Two minutes later, the blue light shines in the back galley as a ding echoes throughout the cabin. Looking up the aisle, the matching call light shines above Zanders’ head.
“Oh, for fuck’s sake.”
“Go take care of your boo,” Indy teases, but there’s less sarcasm hidden behind the phrase than the last time she said it.
“He doesn’t even need anything,” I whine, stepping into the aisle as I head to the exit row.
“Yes?” I ask Zanders as I turn the light off over his head.
His cheeky smile is on full display.
“You don’t need anything, do you?”
“You didn’t text back, and I needed to see you,” he whispers, his head on a swivel as he glances from the front of the plane to the back, making sure we’re in the clear. “You look so pretty.”
Maddison snickers in the seat next to him. “Sorry.” He shakes his head, laughing. “Stevie, you do look great, but I can’t get over how much this guy sounds like me.”
“Shh,” Zanders hushes over his shoulder. “I’m busy being a couple.”
He brings his attention back to me and I crouch down next to his seat, making us eye level.
“I heard your brother’s team is in town tonight.”
“Yeah, I’m either going down to Miami, or he’s coming up. I’m not sure yet.”
“He’s coming up. Some of our guys are friends with their guys, so everyone is getting together.”
“Oh.”
“Is that not okay?”
“Well, no, not really. I can’t hang out with all of you.”
“I think it’s the perfect excuse. You can’t get in trouble for fraternizing when you’re just spending time with your brother.”
“And what about Indy? I was going to take her out tonight.”
“See if she’s cool with hanging out with the team, and if so, I’ll make sure the boys keep it quiet. If she doesn’t want to, that’s okay. I’ll steal you another night.”
I shoot him a grateful smile for understanding and not asking me to cancel my plans. “You guys feel good about this series?”
Zanders turns to Maddison, both of them sharing a look of humble confidence. It doesn’t often happen between the two arrogant men, but they’re good at keeping their heads level when it comes to hockey and the prospects of this post-season. And with the first round of playoffs already underway, they need to be.
They’re already two games up on Florida, and two more wins on the road will give them a first-round sweep.
“We’re ready,” Zanders confidently states before he looks up the aisle, clearing his throat, his eyes turning cold.
He doesn’t need to explain what’s happening. I already know.
“Sparkling water, you said?” I ask just as Tara walks by us.
“Extra lime,” Zanders adds as I hurry back to the galley.
The fresh ocean breeze blows my curls away from my face, and the warm sand slides between my toes as Indy and I step onto the beach right outside our hotel. South Florida’s evening temperature is perfectly warm, which is a nice reprieve after spending the last six months traveling to some of the coldest cities in North America.
“You’re sure you’re okay with this?” I ask my coworker as we make our walk over to one of the beach-front bars on the main strip in Fort Lauderdale.
“I’m good.” Indy shrugs. “I mean, I lost my apartment and my boyfriend. If we get in trouble and I lose my job, I’ll just add that to the list.”
Her tone has sarcasm embedded in it, but I don’t think she’s kidding. She’s been down and defeated these last few weeks, and keeping her job is relatively low on her priority list.
Fitting, really, because that same concern has been rapidly dropping for the things I find to be important in my life while being allowed in public with my boyfriend is quickly rising.
“And I have no shame in throwing myself at a professional athlete,” she continues. “I’ll lose my job and let him pay for all the shit I can’t afford, like moving out of my parents’ house.”
I slip my arms through hers, eyeing her with a bit of worry. “Let’s go get you a drink and some attention from men who are ten times more attractive and successful than your ex.”
My brother’s teammate, Dom, rushes me the second we walk into the bar, a beer outstretched in his hand. “Little Shay! I got you a drink.” His attention slides to my left, finding my stunning blonde-haired friend. “Holy hello, ma’am.”