I look over at her, and she’s looking up at the sky again. I see a tear running down her face, and I have the urge to protect her from whatever is making her sad.
“I was in the fourth grade. It was the beginning of year, and this bubbly, bright eyed girl in pigtails walks into our classroom. Her hair was so blonde, it was almost white. She had on a red and white Mustangs shirt, and she was full of confidence. I remember like it was yesterday.” She stops, taking a sip from her beer. “When she sat down next to me, she told me her name was Stacy. The very first thing she asked was if I liked hockey. Of course, I didn’t. I was so girly that I didn’t even like to get dirty. But, for some reason, she and I became best friends instantly. That year for her birthday, she wanted to go to a Mustangs game and take me with her. That was all she wanted.”
I angle my body more towards her. The tears are coming down harder, and she takes a huge gulp of her beer.
“I fell in love the moment the players hit the ice. The sounds, the crowd, watching the players, it was the greatest thing I had ever seen. Actually, it’s still the greatest thing I have ever experienced. From that moment on, we begged our parents to take us to games. We would save our allowances, our birthday money, anything we could do for money, just to go to games. Day and night, we never left each other. We were always at each other’s house or at school. Our friendship began with hockey.”
She laughs, shaking her head. “We even called each other every night and talked until one of us fell asleep. She was like my sister.” She stops again, and I watch Bonkers climb up her chest and lay there. He must sense her sadness.
“We were juniors in high school, and we got invited to this huge party. It was going to be the biggest of the year, and everyone was going to be there. This guy that I had a huge crush on told Stacy and me about it. So, we had to go. We lied to our parents, telling them I was going to her house, and she was coming to mine. Of course, they never questioned it.
“Well, we went to the party. There were so many people there, and Stacy seemed to know everyone. She was very popular in school. Anyway, I found my crush, and we went out back and started to make out. I was only gone for about fifteen minutes. I told him I had to go back to Stacy and see what she was doing. I went inside and started searching for her. She was passed out in a bed when I found her. I looked at her and instantly knew something was wrong.” She hangs her head and sobs.
I can’t take it anymore. I sit my beer down and scoot closer to her. I wrap her in my arms. She sobs harder, and Bonkers lays back in her lap. Selene fits perfectly in my arms. I rest my chin on top of her head. I breathe in deeply, inhaling her scent of fresh flowers. I soothe her as much as I can, but I’m really unsure of what to say.
“I’m sorry, Brody. I didn’t mean to cry all over you.” She sits up a little.
“It’s fine.” I don’t remove my arms from her. I keep her close to my chest. We sit there, neither of us moving from each other’s arms.
“What happened?” I ask softly.
“There were a bunch of college kids there, and they brought some drugs, but it was laced with a bunch of other stuff. When I found her, she was almost dead. She died a day later. Today, actually, eight years ago.” She finally sits all the way up, swiping tears from her eyes and pulling away from me. “Not only did I leave her alone, but I didn’t know her as well as I thought I did. We were best friends, and I never would have thought she would use drugs. Ever. But she did. Her parents let me take a few things of hers and I found her stash.”
She takes a deep, shaky breath and continues, “I’ve replayed that night and our entire friendship over and over, trying to see where I might have missed the proof. Or what I could have done to save her. None of it made sense to me, still doesn’t. She was my best friend, but she kept that from me. That secret killed her. She must not have trusted me enough. Maybe I was too caught up in guys or made too many comments about druggies or just wasn’t as good of a friend as I thought I was.
“I was so pissed at her too. We had a list of all the things we were going to do together as we grew up, and she ruined it all. We were going to go to the same college, stay in the same dorms, get matching tattoos, go on trips, marry hockey players, and live next door to each other so we would never be far apart.”
For the first time since I came onto the porch, she looks at me. Her beautiful dark eyes, illuminated in the moonlight, are so sad it hurts my heart.
