Second Shot K.O.K (The Brooklyn Bears: Season 1)

13. Game Time

THIRTEEN

GAME TIME

Nalani

A way from the crowded concourse and into the luxury box, the double doors close behind us and the atmosphere shifts, as there is only a faint hum of the crowd and the thundering music filtering in. Well, that and the sound of poor Savannah crying.

Claudia bends down and lifts her out of the carrier, holding her tight and rocking back and forth. “Shh, it’s all right, sweet girl, shh.”

“That was his poor timing. Aunt Sophie is so sorry.”

The conversation continues as I look around. The lighting is warm, the fixtures elegant, casting a soft glow over the plush leather seats. To the right, there’s a long granite countertop lined with food—sliders, hot wings, shrimp cocktails, and, yes, New York pizza. There’s a fully stocked bar and a bartender ready to take our orders. But I can’t partake in any of that because I feel like I’m going to get sick.

In front of me, the space is open with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the ice. It’s a perfect view. The stadium lights flood the arena as the Zamboni makes its exit, leaving behind frozen water. Fuck, I didn’t think I would react this way. I wasn’t prepared for it. But even the smell of a hockey arena makes me grieve what I left behind.

I try to focus on the differences, like how the plush seats lining up against the glass are nothing like the ones I sat in, in the stands.

I vividly recall the first time Sophie and I we went to our first game …

Meeting Mrs. Costello and her husband, who has since passed away. Laughing and how excited she was to watch her grandson, who now owns this arena. Sophie and I trying not to laugh every time she said “cock,” and how impressed she was that he was mine. Well, he became mine right after the game.

We were two kids, and although we never exchanged the word “love,” we loved each other, loved like I’ve never felt before, loved like he’d never felt before. He owned my fucking heart, and he still does, he still fucking does.

“All right, Lani, it is time to find your seat,” Sophie says, handing me a tissue. “And pull your shit together. Put your emotions in check and start devising a plan.”

“God, I can’t believe I’m crying,” I sniff.

“I can,” Noelle says from beside me. “Lauren may think I shouldn’t write about love, but I know it when I see it, and I’ve never seen anything like Nalani and Koa in my twenty-seven years. You prove to me that I’m not wrong, and I’ll write my first bestseller.”

I can’t help but laugh. “Or die trying, and you can write your first tragedy.” When I realize what I’ve said and none of them laugh, I quickly remedy it. “That was a joke.”

“Wouldn’t have mattered, anyway; you’re not gonna fail.” Sophie rest her head on my shoulder.

“Because love—true love—always wins,” Claudia says then kisses the top of Savannah’s head.

The door opens behind us, and I hear a squeal.

“It’s true. They told me that my KET sisters have arrived. Oh, the joy I’m feeling right now is second only to the win we’re about to experience, ladies.”

I don’t even have to turn around to know who that is. I quickly swipe the tissue under my eyes and nose before turning around.

“Mrs. Costello,” Sophie squeals, “you came.”

They wrap each other up in a tight hug.

“I heard your father bought a box, and then I heard that you were interviewing some of our boys before the game—of course I came.”

She steps back and turns her head to face me. “You look exactly the same as you did the first time I met you.”

I smile and walk toward her, knowing she’s a hugger.

“Oh, darling, when you can afford the best plastic surgeons, you never have to get old or saggy.” She laughs as she hugs me. “Is this your first time watching the professional cock?”

“It is,” I admit.

“Oh God,” she literally moans. “That man is simply beautiful. But you know that, don’t you, dear?”

“I do.”

“Do you remember that conversation we had in the parking lot back at Hayward all those years ago?”

“How could I ever forget?”

“That man makes more money off his cock than any porn star or escort has ever made, and he doesn’t even have to put out.” She laughs.

I laugh, too, only to be polite, because the thought of him being a porn star or an escort nudges the sleeping green monster inside of me.

“His cock is everywhere, and once they win the cup, I’m sure it’s going to go international. The Olympic cock perhaps.” She laughs. “Wouldn’t that be fabulous?”

“I’m sure his accountant would love that.” I smile, or at least I try. This is hard because all I can think about is the international models that will be brought into his bed when he inevitably tells me to go fuck myself.

“So will his agent. Do you remember the beautiful Drew Daniels? She played hockey with her sister, Dylan, who is now the mother of my great-grandchildren—triplets,” she sing songs triplets .

“Congratulations.”

“Thank you. They’re the best things that ever happened to me. Please don’t tell Dean this; I have always been his number one fan. Still am. But those little darlings … God, I could eat them up.” She squeezes my hand. “I still have your number. We’ll set up a lunch.”

She turns and looks around, eyes stopping on Claudia. “I heard we had another KET girl here and that she has a precious little darling, no doubt future KET.” She walks over and gets a good look at Savannah. “Oh yes, and possibly a future Warren-Costello. I have two grandsons who will one day woo the hell out of a little princess. Wouldn’t it be fabulous if she was also KET?” She claps.

