Something So Perfect (Something So 2)

While getting off the ice the reporter pulls me aside with questions.

“So back on the ice it started out shaky, but you got your feet back. How did it feel?”

I push the hair back from my face, smiling.

“I’ve been training, hoping to get back on the ice, and it feels great. The team welcomed me, so it’s great to have the support.”

“Getting that first goal tonight, how big was that?”

“I think it was great. I was just lucky it was me. Could have been any of my teammates. We all played our hearts out, so it was a team effort.”

“Thank you for your time.”

“Thank you,” I say, going back into the dressing room where my team cheers as I walk in.

One person throws his gloves at me. I sit down, taking off my stuff. Our team’s bags are in front of each of us.

I take my jersey off, throwing it into the big gray basket in the middle of the room. The equipment manager, Bill, will make sure they are all washed and ready for the next game. The away jerseys are already packed. I take off my gloves, throwing them into the bag as well as the rest of my equipment. Zipping up the bag, I tell Bill my bag is ready. He walks over and grabs it, putting it on the cart.

I walk to the shower where most of the guys are already. We have an hour before the bus leaves for the airport, so we all have to get ready. I’m one of the first finished, so I get dressed and grab my phone. I have texts from my mother and Cooper. As well as Allison.

They are all messages of good luck and then congratulations. I smile, knowing I made them proud.

Allison sends me a picture of the whole family wearing my New York jersey and then the house erupting the second I scored.

Cooper went just as nuts yelling, “That’s my boy.”

I smile at the video. Walking out, I see Karrie leaning against the wall, her legs crossed in front of her. When she sees me walking out she smiles huge at me. I’m itching to put my hands in her hair and tilt her head to the side, claiming her mouth with mine.

“There he is,” she says, walking to me. “Number one star of the team.” She claps her hands.

I smile at her and am about to grab her hand when Dan and Robert walk out, my hand going back to my side instead of in hers.

“There he is,” Robert says to me. “Great game.” They continue walking down the hall.

“I gave them our luggage, so it’s already on the bus. You ready?” I ask her, walking toward the bus. Most of my teammates are starting to follow us.

She walks on the bus before me, sitting down in the front. I sit right next to her, blocking her from the guys, or at least hoping, but it doesn’t work. One by one they come on the bus, introducing themselves and laying on the charm. Fuck, some of them are married. I’m about to lose my shit so much my leg is bouncing up and down.

“This wouldn’t happen if you wore normal clothes.” I check my phone, seeing all the tweets and hashtags about Grant is back.

“What is normal clothes? Is my ass hanging out? No, are my tits displayed out? No. I’m covered up,” she hisses out at me. “By the way”—she folds her arms over her chest—“I met a couple of your friends today. They were going on and on about you and your three-way activities.” She stares out the window. “Jerkface.”

“Three-way?” I don’t say anything else because Max comes on the bus, looking straight at Karrie.

“Hey, beautiful, so glad you’ll be traveling with the team.” He smiles, walking away from us.

The last person on the bus is the coach as the door closes and we make our way to the airport where we walk on the tarmac straight onto the plane. I don’t stray far from Karrie’s side even when she gets on the plane, putting her purse beside her.

When I get there, I look at it while she huffs and places it under her seat. “Can’t you go sit somewhere else?” she mumbles.

“I can,” I say, sitting next to her, putting on my seat belt, “but then who will keep you company?” I close my eyes, resting my head on the back of the chair.

She must see me with my eyes closed and chooses not to say anything. Because the next thing I know we are going down the runway on our way to Philly with our elbows fighting over the armrest. Stubborn girl.

Chapter Eight

Karrie

“This wouldn’t happen if you wore normal clothes.” The words play over and over in my head.

I look sideways at him. “Jerk,” I whisper when I see him leaning his head back, his eyes closed. What the hell did he mean by that anyway, I ask myself, checking my very stylish outfit.