“Me too.”
She pushes back from me, looking me up and down. “You don’t look too bad yourself.”
“I’m showing less than I’m used to,” I grumble, pulling at the collar again.
She pushes off the jacket, and takes off the tie around my neck. “Think we could work with this?”
I turn to Jaqueline who she was asking, not me.
“I suppose so. What is Mr. Wheeler wearing?”
I raise an eyebrow, looking back to Rae. “Not sure yet, but probably something similar.”
Jaqueline nods. Roman and Stevie steal Rae away from me to start making adjustments to the dress to fit Rae’s height because there’s nothing else they need change from where I’m standing. She looks completely perfect. I want to tell her that, but no words I can think of even come close to describing how I feel looking at her.
Holy shit, is this what it feels like to love someone?
Because that has to be what this is. She’s everything I never knew I wanted or needed in my life. She’s everything I can see for my life and my future. She’s justeverything.
“Do you want to try something else?” Jaqueline asks me, but I’m unable to stop staring at Rae.
“No, this is fine.”
“No tie, though,” Rae speaks up. “I like how it’s open a little at the top.”
“Whatever she wants she gets,” I tell Jaqueline, and swear I see a small smile on her face. I change back to my normal clothes, feeling like myself again. I’m a little worried about how this is going to be for me, and then I realize something.
“Is your family coming?” I ask.
“My parents are, my mom is nominated for some legacy award.”
I tense. “And they’re going to see us together?”
Her eyes flash up to me, not a hint of nervousness within them. “They’ll see that I’m happy.”
I guess the good news is that her dad likely won’t freak out on me in public. At least I hope not.
CHAPTER 41
Grayson
Iwipe the sweat from my face as soon as I get back to the bench after line change. We’re getting our asses handed to us this game. The end of a road trip isn’t always the easiest because everyone is antsy to get home, we’re sick of jumping from hotel to hotel and traveling so much.
Sometimes this increases team morale to end with a bang, but there’s something off with us this game and I think it’s mostly because of one team member in particular.
Collins has been on everyone for several weeks, but this game is the worst. It’s like he’s forgotten he’s even on a team. He’s checking his own team, along with our opponent. He’s spent more time in the penalty box than he has on the ice. I’m shocked Coach Mitchell hasn’t pulled him yet, but I think he’s focused on the fact that we’re down three points in the third period than whatever Collin’s deal is.
Another penalty is called by the refs, but this time instead of Collins skating right over to the penalty box he doubles down. He shoves his stick in the other guy’s face, catching him in the mouth. The whistle blows again and the arena erupts. Collins tosses his stick down and starts throwing punches at the other guy. Sometimes when there’s a fight the restof the team will join in, but not a single Dragon jumps in to defend him because I think we’re all done.
The refs try to break them apart, but neither is letting up. Coach Mitchell throws something down behind me, and I feel like he’s a second away from jumping onto the ice to break them up himself.
“For fucks sake!” he yells out.
The refs finally get them apart, but instead of taking the guys to the penalty box they’re led to the benches. The other guy clearly needs medical attention from the blood pouring from his nose and mouth. At least it looks like he got some good hits in because Collins is also bleeding, but as soon as he gets to the boards Coach Mitchell grabs his collar and guides him toward the tunnel. I can’t hear what he’s saying, but it’s clear he just got ejected.
“Think he’s going to be suspended for that?” my teammate, Williams, asks.
“No question.” I nod. He’s going to get fined and a several game suspensions. I can only hope that whenever he comes back, whatever has been his issue is resolved and we all can go back to being a team again.