She shifted in her seat, “I’ll pass.” 

“Oh come on now honey,” her skin crawled at the use of another pet name. “I’ll make it worth the while.” A female figure joined between the two. 

“Are you hitting on my man?” A disgusted look pulling across her features. 

“No.” 

“Sweetheart,” the passive aggressive drip too thick to ignore. “I could see you flirting with him. He’s taken, back off.” 

“No, I wasn’t. Maybe you need to remind him.” 

“Maybe you need to not wear such a suggestive outfit, that skirt isn’t meant for you.” She got up and pushed past the couple. The man shooting her another suggestive look over his lady’s shoulder. 

Reaching outside, hailing a cab as she dialed his contact. Holding in the sob as she waited for him to pick up. “Vin,” her sob racked her body. 

“Doors unlocked. Breathe.” The night which should have been fun with a few friends from work, soured from a lousy comment from a bitch. 

Her hand hadn’t even hit the door before it was yanked open, her collapsing into his arms. “Honey, you’re safe. Whatever it was, it’s in the past. Breathe.” The anxiety eating her alive. His fingers tangled into her hair, holding her close, trying to get her regulated. 

It wasn’t the first time he used that nickname for her, in fact she loved him using it with her. He was the only one she’d ever allow to use it. Everyone else who tried to made her skin crawl. 

The first time he used it towards her it was the following night after a long travel day. He called her to let her know that he was safely back in his hotel room, and she confessed to him that the sleazy guy she went on a date with had called her minutes prior. Asking her what she was wearing, and just kept repeating it and other uncomfortable questions. She realized that jerk was too high to even remember he called her in the morning, looking for a one night stand. 

She twisted that diamond around her finger, her eyes not meeting his. Even when she was too far locked into her own mind, his heart swelled watching her use it as a calming technique. He tentatively asked, “Do you wanna talk about it?” He knew her anxiety would slowly subside and she’d open up when she was ready. 

She let out a shaky breath, “It’s just a lot. The clients at work, your work trips, the planning. I edit the lists, the timelines, make all the calls.” Her best friend, Alicia, and herself ran a wedding planning company, built from the ground up. “It’s not easy to plan all these others weddings, while planning ours, Vin.” 

His aquamarine eyes watching her closely. She wore both the planner and bride hats, but had handed off wedding planner duties to a close friend as Alicia would be maid of honor for the actual day. “Hey listen honey,” her eyes met his. “You’re my forever night stand.” 

His favorite sound broke out through his living room, as her body shook with laughter. “Honey, I’m being serious. All the weather, all the anxiety, whatever life throws at us…you’re it for me, honey.” The warmth crawled up her face, tinging her cheeks a bright pink. 

He pulled her into his own. “You’re the only one who can call me that,” she whispered. 

“I better be!” He laughed, poking at her sides. “That diamond there gives me the rights forever,” he stuck his tongue out at her. She mimicked the facial. “I love you, Mrs. ‘Honey’ Dunn.” He said, refusing to use her actual name. He’d say it that way ever since they got engaged. 

It all started a couple years prior, their friendship. After the Seattle Kraken acquired him, he had been dragged out to one of the local pubs for dinner and drinks. She had been sat across the room from him, hidden in her corner, a pile of papers next to her laptop. He didn’t expect it, but he decided he was in a good mood and to pay it forward in kindness that night (that Irish car bomb he took might have helped with that), by paying her tab. She smiled, cheersing him as he left. 

Weeks later he was standing in line behind a petite lady, waiting for his coffee, when the barista informed him that his order was taken care of. He just knew it was the one before him to do so, so he caught her before she left. Staring back at him was the same girl from the pub. 

That’s how their friendship started, kept running into each other and “paying it forward.” After a few more times, the two finally switched information. Once that happened, the two would just give a location for the other to pick up a coffee or food. 

He knew for months that he was falling in love with her. Tricky part was whenever one was single, the other was in a relationship. He had just ended it with sweet Grace. She encouraged him to go tell her, but that’s when a guy a few years older than him answered her door. “Uh..I’ll just catch her later,” he chirped, turning back to his car before anything else happened. Her love life was a rollercoaster, bad dates left and right, and worse guys to choose from. But he didn’t have much of a say either, as his mirrored hers. 

Like the one time she came to his place after a creep of a guy date happened. His heart broke every time she came crying into his arms, mascara staining his shirt. Curling up on his couch, occasionally in his bed, where he used to take the couch until one night she begged him to just lay there with her and both drifted to sleep as they admitted their secrets. All except the massive one.

