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“Stop fidgeting,” Alex tells me “You look nervous ”
“You’re fidgeting too,” I point out dryly
“That’s because I’m nervous I don’t do shit like this ”
Laughing, I hook h the party guests “It will be fine Just smile, make small talk and drink a few beers to relax ”
Alex is admittedly nervous because he doesn’t socialize with his teammates Or, at least he hasn’t in the past I’m definitely nervous because this is the first tinificant others, and I feel like a spotlight is on me Especially since I know Alex’s former flame was transparent in her quest to land a hockey husband I just don’t want anyone to think that about me
Kelly and Mike Malone are having an Ugly Christmas Sweater party This is apparently the second year they’ve hosted it and it’s adults only According to Alex, it’s one of the few tiether sans children and parties it up hard He’s already assured nated driver, which doesn’t surprise me, and he’s told me to tie one on if I want Alex rarely drinks more than two beers, and I have to wonder if that’s because of his father’s problems
We wind our way through the throng and into the kitchen where an entire bar of wine, beer and every liquor on the face of the earth is set out Kelly is standing there with a group of wohts up
Co around the kitchen island, she reaches her arlad you came And your sweater is a hoot ”
Looking down briefly and then stepping into her hug, I give a grin My sweater is pretty hideous It’s bright red and green with an embroidered fruitcake on the front and a red bow that’s y red material that poofs out across my chest Alex took one look at e I told hily Sweater party, after all
After releasing me, Kelly turns to Alex and playfully punches hi a sweater, Alex?”
“Uh…yeah, I don’t do ugly sweaters,” he says seriously and Kelly gives hilare
“Party pooper,” she says and then lays her palms on his shoulders and pushes him out of the kitchen “Go Find the boys Go play and do whatever you boys do together I’ Sutton ”
Alex doesn’t budge at first and shoots a panicked look tothe effort to be sociable I know he’d feel more comfortable with me by his side I almost feel sorry for hi experience
Giving him a little ith my hand, I say, “Shoo Go play ”
The look Alex givesI want to do is with you…in the bedroom
But he takes it like a rabs a bottle of beer out of a large ice bucket on the kitchen floor and leaves
Kelly takesShe racious and warm There’s the team captain’s wife, Mely Brassard, a petite Midwestern fore cheerleader who has plenty of pep and feels it’s her duty to cheer on all of the players’ wives and girlfriends I like her ilue that holds the-Or-Other, who I think said her husband is the backup goalie; Becky Couldn’t-Pronounce-Her-Last-Name-If-I-Tried, whose husband is from the Czech Republic; and Gina Toast—yes, Toast—who is like irlfriend of one of the players, but has been around for a very long tier, for six years and they have a two-year-old son together
“I cannot tell you how happy I a,” Mely says with a brilliant s voice Al a cheer
“He’s always just been so withdrawn I know he cory and a jerk most of the time, but I always found it sad,” Kelly throws in
“Zack idolizes him,” Gina says softly “Always has But lately, Alex has really been working with him and has been so supportive, Zack pretty much thinks the sun rises and sets on Alex He’s a completely different person now ”
“I think we have you to thank for that,” Mely says
“Absolutely,” Becky throws in and then leans forward and lowers her voice a bit All the wo me, lean in to hear her tidbit “Besides, that bitch Cassie was all wrong for him ”
All the wo to understand the dislike for Cassie is pretty pervasive throughout the team
“Well, at least you won’t have to worry about her anyaze is turnedof the past
“Whatever,” Kelly says with ain All the single guys on our team are within her crosshairs ”
“She tried to fking hit on Zack tonight,” Gina growls “I hate to tell the bitch but just because we aren’t married doesn’t mean he’s available ”
“She’s here?” I ask, sing hard Not for one ive up on Alex, all the other single guys be damned She has history with Alex and I remember all too clearly the possessiveness she exhibited when I had the misfortune to meet her
“Yeah, I saw her trolling around a while ago,” Kelly lah to insist she not come ”
“Well, I can guarantee you I’ll blackball her from any future parties Zack and I have,” Gina says