Pucking Around: A Why Choose Hockey Romance (Jacksonville Rays Book 1)
Pucking Around: Chapter 104

Before I can think to leave my chair, my guys are already up and moving this way. All eyes in the restaurant watch them approach. They’re hard to miss, making the space between the tables their own sporty GQ runway.

Mr. Talbot and I stand.

“I should have requested a bigger table,” he says in greeting, shaking Jake’s hand.

“We can’t stay,” Jake replies. “Got a game to play, remember?”

Ilmari has eyes only for me, wrapping me in his arms. I fight the urge to cry all over again as I breathe in deep, my face pressed to his chest. He’s doing the same, his large hand stroking down the back of my hair as he rests his face at my temple.

He murmurs softly in Finnish things I don’t understand, but I feel. Then he cups my cheek, searching my eyes. “You are well?”

I nod, too overcome for words just yet.

“It’s like I told you guys back in Jax,” Talbot says at the guys. “I’m a firm believer in second chances when they’re earned. Doctor Price has clearly earned the team’s trust and their loyalty. They want her on this team, so I want the same. I want my team happy and healthy and whole.”

“He’s going to let me finish my fellowship,” I say, replaceing my voice at last.

“Oh, that’s so great, baby,” Jake says, leaning in to kiss me while I’m still in Ilmari’s arms. “The guys are gonna be jazzed. They really came through this week—”

“Yeah, and now I need you to call the dogs off,” Talbot warns. “Spread the word far and wide: Doctor Price is still a Ray. She’ll be back on the job in time for our trip out to Texas.”

“Thank you, sir,” Jake says, shaking his hand again.

“Don’t thank me,” Talbot replies. “It was the right thing to do. Now, seeing as my life is no longer in mortal danger, I’m going to sit back down and finish this tartare…and maybe order a steak. I imagine at least three of you have more important places to be right now.”

“Shit, yeah,” Jake says, checking the time on his phone. “We’ve gotta get back to the hotel.” He looks to me and back down to Talbot.

Mr. Talbot just snorts. “All of you go. I didn’t want to share this anyway,” he adds, dragging the plate of tartare in front of him.

“Thank you, sir,” I murmur.

He’s smirking as he looks up at me. “Just see that those three get back to the hotel and loaded on the bus in time.”

I turn, taking Ilmari and Jake’s hands as the five of us weave through the tables of the restaurant and out into the lobby of the hotel. As soon as we’re out the doors, my guys explode into talking all at once, jostling for position as they hug me and kiss me and ask me what happened.

“Umm—hellooo!” Tess waves frantically. “The best friend is standing right here, and I’ve gotten literally nothing. Girl, I flew across the country for this. Put your boy toys down and give me a damn hug.”

I turn in Jake’s arms with a laugh, throwing my arms around Tess instead. “What the hell are you doing here?” I cry.

“Caleb invited me,” she replies.

I glance over my shoulder at him, one brow raised. “Why?”

“If things went bad with Talbot, we didn’t want you to be alone,” he replies with a shrug.

“Yep, just call me Ms. Moral Support,” Tess adds with a laugh. “But now that things are all good, we can go to the game together! You know I’ve been dying to see the Rays in action. Mama loves a powerful man on skates. And Jake said he sent you enough tickets to share.”

“Yeah, I sent over four,” he replies. “But Poppy can get you more,” he adds. “No problem. Just shoot her a text, Seattle.”

I force a smile, feeling suddenly awkward. “I don’t know…it won’t be weird? I’m still technically suspended. I don’t want to overstep or—”

Jake presses in, kissing me senseless. Breaking our kiss, we both suck in air, “You’re coming to the game,” he says. “And Mars and I flipped for it. You’re wearing my jersey tonight. I already gave it to Tess.”

“Yep,” she says, patting the side of her massive purse. “All good to go! Hey, maybe if you wear his jersey, I’ll wear Ilmari’s—”

“No,” all three guys growl at once, turning three dark stares on my best friend.

I fight the urge to laugh as Tess leans away, eyes wide. Her face slowly shifts from shock to mirth. “Jeez. Touchy subject.”

Ilmari’s hands go around my waist as me pulls me in closer. “You wear mine next game,” he murmurs, kissing my cheek. His soft beard tickles my skin.

“Guys, we gotta go,” says Caleb, checking the time on his watch.

“We’ll see you at the game, baby,” Jake says, giving me another quick kiss. “Take care of our girl, Tess!”

“You got it,” she calls with a wave.

“Mä rakastan sua,” Ilmari murmurs, his lips brushing against my temple.

“Niin mäkin sua,” I reply, practicing my new phrase.

He smiles down at me with such joy and my insides light up like a lantern. He kisses my forehead, passing me off to Caleb.

Cay surprises me when he cups my cheek and kisses me too. “See you later, Hurricane.”

With that, my guys troop out the front doors of the hotel, leaving me with Tess.

“Girl, you won the man candy lottery,” she teases. “Triple cherries. Those guys are head over heels in love with you.”

I smile. I can’t help myself. For only like the fourth time today, I’m about to cry. “Yeah,” I say, heart overflowing.

