The expletive-laden comment, delivered in all caps, was explicit, but that it came from one of the site's longest members shocked Kelsey even more. "Guys, I appreciate colorful language as much as anyone else but remember, this is a family site, so keep it clean." She deleted the comment and turned to Leo. "I'm sorry about that."
He shrugged and then looked at the camera and raised his beer in toast. "Bring it on. But as Kelsey said, kids could be reading, and they don't need to see that stuff."
New comments rolled in, a mix of genuine questions and comments littered with crude words and hateful suggestions. Leo was acting like they didn't bother him, but how could they not?
Anger burning hotter than the spice from the wings, Kelsey laid her hand on his arm and leaned closer to the screen. "You've already had one warning. Repeat offenders will be permanently blocked from leaving comments, and can be banned from the site with one click, which I'm more than happy to do, so keep that in mind."
Warm muscles flexed under her hand and drew her attention to Leo. He looked impressed, grateful, and surprised. "Usually, I'm the one in the role of protector or enforcer. It's been a while since anyone has fought battles for me."
Heat rushed into her cheeks. Defending him had been the right thing to do. Anyone would have. Well, maybe not anyone, or even half of the Bedlam fan base, but she couldn't help the pull she felt for him. Lifting her shoulders, she shifted away.
"Wait. What's that one?" He scrolled up a few comments. "There. 'Hey Leo, as atonement for knocking out Dylan, you should eat the death wings.' What is a death wing?"
"The death sauce is even hotter than the suicidal sauce. I think it's the hottest sauce they make. I've never tried it."
His shoulder puffed up and his features slipped into the warrior's expression he wore on the ice. "Let's do it."
"You'll sacrifice some taste buds, but if you're sure..."
As he put in the order, Kelsey added a request for lemonade, ignoring his quirking brow. She quietly deleted a fan's suggestion that Leo should also down a shot of the suicidal sauce. She wouldn't allow this to descend into some immature frat boy contest. "You grew up in Philly. Do you spend the off season there?"
"I do. My dad and brothers all still live there. I love my hometown. I don't know if you ever take Kelsey's Corner on the road, but if you come on the road trip when we play Philly the last game of the season, we can revisit the city's famous foods thing and I'll take you to get a real Philly cheesesteak. And an authentic Philadelphia soft pretzel."
"I'm in. We'll have to make that happen." She loved traveling and the team likely would be all for it. "Maybe you can play tour guide too, and take me to see the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall. Oh, and the art museum steps."
He laughed. "Rocky fan, hmm?"
"I love those movies. Dylan, Rod, and I watched them all the time as kids." Her arm brushed his again. She let it linger, hyper-aware of his touch. "If we're playing tour guide, then I'll have to take you to Canalside. And Niagara Falls."
Her enthusiasm had pulled her focus away from the interview. She glanced at the screen. One comment jumped out. You two should get a room!
Fresh heat flushed her cheeks. Were they that obvious? Leo winked at her. Below the table, his thigh bumped and then rested against hers.
Thankfully, the death wings arrived. He held one up to the screen. "Going in."
He paused with it an inch from his face. "Whoa, that's strong enough to clear my head. Better than any smelling salts. Maybe we should have a bucket of these on the bench during games instead." He bit into the wing and groaned. Wincing, he ripped off another bite. Then another. Beads of sweat broke out on his forehead. His eyes watered again and his whole face flamed red. Dropping the bone, he reached for his beer. "Wow. That's really, really hot."
After downing that, he reached for the water pitcher, but Kelsey pushed the lemonade in his direction. He grabbed it and then knocked it back, throat working with every gulp. A bowl of celery sticks and baby carrots had accompanied the wings. He dipped a stalk into the blue cheese and chomped down.
More comments poured in, some cheering Leo and some trying to egg him on with more sauce challenges. Sensing that he was competitive enough to take them on, Kelsey hid those comments and handed him a napkin to dab the sweat from his face.
He blew out a breath and shook his head. "Wow. The sting is still lingering on my lips and under my tongue. I think the lemonade helped more than the beer. Where did you learn that?"
"My dad. He always ordered me a lemonade whenever we got wings when I was a kid. Citrus fruit will help neutralize the capsaicin in the pepper by binding with it, similar to what dairy can do. Water will only spread the heat around your mouth and make it worse. Alcohol is good, but beer is too watered down to be much of a help. For future reference, vodka works well." She nudged her shoulder into his. "I think you've earned that ice cream."
"The fire raging in my mouth agrees with you."
Laughing, she waved at the screen. "That's a wrap for this episode of Kelsey's Corner. As a reminder, the team's next two games are on
