That’s the way it seemed, anyway.

  “You’re too modest,” Char said. “So are we headed out somewhere to celebrate?”

  “That’s the plan,” Ryder said. “What about Southerleigh? It’s open late.”

  “Sounds good.” Casey nodded in Char’s direction. “What do you say?”

  “Works for me.” Char slipped on a black leather coat, lifting her hair up, giving Casey a glimpse of her neck—which he longed to kiss—before releasing it and letting it fall past her shoulders. If he found that gesture to be incredibly sexy—and he did—it was a sure sign that he was headed for trouble. Big trouble. He didn’t mind.

  “Want a ride in my Mustang, Hat Trick?” Char asked. “I think I promised you one.”

  “You did, yes. Now’s as good a time as any to cash in.” Casey turned to Ryder. “We’ll meet you there,” he said, putting his arm around Char’s shoulder.

  ***

  It was a cool night, but not too cold, so put the top down on the Mustang. “I hope you don’t mind. I love the feel of the wind blowing through my hair.”

  “I don’t mind at all. You can’t do this in Canada in December,” Casey said. “Besides, you’ll look sexy with the wind blowing through your hair.”

  Char laughed as she turned her head to look at him. “Don’t I always look sexy?”

  Casey grinned. “Of course you do, baby. That’s a given.”

  She backed the car out of the parking place. Casey was so good for her ego. It may not last. It probably wouldn’t last. But right here, right now, he made her feel good. That was all Char cared about. The future would take care of itself. “Do you like to go fast?” she asked as they exited the arena parking lot and headed toward the interstate.

  “Do you even have to ask?”

  Char laughed as she hit the accelerator. “I knew there was a reason I liked you.”

  It was a short drive to Southerleigh, a fine dining restaurant and brewery that Char had been to once before, and the feel of the wind blowing her hair was exhilarating. Sure, it was probably messy now, but she didn’t care and she doubted Casey did.

  “I can see why you love this car,” he said as she eased it to a stop.

  “Sweet little machine, isn’t it?” She didn’t even have the chance to open her door before Casey rushed around to help her out. “Nice.” She gave him a smile of approval. “Is this your romantic side?” He was full of surprises.

  “Hey, I may be a playboy, but I can do romance, too.” Casey reached for her hand. “You bring out the best in me. Especially on the ice tonight.”

  Char laughed. “Yeah, the rest of the girls are hoping you’ll keep me around for a bit.”

  “Funny, because I’m hoping to persuade you to stick around for a bit.”

  “I know you are.” Char relaxed against him. “I’m still not sure about that, but so far, you’re making all the right moves.”

  Ryder and Jessica hadn’t arrived yet, so they got a table while they waited. “Do you like craft beer?” Casey asked.

  Char nodded. “Yes. You?”

  “Sure do.” He smiled. “Why? Does that surprise you? Were you thinking because I’m young, I can’t have taste?”

  “Oh, honey, I know you have taste.” Char winked at him. “You’re here with me, aren’t you?”

  Casey laughed. “Touché.”

  It turned out he did know his craft beer, ordering the Darwinian IPA, while Char opted for Bill & Red’s Excellent Lager. “I prefer the maltier ones,” she said by way of explanation.

  “Works for me. I always suspected you were a woman of fine taste.

  “Of course I am, which is why I’m here with you.” Char leaned over and kissed him.

  “Okay, you two, enough with the PDA.” Jessica’s tone was teasing.

  “Oh, bite me,” Char said. “We had to do something while we waited. It took you long enough to get here.”

  “Because some of us don’t drive as fast, or have such fancy cars,” Jessica said, as she and Ryder sat down on the opposite side of the table. “Did you guys order already?”

  Char shook her head. “Just drinks.” She picked up the menu. “I’m starving, though, and I’m sure Hat Trick here is, after the game he played.”

  ***

  Casey didn’t know what changed, or when, but Char was no longer shy about flirting with him, and he liked it. When he was with her, he never thought about the age difference. Why should he? They fit so well together.

  She was a bit of a foodie, he concluded, because she knew exactly what she wanted. She was also picky, or not crazy about big entrées, because she ordered three sides. Jalapeño white cheddar grits, old fashioned cornbread, and Gulf crab macaroni and cheese. Casey had to admit it sounded rather tasty, but he opted for the chicken fried alligator.

  “Seriously, you’re going to eat an alligator?” Char asked.

  “I am,” Casey said. “Why? Does that offend you? Are you on a save the alligator mission?” He didn’t think so, because the twinkle in her green eyes told him she was teasing.

  “Nope.” She winked. “I want to try some, see if it actually does taste like chicken.”

  “Consider it done.” Was it crazy that he wanted to kiss her again, right here in front of everyone? Hell, who was he kidding? He always wanted to kiss her.

  “Aren’t you two cute?” Jessica asked.

  “We try,” Char answered. “Now, is anyone getting the crispy chicken cracklins? Because I want to taste those, too.”

  Yep. Definite foodie, and since the restaurant served family style, the arrangement worked well. They rounded things out with a gulf redfish, with everyone sampling each, and by the time they left, after polishing off dessert s’mores with dark chocolate, Casey was glad he was young and had a fast metabolism.

  “I guess you’re not one of those salad only type of girls,” he said to Char as they left the restaurant.

  “What makes you say that? Are you saying I’m fat?”

  Christ! Is that what she thought? So much for being good with women. “No, God no. I think you’re hot as hell. Isn’t that obvious?”

  “Pretty much.” Char laughed. “I was joking, but I think I had you for a minute.”

  “You did, yeah.” Casey let out a sigh of relief. “Whew. Here I’m trying to convince you I’m worth spending time with. I can’t do that if I’m offending you.”

  “Relax, you’re fine.” Char gave him kiss as they arrived at her car, then walked around to the driver’s side. “To answer your question, no I’m not a salad kind of girl. Food is a passion of mine, and this a great city for food. You only live once, and realistically, half of my life is about over. I intend to enjoy myself.”

  “Works for me.” It made sense to Casey, and he realized he operated with similar philosophy. He was young, yes, and sometimes felt invincible, but he also knew it could all end at any time. So why not have as many women as he could? It seemed like a solid approach to life, at least until about a week ago.

  They drove in silence back to the arena, mainly because they couldn’t carry on much of a conversation on the highway with the top down. Char pulled into the parking lot, next to Casey’s BMW, and he assumed he’d follow her back to her house, or she’d follow him to his place. Instead, she said, “Thanks for the late dinner. Call me tomorrow?”

  Casey was caught off guard, and unsure how to respond. “I could, yeah, or...” his voice trailed off. She’d get the hint, right?

  “Nope.” Char shook her head. “If you’re going to convince me you’re serious about where this is headed, we’re slowing things down,” she said. “And Casey?”

  “What?”

  “If you ever want to see me again, outside of a professional capacity, you better go straight home and sleep alone. I meant that. No scewing around.”

  She meant it, all right. Her tone said it all. “I got it,” Casey said. “I’ll show you. I am serious.” He leaned over and kissed her. “I’ve never known anyone like you, and I want to know more.” He opened the passenger door and let himself out. It would suck spending the night alone, but it was time to change. Char was worth it.

 

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