“I think I’m dead,” I say, knowing that my whole body is like a noodle. I can’t move even if I tried. I hear him get off the bed and go into the washroom, coming back with a warm cloth. He cleans me off before cleaning himself off.
When he comes back, he says, “You in my jersey does something to me. I’m getting you T-shirts, shorts, everything with my name on it.”
“That’s not territorial at all. And as much as I would love to sleep in this jersey it’s not really comfy.” The fabric is kind of itchy, something that I didn’t feel before.
He gets up, going to his dresser, throwing me his T-shirt. “Seriously, you actually own your own T-shirt?”
“It’s this year’s new ones, so they sent me a full box. We should be good for a couple of months. I may rip some off you,” he says while winking.
When he’s just about to get into bed, I remind him that we have the kids here, and as much as they are cool about our sleepovers, I don’t think I can explain to anyone why Cooper’s penis isn’t covered up.
He takes a second to throw on some shorts, climbing into bed with me. Grabbing me from my side, he brings us both in the middle of the bed with him spooning me, him wrapping his arm around me, going under my shirt to hold my breast. He has been sleeping like this lately.
He leans forward to kiss my neck. “Love you, babe.”
I wiggle my ass into his groin, repeating the “I love you,” too. I think that in the matter of two minutes I’m already asleep.
Two weeks later, everyone starts on their new routine. The kids are now back in school. Allison in grade two, Matthew in grade eleven, having just turned sixteen. And Cooper, he’s back in training camp. He leaves at the same time the kids do for school, arriving at the same time they finish school.
Sometimes when he’s early he drops by the arena, dragging me out for some one-on-one time. It seems my man misses me during the day. I will not be the first to tell him that I miss him just as much, choosing to shrug my shoulders when he tells me about missing me.
It’s finally the big day. Season opener. He’s nervous. He says he’s not, but I see it. Every single time I ask him a question it’s answered with a grunt or a shrug.
We’ve been staying mostly at his house than mine. The kids are with James this week, but we make a switch for game day.
Our bags are packed and ready in the car. Cooper is carrying his bag when the phone rings. He picks it up with a grunt. Not sure who it is, but whoever it is he’s none too pleased. All I hear from his side of the phone are grunts, making me look at him funny.
Once we get in the car on the way to the hotel, I look over at him. “What’s got your panties in a twist, Stone?” I try to make light of it.
“That was the GM. He wants all the guys to do some red carpet shit before the game. Answer questions and shit. I hate doing that. I don’t do interviews. I play hockey.” He looks over at me. I lean over, kissing his cheek.
“It probably won’t be as bad as you think it is. They probably want to know how you trained this summer. It’s going to be fine. You are going to kill it, then you are going to go on that ice and show them that you are that much better. And then”—I lean in to his ear—“You get to come home and do the naked tango with me. By the way, I have a surprise for you.” I go back to my side and look at him. His jaw gets tight, and his nostrils flare.
Just when he’s going to answer me, I get a text notification. Looking down, I see it’s from Meghan.
Hey, ho-bag. At the hotel. We brought our babysitter, and I’ve arranged a room for the kids, plus Matthew. Is that okay?
Hey, slut bag. That sounds like a plan. We should be there in about thirty minutes. You excited for the game tonight?
The thing with Meghan is that she hates hockey. She never really was into it. She just goes with it so she can eat hot dogs, drink beer, and socialize with the crowd.
I’m so pumped. Tom just got a call from the sports guys to do some interviews before the game, so it’s just you and me. Let the good times roll.
Okay, Cooper has to do some ‘red carpet shit’ as he puts it, so it’ll be you and me.
See you soon.
We check into the hotel. Getting ready to meet up with everyone, I sense Cooper a little distant, but I’m sure it’s the nerves. While in the lobby, we meet with a couple of his teammates and their wives. All the wives are perfectly manicured and coiffed, leaving me in my yoga pants so out of their style.