Chapter 6

Chapter 6

>>>>>Angelica's POV

Finally, life had meaning again! I had something to look forward to every few days; I'm talking about hockey baby!  Tonight was the first game of the actually hockey season.

The rest of preseason went smoothly. We didn't win every game but the team looked really great for it being so early in the season.

The Wells Fargo center was booming with excitement. Waves of orange and black came barreling through the doors. Little kids sat on their fathers shoulders, gigging like crazy gazing at the excitement around them.

As I passed the sports store, I couldn't help but notice a large group of girls buying jerseys. I began to take a closer look at my surroundings, more women were here than usual.

"Excuse me," I walked up to the girls at the register each holding a jersey. They shot me a hateful glare, obviously pissed off that their conversation was interrupted. I raised my VIP pass hanging around my neck so they knew not to ignore me.

"When you buy a jersey from inside the center, we ask if you have a message for the player who's jersey you will now be wearing," I patted myself on the back for that incredible lie. The cashier furrowed his eyebrows at me but a gave him one of my Crushly smiles and he ignored my lie.

"OMG! You're going to tell Trey McLaferty what we say?" the obvious ring leader squealed. Her friends started to fan them selves and bite their lips behind her, probably thinking of what Trey had under his jersey.

I should've known Trey was the cause of the sudden spike in female population occupying the Wells Fargo Center; which really wouldn't help deflating his ego.

The plan was going ok. It could be going better but could be going worse. His temper was getting better but the man w***e still lived on. There were pictures of him and Giroux out at bars flooding my Instagram.  Many of them had the two of them posing with attractive women.

"OMG! You HAVE to tell him we love him and think he's the hottest thing to walk the earth!" She squealed. I mentally rolled my eyes as she spazzed out. Some girls were just shameful. Have some self respect people! He's just a person.

"Well, thank you ladies. Enjoy the game," I said rushing out of the shop leaving the girls to obsess over Trey.

I still had a bit of time to kill before I was expected on the bench. Since there was no women's locker room and all the guys wear changing, I made my way to my usual suite.

It was on the third level which was always filled with Flyers family members during the games. As soon as I opened the door, I was greeted by all the families, with hugs and kisses from the moms.

It was easy to tell who was connected to whom because they would wear their sons, brothers, nephews jersey. 

Growing up, I would wear my dads old jersey. It used to be gigantic on me but I refused to wear anything else. These days, since I'm now part of the coaching staff, I was expected to wear a suit. My suits were tailored to hint at my kick a*s figure. I wouldn't wear a tie, but I do wear my most comfortable heels.

Imagine my surprise when I saw a girl, a bit younger than me, wearing Trey McLaferty's jersey. I wasn't expecting any of Trey's family to be here, if I'm honest. She was looking out the window down at the ice, just staring.

I always made it a habit to meet the new players families if they were able to attend the games. Might as well get started with her.

She had the same eyes as Trey and the same bone structure, but the hair was different. It was blonde, like his, but had highlights of red making it look strawberry blonde.

"Hi, I'm Angelica Crushly. Welcome to the team," I smiled my Crushly smile the second time that night and extended my hand. She took it sheepishly before replying.

"Christy McLaferty," she smiled shyly.

"It's very nice to meet you," I sat down next to her we fell into a comfortable silence as we both people watched.

"So you're the one Trey won't shut up about." She turned toward me for a spilt second before she returned to the ice, smirking.

"Wait, what do you mean?" I prodded.

"Nothing." She brushed me off. "So you're the coaches daughter?" she deflected. I knew what she was trying to do, but I let it slide.

I nodded my head, "I'm also one of the new assistant coaches." She just kept staring at the ice, I wondered what she was looking for. "And you're Treys...?"

"Sister," she filled in.

"I'm SO sorry!" I exaggerated. She broke into a large smile.

So he had a sister.......I wonder if she has any secrets I can blackmail Trey with to stop him flirting with me. But also, why didn't he tell me?

"Don't worry, he's not that bad once you get to know him. He's all talk, he's a softy deep down," she reassured me.

