O Goalie Night (The Ottawa Otters #1)

Chapter 32

CHAPTER 32

BETH

“ T he salmon is delicious.”

I make the statement not to proclaim my appreciation for the fish I’m eating, but to break the awkward silence at our table.

The ballroom at Chateau Laurier is tastefully decorated with green and gold, the team’s colours. The high ceilings are adorned with elegant crystal chandeliers that twinkle in the dimly lit room. The tables, covered in pristine white linen cloths, are set with fine china and crystal glassware. Each place setting is accented with a festive napkin, folded into intricate designs, and a sprig of holly. A string quartet plays Christmas songs from the small stage at the front of the room.

The rest of the tables seem to be having a great time. Animated conversation and laughter swells around us. And while I’m happy to see others enjoying the all-out splendour of the evening, I wish that my own party were feeling a bit more festive.

Ben and Valentina are barely speaking. When they emerged from the bedroom to find everyone gone, things appeared to be better. Strained still, but better.

I’d worried that I overstepped by asking her friends to leave. But watching Xan be so disrespectful to Ben in his own home set me off in a way I wasn’t expecting.

Seeing her put her nasty little hands on my boyfriend was the straw that broke the camel’s back.

My brother seemed almost gleeful when he realised they were gone so I didn’t let myself feel too bad for kicking them out.

But now we’re having dinner and the tension is building once again. Valentina said little on our way here and has spent most of dinner on her phone, hardly touching her food. Ben, on the other hand, made friends with one of the servers who has been bringing him a fresh drink every twenty minutes.

On the other side of the table, Kim and Alexei appear to be in their own private bubble. I can’t help but watch as they communicate through glances and gestures. Alexei can barely tear his gaze away from the mother of his children. He’s usually so reserved and stoic on the ice, but he transforms into someone else entirely around his wife, completely tuned in to her every mood and movement. Kim looks radiant in a shimmering gown, even as she’s forced to sit farther away from the table to accommodate her almost comically large belly. Alexei’s hand is gently resting on the back of her chair, his thumb lazily stroking her shoulder as we eat. He leans in close to whisper something and she laughs, her face lighting up while he gazes at her like she’s his entire world.

And then there’s Foster who, true to form, is quieter with so many people around. He can’t hold my hand or put his arms around me because of where we are and who we’re with, but I’ve appreciated each time he’s brushed his leg against mine under the table tonight.

One unhappy couple, one obnoxiously in love couple, and one very happy couple who can’t tell anyone they’re a couple makes for strained conversation.

After dinner, there are speeches from the owners celebrating the achievements of the team. Arthur Stetson, the team’s head coach, also addresses the room, thanking his players for putting in countless hours, going above and beyond, making the team what it is. When he’s done thanking them for their passion, perseverance, and exceptional teamwork, a lot of us are left dabbing our eyes.

They open the dance floor in the adjacent ballroom and people rise from their tables and begin to mingle. Valentina walks away from the table without a word and Ben heads in the direction of the bar. I stare after him, concern eating away at me.

Foster stands and says, “I’ll go check on him.”

“Thank you.” As I squeeze his arm, his face softens the way it always does right before he’s about to kiss me and I wish more than anything that he could. Instead, he gives me a quick nod before walking away. I follow him with my eyes until he’s lost to the crowd. Turning back, I realise it’s just Kim and I left. “Where’s Alexei?”

“He wanted to talk to Arthur about something.” She strokes her stomach, her eyes trained on my face. “Are you okay?”

“Of course.”

“Beth…”

“I’m just tired.” Tired of worrying about my brother who seems to be on a path of self-destruction. Tired of keeping things from him and my family because I’m worried about how they’ll react. But mostly I’m tired of hiding my feelings for Foster when other people are around.

Kim’s eyes are sympathetic as she twists the rings around on her finger. She moves them, slowly and thoughtfully. As she plays with them, the diamonds catch the light from the lit candles, making the little reflections dance across the white tablecloth.

“You know,” she gives me a tiny smile when she looks up at me, “Alexei’s parents were not at all happy when we started dating.”

I’m not sure how she reads my mind so well, but right now I’m grateful for her psychic abilities.

“Really?” It’s hard to imagine that anyone could look at the two of them and not see they’re perfect together.

“Hard to believe, right? I mean, imagine not liking me,” she laughs. “They thought I was a distraction, that I would hold him back. And according to his mother, the way I smiled all the time was ‘unnerving.’ They actually stopped talking to him at one point.”

“What made them come around?”

She ponders my question. “Time, mostly. And seeing how happy I made their son. They warmed to me eventually, especially when I gave them the world’s most gorgeous grandbabies. What I’m trying to say is that a good family will stand by you, no matter what path you choose. It’s not about whether they understand every decision you make; it’s about wanting you to be happy. They’ll celebrate your wins and pick you up when things fall apart. Even if what makes you happy is completely different from what they imagined, they’ll get behind you. So, hang in there, kid. It’s going to be okay.”

Just then Alexei appears at her side with her coat.

“You’re leaving already?”

“My parents are home with the kids, so we’ve got a wild date night planned,” she says, grinning. “We’re going to eat junk food and watch Only Murders In The Building in our hotel room.”

I hug her goodbye, barely able to get my arms around her. She vows to keep me up-to-date on the little one’s arrival and I promise to visit as soon as I’m back in the city.

“Merry Christmas, Beth.”

“Merry Christmas, Kim. And thanks for the talk.”

“Any time,” Kim says. “I mean it. I love talking.”

“She really does,” Alexei confirms, smirking down at her.

