"I just feel like he wants to take me into his office and you know ..."
Katie laughed. "He probably does. But is that such a bad thing?" Something in the way her eyes shined mischievously told Michaela everything she needed to know about her new friend.
"You haven't ..." she gasped.
"You've got to find some ways to make this place more fun." Katie shrugged.
"Sounds like you have." They were both laughing when Mr. Bryan himself walked up.
"You ladies are in good moods today," he said cheerfully.
"Only for you," Katie said softly. Their boss's smile widened.
"When beautiful women like you say things like that, you're likely to give a man a heart attack." He placed his hands over his heart and then turned his attention to Michaela.
"Are you settling in all right here?" he asked.
"Yes, sir," Michaela answered.
"No need for that 'sir' business," he laughed softly. Michaela only nodded. "Well, ladies, I must be getting back to work and it's about time for you to be heading out. If you need anything at all, come to my office. Any time." He winked at her before walking away.
Michaela exhaled slowly, unsure of what just happened. Did her boss proposition her? She pulled her jacket tighter around her shoulders and shivered. She would not be going to that man's office.
"Michaela," Katie snapped her fingers in front of Michaela's face. She hadn't realized Katie had been saying her name. "What are you doing tonight?"
"I don't know," she answered.
"Want to grab a drink?"
"Only if we stay in this part of town," Michaela laughed. "I don't think I want to go to any of the bars near your place."
"Deal."
"There's a place called Jason's that I like," she said. "Meet you there around eight?"
"See you there."
Michaela didn't know what to expect when she got home. She thought Chris might still be asleep, but he wasn't. She heard shouting even before she opened the door. Chris and Jason were sitting on the living room floor with Xbox controllers in their hands. Neither of the boys took their eyes from the screen as she threw her bag on the counter and starting rummaging in the kitchen for something to eat.
"Hey, Mic!" Jason called, still not looking at her.
"Have you guys been playing that all day?" she asked, receiving no answer in response.
"Eat shit!" Chris yelled suddenly.
"Dude!" Jason's voice wasn't angry, only surprised. "How'd you find me?"
"I'm the master," Chris grinned.
"Well, master, I have to go. I have a bar to open tonight." Jason stood and stretched.
"Hey, Jason," Chris began, "thanks, man."
"Any time, bro." Jason entered the kitchen as Michaela was putting something in the microwave. "Hey," he said, standing so close that their shoulders were touching.
"How is he?" she asked, looking up at him.
"It'll take time."
"I know." Her shoulders slumped and she leaned against the counter.
"Michaela." Jason sighed as he wrapped her in a hug. She clung to him and rested her head on his shoulder. "It's all going to work out."
"What if it doesn't?"
"Then I'm here for you." He kissed the top of her head and smoothed her hair down before releasing her. "Will I see you tonight?"
She nodded. "I'm meeting at friend at the bar later."
"Until then." He backed away and gave her one last smile before leaving.
###
Katie waved Michaela over to where she’d already taken up residence at the bar.
"You look great!" Katie said.
"You too." Michaela sat beside her. "What are you drinking tonight?" Katie already had a half empty glass in front of her.
"Vodka cranberry. Want me to get you one?"
Before Michaela could respond, a bartender appeared, whiskey sour in hand. "Thanks, Aaron," she said.
"Come here a lot?" Katie laughed.
"My friend owns the place," she said.
"That Aaron guy is the owner?"
"No, he's the assistant manager. Jason owns the bar."
"Hence the name?"
"Right." Michaela looked around, trying to see if she could spot Chris. He left before her, and she assumed he'd end up at Jason's. She couldn't stop worrying about him. The look in his eyes yesterday was forever seared into her memory. After Jason left, Chris wouldn't speak to her.
