Page 61 of The Puck Charmer
Jonah holds his hand up to showcase his wedding ring when one of the girls sidles up to him. He shoots me a grin. “My buddy Alek is a free man,” he says, fucking me over and I produce my middle finger. He laughs and takes a shot. Soon more people crowd around us and before we know it, we’re giving autographs.
I finish signing, and getting my picture taken, when a guy I recognize from Greenleaf, I think his name was Eli, comes up to me. “You know I thought that was you when I saw you with Alyssa.” He puts his hand on my back and laughs. “She never let the secret out,” he adds, and worry worms its way through my veins. I talk to him for a few more minutes and step up to the guys.
“I have to go,” I say. “I’m going to walk over to the nursing home.”
Jonah pats me on the back. “Good luck, buddy.”
I step out into the night, and take a fueling breath. No way can I let her leave the nursing home and risk her running into someone from the pub. She needs to hear it from me. I hurry my steps and breathe a sigh of relief when I spot her truck still in the parking lot. Inside, I sign in and make my way to her grandmother’s room. I hear three voices and poke my head in to find Alyssa, Rose and Rose’s friend, Vivian.
A smile lights up Alyssa’s face when she sees me. “Alek, what are you doing here?”
“Oh, it’s the charmer,” Vivian says grinning. “Come on in. Don’t just stand there.”
“The charmer,” Rose says, her eyes falling over me as I cross the room. I swallow uneasily as she narrows her eyes and scrutinizes me. “The charmer,” she says again, and her mouth drops open. “The puck charmer,” she says again, and my heart falls into my stomach.
“Oh my,” Vivian says, and gives Alyssa a little whack. “Why didn’t you tell us who he was.”
Alyssa shakes her head. “I did tell you. It’s Alek.”
“That’s not what I mean,” Vivian says. “You didn’t tell us he was the puck charmer. Always wearing that ball cap to hide his face.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“He’s the goalie for the Seattle Shooters,” Rose says.
“But of course, you already knew that,” Vivian says with a laugh. “Now I’m going to need your autograph.”
Alyssa’s gaze slides to mine, and her eyes are confused. “What’s going on?”
“Alyssa,” I say softly. “Can we talk.”
“Alek?” she says. “Are you a professional hockey player?”
“Alyssa, can we go out into the hall?”
She pulls her phone from her purse and her eyes grow wide as she runs her fingers over the screen. “You’re Alek Matthews, goalie for the Seattle Shooters. I can’t believe this.”
“You didn’t know?” Vivian asks.
Her face pales as her eyes dart to Rose and Vivian, who are watching the worst day of my life unfold.
“No,” she says, her voice a bit shaky.
Vivian turns on me. “Why wouldn’t you tell her?”
“If I could just talk to Alyssa alone for a minute.”
“What does puck charmer mean? Why do they call you that?” Alyssa asks.
“You know what they call the girls who hang out with hockey players?” Vivian asks.
“Puck bunnies…” Her eyes cast down for a brief second. “You’re the puck bunny charmer.”
“It’s just a name, Alyssa. Cason actually gave it to me.”
“Cason, another player for the shooters and Jonah…Quinn said he was in between jobs.” She jumps up and covers her face. “Oh my God, everyone knew but me. You had your friends lying,” she says her voice bordering on hysteria. “Oh my God, I’m a joke.”
I take a step toward her, but she holds her hands up to stop me. “Don’t.”