As I watch them walk away, hand in hand, I feel someone approach from my left.

“Beth Michaels,” a young man says as he draws close to me. “I’ve been trying to talk to you all night.

“Austin Crawford.” I’ve only met him once before, but he has the kind of cocky grin you’re not likely to forget. “Here I am.”

“Here you are, indeed. Looking absolutely radiant, I might add.”

Austin strikes me as a bit of a man-child. Used to getting whatever he wants as long as he asks nicely enough. I’m sure his boyish charm and the fact that he’s prettier than most girls don’t hurt his cause either.

“Why exactly were you trying to talk to me? ”

“To ask you to dance, of course.” He motions to the almost empty dance floor.

“That is a very kind offer, but I was just going to find my brother.”

“I just saw him talking to Foster. Seemed like a serious conversation; the kind I like to avoid at all costs. I said I’d keep you company.” He extends his hand. “Shall we?”

I’m really not in the mood to dance, but I can't bring myself to refuse the offer. I nod and place my hand in his. As he leads me to the dance floor my thoughts drift back to Ben, wondering if he’s alright. I try to catch a glimpse of them at the bar, but there are too many people blocking my view.

Foster will take care of him , I remind myself.

Austin works the room like he owns it and everyone inside it. By the time we make it to the dance floor, the tempo’s changed and a slower song has started.

I place my hands on his shoulders as he rests his on my hips and we start to move in time to the music. Well, Austin moves in time. I’m just trying not to step on his feet.

“How are you liking Ottawa?” He leans in close, to be heard above the song.

“I love it,” I answer honestly. My heart will always belong to the Island, but I’m so glad I took this chance and moved here.

“You know,” he scans the room coyly. “I offered to get you at the airport.”

“Did you, now?”

“Damn straight. I practically begged for the job, in fact. Not that it would have been a chore at all. But your big brother made Foster go. ”

I wobble on my heels and nearly twist my ankle. It’s a slow song and I’m still struggling.

“I’m sure you would have been a perfect chauffeur.”

“A better roommate, too.” When he pumps his eyebrows up and down, I can’t help but laugh.

Austin is a natural-born flirt, but he seems perfectly harmless. He’s the sort of guy who enjoys the chase more than the catch.

He leads us into a turn. I try to keep up but step the wrong way and ram my knee into his leg. His arms wrap around me to keep me from falling over. “I’m so sorry!” It probably hurt me more than the trunk he calls a limb, but I feel bad nonetheless.

“It’s fine,” he laughs.

“I’m a horrible dancer,” I admit.

“You just need practice,” he insists.

“Or a better partner.”

Foster’s unexpected voice startles us both, causing Austin to tighten his grip on me which results in Foster’s frown to become an outright scowl.

And that is what we call a vicious cycle.

“Hey, buddy,” Austin smirks at him, his arms still encircling me. “Just keeping her company, like I said I would.”

“You never said that.” Foster’s glare turns downright murderous.

“Sure I did. Just not loud enough for you or Ben to hear me.”

Oh, he is an outright scamp. He grins at Foster, almost daring him to say something, but Foster refuses to take the bait.

“Well, my work here is done. Thank you for the dance, Beth.” Austin brings my hand up to his and kisses it. “I look forward to our next one.” He gives me a wink and then makes a quick exit.

I expect Foster’s mood to improve once he’s gone, but it doesn’t. “Are you ready to go?” His tone is clipped.

“Where’s Ben?”

“I got him and Valentina a car service; they’re headed home.”

“Is he okay?”

“No, but he’s going to be. They’ve got a lot to talk about.”

The walk to the underground parking garage is a quiet one. I keep glancing up at Foster’s controlled expression wondering what’s wrong.

Is there something he’s not telling me about Ben? Or maybe he’s just overstimulated from being around so many people. Could he be angry at me?

By the time we reach the car, my brain is spinning with scenarios, none of them good.

“Did I do something?”

Foster pauses, his hands resting on the keys in the ignition. His green eyes are as stormy as his mood. “What?”

“You seem upset and I just want to know if it’s something I’ve done, or…”

His hands are in my hair, pulling my mouth to his in a deep, claiming kiss. When we pull apart, he rests his forehead against mine. “I don’t like crowds. I’m irritated with your brother for repeatedly charging us admission to the shitshow he calls a relationship. But mostly, I’m upset because so many men got to touch you tonight and I didn’t. ”

My lips turn up in a smirk. “It was two men.”

“That’s two too many,” he growls. “Especially when all I’ve wanted to do is touch you. I should have been the one who got to kiss you on the hand and tell you how gorgeous you look. I should have been the one dancing with you.”

“I kept kicking him.”

“Not hard enough,” he grumbles.

I run my fingers through his hair, scraping my nails against his scalp the way he likes and he groans appreciatively.

“I’ve gotten pretty good at masking my feelings over the years, but I don’t want to have to do that with you. Hiding how I feel about you is hard,” he admits.

It is hard; like carrying a weight that grows heavier every day. Constantly worrying that I’ll reach for his hand when someone is looking or that our gazes will linger too long and it won’t go unnoticed.

Suddenly it all seems unfair that Foster and I are the ones going out of our way to make others, namely my brother, happy. When would Ben ever show a fragment of that kind of consideration to me?

I bring my mouth to Foster’s again, pouring everything I’m feeling into the kiss. When I suck on his lower lip, he practically purrs.

“I need to get you home.” His voice is low and urgent.

“I can’t wait.”

He pulls away and reaches for the ignition again, but I stop him.

“I mean it. I can’t wait.”