Chapter 9

Blue

It’s totally odd that within a few weeks I’ve gone from completely disliking Erik Dalhbeck to now being sort of smitten with him. Our date last night was…magical.

Yes, that’s the only way to describe it.

I’ve tried to calculate in my head how much it must have cost him to rent out the restaurant but then the number gets so big and overwhelming, I just give up. We stayed there until almost midnight just talking. I had more wine but he abstained because he said he was transporting important cargo later. It made me sort of gooey, but then again…he’d had me softened up from the moment he said we were dating.

That he was my boyfriend.

And that he was calling an attorney on my behalf to help with my dad’s life insurance.

My head sort of spins as I consider just how much occurred at dinner last night. Gone was the man I thought I knew. The impetuous, sinfully sexy man that gave me the best sex of my life and wasn’t even abashed when he invited me into a foursome with him and two other women the next night when I was expecting a second date. In fact, I find it hard to even reconcile that Erik with the one I spent last night with just talking about everything under the sun.

He had plenty more questions about Billy which I happily answered. If Erik thinks we’re going to continue dating, then he’s accepted that Billy is an integral part of my life. That’s good because any man who wouldn’t accept that has no place beside me.

I learned a lot about Erik as well. He’s from Minnesota and is an only child. His parents divorced when he was young and his mom remarried fairly quickly. Erik didn’t get along with his stepdad who was quite the disciplinarian, and spent most of his time with his dad.

Erik sheepishly admitted his father—who is a very successful real estate attorney—was a huge playboy, even to this day. He dates women much younger than him and has never remarried.

“Apple didn’t fall far from the tree, huh?” I’d teased him last night when he’d told me that.

His laugh was easy but his eyes were serious when he said, “I figure my dad just hasn’t met the right woman yet.”

The implication was clear. Erik had it in his mind that perhaps I was his “right” woman, and yeah…that made me even a bit more smitten with him.

I’ve had to repeat to myself a dozen times since he dropped me off at my doorstep last night—with nothing but a soft, brief kiss to my cheek—that I can’t get caught up in the fame and notoriety that comes with a professional hockey player. It’s the lifestyle I once craved and did very shameful things to have years ago, and I have to remind myself that it’s not what I want anymore.

So I’m resolved that while I very much would like to keep seeing Erik, it’s not something that can get very serious. I don’t think Erik has it in him for the long haul, and I have to stay focused on myself and Billy.

I tell myself that one more time as I look at myself in the mirror.

When Erik said he wanted another date with me, I wasn’t expecting him to insist it be tonight. It was Halloween and Legend was having a costume party at his house.

I had no reason to say no. I spent the day with Billy and didn’t have any plans for tonight other than to hand out candy to anyone who’d dare let their kids out at night in my neighborhood.

Smoothing my hands down my costume, I turn left and right, checking out my silhouette in the mirror. When Erik asked if I had a costume, I told him I was covered. I love Halloween and actually have several I’d worn over the years, particularly to some of the huge parties and clubs I’d been to in LA on the spooky holiday. But this was my favorite, not only because it was sexy, but because it made me feel strong and invincible.

The knock at my door startles me and my heart starts racing. I wonder what Erik will think when he sees me. He was ever the gentleman last night and I wonder if that will hold true tonight. Part of me doesn’t want him to be, because even if he doesn’t, I remember all too clearly just how amazing that one night with him was.

But the reasonable part of me—the one that’s telling me not to get too caught up in all of this—wants him to maintain some distance so I can ease into this. I wasn’t looking for anything and even though it’s true that Erik and I are different people than we were five years ago, I also know he’s been a partying playboy for a lot of years. It’s an easy lifestyle, I’m sure.

Way easier than dating a woman who helps to care for her disabled younger brother.

I walk to the front door, wobbling only slightly on the platform, spike-heeled boots. I’ll steady up once I can walk around a bit but it’s been a long time since I’ve worn heels this high.

When I open the door, I forget all about wondering what Erik will think of my costume and instead just get lost in the magnificence before me.

He’s a pirate.

An enormous, sexy and garishly dressed pirate. He’s totally turned into Johnny Depp in Pirates of the Caribbean. Red scarf around the top of his head, holding in place what looks to be a really authentic wig that’s a combo of dreadlocks, beads, and braids. Billowy white shirt, gray vest, and white sash around his waist. Well fitted black pants and pirate boots. Someone must have helped him with the accessories as his eyes are perfectly lined with thick kohl just like Jack Sparrow’s in the movies. He even shaved leaving only a mustache and chin goatee.

“Wow,” I say appreciatively as I take him in. “That costume is amazing.”

He doesn’t reply but merely lets his eyes roam all over me. I put one hand on my hip and cock it just so. “Do you like?”

Erik sticks his index finger out and makes a twirling motion indicating he wants me to turn around. I do so he can take in my Catwoman costume. It’s made of shiny black, stretchy-like vinyl complete with white haphazard stitching at the seams. It fits me like a second skin and the only way I was able to get into it by myself was that it has a zipper up the back with a tassel on it that gives me the ability to close it up. It comes with a mask that conforms perfectly to my face, arching just along my cheekbones and keeping my chin and mouth bare. I did my eyes up in dark eyeliner and painted the deepest red stain on my lips.