“I feel at home when I’m in the rink. When we were able to afford tickets, it was always in the three hundred section. So, I buy season tickets and sit there because I feel close to her like she’s still here. I take the week off to remember her and everything I lost when she died.” Again, we sit there in silence. “I’m really sorry, Brody. I’ve sobbed all over your shirt.”
“The shirt is washable. Plus,” I smile at her, “I’m your friend, and I’m here for you. If you don’t mind me asking, did the guys who gave her the drugs get into trouble?”
“Arrests were made for those who were found with drugs on them, a couple for selling, but they didn’t charge anyone for that because they couldn’t pinpoint who exactly sold them to her.”
“Wow, that’s sad. I’m very sorry about your friend. Did you go through any counseling or do you use this week for that?”
“Both. It was too hard at first to be without after so long of always having her there, so my parents made me see someone.”
“I wish had some words that would console you, but I have nothing. However, I’m glad that I was here tonight for you.”
“Me too. Thanks, Brody. I think I’m going to lay down. Thank you for everything. I mean it.”
I stand and nod at her. She stands and gathers the bottles, putting them in the trash next to the porch.
“Hey, Selene.” I don’t know what comes over me, but I’m going to ask her. She turns and looks at me as I step closer to her. “There is a big benefit dinner tomorrow night. If you’re free, I would like for you to go with me.”
She steps back from me. “Are you asking me out?”
I think about it for a second. “Yes, I am. Would you like to go?”
“Brody, we’re just fuck buddies. I don’t want to complicate anything in our arrangement.”
I take her hand. “I’m asking my friend to do me the great honor of being my date.”
She stares at me few several seconds.
“It’s black tie event. I don’t know if you would enjoy being out of that awesome looking jersey.” I softly chuckle.
“I have several dresses for black tie events. I go to a lot of things for my dad. Although, I do like this jersey.” She gives me a small smile.
“Is that a ‘yes’?” I ask.
She nods. “Yes. I would love to.”
“Great, the limo will be here at six.” I give her a quick kiss on the lips and head back over to my house.
~
The limo service called me and confirmed that they are ten minutes away. I really dislike limos. I would rather go in my own vehicle. However, you can’t argue when your boss is the one sending it. I look in the mirror and adjust my tie again. I really don’t like bow ties either. I grab my wallet and phone and walk over to Selene’s place.
I knock on her door. The moment the door opens, my jaw hits the ground. Selene is stunning. Her dark hair is in loose curls, framing her face. Her makeup is flawless, enhancing her beauty. It’s the dress that put it all together though. It’s a deep red color that goes all the way to the ground. It’s tight around her breasts and torso, then slightly flows out from her waist. The chiffon wrap twinkles in the light.
“Brody, you okay?” she asks.
“Oh, yeah, I’m great. Just amazed by how great you look.” I can’t take my eyes off her.
She puts her hands on her hips. “So, I look like shit all the others times you’ve seen me?”
“No, no, that’s not what I meant. I haven’t seen you dressed like this,” I stammer on my words.
; She gives me a small smile. “I think I need a better explanation than that, captain.”
I’m about to tell her that I would rather stay home with her than go to the dinner, but the limo beeps for us.
“Saved by the horn.” I grin.
She shakes her head but she smiles. It’s nice to see her smile again. Last night was hard on me, seeing her so sad. I’m glad that she told me, and I hate she went through all of that alone. When I got home, I thought about what a strong person she is and how much she has dealt with. It meant a lot to me that she trusted me with her story. I knew that was a hard one to tell.
I couldn’t imagine going through something like that. I have friends, but to have a best friend die at such a young age is so much harder. I’m sure that she still blames herself, but look how far she has come. I take her by the hand, and we walk towards the limo. The driver is about to get out to come around, but I wave him away. I’ll take care of my girl tonight.
My girl?
Is Selene my girl?