That didn’t change anything, except the feelings he had for her became more. Which is why when she came to his door holding his favorite takeout, rocking back and forth on her feet, he knew something was up. The two could read each other like their favorite novel and know exactly the next part. “You look guilty of something,” he quipped. 

She wrung her hands and chewed on her lip. “So there’s this bit of miscommunication between me and my sister. She thinks that we’re together and her new husband surprised her with a trip out here for a week for our birthdays.” He made a nodding motion of continue. “But the miscommunication part is they want to do a double date.” She hid behind her hands. His heart started to pick up beats. 

“Did you tell them the truth?” He questioned. 

“Well I tried, but she just said she thought we were keeping it under wraps. You don’t have to do this…I can tell her the truth. It’ll be fine Vin.” She was rambling. 

“Loves. Loves. Breathe. I’ll be your fake boyfriend while she’s here.” Wide starring eyes watched him. How he smiled then yanked on her wrist to pull her into him. How she melted into him as he stroked her hair and how her small hands worked on the little knots in his back. 

Time drew closer to that double date. Her nerves didn’t go unnoticed by him, even if it was over the phone. “I should have just told her the truth. This timing is odd and I’m making you come to dinner right after that road trip.” 

“Honey, breathe. Go take a sip of water,” he said, knowing she probably hasn’t drank anything. “Don’t end up as a parched house plant.” She laughed at their inside joke, and he knew he was right. 

Vince had been on a five day road trip and would have to join them at the restaurant. She spotted him as soon as he walked into the area where their table was located. He wore his suit from last night’s game to the dinner as he had no time from the airport to dinner. He greeted her with a kiss on the temple, then turned to introduce himself to the couple across the table. 

Dinner flowed easily, where the two couples planned for dinner and a movie at Vince’s apartment. “Oh Vince I wish you’d be able to join us on our lavender trip tomorrow. I kinda feel bad for dragging my sister along while you’re at the rink.” 

“No, don’t be. I’ll see you three for dinner.” 

The trio returned to Vince’s apartment, entering upon the scene of him pouring glasses of margaritas for each of them. Evening turned into late night, and neither couple was very energetic to the idea of retiring to their own bed. “Just crash here,” she suggested to the out of town couple. “There’s plenty of space, and the couch is quite comfy. No reason to drive or even try for an Uber at this time of night.” 

He gently pulled at her arm to lead her to the bedroom. “I can sleep in the oversized chair out in the living room.” 

He protested. “No way, we’ve shared the bed plenty of times. Nothing else to it. Besides who else do you want by your side annoying you first thing on your birthday?” Her birthday being the following day. 

“Vinny,” she softly whined. He just scooped her into his arms, tossing her onto the king size bed, sending the bedding bouncing around her. He striped of his shirt, down to his boxers while she slipped her “borrowed” shirt of his over her frame. 

Morning sunlight split through his almost (because of the split) blackout curtains, which was directly hitting her face. She tried to roll over but realized she was weighted down by Vince’s arm across her waist. After minutes of shifting and trying to push said weight off of her, he pulled her closer to him in his sleep. “Lay still,” he grumbled into her hair. She huffed. “Happy Birthday Princess,” he whispered in her ear, sending shivers down her spine. The cheesy nickname that only came out occasionally. 

“Move your arm, you suck at pulling the curtains shut,” she huffed out. He grumbled at her but shifted enough so she could turn to face the curly haired man. 

“Better?” She nodded. The day continued on. Her sister and brother-in-law had left the apartment to explore more, and Vince had the day off. 

It wasn’t until the two went out for birthday dinner to her favorite place for tacos where he actually tried to tell her. He had thought to do it so many times during the day…like over their morning pancakes and coffee as their birthday traditions required…or when he took her to her favorite shop. Her birthday he had unlimited uninterrupted chances to tell her due to neither using their phones. 

He snapped a picture of her at the restaurant and again when they got back to his place to see a large, beautiful arrangement of flowers on the counter as she sniffed them. A soft, sweet expression on her face as she looked for him. “Vinny, you really know how to treat a lady to her birthday.” 

“All the best for you.” His heart was pounding in his ears. He stepped closer to reach in for the hug she was awaiting. Wrapped in the hug, his chin resting atop her head he whispered it out. “I love you.” 

