“I’m confident you have the ability to do whatever you set your mind to.” Gage then glances at his watch before bringing those hazel eyes back to me. “I have to get going. I hope to see you at the party, yes?”
“Okay,” I say with a smile.
And with that, those few words have ensured my attendance.
CHAPTER 6
Gage
Winding through the throng of people, I smile and nod, shake hands and fist-bump and accept introductions to the significant others I’ve yet to meet. Brienne rented out a huge restaurant on the North Side for this impromptu get-together for the Titans organization. It’s not unusual for teams to gather for dinners or parties, but it doesn’t happen often due to the busy game schedule. Normally we have start-of-season or end-of-year parties as well as holiday celebrations, but this was needed. The team hit the ice cold, so to speak, and while the players are building unity, the families need to as well.
Still, it’s not something I think most organizations would do on the spur of the moment. It takes money and connections to shut down a restaurant for an evening, but from what I understand and have come to know about Brienne Norcross, I’m not surprised she did this. She knows this team needs as much help to unify as possible, and if it’s treating us to good food and drinks so we can kick back and socialize, I’m all for it. She knows what her people need.
Not everyone is in attendance. I know specifically Stone isn’t coming as he had other plans. I didn’t ask what those plans were, but I got the impression they have something to do with Brooks’s attorney—who I’m not sure if he’s warring or sleeping with—but more power to him. I also know Coen isn’t coming because I asked him, and he said it wasn’t his thing.
No surprise there.
Other than that, it’s crowded with not only players and their dates but with the management teams and theirs.
Buffet tables have been set up in different rooms with a variety of hot and cold foods, the flow designed to allow people to grab plates and mingle. Two open bars are running, and people are spread out nicely, so it’s not too loud.
There’s no denying that from the minute I walk into the restaurant, I’m looking for Baden and Sophie. Because if Jenna came to the party, she’ll be at their side.
After seeing her the other day at the documentary meeting, I’ve been counting down the hours to when I could see her again. I even went so far as to ask Baden in practice today if she was actually coming for sure, and he just smirked at me. He knows my interest, and he’s doing nothing to either dissuade or encourage it.
Essentially, he’s letting me fumble around this by myself, which is fine. I’m not even quite sure what my interest is. There’s no denying the attraction, but Jenna’s not the type you go roaring into something with. She’s introverted and mistrustful, not to mention hypersensitive to how others see her scarring. I witnessed that firsthand the day we met, so her attending tonight’s event says a lot about her determination to put herself out there.
I don’t dare think that she’s making an effort to come tonight because I asked her to, but one can hope.
As I pass my teammates, introductions are made. I meet wives and girlfriends and even dates who are nothing more than arm candy and a potential screw later this evening.
Finally, I see Baden talking to Bill Perry, the assistant coach. As I approach, Bill claps Baden on the arm and nods at me with a smile as he leaves.
I throw a thumb over my shoulder. “I didn’t scare him off, did I?”
Baden shakes his head. “Nah… just talking about Keller.”
“Say no more.” I hold up my hand to indicate I don’t need in on that conversation. Everyone has opinions about Keller, but whatever Baden and Bill were talking about was for coaches’ ears only. I glance around the room. “Where’s Sophie?”
Code for, Where’s Jenna?
Baden nods in the direction of another room. “Talking to some of the women. Darius’s wife grabbed her and insisted on taking her around for introductions. Apparently, Aneta has become the social cruise director for all the Titan women.”
“And you let her go?” I ask with a chuckle. While I don’t know Aneta all that well—just met her once—I’ve heard Darius complain about her enough. They were apparently sweethearts back in the Czech Republic before he came to play in the States, but I have no clue why they’re still married. He says she’s a gold digger who only cares about spending his money on the most expensive, ridiculous things, although he didn’t begrudge her breast enhancements.
I’m surprised Baden let Sophie go, not because Aneta would rub off on her but because Sophie won’t have any patience for that superficial stuff.
Baden shrugs. “She’s got to learn how to survive in this world if she’s going to be at my side.”
“Bullshit. You’re too overprotective.”
Baden grins mischievously. “Well… she’s not by herself, so I figured there was power in numbers.”
“Jenna’s with her?” I deduce hopefully.
“She is indeed, and I’m sure the two of them can handle themselves together.”
I’m sure they can, too, but now that I know Jenna’s here, I don’t want to sit around and chitchat with Baden.
“I’m going to grab a drink… check out the scene,” I say as I try to figure out which room they might be in.
Baden smirks. “You mean, you’re going to look for Jenna.”
Not a Sherlock moment. I haven’t hidden my interest, but I’m curious how he feels about it. “Is that cool?”
“If I didn’t like it, you wouldn’t be going to look for her,” Baden promises darkly before winking. “But I guess you’re a good enough guy that I shall allow it.”
Laughing, I punch his shoulder and leave him behind.
I am detained for a few more introductions, but eventually, I locate Sophie and Jenna standing with a group of women by the other bar.
And as I’d thought, both she and Sophie don’t look overly enthused to be among the other women, including Darius’s wife, Aneta. She’s a tall, dark-haired beauty with flawless hair, makeup, and clothes, but more importantly, she’s the center of attention. I stand back a minute and watch the dynamics, curious as to how this will play out.
Aneta’s doing all the talking, waving her hands and making sure to look each woman in the eye so she knows their eyes are only on her.
Except… she doesn’t look at Jenna. Passes right over her as she continues with whatever story she’s spouting. I don’t recognize the other women—no clue if they’re wives, girlfriends, or puck bunnies, but they’re engrossed. Aneta laughs about something, then whips out her phone and motions for the women to huddle in for a selfie.
Jenna and Sophie don’t move, but Aneta steps forward and grabs Sophie. Hauls her right into the group for a photo, completely ignoring Jenna. I can make a few guesses as to why. First, Sophie is known to be with Baden, and Baden is a coach and about the most famous person associated with this team, given his history. Aneta would consider Sophie an important figure in her social circle, even though anyone who knows Sophie knows she’d never have anything in common with someone as vain as Darius’s wife.