As the all-star game goes on before me I can’t help but smile. I love watching Luc, Jordan and Devin play together again—especially like this—in a fun, easygoing game. Of course, the day had started out rough for me. The captains of the teams were two retired NHLers, Leo Lafontaine and Markus Anderson, both Hall of Famers. Leo picked both Garrisons. Luc was also picked by Leo, but last. He even made a gentle quip about it, saying, “If you’d brought that supermodel you hang around with, I would have picked you first.” Callie was sitting beside me and she audibly winced at that. Jessie simply put a hand on my knee and squeezed it in consolation.
Luc responded but not the way my heart had hoped. He grinned and said, “Silver Bay has the prettiest girls in the United States; clearly your vision is going, old man.” That got cheers from everyone in the stands, especially the women. But what I wanted him to say was “I have a girlfriend and it’s not the supermodel.” Logically, I knew that he couldn’t and that his answer was the perfect politically correct answer, but I was still throwing myself a pity party.
Now, though, watching them play was lifting my spirits. Dev, Luc and Jordy fell back into that easy rhythm they used to have when they played together for the Silver Bay Bucks. It was like they could read each other’s minds and knew where one would pass before the puck was even on that person’s stick. Because the game was for fun and entertainment, no one was checking and people were pulling out their best tricks.
There were spin-o-rama shots on net, attempts from people’s knees, hand passes and Devin even went to the net piggybacking Dan Watson, who decided that was the best way to defend. The crowd ate it up. My eyes kept darting to Luc’s agent and the Vipers’ GM, who were sitting a row in front of me near the benches. They smiled through the whole thing; even the Nessa quip didn’t seem to irk them.
Maybe this whole thing would change everything. Maybe they’d lay off him and realize he can keep his private life private and be the leader they need. Please may that be the case, I pray desperately as the buzzer sounds and the game ends. Luc’s team won 9–7.
The crowd begins to move, but instead of leaving, everyone floods the boards, seeking pictures and autographs. Every single guy on the ice happily obliges each and every request. I find myself waiting too, but unlike Jessie, who walks right up, leans over the boards and kisses Jordan on the cheek, I stand by myself on the edge of the crowd, my hands stuffed in my pockets. Callie wanders off to talk to Wyatt and Donna.
I see Paul and the GM make their way closer and I smile at them. “What did you think?”
“Great event!” the GM announces firmly. “Luc did a fine job.”
“He’s a great player and a great human being,” I reply and my voice is so confident it piques their attention. I turn to them and smile. “I’ve known Luc my whole life. He’s always been a stand-up guy. It’s a shame the media tries to make him something else.”
The GM leans forward, extending his hand. “Maurice Legros. I’m with Luc’s current NHL team.”
“Rose Caplan. I’m…” Luc’s girlfriend and hopefully the love of his life. “Jordan Garrison’s soon-to-be sister-in-law.”
His face lights up. “Oh! Well, congrats—to your sister. Jordan is great. Wish he played for the Vipers.”
I almost smile at that. Clearly Maurice only follows his own players’ tabloid adventures, because Jordan provided quite the subject matter for them before he and Jessie reunited. “Luc is great too.”
“I guess you’re right,” Maurice replies quietly.
Luc is coming off the ice now and he sees us and waves, walking over to the railing right beside our section. All three of us move to meet him. Maurice leans down over the railing and pats him on the shoulder pads. “Great job, Luc. This event was just fabulous.”
“Merci.” Luc smiles proudly.
“We were just talking to this lovely lady, who is a big fan of yours,” Paul chirps in.
Luc looks at me. “Rose is an old friend who was kind enough to help me organize this whole thing. I really couldn’t have done it without her.”
There’s that heinous friend word again.
Maurice leans closer to Luc again and lowers his voice but I can still hear. “Good to see you focused. And I know it was a leisurely game but you looked good out there.”
Luc smiles again. I feel so happy for him. That praise is exactly what he needed.
Maurice turns to leave, giving me a smile. “You live here in Silver Bay?”
“I… well, I just graduated college so I came home for the summer but…” I am suddenly tripping over my words.
“Rose is going to Europe,” Luc pipes up. “She’s thinking about staying there for a while.”
What the fuck.
“If you’re ever in Vegas, young lady, give your friend Luc a call and we’ll get you some tickets,” Maurice says to me kindly.
“Thanks,” I reply and watch as he and Paul merge with the crowd heading to the exit.
“Rose…”
“I have to go,” I tell him flatly. “I’m working at Last Call tonight.”
“Oh. Okay.” His voice is low and full of need. “I guess it’s for the best. My teammates are spending another night and I’m sure they’ll want to party so it’s probably best we still keep our distance.”
I stare at him, searching for something to hold on to, but considering I’m not even exactly sure why I feel like I’m dying inside, I don’t know what I want to see that will save me. “Have a good night, Luc, and I’ll see you later.”
I leave him there, staring after me.