“Did you say something?” 

He repeated, this time a bit louder. “I love you too Vin.” 

“Nooo…” he groaned out. She shifted out from under him, still being held in his arms. Her face puzzled. “I mean I love you. I realized that time when we made Christmas cookies for the first time. I was afraid I’d scare you off with that so I stuck to being friends. I have and will always love you. I understand if you only see me as a friend though.” 

Her mind raced, trying to process his proclamation as quick as she could. “It’s always been you, V.” His hands moved from around her to her face, pulling her in for a gentle kiss. “I dated others because I was afraid that I’d ruin this if I told you. It was that away game where I’d blown your phone up with messages because you disappearing off the ice and not returning for a bit scared me. I needed to know you were okay, and when you called me before anyone else I knew. And again when you didn’t hesitate to help me with this week’s ordeal…it just reminded me of how it’s always been you.” 

“You’re always my first and last thought of every day.” He pulled her in for another kiss. 

“Can I say one person for all three?” The group laughed. 

Everyone slowly made their way out of the house, both hyperaware of how the other person’s body felt against their’s as the two walked down the sidewalk. His hand gently pushing her’s away so he could get her door for her, ‘so sweet’ her mind screamed. Before she could fully process what was happening, he had pulled her from her passenger seat into the backseat. Heated kisses exchanged alluding to more. No one has ever had her like he had. 

Another night brought the friend group made nearly of his friends back to the feeling of teenagers with truth or dare which lead into spinning bottles. She was his bookworm, deep into anything she could get her hands onto, including Greek philosopher Aristotle. He was her athlete, knowing how to defend the ice like no one else, even if it landed him in the penalty box more than he’d like to admit. 

*time flash*

Droplets rhythmically descending onto the floor to ceiling windows of his apartment. Hunkered over his controller while she camped out on the couch. Within a moments change she was leaning over his back, peppering kisses over his neck and shoulders. His hand mindlessly pulling her in closer, trying to wrap his arm around her waist to bring her into his lap. 

“Mmm hi baby,” he whispered, the controller locking her into her newfound spot. Her peppering kisses returning. “Careful now.” She blushed with feigned innocence. The sounds of Grand Theft Auto reverberating in the living room. 

“Vinny, touch me,” she huffed, planting more kisses to his neck. That was all he needed to forget about the current distraction, refocusing on her. 

Heckled by teammates, “Dunner! You left us hanging last night! Wanna share why?” A light blush creeping to his high bone features. He scratched the back of his neck, chewing the inside of his cheek, debating on whether he share or not. 

“Sorry man, but the missus needed some attention,” he explained accompanied by a wink. Laughter at his expense. 

Dizzying effects of his post game win hug-spin around bombarded her system. “God the way I love you makes us feel so high school,” he breathed into her extremely identifiable scented hair. 

She laughed, “High school eh? Must be some crazy love then.” 

“Yeah you drive me crazy. Even being in basically a brand new relationship, full throttle it. At the end of every day, it’s you that I want.” 

“They only let me in because you had me listed on your paperwork as your wife. Though I had to convince them, due to us not having the same last name.” 

He put his hands up in a half-hearted attempt, “I’m trying to manifest the things I want by speaking them into the universe.” 

“And you want a wife?” A faked pointed look shot to him. 

“Only if it’s you.” A cocky grin spreading to show his pearly whites. 

“I think your meds are too strong. You, mister, are lucky. I was able to convince them we hadn’t agreed to us taking each other’s names yet and that we were waiting for my passport to be renewed before anything else.” 

He chuckles, “So you’re going along with this wifey?” Her heart racing hearing him jokingly call her that name she desperately wants him to actually mean. 

“Only because I wanted to be here,” she stuck out her tongue, settling next to his bedside. 

Hours must have passed before the next person visited. “Mr. Colton…” stated a middle aged nurse.

“Shhh…please. She is trying to sleep,” he motioned to her curled up in the corner of the hospital room couch. “Kept her up all night worried with the injury as she had to fly in before learning anything further.” 

“So sorry, Mr. Colton. I was trying to inform you that visiting hours are soon to be over.” 

“She’s my wife. She can stay.” 

“My bad sir.” The nurse ducked out of the doorway. She stirred soon after. Blinking around, searching to understand her surroundings. 

“Tony is on his way here with real food for you. You need to eat. I’m pretty sure you last ate that snack size bag of Cheez-Its before the airplane ride.” He said. She squinty-eyed him. “You know I’m right.” 

