Page 82 of Deking at Love
“Doubtful.He had already left the organization when everything was finalized.Going after him wouldn’t put the company in a very good light.I just wanted you to know.”
“T-thank you.”
They hung up as Sam appeared in the doorway, looking adorably tousled and drowsy.“What’s going on, angel?”
Excitement began percolating inside her.“I’ve been … completely vindicated.”
Butterflies stirred in Angie’s tummy as Sam steered her toward the group of strangers clustered on a lush lawn, the touch of his fingers at the small of her back a reassuring brace.Willows formed a lacy canopy of shade, and cicadas hummed.A pretty woman with red hair and a warm smile rushed over, and though they hadn’t met in person, Angie knew her instantly.Despite the familiarity, the woman took Angie by surprise when she embraced her as if they were old friends.A tall, handsome man with a mop of dark hair strolled behind her, hand extended to Sam.
The woman drew back, and flustered, Angie blurted out, “You’re Terra Blue.”
“And you’re Angie Rossi.I’ve heard so much about you from Sam.I’m delighted you’re here.”
“Thank you so much for inviting Sam and me to stay at your place when we got here.I hope you weren’t offended that we—”
“Stayed at a luxury hotel where you had some privacy?Not offended at all.”She elbowed Angie playfully.“My husband would have insisted we do the same if the roles had been reversed.”Terra gestured a graceful hand toward the man.“And speaking of my husband … Angie, this is Cam.”
Cam Blue had Sam in a bro-hand-grip bear hug.He sported a wide grin as he slapped Sam hard on the back.“Good to see you, dude.I’m glad you guys could make it to our little shindig.Let me introduce you to some of the boys you haven’t met.Then we can lay our plans for kicking some real butt this season.”He turned toward Angie.“But first …”
Sam dropped his arm across Angie’s shoulders and squeezed.“This is my fiancée, Angelina Rossi.”
Angie whipped her head toward Sam, but Cam pulled her attention to him when he held out his hand to her.Without looking at Sam, he said, “Damn, Durbin.Didn’t know you had it in you.”His smile widened.“Missy, I have no idea what you see in this fleabag, but we’re happy you’re here.Welcome to the Surge family.”He grasped Sam by the neck and hauled him toward the crowd.“Let’s go meet your teammates.”
Terra linked arms with Angie.“Never mind Cam.He’s putting on his best—and mostly fake—Texas act.You stick with me.I know how it is to find yourself among a group of rowdy hockey players and their significant others when you don’t know a soul.It may be uncomfortable for a while, but we’re all family here, and we’ll take good care of you.”
Angie glanced over her shoulder at Sam, who sent her a wink.She had a question for him, and she hoped it wouldn’t be too long before she got to pose it.
Terra made introductions, leaning in conspiratorially after.“Don’t worry.They don’t expect you to remember all their names, and you can always ask me.Believe me, we’ve all been in your sandals.”
Soon Angie had a cold drink in her hand and a group of women chatting around her.She was surprised by how many had careers separate from their husbands’ hockey lives.
“You’re a physical therapist?Oh, I know of at least two clinics looking for help,” one woman said.A few more chimed in with job opportunities they knew of.Angie’s pancaked confidence had taken wings these past few weeks, positively soaring after Celia’s call.She could walk into any clinic with her head held high and ask for a job—if she chose to.A huge swell of satisfaction washed through her, and though she didn’t feel the need to, she could hold her own with these women.
Eventually, they pointed out their respective partners, leaving one lone guy.He stood among his teammates, but he looked uncomfortable, like the odd man out, wearing a smile that didn’t reach his eyes.His gaze quickly scanned the crowd before dropping back down.
“Who’s that?”she asked Terra later.
“Oh, that’s Colby Chase.Never mind him.”
“Everyone seems to be paired off except him.”
“That’s no accident.He’sthatguy on the team.”
“Thatguy?”
“The one with the mouth who never knows when to shut it, who gets under everybody’s skin, including his own teammates’.He’s the team agitator, and he’s good at it—which is why he’s here alone.”
“He doesn’t date?”
“Maybe occasionally, but nothing long-term.He usually attends these things solo.”
Angie slid another look in the guy’s direction.He wasn’t bad-looking.He had a typical hockey-player build, all lean muscle and hard angles.He wasn’t as tall as Sam, but he carried his square shoulders with confidence.Dark hair, scruff, and long-lashed brown eyes would be a beacon for most women, and Angie couldn’t help but puzzle over what it was about him that kept the ladies at bay.Not that it was any of her business.
He caught her eye and immediately looked away, that swagger sliding along with his gaze.Huh.
Sam’s lips brushed her ear, and she quickly forgot the dateless player.
“Sorry I left you behind,” Sam whispered against her hair.
