Tainted (Oh Captain, My Captain 7)

“I knew it!” she says loudly. “I told my husband that night we saw you, that you two were way more than friends.”

I laugh. “We are.”

“You lucky girl. He seems like such a sweet guy when we go to the season ticket holders party.” She begins to work on my nails. “I guess that means I’ll see you at the game tonight?”

I nod. “Yes.” My cheeks hurt from all the smiling I’m doing. I’ve never been this happy before in my life.

~

“Finny, you home?” I call out when I get back to the condo. No one answers. I check my phone and see that he sent a text.

Valo: Your jersey is on the bed. I’ll find you during warm-ups. Love you.

I smile at the screen and race upstairs. On the bed, like he said, is my Valo jersey. Honeybun is lying up near the pillows. I sit down and rub her head.

“What a crazy life we live, huh, Honeybun?”

She meows back at me.

I sit there for another moment and then decide it’s time to get ready. As I change, I get a crazy idea. I slip into some sexier underwear and take a selfie in the long mirror in the bathroom with the caption: I need a hat trick tonight. I giggle as I hit send and finish getting ready.

When I get to the rink, I flash my new family badge and park the big truck in the parking garage reserved for players and family. I get my ticket and check my phone.

Valo: Might be difficult with a hard-on.

Me: Was I talking about points or orgasms? Let’s go with orgasms. Does that help?

I laugh as I head to the concession stand and grab a pretzel and a soda. When I take my seat, I wave at Mona and then inhale my food.

The crowd begins to cheer as the Eagles take the ice. As always, Valo is the last one on the ice and he skates around twice before stopping in front of me, shaking his head no. My shoulders are shaking from trying to hold in my laughter. He skates off to warm up.

When the game starts, my fun and playful Valo is gone, and the stone faced hockey captain makes his appearance. I love that I have both worlds. I love Valo. I cheer the Eagles almost to the point that my throat hurts. The game ends in a shootout and I am shocked that Gus’s shot wins the game. The team congratulates him and the crowd cheers. It’s nice to see them all rallying together like a family.

I’m part of a family.

I sit in the cab of the truck, with the heat on full blast. Between the rink and the freezing temps, I’m an icicle. I lean my head back on the headrest and close my eyes.

It’s not too much longer before Valo jumps in and reaches right for me and kisses me.

“You didn’t get a hat trick.” I murmur against his lips.

“I tried like hell, though.”

I laugh. “Yes you did. How many shots on goal did you have? Twenty?”

“Listen to you and all your hockey lingo. But, no it wasn’t twenty,” he chuckles. “Ready to eat.”

I kiss him hard on the lips. “Always with you.”

~

“Gus, please. Don’t make me beg,” I whine.

“Why do you want it or my help?”

“Please. It’s part of his Christmas gift.”

“Fine. I’ll do it, but if I get in trouble…”