“You need to eat too, R,” she huffed. 

“Already ate. Hospital food. Not half bad,” he shrugged, motioning to the bed tray with the past dinner plate. 

“I can go down to the cafe and get something before they close for the night,” she started to protest. He shook his head. 

“Too late sweets. He’s on his way. Meantime I’ve been channel surfing and I found a Jurassic Park movie marathon.” 

Thanks to Tony coming in with true food for her before retreating back to the team’s hotel, she was left with him again. “Come here sweetheart,” he motioned to the slightly larger than a twin bed. 

“R…” she started to protest. 

“Nuh uh honey. Join me, I need you here to make sure no dinosaurs come to eat me.” She rolled her eyes. 

“You’re a dork.” 

“Yeah, yeah, but I’m your dork. Now get over here.” She gingerly climbed into the bed as best as she could to avoid bumping into his shoulder. 

Before the team jetted off to the next city for the next game in the road series, a few stopped by to check in. She had slipped out to grab a cup of coffee while the men all talked briefly. “Soooo Tony spilled the beans that you told the docs she’s your wife…” Patty joked. 

“Well I knew she would just be too anxious to sit in the hotel room with one of you guys. No offense,” he replied back.

“You must really love her to go that far to lie about her to a hospital,” Brayden chimed in. 

“And to have us use your card to buy her that emergency flight,” Steven commented. “Ross you have to just tell her the way you feel. Sandra tells me that the way she looks at you is the same way that all of our ladies look at us, but that there is that look of longing written deep in her expression. Hate to break it to you now, but do something about it. Seriously.” No one knew that she had returned from her coffee adventure to over hear the conversation. 

Steven was right. All the guys were. Sandra was, and she knew exactly her feelings towards the New Jersey native as it was a family common topic of discussion in the family box. “I want to give her the entire universe. I wasn’t really lying about the whole wife part, more just trying to actually speak what I want into existence with her. I know Tony knows this since he was there to help me pick it out, but I have the ring for her.” A ring?! So he had that planned out already. 

She burst into the already cramped hospital room, carefully flinging herself into the body of the man she loved so much. A couple of the guys chuckled at the scene in front of them. “I love you so much, R.” 

“So I am guessing you heard the conversation,” his laugh reverberating through her. 

“Every word.”

“Well fuck this wasn’t really the way I had thought it would happen,” he glanced around the room at the guys. “I don’t even have it with me. Didn’t expect to have you here with me, even if it is due to the unfortunate circumstance.” 

“I don’t care if you physically have it. You have known that items aren’t important to me.” Her eyes getting all teary.

“Sweetheart, it’s important as it’s my promise to you. You deserve to have a ring. It’s been in my nightstand drawer for months.” That was true. He bought the ring almost a year ago. She had left for a weekend to visit her family, which meant he was able to go pick out the right ring for her. He had been speaking with a local jeweler for a handful of weeks, and the designed ring finally came in. 

The team left, and the couple (well Ross) was discharged from the hospital. The flight back to Tampa was uneventful, except for the company of one of the trainers to make sure there were no unforeseen complications to the injured offensive. When the two arrived home, he pulled the velvet box from that back part of his nightstand. Her tears springing to blur her vision. “Again, not how I had imagined or planned to do this for you,” he started. 

She shook her head, a silent laugh shaking her body. “My love, you have been the best part of my life,” he continued on. “The nonstop love you have for everyone around you. How much you pour yourself into your life. I could not even imagine life without you in it. When you came into my life, the sunshine brightened the world even further. I saw it from a different outlook that only you could show me.” He watched her closely as he momentarily struggled with the small box. 

Pulling it open, revealing the large custom ring to her. “Will you do me the honor of continuing that life, and be my wife?” He asked her. 

The day had been a long one of keeping up with the rambunctious toddler. Of course she wouldn’t exchange it for the world. Between the two parents, she agreed to be the stay at home mom while he provided for them.

It was a last minute decision to be down there at the arena, let alone up against the glass. She wasn’t sure how her girlfriend managed to get the tickets, pretty sure she had them, but the other guests bailed on her. 

“Linds, I can’t come! I’ve got no one to watch Salem tonight.” 

“Sage, just bring her! I have enough tickets for all of us. She can sit between us. Besides I bet she would love to see her Daddy play!” Salem had just recently turned two-and-a-half, and had only seen her Daddy play on tv and during the open practices.