The bar was already crowded, it being Friday night and all, and she couldn't see him. What she did see was Jason behind the bar. The muscles in his arms strained as he lifted a keg to change it. She didn't know why, but she couldn't look away. Aaron took the empty keg away as Jason started filling more drink orders. His movements were fast and smooth. He looked like he belonged there.
"Who is that?" Katie asked. "Talk about gorgeous." Katie narrowed her eyes like a predator stalking its prey. Michaela swallowed the irrational urge to punch her. Jason didn't belong to Michaela. They were just friends. Michaela was surprised she could even think of him in any other terms when she still had Ethan on her mind. It hadn't been that long ago that she thought she'd never be with any other man.
Beside her, Katie licked her lips. Jason looked up and caught the two woman staring at him. He met Michaela's eyes and smiled like she’d just made his night. They stayed locked in that gaze until a customer caught Jason's attention and he started pouring drinks again.
"That's Jason," Michaela finally explained.
"Man, the things I'd like to do to him ..." She laughed when Michaela tensed up beside her. "Relax Hun, that boy has it bad for you."
"We're just friends," Michaela found herself saying, suddenly defensive.
"He'd like more. That look said it all."
"He's been helping me through a rough time." Michaela didn't want to have to explain Ethan to someone she only met a few days ago. "That's it."
"Whatever you say," she paused. "But, if I were you, I'd get on that before someone else does."
Michaela didn't say it but she knew Katie was hoping that someone else was her.
###
"Hey, Jason," Michaela said when he made his way across the dance floor to their table.
"Ladies," he smiled.
"Hello there," Katie said. "I'm Katie. Aren't you a dish?"
"A pleasure to meet you." He sat in the chair next to her with a flourish. Michaela hid a laugh behind her hand. Katie was practically drooling as she leered at Jason and he was having fun with it.
"I assure you," Katie began, "the pleasure will be mine."
Michaela choked on her drink and spilled it down the front of her shirt. Real smooth, she thought.
"You alright?" Jason asked, hiding a laugh of his own.
"I need another drink," she responded.
"Allow me." Jason stood to leave but Michaela grabbed his arm.
"I'll come with you." She turned back to Katie. "Be back in a few."
When they were out of earshot, Jason leaned in to say, "Enjoying your new friend?"
"God! She makes me need to drink," Michaela answered.
"I think she's fun."
"Yeah, well, you would."
"What's that supposed to mean?" he asked, feigning offense.
"Just get me my drink, bartender boy." She said shoved him behind the bar.
"Is that all I am to you?" he laughed. "Someone to keep you plied with alcohol."
"Yes. Hurry up."
Jason came back around and handed Michaela her drink before swinging his arm around her and putting his lips to her ear.
"Help me get her off my scent?" Jason asked, his breath warm against Michaela's skin.
"Probably won't work." Michaela's voice shook as Jason pulled her closer.
"Isn't there some girl code?"
"That's a myth," she said.
"All we can do is try." Jason led her back to where Katie was waiting, an impatient look on her face. He didn't release Michaela right when they got to t
he table. Instead, his arm slid lower so that his hand was resting on her waist. Michaela couldn't speak, she could barely even breathe, but their closeness seemed to have no effect on him.
"Well, ladies," he said. "I have to get back to work." He leaned down and brushed his lips softly over Michaela's cheek before releasing her and heading back towards the bar.
"I thought you said you guys weren't together," Katie demanded.
Michaela barely looked at her as she smiled and gave one small shrug.
Seven
The next couple weeks went much the same way. Michaela worked, and then she volunteered at Legal Services. She grew more comfortable with that part of town and that type of work. She’d have much rather been there than Howarth, Bryan, and Hodges. She grew close to Kimberly, the little girl who she met on her first day. Her grandmother was fighting to keep custody of her away from her father. He was an addict who was known to leave his child to go on his benders. Kimberly's mother died the year before.
Katie was working on the case with one of the lawyers, and she said it was a tough one. There was no proof of abuse. They all knew her grandmother's was the best place for her. That's what Kimberly wanted. But it was far from a slam dunk.
