Page 52 of The Big Puck

“It’s good to see a familiar face, Tina. I would’ve thought you’d be sitting in the owner’s box with your father.”

“I like to be close to the action. You’re Jason Hall’s sister, right? And Coach Logan’s nanny—you’re so lucky.”

“Me, lucky? You’re the owner’s daughter. Just think—you’ll be in charge of all this someday.”

She laughs. “I like how you think. I like you. But you don’t know my father very well.”

I hold my tongue about what I know about Gavonza as a cheer goes up. The Whalers players skate onto the ice for warm-ups. Tina and I both jump to our feet, and I realize we’re both wearing Portsmouth Whalers jerseys, both with Jason’s name and number. She laughs when she notices, and we sit back down.

“Who’s this?” Tina leans in and whispers as someone sits on the other side of me. I turn and my stomach falls, and after I get past the stutter of shock, I laugh at the terrible irony.

“Shonda. I didn’t know you’d be sitting here with us.”

She gives me a look that says she doesn’t find it a happy coincidence.

“This is Tina Gavonza, the owner’s daughter.” I gesture towards Tina. “And this is Shonda Evans, Coach’s girlfriend from out of town.”

Tina’s smile fades abruptly, and I hold in a snicker. I’m surrounded by women who lust after Spence, and unfortunately, I can’t say I blame them one bit as a card-carrying member of that team.

“You’re Spencer’s girlfriend? You lucky, lucky girl. He’s sooo hot. And—”

“I know.” Shonda’s smile is smug.

I refrain from rolling my eyes and say to Tina. “Let’s go for a walk and check this place out, soak up all the atmosphere and excitement of the crowd.”

“Hell, yeah—sounds like fun.” She jumps up, and I turn to Shonda who remains seated—and directly in our path.

“Would you like to come with us, Shonda?”

“No, thank you.” She stands, with annoyed reluctance. I notice she’s wearing heels.

“I don’t blame you for not wanting to walk around in those shoes—they’re blazing hot though.”

She gives me a tight smile as Tina and I slip by her. It’s going to be tough to enjoy the game without ignoring her, and I’m torn between being polite to her and enjoying the game with Tina. When we get back from our walk and the first period starts, Tina solves the problem for me by monopolizing my attention as we enjoy the game with full-on enthusiasm.

We’re not sitting far from the bench, so when Spencer glances around, Tina pops up to wave like a wild woman—which is all the encouragement I need to unleash my enthusiasm as I stand and yell. “Good luck, Spence!”

He nods in acknowledgment, and even though he doesn’t smile, the absence of a scowl is huge, and I laugh as we collapse back down.

“That was embarrassing,” Shonda says under her breath.

“I’m sorry,” I say, smiling. “We’re excited.”

“Why? Do you think Spencer is hot, too?” She keeps her voice low, leaning in so only I can hear her.

“I’m not blind,” I say, maybe too frankly, because her eyes bulge and her face, which was tight, all pinched up like she was holding something in, now blows up into a full-fledged scowl, almost a sneer. A lesser girl would have shrunk back at such a face, but I’ve been inoculated by life to be fearless. “Problem?”

“Get rid of any romantic notions in your head about you and Spencer—and don’t tell me you don’t have any because I’m not blind either, Lainey.”

Shit. She called me out, and I don’t exactly have the truth to defend me, do I? But I’m a fighter, especially when my opponent is so mean, especially when I would be sad if Shonda is the best Spencer can do for a girlfriend. I’d hate to see him stuck with the likes of her—even though I’m being extremely judgmental. I pride myself on being able to read people and their character, and I’d say Shonda Evans is self-centered and insecure, not that she couldn’t overcome those unfortunate characteristics with some maturing, but the fact that she shows absolutely no maternal instincts or care about Krissy is an absolute no-go in my book.

So, I defend myself vociferously by going on the offensive.

“Is that right?” I don’t bother keeping my voice low, so I’ve caught Tina’s attention, and she turns to us. “First off, Shonda, if I were interested in Spencer, he’d be mine, and you’d never hear from him again because I love his baby, and I’m not hard to look at.”

Tina jumps in. “That’s an absolute fact—and the way Coach looks at her, he notices that fact. Plus, she’s younger.” Tina smiles in triumph. “Everyone knows younger is always better. It’s like buying a new car—no mileage or baggage.”

Shonda looks like she’s going to blow a gasket for real, so I dial it back, remembering she’s coming back to the house later, and I’ll have to look her in the eye in the morning, preferably without cringing.