The look on Claudia’s face is priceless, and I bite back a laugh.

Before she can reply, Mrs. Costello pulls a card out from her bag. “I’m not sure which area of expertise you studied, but I can assure you that I can point you in the right direction. I know all the crazies in this fabulous city.” She laughs then stops quickly. “Oh dear, I did not mean that to offend, even though it was said with affection, of course. I often seek the advice of a mental health professional when needed. But Dean has warned me that is not the appropriate way to talk about people who require help sorting through their emotions, traumas—hell, I don’t know—everything. It pays to have a friend, even if you have to pay them, am I right?”

“I, um, thank you, Mrs. Costello,” Claudia manages to say.

“I’m not sure how you feel about travel, but I know Dean could use another sports psychiatrist on the team. These Bears really need to be able to vent their frustrations so they stop ending up in the penalty box all the Goddamn time. Don’t you agree, dear?” She laughs. “But then again, how would it affect their game? That would be one hell of a study to conduct, and then a journal article may be published. I think that’s a wonderful idea for you. Give me a call next week, and we’ll discuss.” Next, she turns to Noelle. “I would like to set up a weekly book club at dear darling’s little store. Of course, we need to make a space for that to happen.” She pulls out another card and hands it to her.

“Thank you, Mrs. Costello.”

“Ladies, one sister’s success means little, but many sisters’ successes make the world voluminous. We are sisters; call me Bitty.” With that, she turns and heads out like the little tornado she is.

“How did I not end up with a grandmother like that?” Sophie laughs.

“Friendly reminder: you don’t need one. You take over every space you enter.”

“I think that was mean and uncalled for,” Sophie huffs.

“Girl, that wasn’t mean. You’ve come a hell of a long way from the Sophie in freshman year who rambled on when she was anxious. You’re badass now, Soph.”

She beams.

“But you’re also a meddler.”

“Am not.”

“Tell me you didn’t set that up.”

“Oh, look, it’s Dylan Daniels, the first female coach in the NHL.” She points to the glass wall. “Ladies, the puck is about to drop.”

I narrow my eyes at her, and she narrows hers right back. Then she walks over, opens a bag, and pulls out a tiny red, black, and white Brooklyn Bears jersey. Holding it up, she walks over to Claudia.

“There are other ways, little Savannah, to say fuck him without saying fuck him.”

“I mean, I’m hoping he just goes away. This may simply piss them off, fan the fire. I need to find out what I’m up against before I do that.”

“You have a job in the city now,” Sophie walks over, grabs the bag again, reaches in, and starts tossing us all jerseys. “My advice: take it. You have the support system in place here, and like Mrs. Costello said?—”

“It’s Bitty,” I cut her off.

“That woman is a treat.” Noelle laughs as she takes a jersey and pulls it over her head. “I, for one, am not looking a gift horse in the mouth.” She looks at Claudia. “We’re sisters, and sisters help sisters.”

“James, we need a round of champagne,” Sophie calls back to the bartender as the rest of us pull the jerseys over our heads.

It’s not lost on me that I’m wearing #29, the same number he wore at Hayward and Lincoln. The only number I ever want to wear.

Champagne flute in hand, we walk over and stand in front of the glass when the lights dim and the stadium roars to life as the Bears skate onto the ice.

Sophie raises her glass. “To KET and sisters who make each other’s life’s voluminous.”

“I’ll drink to that, even though it’s a pretty messy word when not on paper, and I like words a lot.” Noelle laughs.

We tap each other’s glasses then sip the champagne.

“Whatever that is, it’s delicious. It tastes nothing like the stuff we drank in college.”

“It’s the glow-up version.” Sophie hip-checks Noelle. “We didn’t all peak in college. Now it’s our time.”

“Voluminous,” Noelle says as if she’s trying to acquire a taste for the word.

“Am I the only one here who prefers fabulous?” Claudia asks, and we all laugh.

I ready myself as I turn and look out the glass, spotting Koa immediately. Of course I do. I truly believed he would blend in better with the professional players than he had the college hockey teams, and even though many are the same height as him, he doesn’t blend—he shines. Seeing him in black and red makes my heart squeeze, as they are similar to the maroon uniform he wore at Hayward.

“Number twenty-nine?” Claudia asks.

“The one and only,” I answer sadly as I watch him move across the ice like he owns it—fluid, flawless, fatal to my heart .

“Do you need Savannah?” she asks.

I glance at her out of the corner of my eye.

“If you and Sophie don’t think that I don’t see how much you adore her, and if I weren’t a strong, sane, confident woman, I may think it is totally her and not me.”

“You caught us. We so adore her. But it’s both of you. Are you considering Bitty’s fabulous?—”

“Voluminous,” she corrects me.