“Sails you wanna go watch Daddy play?” She giggled and clapped. 

“Daddy?” The toddler questioned her mama.

“Yeah, baby. Daddy is at work. Want to go see him?” She nodded, and clapped more. “Okay, fine Linds we will see you there! Text me the tickets!” 

“Yay! I promise you’ll have fun!” 

With the heavy amount of traffic, both automobiles and pedestrians, it took a little longer to get past security than originally planned. Which meant warm ups were just wrapping up when the pair met up with the friend. “Hi ya Salem!” Salem laughed and waved hi back to her Aunt Linds. “You just missed him, but he will be back out soon.” 

The two women chatted as Salem watched the lights and people all around her. He wasn’t a starting player for the game, so she observed him on the bench. He was so sucked into the game, not knowing she was there, so close. 

First intermission came in a flash. He had a few shifts during that first period, and she could see how as the game progressed he became more comfortable. Before anyone knew it, second period was under way. Now they would be scoring on the goal the three sat behind. Sage cradled Salem on her hip as she wasn’t tall enough to see over the boards the action of the game. 

Her wedding ring glittering off the arena’s obnoxiously bright lights, casting tiny rainbows across the floor, as she held onto her daughter. Her daughter’s wide cerulean blue eyes captivated by the speed of the men whizzing around the large frozen sheet.  “Daddy! Daddy!” The young girl cheered as she caught her first glimpse of him, her long dark curls bouncing as she squirmed around.

He was back across the ice, then back in front of her again. His next shift he lead the puck, finding the back of the net past the Avalanche’s Georgiev. As he comes around the back of the net in a celly, he sees both, and cannot take his eyes off of them. 

His teammates flock around him, and he almost gets his ass slammed down to the ice because he gets run into. His only savior being Yanni Gourde and Adam Larson catching him. Even then he cannot seem to break the little trace he’s in. “If you’re watching this round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, you may have just witnessed Vince Dunn almost get taken out by teammates because something outside the rink, in the crowd is distracting him,” an announcer calls. 

No doubt that would be the hockey meme of the night, and for the weeks to follow. The Kraken social team was quick to use the gif made from it to post about taking the lead. 

@seattlekraken: “us when we realize we have the lead currently” 

Salem squeals again in excitement as she sees him smiling at her. She can hear the clicks of cameras sounding off around her as he smiles at them. Sage’s jersey proudly representing her last name of Dunn, and Salem’s with Daddy across the back and Vince’s number. He blows Salem a kiss and a sticking tongue out face, causing the previous reaction to repeat, before skating off. 

After winning the game, which gave the Kraken the lead in the series, the biggest question was asked during the interview, “what was that almost landing on your ass about?”

“Well, I-uh…I honestly didn’t expect to see my wife and our daughter standing there right behind the glass,” he smiled. “It definitely caught me off guard, in a good - I mean great way.” 

“So that was your daughter?” A report repeated. 

“Yes, my wife and daughter were here tonight. Now if you don’t mind, I would love to go see them, so please one final question.” He bounded off, in search of his favorite people. Adam had her outside the locker room, chatting and occasionally bouncing Sails up and down. 

“Daaadddyyy!” She screamed when she spotted him, taking off from everyone else. 

“Hey my little pumpkin!” He grabbed her kissing her cheek. “I see you came to Daddy’s work!” She nodded vigorously. 

“Come on you three, take a family picture!” Linds cheered, pushing Sage into her family. A few photos snapped of the little family.  “Glad you were able to not cause too much chaos tonight,” Sage teased Vince. “Even if you’re still leading in PIMs this season.” He jokingly goes to nip the tip of her nose in retaliation and Salem pushes his face. “Bad daddy. No bites!”

*New Instagram Post - posted photo series of Sage and Vince with Salem’s face not shown, back of her jersey is though* 

@vincedunn: “you could say I had my lucky charms in the building tonight”

Comment reply: @sagedunn: “yeah we know you mean @adamlarson 🙄” 

Reply: @vincedunn : “if I meant him then why are you sporting my last name on that jersey then? 😜😘” 

Ross Colton:

It was a balmy day, that pre-afternoon thunderstorm humidity creating a thick wall outside of any area that could potentially hold air conditioning.

The season ended for the Bolts, but the battle for Lord Stanley continued for other teams. Bogo invited the team over to watch it while having a BBQ. He had asked that a side dish, snacks, or dessert was brought along, which prompted the rushed trip into the local grocery store.

