Chapter 37

Callie

“Suite seating is nice.”

Kristen laughed and hooked her arm through mine. “That it is, but I prefer to sit closer to the rink”

“I do, too, but this way we can be with our family. Dallas’s parents and mine should be here soon.”

We’d arrived early so we could beat the crowds. There were already people finding their seats for what was going to be the most exciting game of the year. To add to that excitement, the Rich and Single crew would be arriving soon with Justin’s female choice of the night.

“Is Lacey coming?” she asked.

I helped her sit down and took the seat beside her. “Yep. She’s coming with Dallas’s parents.” My job was to keep her away from Maddox at the party tonight. “Are you and Kellan coming to the party?” It was going to be at Dallas’s and my house whether the Strikers won or lost. The DJ came in earlier and set everything up and we had tons of catered food arriving. I thought it was a little extreme, but Dallas wouldn’t settle for anything less.

Kristen rubbed her stomach, which had gotten phenomenally bigger over the last few weeks. “We’ll be there as long as this little one doesn’t decide to pop out. She’s due in six days.”

“Hang on until after the game,” I said, and laughed.

“Oh, I will. Nothing’s going to stop me from being here.”

“What’s up, ladies?” Lacey called out, barging through the door. Theresa and David walked in behind her, followed by my parents. They all waved at Kristen and me, but continued with their conversations.

Lacey sat beside me and glanced back at them, shaking her head. “They haven’t stopped talking since we arrived. My parents really like your mom and dad.”

“That’s good. Makes things easier.”

Kristen snorted. “That it does. You don’t want the kind of shit I went through with Kellan’s family.” It was true, she went through hell and back, but that was a whole other story.

Gasps erupted outside of the suite, and I wasn’t surprised when the door opened and a cameraman walked in, filming Justin’s date for the night. He’d chosen Miranda, a model from California with bronze skin and long chocolate-colored hair. She was amazingly beautiful, but completely self-absorbed. At least she had on a replica of my brother’s jersey to show support.

I waved at her and she smiled, flashing her too-white teeth that looked almost purple. “Hi, Callie.”

“Hey, Miranda. I don’t think you’ve met these two,” I said, placing my hands on Lacey’s and Kristen’s shoulders. “Lacey is Dallas’s sister, and Kristen is Kellan’s wife.”

Miranda nodded at them both, grinning impatiently. “It’s nice to meet you.” Either she was uncomfortable or she didn’t want to talk to us. I figured the latter, so I turned my focus back on my friends.

Lacey leaned closer, whispering in my ear, “Is your brother actually into her?”

I shrugged. “Obviously. He got rid of the only girl I actually liked in week four.”

Her eyes widened. “Same here. She was sweet.” Maybe that was the problem. Justin usually liked the sweet and sassy women, but the show had changed him. It was like he wanted everything bigger and better. He had a taste of a different kind of fame and it had skewed what he really valued in life. 

More people flooded through the doors, and it didn’t take long for the seats to fill up. The energy in the arena made my skin buzz with excitement. “Ladies and gentlemen,” the announcer began. “Are you ready?”

The crowd screamed and I joined in, clapping my hands loudly. The lights flickered off and the announcer called out the players one by one, their faces displayed on the TV screens above. When Dallas’s name was called, the arena filled with thunderous cheers. It felt good to know he was loved and respected. The same happened when Justin’s and Maddox’s names were announced; everyone loved them.

Lacey tensed when they called out Maddox’s name. “You okay?” I asked her.

She plastered on a smile. “I hope so. I have to do my best to stay away from him tonight.”

I patted her leg. “Don’t worry, I’ll keep him away from you.”

Judging by the look in her eyes, she didn’t really want that.

Kristen squeezed my hand. “It’s starting. You’d think I’d be used to this by now.”

My nerves were already shot. “Tell me about it.”

The game had begun and Chicago had the puck, barreling it down the ice. Dallas perked up and got into position. The other team had a lot of skill with puck handling, probably some of the best I’d ever seen besides the Strikers. Braeden tried to steal the puck away, but he was too late and slammed into the wall. The player shot the puck right past Dallas’s glove, landing inside the net.

My stomach clenched and I gasped. “Did that really just happen?”

Lacey’s eyes widened. “That’s not good at all. We’re only three minutes into the game.”

Kristen snickered and I glared incredulously at her. “Please tell me you don’t think this is funny.”

She shook her head and tried to hide her smile with her hand. “Sorry, it’s not. It’s just a classic Dallas move. Did you not watch the championship game last year?”

I glanced at Lacey and she shrugged. “I did, but what does that have to do with today?”

Kristen nodded toward the rink. “Keep watching.”

I’d watched the game at home with my brothers. The Strikers dominated it. They got scored on once at the beginning of the game, and then . . .

It was like a lightbulb went off in my head. “Please tell me they didn’t do what I think they just did.”

