Chapter 23: So Hot

I felt awkward standing in the stadium so early in the day, but we had left Grant's car at the stadium last night, so I offered to give him a ride. As I milled around the hallways, watching everyone get set up for the game, I passed by the merch booth and loved that one of the spots now showed a jersey with Dawes's name and number. I told Grant I wasn't going to wear his number. In any sport, wearing a player's jersey means something. It felt like I was claiming Grant, and he was claiming me. I blushed, remembering our earlier decision that we were dating.

My fingers traced the letters of his name on the jersey. My teenage self would be squealing over the fact I was dating my childhood crush and that he was even more impressive than we dreamed of. The jersey looked like it belonged among the others as if Grant was meant to be there. The young cashier stepped up to the table as he finished stocking merch. He eyed me with confusion, so I pulled out my wallet, spouting off my size. I impulsively bought it. With flushed cheeks, I walked to the ladies' room, removed my other shirt, shoved it into my bag, put on the jersey, and headed back out to wander to the family box. A movement in the hallway leading to the upper boxes caught my attention. 

I stared at my ex-husband as he shook hands with the team's owner—a sinking feeling stirred in the pit of my stomach. Considering he did the football and basketball circuit, I thought I was free of him. he has never been interested in hockey. Ben was a consulting communications manager. He moved from one sports team to another to improve their sales revenue using community outreach, promotions, targeted marketing, and social media. If he was meeting with the owner, that could mean he had set up his standard contract, and I would have to deal with him for at least six months. Oddly, the same time frame, I had to pay him the money I owed. My heart nearly stopped when I came closer and saw Grant standing there with them. Grant's eyes cut to mine, and something flashed across his face. I couldn't handle this situation, but before I could turn tail and run, Ben called out to me, "Oh! Vi, I didn't know you were here today. It's a little early for the press, isn't it?" 

I stared at my ex-husband, feeling like an idiot for being so awkward when he didn't care I was here at all. Of course, he didn't care; he didn't know Grant and I were dating, nor did he want to make a scene at his job. His job was important, while mine wasn't. My stomach was in knots, dreading what Ben would do. There was no way to embarrass me without it looking bad on him professionally, so he would act like the perfect gentleman. I felt the usual annoyed anger beginning to bubble in my stomach. "I'm not here on assignment. I'll be attending the game later." 

The General Manager interrupted to shake both men's hands, "Gentlemen, we will meet up later. Letty, it is always a pleasure to see you." 

Then he was gone, leaving only the three of us. Ben looked at me, confused, "Will you be in the press box then?" 

I glanced at Grant, who looked confused as well, and then avoided his gaze altogether. How did I explain this whole situation? Even though we decided we were dating, I didn't want to overstep any boundaries that we hadn't had time to discuss yet. "Um... No, I was invited by a player to their box." 

Ben studied me with an odd look, "Which player?"

"It was me. I didn't know you two knew each other." Grant stated. His annoyance at the deja vu convo was apparent only to me. It felt similar to the scene with Tanner. Only this time, Ben and I had history, but Grant still had nothing to worry about. Ben was nothing compared to Grant and only served as an annoying pest from my past.

On the other hand, I was scared of Grant's reaction to my marriage and recent divorce. I was so ashamed of the pathetic sham my marriage turned into and the way I let Ben treat me. Would Grant want to be with me if Ben was the obnoxious baggage that I continued to lug around? I couldn't let Ben ruin the tiny bit of happiness I finally found. I opened my mouth to explain, but Ben beat me to it.

"Yeah, Vi is my wife," Ben smirked, wrapping his arm around my shoulder. I violently shrugged him off and glared.

"Ex-wife. We are divorced." I growled, looking directly at Grant so I knew he heard me. Relief skirted across Grant's face so quickly that I almost missed it.

"Ah, yes. That Wednesday two weeks ago was the best day of our lives." Ben cackled, and I took a step away from him. I hated that this man still made me feel so small. I looked at Grant and saw the realization on his face. Ben also seemed to pick up the tension between us: "Wait, are you two a thing?" 

Neither of us answered him because we had just talked this through this morning. I wasn't even sure I wanted Ben to know who I was dating because I felt embarrassed that I had spent half a decade with this tool. Ben patted Grant on the shoulder, "Be careful with this one. She can be a frigid bitch." 