Ross's frame hid her smaller frame as the two decided what to bring to the barbecue. The case of beer held by his side, the other arm wound around her waist. "How about we just bring some hummus and pretzels? We could also bring a box of cookies because we both know the kids would love us forever," he suggested, grabbing the bag of tiny pretzels. She nodded along, starting to walk over to where the cookies were in the bakery.

With their quest for snacks completed, the couple head to check out. She chirped about him not grabbing her some drinks, because 'beer is awful.' He chuckled, went to grab her a case of her own drinks, and return to the long line. That's when a young fan popped up behind them.

"I am so sorry! He just saw you from down the aisle. He's a big fan of yours," the frazzled mom spills.

Sharing a look, Ross turns to the boy. "Nice to meet you...."

"Jason!" A toothy, energetic reply comes. "As mom said, I am a huge fan. I watch everything I can! Can we get a picture, please?"

"Well that's very nice of you, buddy. Absolutely so," he says to him. "Hey hun, do you need my card?" he asks, turning to you.

"No, I've got it," she explained. He turned back to Jason, his mom ready to snap the picture. The two boys pose, large smiles on both faces.

"Who's that?" Jason questioned, peering over towards her.

"That little dude is my girlfriend."

Jason's jaw drops. "She's super pretty!" Hearing Ross chuckle, you turn and give the boy a soft smile and a little wink. "Lucky her! Can she be in the picture too?"

"Nah, I am the lucky one! Only if she wants to be." A set of pleading eyes convinces her to join the picture. The two leave to continue their shopping, and to let the couple get to where they needed to go.

Later that day Ross found the picture of the three, along with the caption, 'Thank you Ross for stopping and taking the time to say hi and to both of you for taking a picture with the little man.'

___________________________________________

Brandon Hagel:

A day spent accidentally burning in the sun, playing tag and soccer, crashing in the waves led to catching a bite to eat at one of the various beach restaurant locations. The Key West styled and painted building invited the couple up to the roof top bar.

Amidst the semi-impromptu sunset dinner date, she notices a girl, who she couldn't decide if was closer to the teens or early twenties, glancing over at their table. He also clocks her on his radar, but continues to focus on his lovely company. "Honey, you're going to need to apply aloe!"

She groans, "Ugh! I swear I had enough sunscreen on, but I can feel that post sunburn feeling already starting to take affect."

He throws a few ice cubes from the bottom of his water glass at her, laughing then starting to hiss like when water hits a burning hot pan. She makes a face at him, sending a glare towards him, as he continues to laugh. "My poor poor little crispy tater tot. We can stop on the way home to make sure we stock up on the sunscreen and aloe," he promises.

The two continue their meal, making the occasional chirps at each other. "Finish watching the sunset, to the store for the promised relief, then home for a shower," she compromises with him. He downs the remainder of his third water cup, reaching to grab the half drank beer. Again he clocks the other girl. Their table had just been cleared from the food baskets, which is when she decides to take her chance.

"You're Brandon Hagel," she states looking at him after approaching the picnic table.

He swallows his drink, "That I am. Can I help you?"

"I think I can help you. I cannot keep my eyes off of you. Can maybe I get your number?" She asks, a small pout to her lips, while she twirls a strand of hair.

"I don't have an issue taking a picture with you, but as you can see I'm here with my girlfriend," he motions toward her. The fan turns toward said girlfriend, eyeing her up and down. "You didn't even acknowledge that she's here. So please be kind to us.”

After she stalks away, he turns to you. “So tots - you ready for that promise relief?” A set of pleading eyes sends the couple off to retrieve the items and take a much needed indoor break.

————————————————————————

Brayden Point:

Her coworkers and begged for a drink after the long day. She agreed, but texted him to join them at the local restaurant. This really would be the first time he meets the entire work family. When he arrives, she disappears to retrieve him. “Team this Brayden. Brayden these are the lovely ladies who help me survive the day.”

“Nice to meet everyone,” he nods.

It takes a bit before Janet, the work team grandma, puts two and two together. The dots connect for her. Brayden had just excused himself for a moment. “Wait wait wait tots! You’re telling me that your boyfriend is Bolts player Brayden Point?! How am I just putting this together?”

She laughs, “Jan, we don’t really put this out on display for everyone. Neither of us want to draw attention to our private life.”