“Well, aren’t you chivalrous?” Selene coos at me as I open the door for her. I smile at her. She gets into the limo, and I go around to do the same. “So, why the limo?” she asks. She sits with her legs crossed, being very ladylike, and isn’t acting like this is a rapper’s video. The last time I took a girl to a dinner, she wanted to have sex with me in the limo. Sure, I like to be adventurous, but not when it’s a work event. I mean, I’m nothing like Carson Lee. He is the NHL’s bad boy. I, on the other hand, try to keep my image down.
“Well, the Mustang owner likes for us to come in style for big events.”
“Oh, like the opening day red carpet event?”
“Yep, just like that.” We sit there in silence for a little while. “I didn’t see Bonkers. Where was he?”
She smiles. “He’s with my friend, Allison, tonight. I didn’t know how long we would be gone, and I didn’t want to come home to a huge mess.”
“I can understand that.” I nod.
“What should I expect at the dinner?” She looks at me with her big dark eyes. She doesn’t seem nervous, but more curious.
“Well, it’s a dinner for a local charity. The one thing you might get out of this night is a lot of autographs since the whole team is going to be there.”
“Awesome. I’m excited to see Kris then,” she teases.
“Oh, yeah, I forgot to warn him that you’re his stalker.” I chuckle at her. “You might have issues with his wife then. She’s kind of attached to him.”
“Just because I’m his stalker doesn’t mean I want him. All I want is to say hello and thanks for his autograph on your jersey.”
“Hey, I was the one who got him to sign it, what do I get?” I slightly pout at her.
She giggles. “You already got your reward.”
“I did? I might need you to remind me. Maybe later tonight?”
“We’ll see. Once we get back home, of course. You’re on the job.”
I stop and look at her. Any other girl would be trying to blow me on the way to the event. “So, you’re not the type of girl to have sex in public?”
“I didn’t technically say that.” She has a sexy smile on her face. “You don’t do those things when it’s work-related, but no, I wouldn’t have sex in public.”
“Wow, I learned something new about you.” I pause unsure if I should go further. Something tells me to tell her the truth. “I like that in a girl. I like the ones that don’t just have sex everywhere and anywhere.”
“Are you saying you like me, Brody?” There’s a little bit of shock in her voice.
“You’re my friend, of course I like you.” My heartbeats increase. I do like her as a friend. She means something to me. I know that because of last night. I’m just not sure if there is more or not. Could I put my heart out there again?
“Good. I’m glad you’re my friend.” She pats my hand.
We remain quiet until we reach the event. Almost all of the team will be there, along with other big names in Indiana. I go around to her side of the limo, opening the door for her. She gracefully steps out of the limo and takes my arm. We go into the event, and I check us in. I can already feel everyone staring at me. That is because I’m with my girl.
Shit, I thought it again.
“Oh my God, there are a lot of players and famous people here,” she leans in and whispers. I can smell her shampoo, and it still smells like fresh flowers. The scent drives me wild.
“You’re not going to go all crazy in here, are you?” I whisper back to her.
“Depends on who I meet,” she smiles.
We walk into the dinner hall, which has been redone into looking like a winter wonderland. We find our table, and I pull her chair out for her.
“You never pull my chair out for me, Meatball.” Kris slaps me on the back.
“That is because you’re not as nice as Selene,” I snap back to him.
“Selene, the non-stalker?” Kris smiles at her and shakes her hand.
“Well, I’m your stalker, not Brody’s.” She smiles back at him.
“That means you have better taste.” He sits down next to me. “Meatball here is just a kid. If you need a man, call me.”
Selene leans in towards him. “I don’t think your wife would approve.” She giggles.
“You’re right, and I wouldn’t cheat on her. She stole my heart a long time ago,” Kris says brightly.
“Aw, that’s so sweet,” Selene replies lovingly.
“Where is Wifey?” I ask.
“She isn’t feeling well.”
I am about to ask what’s wrong, but the announcer starts to speak. He tells us that dinner is going to begin soon and for everyone to find their tables. Our table fills up, and I watch Selene’s eyes go wide when our head coach, owner, and a couple of the upper management sit with us.