I couldn't help but raise my eyebrow at the 'big softy' comment.

"We ARE talking about the same Trey McLaferty, right?"

"Well......." she looked around the room. "He's my brother, I have to say nice things about him!" she shrugged. She was sweet, but I had to laugh at her honesty about her brother.

"I like you," I admitted slinging my arm around her shoulders.

"I like you too, so I'm gonna help you with my brother," she motioned for me to come closer. "If, wait what am I saying, when my brother gets annoying, call him T-Bear. That shuts him up!" the shy curtain she once hid behind, was definitely thrown open.

"Thanks for the tip!" I looked around the room, there was no one else wearing a McLaferty Jersey. "Are your parents here? I'd love to meet them."

Her face paled. "No, they're not." She cleared her throat. "So, how's my brother's temper these days? Is he keeping it in check?"

Wait she knew about his temper?

"By the look on your face, I'm guessing you think he would at least he'd hide it from me. But his temper was never towards me,"

Then if it wasn't towards her, then who was it towards?

"He's actually been doing a lot better since his first practice," she smiled at my words.

"If he ever loses it, mention October 26 and he'll calm right down."

I wanted to ask her what happened but the players took the ice for the pre-game skate, signaling I had to go down to the bench with my dad cutting off my conversation with Christy.

I reluctantly said good bye and went to my post.

Time to see what this team can do.

>>>>>that night at the party

I pushed through the cluster of huge arms and legs that were occupying my living room. The smell of alcohol filled almost every room on the first floor.

The boys didn't have a game for a few days, so it was ok if they cut loose and had a little fun.

I needed air. There were too many sweaty bodies, I needed an escape.

After what felt like forever, I miraculously made it out the front door.

I walked over and sat down on my dads fountain. It was my favorite place to think, it was just peaceful.

My dad stood ten feet tall in marble leaning on his hockey stick, wearing the tough guy face every player wore when being photographed. Tacky, but my dad wanted everyone to know who lived in our house.

What had Christy meant when she said, I'm the one Trey won't shut up about. Was it a good thing?

WHY DO I CARE?

To my surprise, Trey and I actually have been getting along. Every since the Detroit game, there was a mutual respect between us. It killed me not to keep asking what that a*****e said to make him crack, but I respected his wishes. Don't get me wrong, off the ice Trey continued to flirt with me, asking me out repeatedly no matter how many times I told him no.

I crossed my arms over my chest cursing myself for wearing a skimpy, sleeveless, tight black dress with orange heels and not bringing a jacket outside with me.

"Is the Princess running from the ball?"

Think of the devil......

"Just be sure to leave me a shoe!"

I laughed at his dumb joke. "No, I'm just tired of the guys girlfriends staring me down."

Trey plopped down beside me wrapping his jacket around my shoulders.

"Thanks," I mumbled.

"No problem, and the girls are just threatened. Especially if your dressed like that," he said motioning to my clothes. I furrowed my eyebrows at the fact that he had just checked me out. I tugged the jacket tighter around me feeling exposed under his wondering gaze.

"Now look, they would feel better if you found yourself a boyfriend, which I would be happy to help you with," he slyly smiled at me assuming I would immediately ask how.

"Alright I'll bite. How could you possibly help me?" I mean he was offering to help me, I wasn't going to turn that down. I hated feeling like if I hugged one if my boys, I would be ripped apart. The sly smile was replaced by a genuine smile something I rarely see.

"Go out with me," he stated. Here we go again. I opened my mouth to shut him down, but he spoke before I could say no.

"Now before you say no, how about a bet?" Confidence was thick in his voice. My ears perked up, I loved bets because I always won no matter what. Seeing that he had my attention, he continued.

"If I get a hat trick in my next game, you have to go out with me," his genuine smile vanished just as quickly as it appeared. 

"And if you don't?" I asked matching his confident tone.

"Well I doubt I won't since you'll be my prize, BUT in the small chance I don't get a hat trick, I'll leave you alone."