“Come on,” she laughs, wrapping an arm around my shoulders. “We’ve got a few hours before the game and, if I remember right, Mama Price makes a mean pitcher of sangrias.”

“Rachel Diane Price, get your booty down here or we’re gonna be late!” Tess shouts up the stairs.

I ignore her. I’m on my knees in my room, tearing my bag apart looking for my Rays tech t-shirt. “God, where is it?”

“Rachel!” Tess calls, stomping down the hall. “Girl, why do I feel like I’m always hollerin’ for you?” She stands in the doorway, hands on her hips. Apparently, she came prepared because she’s wearing a super cute Rays t-shirt cut in a “V” that does wonderful things for her cleavage. She’s paired the t-shirt with a pair of black leggings and sparkly tennis shoes. Her wild hair is up in a messy pony and a winged cat eye lines her hazel eyes.

“Tess, you look hot,” I say, eyes wide. “Hubba-hubba. Who are you trying to impress tonight?”

“Nobody,” she says with a flick of her hair. “I look good because it makes me feel good. And you can’t wear that,” she adds, pointing at my white bra. “As your emotional support friend, I can’t let you go to a packed hockey arena with your girls flopping out.”

“I know,” I say, turning back to my bag. “I’m looking for my Rays shirt.”

“Umm, no you’re not. You’re wearing the jersey.”

I glance over to where the No. 42 jersey is laid flat on the bed. “I’m not wearing that.”

“Oh yes, you are.” She stalks over to the bed and snatches it up. “Jake said they flipped a coin. It’s fine.”

“Yeah, no offense, but I don’t believe them. If you knew what happened last time…” I smile, falling quiet.

“Why, what happened last time?” she says. Then her eyes go wide. “Oh god, it’s a sex thing, isn’t it? I don’t want to know. Yes—no. I do, but I don’t.” She groans. “Damn, I’m not drunk enough for this!”

“Tess, I’m not going to kiss and tell,” I say with a laugh.

“Not yet, you won’t. We’re both stone cold sober. Just wait till we’ve had a few of those cans of wine. Now, arms up. You’re putting this on.” She stands right in front of me, scrunching up the jersey.

“Tess,” I say with a roll of my eyes.

“Arms up, Rach. Don’t make me wipe your booty too.”

With a huff, I lift my arms and she slips the jersey on over my head. It’s huge on me. It’s a real jersey, meant to be worn over Jake’s pads. The big Rays logo is sewn onto the front with a 42 on each shoulder. I have to double-roll the sleeves to free my hands.

Tess is losing her patience as she taps her foot by the door. “Okay, grab your wallet and your chapstick and let’s gooo!”

We pull up to the arena to see crowds of people surging outside, waiting to get in. More than the fans, what surprises me is all the press. Paparazzi crews are jostling, hurrying like ants with their cameras and mics.

“This is crazy,” I murmur, peering through the dark glass of the SUV window. “I’ve never seen it like this before.”

“Well, it’s LA,” says my mom from the front seat. She decided at the last minute to join us. Daddy said he didn’t want to draw attention.

“I suppose that’s true,” I reply. It’s not uncommon for celebrities to attend NHL games, especially in New York and LA. “I bet we just missed someone famous,” I laugh.

“Yeah. Like, ooo maybe its Harry and Meghan,” Tess says on a sigh.

“You really think Harry and Meghan dropped everything to come to an NHL game on a Saturday night?”

“You don’t know,” she replies.

“I kind of do,” I tease back.

“Let’s go, ladies,” mom calls from the front seat. “Rachel, eyes forward, and straight inside, honey.”

“What—”

Before I can get the rest of my question out, the SUV rolls around the corner, and I realize we’re driving right up to the press scrum. The police have put up barriers to keep the crowds back. The cameras line each barrier. Behind them, people press in on both sides, shouting and waving posters, screaming as our car rolls to a stop.

I gasp, eyes wide, as I see two of the posters. On one, PRICE = LOVE is written in all the colors of the rainbow. Another sign covered in glitter reads LOVE AT ANY PRICE.

“What the—”

“Rach, go!” Tess shouts from behind me.

A police officer opens my door, and the shouting intensifies tenfold. Mom is already down on the pavement, holding out her hand to me. I take it, letting her pull me from the car. As soon as I step out, all the bulbs of the cameras flash, blinding me as the press start shouting and the people behind start screaming.

I’m delirious, blinking in the harsh light of the flash bulbs, as mom pulls me forward. Tess steps in at my back, and the three of us rush through the middle of the scrum, not stopping as all around us people shout.

“Hot doc spotted!”

“Rachel!”

“Price means love!”

“We love you, Rachel!”

The arena security are ready to open the doors for us, letting us inside. The doors shut and I spin around, eyes wide, taking in the surge of people outside. “What the fuck was that?” I cry.

I glance from my mom to Tess. Both of them are suddenly looking decidedly guilty. I shake my head in shocked disbelief. Whatever is happening right now, they’re both in on it. “Oh, what in the name of ever-loving fuck is going on?”