I introduce her to everyone, and she smiles politely. When the first course comes, I look at the dainty salad. I can never understand this. Selene, on the other hand, is chatting up with the general manager’s wife. She softly laughs, talks in a quieter tone, and when she eats, it’s small ladylike bites. Okay, no guy should really care about this, but I do. I don’t mind a woman being independent, but I want someone who holds themselves with higher standards too.
“I like her,” Kris whispers to me.
I nod. “I like her too.”
“Is the crazy bitch still texting you?”
I nod. “Yep, and won’t stop. I think I need my lawyer to contact her for her to get the picture.”
“That sucks, but it might have to be done.”
The dinner goes very smoothly, and the food isn’t too bad either. The announcer come back up to the podium and tells everyone the auction will start soon.
“What is he talking about?” Selene asks.
“This is a benefit dinner. The ‘benefit’ is that they’re going to be auctioning off the Mustang players,” Kris explains.
“You’re being auctioned off?” Selene asks, and I nod. “You didn’t tell me that.”
“It’s for a hockey date. You get to come to a game, sit in the glass section, and then have a personal meet and greet at the end of the game,” I tell her. I don’t usually like these things, but it’s for a good cause.
“Kris.” Selene leans over me and closer to him. “I’m going to bet every dime I have for a date with you, okay?”
“Hello, I’m right here. Aren’t I your date?” I wave my hand in between them.
“Shh, Meatball, the lady knows a good thing when she sees it.” Kris winks at her, and she giggles.
Then we are called up to the stage to begin the auction. I’ll be going last. I always go last. One by one, each team member is auctioned off. I’m glad that so much money is being raised. Kris goes for $7,500. Of course, he smirks at me, challenging me to top him. Next, they call me for my turn. There’s nothing like standing here like a piece of meat.
“For captain Brody Ross, we will start at $2,000.” Of course, ev
ery lady in the room raises their hands. I almost blush as I see Selene’s hand up with a bright smile.
“How about $4,000?” Some ladies put their hands down.
“$10,000!” someone shouts in the corner. I look over and see Jessica. Oh, shit. I glance at Kris, and he knows it’s her too.
“$15,000!” I whip my head and see Selene’s hand up.
“$17,000!” Jessica yells back. How the hell did she even get in here? No one else knows her.
“$20,000!” Selene shouts back. I don’t care what number she says, I’ll pay it as long as Jessica doesn’t win.
Jessica’s lips are tight with anger. She doesn’t have that kind of money. She stomps her foot like a child that lost her toy and storms out.
“Going once, twice, sold!” the announcer booms.
I breathe a sigh of relief. Selene won. Everyone claps, and we head back to the table.
“That’s the crazy bitch, isn’t it?” Kris pulls on my arm right before we make it to the table.
“Yep. How the hell did she get in here?”
“Call the lawyer, Brody. I’m serious.” I can’t remember the last time Kris called me by my name or looked so stern. I nod. Selene is standing when I make it to the table with a big smile on her face.
“Looks like I won,” Selene coos.
“I’ve never been so thankful.” I pull her into my arms. “Dance with me.” The music starts up, and people are making their way to the floor. She nods, and I lead us there as well. I pull her close to me, inhaling her scent. We sway slowly to the music as I look around, making sure that Jessica isn’t around.
“I’m not going to be able to buy shoes for a very long time,” she whispers.
“Don’t you worry, I’ll take care of the tab,” I whisper in her ear.
“What?” She pulls back a bit. “Why? I won, I’ll take care of it. I wasn’t going to let that crazy chick win you.”
“You think she’s crazy?”
“Um, duh, Brody. I’m sure that it’s tattooed on her forehead,” she scoffs.
“Trust me, you saved me.”
“So, what’s the story with her?”
A Hockey Player's Proposal (Oh Captain, My Captain #2) Page 7
