Thirteen

Allison

This is my girlfriend Shannon.

My eyes blink open, his voice still in my mind like the dream. I was so stupid to think he wasn’t taken. So, so stupid. I turn on my side, thinking about the moment I saw the text and his hand shot out grabbing it. All I could do was blink. My mouth had gone dry, so dry, and my nose started to burn. I knew that if I didn’t leave fast it would not be good for anyone.

Okay, fine, I have a crush on Max Horton. Who the fuck doesn’t? Okay, I can name a couple of people who don’t, but once you get past the big chip on his shoulder, you have someone who is genuine, kind, funny-ish, and fucking hot.

I’ve avoided going to the arena if I don’t have to be there. But on game day, I have no choice, so I show up, do my job, stay out of the way, and take off as soon as I can. But Saturday games are impossible, especially tonight, which we deemed family night. I roll over as I hear my phone ring and see it’s Vivienne.

“Putin.” Slut, she says in French and I laugh.

“Yes, my leader.”

And she laughs. “You need to get us tickets to Ed Sheeran. He is coming next month and tickets are sold out.”

“How the hell am I supposed to get tickets?”

“Don’t you work for the company?”

“Yes, but I don’t do the entertainment side of it. I can ask, though.”

“Quel est le problème?” What’s the matter, she asks right away.

“Nothing, why?”

“You sound different, sad.” She picks up right away. “Do we need to bury a body?”

I laugh at her. She would be the first one I would actually call if I had to bury a body. “No. It’s really nothing. I’m just tired.” I turn in bed and then get up, walking downstairs. “I need to get my schedule for next month done.”

“D’accord.” Okay, she says. “Je te verrai ce soir.” I’ll see you tonight, she says and waits for me to say okay before disconnecting.

I sit at the island, picking at two pieces of toast, and drinking my coffee. I check and see that Charles confirmed for Monday morning. I forward it to Max and close it down. My phone rings and I breathe out when I see it’s Karrie.

“What’s the matter?” she says as soon as I answer.

“Jesus.” I laugh. “Nothing, I’m just tired.”

“I don’t believe you. You’re the fucking energizer bunny.”

I blow out a breath and finally cave. “I think Max is dating someone.”

She laughs out. “As if it’s just one person. He was the biggest whore of life a couple of years ago. We had bets going to see how long it would take for his dick to fall off.”

“Who won?” I ask and close my eyes, trying to make the nausea go away.

“No one.”

“Anyway, it’s stupid. I’m a kid and he’s, well, he’s Max.”

“Honey,” she says, whispering, “you aren’t a kid. You’re a woman who likes a man.”

“If you do the whole Notting Hill scene I’m hanging up.”

She laughs out. “I was not going to do that. Hey, how about you come back home with us tonight, spend the day with us?”

“Yeah, I’d like that. Actually, I was hoping to call you later this week, but now that I have you on the phone I’m working with your father on a special project and I’d love the help of the captain’s wife.”

“Oh, dear,” she says, breathing out. “I guess I have no choice, right? Fucking guy for being so good.”

“Oh, yeah, baby.” I hear Matthew in the background. “You telling Vivienne about the special treat I gave you last night?”

“Ewwww,” I say at the same time that Karrie says, “It’s your sister.”

“I’m going to be sick.” I grab my stomach.

“Okay, so sign me up to whatever. What is it for anyway?”

“Kids pediatric oncology.”

“Oh my God,” she gasps. “We will donate whatever you want. Do whatever you need.”

I smile. “Perfect, we will talk about it tonight.” Going into my closet, I look at what to wear.

Once I pick out my outfit, I go about getting ready. I don’t know why I spend so much time getting ready today. I do my hair almost perfect, and my makeup is on point. I slide my legs into my gray slacks that reach just above my ankle. I grab the cream long-sleeved chiffon top with the ruffle down the front. Tucking it in, I grab a gold belt to finish the look. I grab my gray heels and put some gold bracelets on. The Uber arrives at exactly four and it’s past four-thirty when I walk in. I go straight to my office with my overnight bag. Dumping everything in the chair that still has my leather jacket, I contemplate throwing it out.

I shake my head and sit down, opening up all my programs to get the schedule for tonight, when there is a knock on the door. My heart skips a beat, but it’s for nothing because it’s just Matthew.

“You’re coming home with me tonight?” he asks. “You think you can drive back with Karrie for me?”

I lean back in my chair. “Sure, but I need a favor.”

“Oh, fuck, last time you did that I was posing for pictures with a chicken.” He points at me. “What do you want?”

“I need you to get me Ed Sheeran tickets,” I ask, putting my hands together.

“How the fuck am I supposed to do that?”

“Come on, Matthew, you need to get me tickets.”

“I don’t have any tickets. You have just as much pull as I do. Why don’t you just call the PR that is taking care of the tour?”

“I can’t call Ed Sheeran and say, hey, can I have tickets.” I throw my hands up.

“Sure you can. Call Mindy and ask her.”

“I did that already, but she doesn’t really like me,” I say, lying out of my ass.

“So buy them from a scalper.”

I gasp. “That’s illegal.”

“Well, then I guess you’re shit out of luck, considering I don’t know Ed Sheeran nor do I have tickets.”

“Fine.” I roll my eyes. “Get out of here then.”

I get up, follow him outside, and walk into Doug, who leans down and kisses my cheek.

