Off Sides (Off #1)(25)

I watched them as they talked. I was a little worried about Sarge. Age and the years of alcohol abuse were wearing on him. His dark face was heavily lined with wrinkles and I noticed his hair was mostly white now.

Before we left, I gave him a hard hug and then looked him square in the eye. "You're okay, right, Sarge?"

"Of course, I am. Why are you asking?"

"You just look a little tired to me and I want to make sure you're taking care of yourself.

He chuckled. "Quit worrying your pretty head about me. I'm fine."

I hugged him again and whispered, "I can't lose you too so you better be telling me the truth."

Sarge kissed me on the forehead and told me to get the hell out of there. He shook Ryan's hand and we both left.

I snap out of the memory of last night and start getting dressed. Tonight, Paula and I are going to Ryan's opening season hockey game. I put on a pair of jeans and a long sleeved t-shirt. Then I put on one of Ryan's old hockey jerseys he gave me to wear. It smells like him and gives me an odd mix of lust and comfort.

My phone gives a little buzz and I look at it. It’s a text from Ryan and I can’t help the smile that spreads across my face. It seems like smiling is all I’ve been doing since Ryan and I became an item and that’s alright by me. I read his text.

Sitting in locker room getting dressed. Thinking about u.

I quickly write back.

Ironic. I'm getting dressed & thinking of u2.

He is quick to respond.

Mmmmm. Now I'm thinking about u getting dressed.

Oh Lord, now I'm thinking about him thinking about me getting dressed and it does funny things to my stomach.

LOL! Get ur head out of gutter and into game. See you later. Good luck.

He doesn't text back so I put my phone down and finish getting ready.

We get to Matthews Arena and find our seats just as the Husky's take to the ice for warm up. Ryan gave me the tickets so he knows exactly where I am sitting which is just two rows off of the glass behind the Husky's bench.

I watch him hungrily as he skates around. He looks gorgeous in his uniform and about ten times larger than life. He doesn’t have his helmet on yet so as he skates, the wind whips his long locks back, throwing his face in perfect relief. He hasn't shaved today and the stubble makes him look wild and dangerous.

The team leaves the ice after about ten minutes of warm up drills and as I watch Ryan step into the tunnel, Paula nudges me with her shoulder. "Girl, you got it bad."

"What? What do I have bad?"

"Don't play stupid with me, Daniella Cross. You're in love with that boy."

I scoff. I might be falling for him but I’m not there yet. I've only known him for a little over a week. There's no way I am in love. And I tell Paula that.

She just says, "Mmmm. Hmmmm." And keeps a smug look on her face.

Soon, the lights dim and the arena thumps with loud rock music. The Husky's starting line-up is announced. When I hear, "And starting at center and team captain, give it up for Ryan Burnham" I get out of my chair and I am screaming probably the loudest in the arena.

After the game starts, I am glued to the action. I watch Ryan avidly when he is on the ice. He is focused and spot on. By the end of the first period, he has a goal and an assist. As he skates back to the bench after his last line change before the period ends, he looks to where I am sitting and smiles at me. Just that small acknowledgment...that he is thinking of me during the game...makes my heart start thumping. I look at Paula and all she says is, "Mmmm. Hmmmm."

At the end of the first period, Paula runs out to have a smoke and I go to the bathroom, then get us each some popcorn and drinks. I make it back to my seat before Paula does and I am happily sitting there munching my popcorn when someone sits down next to me. Thinking it’s Paula, I turn to smile at her but am caught off guard to see Angeline sitting there.

She doesn't say anything but just appraises me coldly.

Finally I say, "Hi, Angeline."

She doesn't acknowledge my greeting but instead says, "You know...I didn't believe it at first when Cameron told me that Ryan was f*cking you, but I guess I can see a certain wild appeal to you. You're different, that's for sure. If you're into trailer trash that is."

I take a deep breath and count to ten to try to calm myself before I respond. I am well aware we are in public and I don't want this to escalate, but I also am not going to stand idly by while she insults me.

"Look, Angeline. You and Ryan were over long before I came into the picture so you're beef shouldn't be with me. It should be with him. And for your information, I'm not f*cking him...yet."

I see her eyes flash hot with anger and she leans into me so she can whisper. "You play out all the fantasies you want about a happily ever after with Ryan but just remember...you'll never fit into his world. He comes from the type of life you can only read about and it has no room for people like you. Trust me...he won't go the distance with you."

These words strike at me deep but before I can even think about what to say, I hear a tapping sound and we both turn to see Ryan standing there knocking his stick against the glass. The rest of the players are back on the ice warming up. He's staring at Angeline with murder in his eyes. She merely turns to me and says, "Think about it. You know I'm right."