“Mr. Cage has an owie, Mom.” Daisy stood in the doorway pointing at the TV, Violet peeking over her shoulder.
Ivy piped up. “Oh. I forgot to mention he took a punch during the fight.”
Over his left eyebrow spanned two butterfly bandages. A purplish-red bruise ringed his under eye.
He broke out in a smile, and relief flooded Lily. He still had all his teeth! Not that it mattered to her … except from a social media standpoint, of course.
When he began talking, Lily upped the volume.
“Yeah, I can’t remember the last time I got in a fight. Juniors, probably.” There was that self-deprecating grin, so typical for him. His default grin. Then came a shrug. “But it all worked out for us. The boys were going tonight, and they battled hard. Every game’s important, and we needed those two points.”
A voice said, “Tell us about your goal, Gage.”
He swiped moisture from his forehead. God, those hands! Lily nearly swiped her own forehead.
His eyes were animated, his eyebrows dancing above them as he spoke. “Well, it was a really lucky break. They had that turnover in our zone, and I wound up with the puck on my stick. Shanny was right there, and it turned into a two-on-one. My shooting lane was blocked, so I passed it to Shanny. Their D-man committed, Shanny made an unbelievable pass back to me, and I was able to lift it over their goalie.”
“Have you seen the standings?” another voice asked.
“No, I’ve been too busy talking to you guys,” he laughed. Then his blue eyes went wide. “Did Arizona lose? Are we in first place?” A mumbled answer, then he said, “This was a good win for us, but it’s only one game. We have to get ready for the next one. And we have to keep the momentum going, stay sharp, and head into the playoffs on a hot streak. There aren’t any easy games, and we can’t afford to take any nights off.”
“Speaking of hot,” came Ivy’s voice. Lily had almost forgotten she was still on the phone. “Don’t get me wrong, Lil, because that man cleans up really well, but all hot and sweaty like that? Hubba, hubba! And don’t even get me started on him fighting.”
Lily barked out a laugh.
“Mom, is Mr. Cage okay?” Daisy’s lower lip wobbled.
“He’s fine, honey. Come see for yourself. He’s talking to all those people. If he weren’t okay, he wouldn’t be able to talk to them.”
Daisy tiptoed to her, eyes glued to the TV, and nodded. “He’s okay,” she whispered to Violet. Her concern made a puddle of Lily’s heart.
Ivy again. “Guy interviews well, not like a dumb jock at all.”
Lily did roll her eyes this time. “Because he’s not a dumb jock.” She couldn’t hold back the pride swelling in her chest or the tingle in her toes as she watched him handle the reporters with grace, poise, and humor.
Is Kathryn Tappen in the locker room with him? Would he want to ask her out? Would she want to ask him out? Did he have fresh condoms with him on the trip?
“Mommy, what’s a dumb jock?”
“Lil! You gotta jump that man. At least one more time. And take pics to share with your sister.”
“Ivy, stop! I am not—” She bit back the “jumping him” on the tip of her tongue.
Daisy’s wide gray eyes were on her. “What’s a dumb jock?”
“Well, he just might want you to,” Ivy cackled.
Lily ran her fingers through Daisy’s hair. “Hang on a minute, sweetie. Let me finish talking to Aunt Ivy. Aunt Ivy,” she sang, “what are you talking about?”
“Oh nothing,” she sang back innocently.
“Ivy—”
“Gotta go, Lil. Don’t forget to watch those highlights!”
“Mad World” queued up in Lily’s head.
After explaining what a jock was—he’s a sporty guy and Mommy shouldn’t have used the word “dumb”—and settling the girls, Lily returned to watch the highlights on TV. But her pinging phone interrupted her. She picked it up, and a smile twitched her lips.
Gage: Did you see the game, GL?
Lily: GL?
Gage: Goldilocks.
Lily: LOL. Only part. Are you OK?
Gage: So you saw the fight? What about the goal?
She laughed out loud. Though texted words didn’t convey tone, his excitement was easy to pick up. God, he was adorable. No, he’s a grown man. Grown men aren’t adorable. They’re masculine and sexy and they can do things … God, I want him to do things. No, no, no, I don’t! Once every five years is good. I’m a sex camel.
If only she could get the man out of her fantasies.
Lily: Didn’t see either. Was hoping to catch your Gordie Howe on the highlights.
Gage: That’s my first Gordie!
Lily: Congrats, Professor. Is your eye OK?
Gage: All good. Just another cut.
Lily: I’m glad, but you’re looking a little heavy on the purple eyeshadow. Got a big date tonight?
Yeah, she couldn’t help but slide that in.
Gage: You know it. A double date with room service and an ice pack. If you were here, though, I’d lose both and take you out, purple eyeshadow and all. If you could stand looking at my face, that is.
A fluttering sensation tickled Lily’s tummy. She held it in check and typed, Ivy says the fighting makes you look hot.
Gage: LOL. You should listen to your big sister.
Wait. Were they text-flirting now? How had that happened? No idea, but she was enjoying it. Too much. She conjured an image of the sea of cards—next to his bed—and the pretty brunette.
Lily: I should go tuck the girls in.
Gage: Tell them hi for me.
Lily: D was really worried about you BTW.
A selfie of Gage—sans shirt—reclining against his hotel headboard popped up on her screen. He had his infectious grin plastered on his face.
Gage: Show her this. Then call me when you’re done putting them to bed.
Lily: Call you why?
Gage: So you can sing me to sleep? It’s turning into a long