While her grandmother met with the lawyer, Kimberly would sit with Michaela at her desk and talk to her as she worked. Katie said that Legal Services existed for kids like her. It broke Michaela's heart that she might have to go back and live with a father who didn't truly care.
In some ways she could relate, though she never compared her situation. She knew she had as good a childhood as money could buy. But she also understood wanting a kind of love from her parents that they could never give. Kimberly's dad would get a lot more from the government if he was a single father. Michaela's parents wanted to use their children as well. They even threw one of them away when they realized he wouldn't advance their social status.
Thinking about her parents brought the rest of their world to mind. Ethan. Michaela was depressed and she couldn't stop missing him. Everything seemed to remind her of him. For so long, he’d been the one constant in her life, and she still loved him. Chris was no help. He was still drowning his misery in booze. Jason couldn't help either. She didn't think it was okay anymore to run to him when she was upset. Something felt different in their relationship, and it made her awkward and nervous around him. She hated it. Their friendship had been so easy for a little while.
Her cell ringing snapped her out of her thoughts. She fished it out of her purse and grinned when she saw who was calling.
"Josh," she said into the phone.
"Hey, Mic!" he said, his voice loud and excited. "I did it!"
"What?!" she yelled. She knew what he meant but needed him to say it.
"I made the team! I'm starting the season in the NHL!"
"Oh my God! Josh!" People in the office were staring so Michaela ran outside. She leaned against the building, trying to catch her breath. Her heart was hammering in her chest.
"I get to play our first game and guess where it is." His words were stumbling out of his mouth in rapid succession. Before she could guess, Josh told her. "We're playing in New York! The Rangers are our first game. My first NHL shift will be in Madison Square Garden!"
"That's amazing!" Michaela couldn't think of what else to say. Her mind was in overdrive.
"I want you to be there."
"Of course," Michaela said. "I wouldn't dream of missing it."
"How many tickets do you need?" he asked.
"Three," she found herself answering without even thinking about it. Of course Jason would come with her and Chris.
"They'll be at will call. I can't wait to see you! I've got to go call Ethan."
"You called me before your brother?" she laughed.
"Of course."
"Alright, go give him a call. And Joshy?"
"Yeah?"
"I'm proud of you."
###
"I can't believe you're wearing that," Jason said in disgust. "We are at a Rangers game."
"But Josh is on the Jackets," Michaela said defiantly. "Plus, I like the team they have."
"Traitor."
"You promised you'd never call me that." She shoved him in the side.
"That was before I had to go to a game with you in that rag." He lifted the arm of her jersey and then let it drop as if it burnt his fingers.
The day after Josh was drafted by Columbus, Michaela had gone on-line and ordered a custom Blue Jackets jersey with the name Walker on the back. It felt strange walking into an arena she’d known so well, wearing an enemy jersey. She was taking this thing the distance and had become a full-fledged Jackets fan.
The eyes of diehard Rangers fans followed her as she walked along the lower concourse.
"Go Jackets!" someone yelled.
Michaela looked around and finally found a small knot of Jackets' jerseys trying to get her attention. She smiled and waved at them. Solidarity in enemy territory.
"Ugh ..." Jason grumbled.
"I need a beer," Chris said suddenly. Of course he does, Michaela thought. She didn't say it though. Lately "I need a beer" seemed to be his mantra. When he wasn't working, he was drinking.
"Meet us at our seats," Michaela said, leading Jason away.
Their seats were in the corner in the Jackets attack twice zone, about halfway up the lower bowl.
"These are perfect," Michaela squealed. "You can see all the way down the ice!" They'd be able to see every play from there.