I laugh. “Are you considering her offer?”

“It’s a very expensive city to live in, but?—”

“You can stay with me. Like, seriously, please stay with me.” I hold out my grabby hands for Savannah.

“I’d insist on paying rent.” She smiles as she hands her to me.

“I would not object if that’s what it took.” I smile at Savannah, whose eyes are getting heavy as she looks up from where her head is resting on my shoulder.

“Do you think she’s serious?”

“Hell yes, she’s serious,” Sophie answers. “About both options. She does, in fact, know all the crazies in the city, and”—she holds up her phone—“the Bears are looking for a staff psychiatrist. There’s an online application. Fill it out now and use Bitty as a reference. You can also use me.”

“Do you really think it’s that easy? I mean, what happens if he insists I move to LA.”

“If you get the job for the Bears, you’ll have one hell of a legal team behind you.” Sophie holds her phone closer to Claudia. “If you don’t, you’ll still have one hell of a legal team behind you.” She nods to me.

“I am not a lawyer yet, but I know enough about research and contracts. I can help find the best lawyers in the area.”

“I don’t really have the money for a lawyer; that’s the whole thing.”

“You have two sisters with daddy’s black cards.” Sophie laughs.

“Um, one, just one sister with daddy’s black card. I was cut off when I left the island.”

“Are you shitting me?” Sophie gasps.

“I have enough money to get by. I have a trust fund that will pay for all of my college expenses, when I get into one. That includes rent. I will be fine. Better than fine because I’m free.”

“Are you ever going to tell me”—Sophie waves her hand around—“us the story behind this move?”

“I will, but tonight, I just wanna be girls watching a hockey game. Can we do that?”

“You gonna need a drool bib?” Claudia laughs. “Because I have one.”

“Are you?” I shoot back, laughing.

“Kyle was good and bad, up until I realized the mirror over his headboard wasn’t because he was kinky; it was because he was looking at himself.”

“Shut up!” Noelle laughs.

“You’re not the only one who likes naughty books.” Claudia wags her brows at Noelle. “But in real life, it’s a lot harder to distinguish between an alpha male and a beta biatch in alpha clothing.”

“Damn, girl, that’s the real deal talking.”

“I don’t trust easy, and champagne clearly brings out the bitch in me.”

“The girl needs another drink, James,” Sophie calls.

“I’m a mother, and I breastfeed.”

“One more won’t kill you, and you can pump and dump.” She takes her glass from her, and James fills it up.

“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to a thrilling night of action between our Brooklyn Bears and the LA Lancers here at Costello Arena!”

The crowd’s roar is dulled from inside the box, but I feel the energy.

“Are you ready for some hockey? It’s time to get loud, get on your feet, and show some love for your Brooklyn Bears!”

That energy increases as the crowd gets louder. God, I missed this.

Beggars can’t be choosers, but damn, do I miss being right down there, knowing he was gonna turn around and look at me, smile at me, love that I was there watching him, and knowing that we’d leave together to celebrate a victory, or even a loss—between the sheets, of course.

“Tonight, we’ve got a showdown you don’t wanna miss! The Bears are set to take on the Lancers, and you can feel the energy in the air already. Your first line is on the ice. Our Bears have remained undefeated so far, but so have the Lancers.”

I glance over at Claudia, and she shakes her head and shrugs. “I haven’t watched one game.”

“The puck is about to drop in just a few moments, so let’s make some noise and get this place rocking! Raise your glass and your team spirit because it’s game time, Brooklyn!”

The puck drops, and the Bears center, Leo Stone, snatches it quickly, hitting it to their right wing, who whizzes past one of their defensive men, passes it back to Stone, who then passes it to the right wing, who has a shot, but the Lancer’s goalie stops it.

“And Kyle Dingy stops Smith’s shot!”

“Dingy?” I ask Claudia. “I hope you gave Savannah your last name.”

“The announcer pronounced it wrong. It’s dingy, as in dirty,” Claudia explains.

“Like that makes it any better,” Noelle murmurs.

“How do we not know your last name?” Sophie asks.

“I don’t know your last names. But mine is Holloway, and so is Savannah’s.”

“Mine is Kāne, Sophie’s is Fairfax, and Noelle’s is Pembrooke.”

“Aw, you remember.” Noelle pouts.

“Please tell me your store is Pembrooke Books.” Claudia grins.

“Totally is.”

“Back to the game.” Sophie hip-checks me.

“Indeed,” I say, stepping closer to the glass when something across the ice grabs my attention. “Is Mrs. Costello’s box directly across from ours?”

Sophie laughs. “It sure looks that way.”

“Are they waving to us?”

“They are, but how about you move your eyes a little south.” She clears her throat. “I’m pretty sure the cock just figured out who’s in the henhouse.”

All I can do is smile, and then, by pure instinct, I step to the glass and hold my hand against it.