When I spin back around to face Erik, he’s grinning at me lecherously. “I know it would be totally inappropriate to suggest we skip the party and let me see just how difficult it would be to get you out of that thing, so I’m not going to do it.”

“Good thing,” I sniff at him with faux primness. “We’re only dating, not sleeping together.”

“This is true,” he admits and I’m both charmed that he backed off that easy and a little disappointed. I’m sure it wouldn’t be hard at all for Erik to convince me to skip the party, but I’m very taken with how easily he put that aside. I’m not foolish enough to believe that sex isn’t important to Erik. Hell, it’s important to me too.

But it doesn’t seem to be his driving focus with me, and that’s just…refreshing and I want to enjoy it.

On the way over to Legend’s house, Erik asks me about my day with Billy. I tell him we carved pumpkins, made fall cookies and did trick or treating around the nurses’ stations.

He asks me something that strikes me deep in the heart. “Does Billy know what hockey is?”

“Sure,” I tell him. “My dad was a big sports nut and they would watch stuff together. I can’t say that he’s watched it a lot or even lately, but he knows I work for a pro hockey team.”

“Would he like coming to a game?”

I turn my head to look at him, my mouth parted slightly in surprise. “Yes, but it would be an undertaking. Transportation and his motorized chair.”

“Not a problem,” he says with an easy wave of his hand. “That’s all easy stuff to plan. We have an afternoon game Saturday after next. If you’re up for it, I’ll arrange to get him to the game and maybe we could do something together after that he’d enjoy.”

I just stare at Erik, looking like a devilish pirate but sounding like the most amazing boyfriend ever created. “Are you serious?”

He twists his neck to look at me just briefly before giving his attention back to the road with a smile on his face. “Yes, I’m serious, Blue. You can assume anything I say to you or offer to you or ask of you is serious.”

I’m speechless so I just stare at him.

Erik changes the subject and asks me where I got my Catwoman costume.

When we pull up to Legend’s house, I’m surprised by how many people are here. The street is lined with cars and Erik stops at the end of his driveway. “You get out here and wait for me while I go find a place to park.”

I gladly take him up on his offer since I want to keep walking in these heels to a minimum tonight. When he pulls away, I look at Legend’s house. He lives in a very upscale neighborhood but his house isn’t as ostentatious as I expected. It’s big, no doubt. The blinds and curtains are open on the bottom floor so you can see into the house. Dozens and dozens of people mill about, all in costume. I can hear music coming from inside and even laughter. Erik told me that Legend has been doing a lot of remodeling on his own to the house and that he’s helped him with some projects.

I take in the house to Legend’s left, noting the similarity. Then I turn to the one on the right, and my lips curl upward. It’s the same stucco and stone design that one often sees in the southwest. It’s got the crisply manicured and landscaped yard, same as Legend’s but it’s totally out of place by all of the yard ornaments about. Every nook and cranny of the flower beds and walkways are stuffed with statues, gnomes, bronzed spinners, flags, and colorful pottery.

The porch has baskets with vibrant flowers hanging from them, and there’s a giant ceramic gecko on the front door You can tell whoever lives there is a whimsical person.

Erik’s hand at my lower back startles me for a moment as he appears at my side. “Ready?”

“Sure,” I say brightly, excited for the party.

I wasn’t always a social creature. In high school I developed late. I was tall and gangly with a lean, flat swimmer’s body. I had acne, knobby knees, and braces for most of those years. I wasn’t part of the popular crowd and wasn’t even part of the not-popular crowd. I sort of had casual, loose friendships with lots of people, not really being close to anyone.

However, I developed toward the end of my senior year and miraculously sprouted big boobs and my face cleared up. My curves popped out, my braces came off, and I had a lovely smile that I wasn’t afraid to show off. It didn’t increase my popularity with the “it” girls; if anything, it seemed to make them jealous because now boys seemed interested in me.

My transformation and the resulting confidence I got had much to do with me deciding to move to LA rather than attend college and I used every opportunity to be in the social limelight while I was there. I love gatherings because I love people. I like to learn about others, celebrate those things we have in common, and appreciate differences. I’m not going to lie and say I didn’t like the attention when I was younger. I got a lot of it too and I traded on my looks and sex appeal for a long time while I lived on the West Coast.

That was a different me, but the part that’s still the same is the one that loves to socialize. It also doesn’t hurt that I have a very gorgeous pirate on my arm tonight.

Erik leads me into Legend’s house, his hand going from my lower back to holding onto mine tightly so we stay together as we wind our way through the crowd. We pause here and there to say hello, give hugs or back slaps. None of the players seem surprised to see me and Erik together and I wonder if that’s because he’s told them we’re seeing each other or because we had been hanging out as friends on the last road trip, so it’s not out of the ordinary.