“Right there sweetheart. Never really gets questioned too much honestly. I think poor Bea gets confused as a fan or a friend of one of the other guy’s girl’s more than anything else,” he chuckles sitting down, arm draped around her shoulder.

“I can’t believe you never said anything!” Janet continues. “You’re dating basically a local celebrity!”

It wasn’t a purposeful keeping the marriage unknown. All records are open to the public. She had her last name changed as well. Neither her nor Vince just announced the marriage. It was only three weeks since eloping. A beautiful day, some stunning scenery out in Toronto. Just the two of them, their photographer, and the officiant. The ring glittering under the arena lights. She was surprised she still showed up to the arena that night after the wicked nasty fight that occurred right before he was supposed to be at the arena for pregame. She had asked him about just continuing to keep their new status a little more private, but he said he was wanting to tell the guys on the team before playoffs started. They all knew her, but no one knew of the change in status for the couple. That was the reason they fought this afternoon.

She groaned, “Vince, did you even think about that this could take away the focus on the playoff games?”

He scoffed. “No, I figured it would let them know another reason why I am so determined to bring home the Stanley Cup.”

If she was being honest, she was more worried about him being spotted with his ring on and fans speculating. Most fans were so sweet to her, but she did get the rude remarks and glares. He had always told her it didn’t matter what they said because he was her’s, but she still struggled dealing with that while he was on the ice. “Think about it Vin! People catch you with the ring and they will want to know so much more about that than how the game goes!”

“It’s been a few weeks already and no one has caught on! I think we will be fine!”

“I’m not sure if I’m ready to let more people know about our marriage! Do you not respect that wish of mine?” Some of the girls had not been very kind in the past to her after Vince once slipped up about their relationship. Vile to her about how she loved him for his money. Vile with comments about how he liked to flirt with other girls and cheat on her.

“What do you mean? Of course I do! No one will catch the fact I wear a ring.” He looks at the clock. “I better go before I am late. Will I see you there?” He asks, looking at her. He can see the tears rimming her eyes, threatening to pour down her face. It doesn’t sit well with him that they just fought before the playoff game, darkening his already anxious mood.

Game time rolls around, and every little chance he has to berate the opposing team’s players, he does. Before long, he keeps landing himself in the penalty box, every chance he gets too. His mind clouded with how she looked before her left for the arena. How she looked a little cracked, how she seemed so small for herself. After this next round in the penalty box, she hears the announcers comment. “I don’t know what is up with Vince Dunn tonight, but for someone who’s loud through the regular season, he sure has it out tonight to be in that penalty box more than on the ice.”

“You’re right there. If I didn’t know better, I may say that coach will be looking to remove him for the playoff roster.” Her heart plummeted into her feet. Removing him from the playoff roster? He played such an intricate part of the core defense that removing him could be an awful outcome. She yanked her phone out, dialing that contact she’s never used before. “Who is this?” The man’s voice questioned across the line. She explained to him that she just needs to see Vince immediately. “I’m sorry but this isn’t a way to see him. You have a better chance at going to the games or one of their open practices.”

“I’m not a fan. I need to see Vince Dunn now. You have to get me down to the locker room before the start of the next period.”

He laughed. “Why would I get you in to see him?” “Because I’m his wife.” She identified herself to him.

Commotion happening across the phone line. “Meet me next to the shop. I’ll see you in three minutes.”

She followed the man down the back halls to get towards the locker room. The sound spilling out of the locker room could be heard down the hallway. His manager talking with the defense coach. Coach motioned some number at her, she could care less how much time, she just needed the time, then let her slip past into the room. A defeated Vince sat in his gear cubby, eyes casted towards the floor. “You’re going to burn a hole into the floor, mister,” she teased as she crouched down in from of him. The whispers could be heard of ‘why is she down here’ and a few ‘who is she’ sprinkled in.

She knelt between his knees, putting her hand on his cheek. “Vin…Vin…Vince…,” she cooed. He broke out of his trance. “Breathe babe. It will be okay. You know fights happen, but do not get your ass kicked off this roster. Do not throw this chance for a second Cup for you out because you’re upset.” He melted into her her hand, taking a few breaths. “I’m sorry we fought. I just felt caught off guard. I get where you came from, wanting to share the news with the team.”

“Time is up Mrs. Dunn,” Coach called out. She went to stand, and Vince pulled her into a quick kiss. The room cheered, noise dying down as they made their way back to the bench.