Then she pins me with a direct stare. “Seriously? You landed Garrett Samuelson, renowned ladies’ man and king of the one-night stand?”

I can’t help but laugh, and whereas most girlfriends would be offended, it’s completely true what she just said. “Well…we’ve gone out for a week and a half now, which I’ve been told is a record in his book.”

“That’s practically like him marrying you…or doing a blood pact. A week and half?”

All of us laugh, and I’m sure the more people that find out that Garrett is seeing one woman now, it is going to cause lots of raised eyebrows and colorful comments.

“So, which one is Zack?” I ask Gina, as the coach blows the whistle and several of the players head to the bench, leaving five guys in white jerseys and five guys in black jerseys around the center ice circle.

“He’s actually the second guy to the right of Garrett,” Gina says as she points to him. I can’t tell much, other than he’s tall and big like the rest of them.

“He’s on Garrett’s team,” I point out, noting that both of them are wearing black jerseys.

Garrett had invited me to this scrimmage a few days ago. His words came off as if it wasn’t a big deal to him, but I could tell by his tone he really wanted me to come. I’m not sure if it was the prospect of having someone to support him, or maybe he just wanted to make a statement to everyone that he was off the market. Regardless, I couldn’t say no, and Stevie was only all too happy to give me the time off since I wouldn’t take a full week off after my treatments as he had demanded.

The scrimmage would last only thirty minutes, and Garrett told me the coaches would choose the teams. Looks like Garrett and Zack will be on the same line together, but Alex is wearing a white jersey.

“I’ll bet you twenty dollars that Garrett’s team wins,” I say suddenly to Sutton.

She blinks at me in surprise, then her lips curl upward in a challenging smile. “You’re on, and your man is going down, bitch.”

Gina laughs at both of us, and then the whistle blows and we are all cheering our men on.

—
We all head over to Houlihan’s after the scrimmage game, which is a popular hangout with the locals and the hockey players. While their celebrity causes a bit of a stir, for the most part, the customers are used to having professional athletes among them and aren’t too obnoxious.

Of course, as soon as we sit down, a few fans trickle over to ask for autographs. It’s beyond adorable to watch Alex, Garrett, and Zack talk to the kids that come up. Not so adorable the women that bat their eyelashes and speak in breathy moans. Sutton and Gina ignore them, talking to each other while the men sign autographs and chat with the fans, but this is my first real experience with Garrett’s celebrity. I find it fascinating, a little exciting, and yeah…a little annoying the way the women act.

Garrett speaks with everyone the same. A friendly smile, a quick pose for the camera. He doesn’t flirt with the women, but doesn’t ignore them either. I recognize something hot flowing through me and I realize it’s a bit of jealousy. And maybe doubt. Because some of the women that flock to him are really, really gorgeous.

“You’ll get used to it,” Gina says as she leans around Sutton to look at me.

I swing my gaze back to her and have to chuckle. “Is it always like this?”

“Sometimes,” Sutton says. “Particularly in here, because this is a known hangout for the Cold Fury. But there are times Alex and I go out and no one ever says a word.”

“Not enjoying the women that seem to seek them out,” I mutter softly so the guys can’t hear me. Not that they would even be paying attention…what with all the flirty boob being bandied about.

“Yeah…that really takes a bit to get used to,” Gina says with a wise nod. “You just have to trust your guy to do right. There’s some guys on the team that are whores…cheat on their wives when they’re on the road. But others are golden.”

I turn back and take in a cursory glance as Alex, Zack, and Garrett hang out with the fans a few feet from the table we had been seated at. They look to be in their element, and truly this is nothing more to them than part of their job.

Turning back to Gina, I ask, “How long have you and Zack been married?”

“Oh, we’re not married,” she says with a smile. “We’ve been together almost seven years now.”

“And no urge to tie the knot?” I ask teasingly.

“Not really. We’re both happy like this. I mean…it’s tough sometimes that women think he’s available because he doesn’t have a ring on his finger, but Zack sets them straight.”

“I totally understand,” I tell her with commiseration. “My mom and dad didn’t get married. I mean…they did some type of hippie ceremony, but nothing legal.”

Gina laughs and Sutton gives a snort. “Well, I’m happy to be married to Alex, but honestly, I’d be happy just being with him, so I get you, Gina.”

A waitress comes up to take our drink orders. “Do you ladies know what you want to drink? I can come back for their orders,” she says as she nods over to the guys.

“I’ll have a Blue Moon,” Gina says. “And I know what Zack wants. He’ll take a Guinness on draft.”

Sutton says, “I’ll take a glass of your house Riesling, and Alex will have a Sam Adams.”