We find Legend in the kitchen and Erik gives him some sort of sideways bro handshake. Legend isn’t wearing a costume which I find amusing since this is his Halloween party. However, he’s got his arm causally draped over a beautiful woman dressed up in a borderline sleazy vampire costume with a tight corset that barely covers her nipples.

I wonder briefly if he had invited Valerie as his date and she said no, or if he didn’t invite Valerie as his date and is exercising his right to play the field. I doubt Valerie would be offended, because she’s a playgirl herself.

Legend looks to me after he and Erik break the handshake. His eyes travel the length of my body and there’s no hiding the appreciation in his tone. “Damn, Blue. You put the real Catwoman to shame.”

“That would be the Halle Berry version,” Erik adds on. “Who was way hotter than Michelle Pfeiffer and Blue pretty much outshines them both.”

“Absofuckinglutely,” Legend says with a fist bump to Erik.

Legend’s date wrinkles her nose slightly but says, “Yeah…it’s a cute outfit.”

“Oh, Blue…this is Waverly,” Legend says by way of introduction. “Waverly…this is Erik’s girlfriend, Blue Gardner.”

I nod at her with a smile but the one I get back is disinterested. She snuggles closer into Legend with her hand at his stomach, but he continues to look at me. “How’s Billy doing?”

“He’s awesome. I spent the day with him doing some fun Halloween stuff.”

“He’s going to come to the home game against Detroit Saturday after next,” Erik tells Legend and that warms me all over again. That Erik wants to do something like that and he sounds excited by the prospect.

I guess that’s why I slide my arm around his waist and give him a little squeeze because of how good it makes me feel over the interest he takes in Billy, when he hardly knows Billy and me at all.

Erik makes us some drinks at Legend’s splendidly stocked wet bar in the living room. We munch on yummy finger foods that Legend clearly had catered and I chat with a lot of the players. It’s nice to finally be able to meet some of the wives and significant others that don’t travel with the team. While I didn’t get any weird looks from the players because Erik and I are together, I do get some second glances from wives and girlfriends. Not that they haven’t seen Erik with a woman before, because I’m sure they have. Rather, they seem intrigued by how attentive he is to me. He is always touching me, but in a very respectful way as we mingle with others. Sometimes his arm is around my shoulder, other times it might sit at my waist. He’d also just hold my hand, and at one point we sat on the couch to talk to another couple and he perched me on the edge of his knee. It was like we were a solid couple, despite the fact this was only our second date, and just a few weeks prior I had nothing but scathing remarks for Erik that I never held back for others on the plane to see.

About an hour into the party, Erik takes my hand and says, “Let’s get some fresh air.”

It is getting stuffy in Legend’s house because it’s packed with people and I am dressed head to toe in vinyl. He leads me out to the front porch and pulls the door behind him. I see a swing on one end and think we might go sit there, but instead, I’m totally stunned when he pulls me into his arms. He doesn’t even give me a chance to understand what is going on before he presses his mouth to mine for a very soft kiss.

Our first kiss and I wasn’t even prepared for it.

Well, not our first kiss, but this is the one that actually counts.

My hands automatically rise with the intent to go around his shoulders, but he’s already pulling away from me. He gives me a sheepish smile and says, “Sorry. I just couldn’t wait another fucking minute to kiss you.”

“Really?” I ask in a dreamy sort of voice, my head still swimming from the touch of his lips to mine.

Erik chuckles and releases his hold on me. “Really. I’ll give you a better one when I take you home tonight.”

My belly flutters over the thought and my chest squeezes over how silly and romantic Erik is being, and I don’t even think he’s really trying to be. It seems natural to him and I realize I have seriously misjudged the man when it comes to his intentions.

Something catches Erik’s attention over my shoulder and I turn toward where he’s focused, at the neighbor’s house to Legend’s right. We watch as a woman—presumably his neighbor—carries an armful of pink plastic flamingos to the end of her yard that borders Legend’s. The landscape lighting in the yard illuminates the area enough that I can see a wicked smile on her face as she proceeds to start planting the flamingos in the lawn, following the line of Legend’s driveway out to the street. It looks to me like they are still on her property but they’re so gaudy they’d be an eyesore planted a half a mile away.

“What in the hell?” Erik mutters as we watch her.

She’s a pretty woman. Short and petite with her dark hair in a pixie cut, giving her an Audrey Hepburn, Breakfast at Tiffany’s sort of vibe. She’s wearing black yoga pants and an off-the-shoulder gray T-shirt. She moves gracefully even though she’s wearing flip-flops.

After she plops in the last flamingo, she turns to admire her work and that’s when she sees us on the front porch. She lifts an index finger to her lips with a sly smile, giving us the universal sign not to say anything.

She then pivots and trots back up to her porch where she disappears inside her house.

“Are you going to tell Legend?” I ask Erik as we stare at the bright flamingos.

Erik laughs. “No need to. He’ll know who did it. He’s had a running feud with his neighbor since he moved in.”

“She’s really pretty,” I observe.

“Yup,” he agrees. “It will be interesting to see how this plays out.”

“Yup. Very interesting.”