Kristen’s grin widened. “Coach Carlisle was so pissed last year when Dallas let the other team score. He does it to psych the other team out. They score right off and then they get cocky. Arrogance leads to mistakes.”

“It’s a bold move,” I replied. “But it looks like it’s working.” Maddox had the puck and shot it over to Kellan. We scored our first goal and the crowd cheered triumphantly. Hopefully, the first of many tonight.

Time ticked by, and at the end of the first interval, the score was three to one. We were going to dominate Chicago tonight. It was time for a break so I stood and stretched my legs. The lights shut off and the Strikers logo appeared in the center of the rink.

“Is Jack the Jaguar coming out tonight?” I asked with a laugh. I figured one of the players would ask a lucky fan for a hug, since it was the biggest game of the season.

Kristen’s face brightened. “Looks like it. This should be good.”

The announcer appeared on the ice and the fans cheered. “Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls. Jack the Jaguar is back and he’s looking for one of you.” The mascot skated onto the ice and waved at everyone as he danced around.

“Who’s in the costume tonight?” I wondered aloud. “It has to be one of the key players.” Especially on a night like tonight.

Kristen and Lacey didn’t respond, so I focused back on the announcer. Once the cheers died down, Jack skated over to him and whispered something in his ear. A smile lit up the announcer’s face and he lifted the microphone back up. “Our lucky fan tonight is in suite nine. Her name is Callie Davis. Ms. Davis, can you please join us on the ice?”

Frozen in place, I could’ve sworn it was all just a figment of my imagination. At least, until my face appeared on the large screens in the middle of the arena. Lacey grabbed my arm and lifted me up. “Callie, you have to go,” she said. “They’re waiting for you.”

I glanced around the suite at everyone grinning and clapping along with the crowd. “What’s going on?” I demanded.

Lacey pushed me toward the door. “Go find out.”

I walked out of the suite and it took a few minutes to get down to the rink. It had to be Dallas in the costume. Jack the Jaguar looked at me with that silly fake head of his and I shook my head as he skated toward me. He held out his hand and I took it. “I know it’s you in there,” I told him.

His chuckle made my stomach flutter. “Come on.” Lifting me up in his arms, he carried me to the center of the rink and set me down.

“So, Jack, I’m assuming this lovely young woman is here to give you a nice, warm hug?” the announcer asked. I was about to open my arms when Jack shook his head. “If not a hug, then a kiss?” The fans screamed and shouted excitedly, but Jack the Jaguar shook his head again. What was Dallas up to? The announcer cleared his throat. “If you don’t want a hug or a kiss, what do you want?”

Dallas moved closer and slipped off the jaguar’s head. His hair was all sweaty and he had the biggest grin on his face. He reached for the microphone. “Can I have that, please?”

The announcer gave it to him and stepped back while Dallas took over the show. “Hello, everyone. I’m Dallas Easton.” He skated around me and winked. “I’m sure a lot of you know this lovely woman as well.” The crowd cheered and he chuckled. “There’s a reason why I had her called down here tonight. Do you all want to know why?”

“Yes, yes, yes.” The words were chanted over and over.

He skated over to me and dropped the jaguar head and his gloves onto the ice. The announcer took the microphone and stood close. Taking my hands, Dallas brought them up to his lips and kissed each one, his blue gaze penetrating mine. “I love you, Callie Davis. You know that, right?”

“Of course,” I murmured. “You tell me every day.” More cheering ensued and I giggled.

Dallas smiled while the crowd hollered, but then it slowly faded to something more serious. He bent down on his knee and I gasped, along with everyone in the arena. “What are you doing?”

Reaching into the costume, he pulled out a black box and opened it. Inside was the most exquisite diamond ring I’d ever seen. “I’m asking you to marry me. I know we haven’t been together long, but I know what I want.” He took a deep breath, and for the first time ever, his hands shook nervously. “I want you to be my wife, angel. I’ve never met another woman who can keep up with me like you do. You’re all I need in this world and I don’t want to spend another moment in it without knowing you’ll be mine.”

Silence filled the arena and all I could hear was the sound of my rapid breaths and my heart pounding like crazy in my chest. I glanced around the arena and at us on the screens. “You sure do like to do this stuff on TV, don’t you?” I whispered teasingly.

He winked. “Can’t help it. I want everyone to see how much I love you.” Taking the ring out of the box, he held it up. “What’s your answer, angel?”

“Yes, yes, yes,” the people shouted.

Tears fell down my cheeks and I sucked in a breath. My hand trembled as I held it out. “Yes,” I cried. “I’ll be your wife.”

He slid the ring on my finger and captured me in his arms. The cheers were so loud around us, but all I could focus on was the man who had me in his arms. “Thank you,” he murmured in my ear.

“For what?”

“For making me the man I needed to be.”

He kissed me and I held him tight. “You did that on your own.”