“There she is, the one I need to see,” he says, looking at me.

I smile at him. “Just the man I need to see,” I say as Matthew walks away.

“I take it you got my email,” I ask him as we walk back to my office and he takes a seat in the chair.

“I did. I have to say I don’t think we’ve ever done something like this.”

“I know. But why not? I know that the Christmas party is usually a family affair, but what if we invited the season ticket holders and some of the big stars who attend the games? Imagine the money that would bring in and the kids it could help.”

“I agree and I’m sure the guys will want to help in all that.”

“I want each player to adopt a family,” I say and Doug looks at me. “We will cap it, of course, unless the player wants to give more.”

“I love the idea. When is the visit scheduled for?”

“Beginning of December,” I say to him, thinking about yesterday when I told Denise what I was planning on doing. She was overwhelmed.

“Perfect, count me in,” he says, getting up. “Is everything set for tonight?” He asks about the party he has set up for afterward.

“Yes, and everyone has said they will be there,” I say, thinking of Max and his answer of three people.

“You’re good.” He walks away, winking. The rest of the night goes by fast. I’m on the phone with the restaurant and finalizing all the little hiccups that come at the last minute.

I bring my bag down to the car, put it in Karrie’s car, and walk in as soon as Max walks off the ice with blood pouring down his face. “Oh my God.” I shriek and my hand goes to my mouth.

“It’s all good, Allison,” he says and my heart can’t get under control. “It’s just a cut.” He walks into the room with the doctor and I walk to the door, but the nurse closes it in my face. I turn, looking at the rest of the guys as they walk in.

“What the fuck happened to Max?” I ask Phil, who laughs. “Sherry told him that he fucked his mother last night, so Max knocked him out.”

“Idiot,” I say to everyone and walk out, going to the after party. When I get to the club I walk in and you have team jerseys hanging everywhere. Tables are set up everywhere with some food in the middle. I look around once and then people start coming in. Karrie arrives with her father.

“This looks so cool,” she says, looking around and finally sees the pictures I had posted all around of different players with their family members. “Love this.”

Slowly the players trickle in and they introduce me to all their family members. I won’t remember tomorrow. I have a water bottle in my hand, but the alcohol is flowing freely. I turn around to go and sit with my family when I see Max walk in. Our eyes meet as he looks around and raises his hand to say hi. I raise my hand and am not sure if I should go to him or not, but then I see him look down and point at me and I see it’s Denise. I smile big and make my way to her.

“Hey,” I say, hugging her, and she hugs me back big.

“This is amazing,” she says. “This is my friend Steve. Steve, this is Allison.”

I shake his hand and he looks at me.

“You’re the guardian angel?” he says, and I smile and blink. “It’s all we hear about.”

I move my hand, brushing away the compliment.

I look up at Max and he stares at me. “You look like you got your ass handed to you.” I fold my arms. “You have a photo shoot on Monday. How the hell are we going to cover up the black eye?”

“Maybe it’ll be a selling point,” Steve says. “Badass Mad Max.”

“That fucking hashtag.” He smiles and a couple of waitresses walk by and smile at him. “Is it seating anywhere?” he asks me and I nod.

I look over and see Karrie. “Hey, Denise, I know it’s not business, but I would love to introduce you to my sister-in-law, who is going to be helping me out. If you don’t mind.”

She looks at Max, who nods. “I’d love to.”

I smile and turn around to walk to the table in the back where I introduce Karrie to Denise. They hit it off right away and she sits with them as they make room for them. I sit down and Steve sits on one side while Max sits on the other side. Steve turns to make conversation with me and I watch Max dodge about six girls who walk up to them to take pictures and have him sign stuff. Matthew turns and starts asking Steve questions, so I turn and look at Max, who is looking around.

“Looking for your date?” I ask and I don’t know why I do it.

His eyebrows pinch together. “No date, Allison.”

I just nod and I’m about to turn away. “What time is it on Monday?”

“Ten,” I say

“I’ll swing by and get you,” he says quietly.

“I’m not coming,” I tell him.

“Then I’m not going,” he counters. “So you better cancel or change your schedule.” He stretches his hands out, placing them on my chair, his hand touching my back. It’s a simple thing that has happened with other men a thousand times before, but it’s different with him.

“You don’t need me there,” I counter and he shrugs his shoulders. “I wasn’t even there when you did it the first time.”

“Allison, it’s pretty much either you come or I’m not going.”

“Such a fucking princess,” I say.

He smiles and laughs. He doesn’t move from beside me all night long, and I don’t move either till Karrie gets up.

“If we don’t leave now we are going to get home after the sun comes up.”

“You’re right,” I say, getting up and standing next to him as he still sits. “I gotta go.”

“Where are you going?” he asks, looking around as Matthew and Karrie start making the rounds to say goodbye.

“I’m going to Long Island since we’re off tomorrow. I’m going to have a family day.”

He nods and I walk around him and say bye to Denise and Steve.

“I’ll call you next week,” I tell her.

“Yes, tomorrow is the big breakfast at the hospital, so I will be unavailable.”

“What is the big breakfast?” I ask.

“Max and a couple of players are coming by and serving breakfast for the kids. They love it.” I turn to look at Max, who is just staring at me.

I get in the car with Karrie and we follow Matthew all the way to their house, falling into bed at almost four a.m. My dreams that night aren’t of Max and his girlfriend. They’re of Max and his smile.