I felt the tears prickle at the back of my eyes and blinked them back quickly. I'd heard it so many times while we were married that I grew numb to it. After being without the degradation for so long, it felt like a fresh wound over old scars. I'd never been more humiliated in my entire life. Grant removed Ben's hand from his shoulder and looked directly at him, "I've found that she is extremely hot." 

The jealousy that Ben had no right to have was apparent on his face. I bit my lip to prevent a laugh from escaping. Ben had always accused me of being awful in bed. At one point, he blamed my lack of enthusiasm as the cause of our infertility issues. But with the way Grant and I moved, it couldn't be that I was awful in bed. I inched toward Grant, suddenly wanting to be close to him. Why did I think that he would believe anything that Ben said? I grabbed his bicep and squeezed it slightly, "Grant and I are dating, so I'm here to support him." 

Grant's eyes flicked to the name and number on the back of my jersey as I turned to face Ben. 

"Whatever. Since I have you here, Vi, do you have my money yet?" Ben's face returned to that cocky smirk. 

I froze in place, glaring at him, "You'll get it as agreed." 

"God, it's like pulling teeth with you." Ben reprimanded, "It's not difficult to complete the task. I mean, If you need step-by-step instruc--" 

Grant suddenly pulled me to him, "Baby, I'll show you to your seat."

Ben stepped forward, "Wait, Dawes, I'm not don--"

When I nodded, Grant looked at Ben and, in an icy calm tone, said, "I think we will be heading out now." 

"Listen up, Vi. You need to pay me what I'm owed, or there will be consequences!" Grant guided me away from a sputtering Ben. I felt my tears slip out. I was so angry that I couldn't help but cry. If I didn't cry, then I would probably kill that asshole. I hated it when my sister was right. 

Grant led me toward an empty hallway before he pushed my face into his chest with the back of my head. His other arm wrapped around my back, and he whispered in my ear, "You're wearing my jersey." 

I burst out laughing along with the tears. Grant held me tighter, and I felt the warmth and comfort I needed. After an eternity of him holding me, I finally calmed down. "I can't believe I married him." 

Grant pulled back, and something flashed in his eyes, but he nodded silently. I grabbed the sides of his face and pulled him down into a kiss. Within seconds, what was supposed to be a quick peck morphed into his tongue, dancing with mine. His hands gripped the back of my neck, tilting my head so he had access to my neck, which he took full advantage of. I grabbed the collar of his shirt and pulled him flush against me. Grant's thigh pushed apart my legs. I was so turned on that I rocked my core against his thigh, trying to get the friction that I craved. 

Grant sucked on my neck so hard that he released it with a pop, "I wish I could just fuck you right here, but I don't have the time, so I'm going to get you off with my hand now." 

"Yes." I moaned into his shoulder. Grant quickly undid my jeans button and zipper before pushing his hand down my pants. His fingers circled my clit, giving it enough pressure that I had to grasp his shoulders to remain standing. He let his pointer finger run down to my entrance, "Letty, you are so wet. Is this all for me?" 

I rocked my hips, hoping to encourage his fingers to penetrate me already, "All for you. I can't help it." 

"You are so hot, so warm, like an inferno I would gladly walk into any day." He murmured while plunging into me. I knew what he was doing. Grant was trying to take away the pain from all the times Ben called me frigid, cold, frozen, ice queen, and I was selfish enough to let him. 

"Grant," I pleaded, unsure what I was begging for. He curled his finger up, hitting my G-spot repeatedly as his thumb pressed down on my swollen clit. I burst around his hand, biting into his shoulder to remain quiet. Neither of us moved, but I could hear the sounds of players moving from the locker room a floor down. Grant removed his hand and sucked my juices off his fingers. 

"So hot." He winked at me, and I melted. 

"Thank you." I kissed his lips, enjoying my taste on his lips. Then I shoved him back with a sharp slap to his firm butt, "Now kick some ass." 

Grant grinned, kissed my forehead, and strode toward the stairwell leading to the locker room. I adjusted my pants and underwear before heading to the family box, ready to relax and watch my hockey god kick ass.