Page 148 of Edging Coach
I shook my head. “Hockey fans are loyal to Vancouver. I hope they see me as an asset to the team.”
She quirked an eyebrow. “I mean, after you came out yesterday. And with your coach, no less.”
“Sometimes we can’t choose who we love. He never gave me preferential treatment, and I never asked for it.”
“Was he here tonight? We couldn’t see him?”
I glanced toward Leila
She gave a slight nod.
“I know if he were coaching—which I know he won’t and that’s a shame—that I’d be supporting him in every way I can. He doesn’t want me distracted. Which is why I was able to nail two assists. I’m optimistic that I can keep helping Vancouver win. Because at the end of the day, Vancouver’s fans deserve a Cup.”
Leila signaled an end. “We’re good here. Devon’s tired and needs to rest up.”
Corinne lowered her mic and her camera person clearly turned the thing off. The reporter grinned. “Doubt you’ll be getting much sleep tonight.”
“Out of line, Corinne.” Leila glared. Corinne glared back.
Yeah, okay. There’s a story here, and I’m so not getting between two women who look that angry.Hell, I wouldn’t step between two guys who looked ready to throw down. Unless I was witnessing an unfair fight. I figured these two were evenly matched.
The woman who’d held the camera rolled her eyes at me—assuring me this was an ongoing battle.
“I need to be on my way. Thank you all.”
Another reporter appeared a little miffed at my abrupt departure, but his attention soon riveted to Leila and Corinnewho really did appear like they wanted to tear each other limb from limb.Is that wise for our team’s PR person?Oh well, she had plenty of experience, so I trusted she knew what she was doing.
Fatima, the lovely person who’d helped me on my first night, was there to escort me to a random side door.
No one was outside, so I managed to slip away unnoticed. With my Vancouver Whitecaps hat, I blended in. Vancouver, but not hockey. I silently made a promise to go to a game this summer. Because I’d be sticking around this summer. Because apparently Jack didn’t have anyone waiting for him anywhere else.
We were about to become each other’s entire worlds.
Mikey would forgive me. Hell, I’d buy him a ticket to come out and visit.
I’d also keep up the friendships I’d made. I needed people outside the rink I could count on—and who knew I’d have their backs. Lous, Claus, and Wheels were three guys I intended to keep in touch with.
The walk to the hotel didn’t take much time as my long strides ate up the distance. Apparently there had been a musical at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre and a rock concert at BC Place. Whoever planned to have those three events on one night hadn’t been thinking clearly. The sidewalks were jammed as it appeared the concert and the game both got out at the same time. God only knew about the musical.
Traffic was everywhere—very reminiscent of my time in Toronto. The big city. The big leagues.
Does this mean I’ve made it? Like really made it?
Crisse. That was a thought.
Time would tell.
But I was here now. I’d made it this far, and it looked like I might stay here.
And by some miracle, on top of it all, the most amazing man I’d ever met was waiting for me in a hotel room.
I stepped out of the flow of traffic and took out my phone.
Be there soon.
I’m all yours when you get here. (wink emoji)
lol Correct me if I’m wrong, but I think you’ve been all mine for a while.