"You really don't care about your career, do you?" I folded my arms across my chest as a crisp fall breeze blew past. No man in their right mind would think to go up against my father. Well, no sane man.

He cocked his head to the side as a smug smirk stretched across his annoyingly symmetrical face. "I like to take risks. That's why I'm so good at what I do on and off the ice." His smirk grew as I rolled my eyes for the millionth time since meeting him. His arrogance seeped through his pores as he stuffed his hands inside his pockets.

My front door swung open as Giroux came out holding a beer bottle.

"A! Thank god I found you," he slurred. "It's time for beer pong and I need you on my team!"

I giggled at his slightly drunken state.

"Sure Roux, give me a min."

He turned around and yelled into the house.

"Good news guys! She's in!" The chorus of cheers was cut off when he closed the door behind him.

Shaking my head at my boys, I couldn't deny the feeling of how much I loved having them in my life.

The wind began to pick up as I pulled Trey's jacket closer to my body, hoping to stop the numbness spreading to my limbs. The party was in full swing, music and laughter spilled out into the streets. I needed a moment to escape from the death glares sent my way by the jealous girlfriends or flings. I mentally scolded myself for walking outside without a jacket, especially since I was wearing a short dress.

Don't get me wrong, I loved hanging with the players, but when their girlfriends or flavors of the months were there, it's a different story. Most girls would cling to their man all night long and the guys  never leave their sight.

Trey stepped towards me, like a lion getting ready to pounce. "What are you afraid of, Angel? Are you really that worried about going on one little date with a harmless, handsome, hockey player?"

He was so narcissistic, I wanted to smack that damn smirk off his face. To make matters worse, I hated the nickname Angel.  Taking the first five letters of my name, so original! Many exes have tried to make that nickname work but I've made damn sure to squash it.

I hated the fact that Trey had a point. Sure he's a great player, but I don't think he's THAT great. There was nothing to be afraid of, it's just a date. Plus IF he does get a hat trick, there's no way the guys, or my father, will let him take me out. If he does take me out, I doubt I'd actually enjoy the date. Once the date's over I'd be able to prove to him that we won't work. 

WHEN he doesn't score a hat trick, he'll finally leave me alone, stop hitting on me, and focus on the game. Either way I'll get Trey off my case and that was all I wanted. I bit my lip, contemplating my next move. Was I really about to agree to this?

My inability to turn down a bet was probably one of my biggest flaws. I'm not one to back down from a fight. I think I can blame my upbringing for that.

Before I could talk myself out of it, I stuck out my hand for Trey to shake. "You're on McLaferty! If you get a hat trick during the next game, I'll go out with you for one date and one date only. If you don't, you'll leave me alone and focus on the team." I looked him square in the eye as I said our terms. His large hand shook mine as he chuckled. I could tell he thought he'd won me over, that he was going to get everything he wanted in the end. I would rather date Sidney Crosby then let that happen.

"Great." We stopped shaking hands but he still gripped mine. He pulled on my arm to bring me closer to him. He brought his face down to mine and whispered in my ear, "Don't look so worried Angel, what's the worst that could happen?"

He was taunting me, he knew he was under my skin and there was nothing I could do to stop it. I couldn't stop it but I sure as hell could make sure he knows I'm not going down without a fight.

"Here's a preview of how our date's going to end," I smirked stepping closer to his body. His hand immediately went to my hip, perfect. I leaned my head back letting my most seductive smile spread across my face.

I brought my hand up, cradling his face, like I was going to kiss him. Before he could register my movements I pulled my hand away to connect with his face in one swift motion.

I turned on my heels feeling triumphant as I headed back into my house. I took off his jacket and dropped it on the ground.

"How'd you know I like it rough?!" I heard the smile in his voice. I could stand there arguing all night but I felt a sudden urge to drink large amounts of alcohol.

He won't get a hat trick I tried to reassure myself. It was one in a million, I had nothing to worry about. I repeated this mantra in my head for the rest of the night.

What did I agree to?