Michaela's eyes scanned the arena, and she instantly felt at home. It had been too long since she’d been there. They were early, just as Michaela liked it. There was something about a mostly empty hockey arena. It was quiet and peaceful. The excitement was allowed to build on itself slowly as people trickled in. The noise level would increase as more jerseys appeared and there'd be a thrill in the air. Finally, once the teams took the ice for their pregame skates, the buzz would be unmistakable. They were all there to witness something incredible.
Michaela leaned back and enjoyed the first stages, the quiet. She had so many memories that were associated with the chill of the arena and the sound of skates on ice. That was the only place her father ever acted as more than just an authority figure. It was theirs.
Chris joined them, a beer in each hand. He’d barely finished one when an usher came to get them.
"I am to escort you downstairs," he said. They followed him through the growing crowds, towards the elevators, and down a level. Michaela's fandom had her excited to be down there and heading towards the locker rooms. Jason was practically buzzing beside her.
Their footsteps echoed across the concrete floors as they walked.
"Wait here," the usher told them before disappearing back the way they’d come. A minute later, Josh appeared in his pads.
He hugged Michaela as best he could and shook hands with Chris and Jason.
"I'm so glad you're here," he said. "I wanted to see you before the game." He ran his hands through his hair nervously and sighed.
"Don't be nervous," Michaela said. "You're going to be amazing."
"I just hope I don't fall on my face," he laughed. Noticing her jersey, he turned her around and a smile spread across his face.
"You won't," Michaela said, her back still to him.
"I guess with you wearing that, I can't be horrible." He spun her back to face him. "It still hasn't totally sunk in. But you're wearing my jersey."
"I am," she grinned. Josh exhaled slowly.
"Okay," he said. "You go back to your seats. I've got a hockey game to play - in the National Hockey League."
###
Jason couldn't take his eyes off Michaela. Ever since he found out she liked hockey, he’d wondered what kind of hockey fan she was. He always thought you could tell a lot about a person by how they acted at a hockey game. Would she sit and quietly take everything in, never getting overly excited? Would she be on her phone? Would she be that obnoxious person who yell
s instructions to the players as if a fan knew how to play the game better than a professional? Those were the worst. There'd always be what he called a "shoot the puck" person.
Michaela didn't do any of that. She was obnoxious, sure, to the Rangers fans. He realized that included himself, but he found that he loved the way she yelled and screamed whenever the Jackets scored - and they did that a lot. At one point, a man behind them started to yell at her, and she gave it right back. That girl was very different from the one he’d met last month. She was changing right before his eyes, and he couldn't tear them away. It's called healing, he thought.
"Goal!" Michaela jumped out of her seat and started dancing around.
"Sit down!" It was the same angry Rangers fan as before.
"Aww, man, don't be such a sore loser," Michaela said. "It's not my fault the Rangers s - u - c - k this year."
The man threw his popcorn and Michaela ducked. It hit the glass and went spilling everywhere.
"What a waste." Michaela shrugged and sat back down.
"Do you have a death wish or something?" Jason asked.
Michaela didn't say anything as she started to laugh. She couldn't stop until she was panting for breath and slapping her knee. "Sorry." She breathed deeply, trying not to laugh again. "I get a little out of my mind at hockey games."
"I see that." Jason's smirk was enough to set her off laughing again. It was the first time he was seeing her act so carefree.
Chris sat down on the other side of Jason with a new beer in hand.
"Think you should slow down, man?" Jason asked.
"No," Chris responded curtly.
###
"Yes!" Michaela jumped out of her seat, screaming as the Jackets scored again. They were killing the Rangers 5-2 in the third period. She felt the daggers everyone around her were staring but she was heartened that she could hear a Blue Jackets chant in another part of the arena.
Cheering for the away team proved to be a much different thing than cheering for the home team. There were no goal horns or full arena chants. Michaela found herself wanting to go to Columbus to cheer for Josh. She figured it'd be more fun to be in an arena full of like-minded fans. She heard they had a cannon they shoot off after every goal, and she definitely wanted to see that.
Choices (New Beginnings #1) Page 6
