Back Check (Aces Hockey #4)(64)

 

Olaf Pilkvist came on the stage and did a hilarious version of "Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae)," a few girlfriends Katelyn didn't know did a Spice Girls song, and three players did "Stayin' Alive" by the Bee Gees.

 

During the intermission, Katelyn and Rachel went to the lobby to check out the silent auction, with lots of great Aces swag as prizes-signed jerseys and sticks, tickets to games, T-shirts. They bought some tickets and entered, and it seemed like everyone there was only too happy to shell out big bucks for a good cause.

 

After the break, Lovey performed a sexy Ariana Grande song, then it was Tanner's turn.

 

He and Julien came out onto the stage, waving at the cheering crowd, grinning, both wearing vests with no shirt beneath, big gold chains, and ball caps. The music of Jason Derulo and 2 Chainz's "Talk Dirty" started. The crowd went crazy.

 

"Holy crap!" Rachel cried as they broke into dance, their feet moving in a series of fast moves. The stage lights gleamed on their bare, muscular arms and a bunch of women in the audience started catcalling.

 

Katelyn shook her head, laughing, mesmerized by Tanner up there dancing like that. He'd always been a pretty good dancer, but who knew he had this in him?

 

At one point, the two men yanked down the zippers on their vests to expose their chests, and they flexed their abs and pecs in time to the music.

 

High-pitched screams filled the theater, and Katelyn fell back in her seat, laughing.

 

"I love you, Tanner!" a female voice cried from behind her.

 

Well. Too bad, bish.

 

They ended the song with simultaneous backflips that again had the crowd cheering. Everyone leaped to their feet to applaud in a standing ovation. Katelyn exchanged an amused glance with Rachel as they both stood as well.

 

"That was so freakin' hot!" Rachel cried.

 

It really was.

 

There were a few more acts, and then Marc Dupuis ended the show, but despite the captain's popularity, Tanner and Julien were a tough act to follow. Nonetheless, Marc's Justin Timberlake song and dance went over pretty well.

 

They announced winners, and no surprise, Tanner and Julien came in first. After that they declared how much money had been raised for the charities the Aces Foundation supported, amid more cheers and applause. The crowd left the theater smiling and feeling good, Katelyn no exception.

 

 

 

        

          

        

         

 

"That was pretty amazing," Rachel said as they waited for a taxi. "Who knew hockey players were so talented?"

 

"Not all of them." Katelyn grinned. "But I give them all credit for being good sports and getting up there like that."

 

"Totally. Hey, you need to get Tanner to dance like that for you at home."

 

"Right."

 

"Is he coming over tonight?"

 

She bit her lip. "Yeah." '

 

"Lucky you."

 

She'd kept Rachel updated on their activities. This week they'd seen quite a bit of each other since he had no games, although he did have practices, workouts, team meetings, and a photo shoot. She'd cooked dinner for him at her place one night, making the one thing she'd been any good at cooking back in college-spaghetti and meatballs. And a chocolate cake.

 

Tonight, though … watching him up there performing … she'd felt herself falling. It wasn't just that he had an amazing body that women were drooling over. It wasn't that he was a pretty good dancer. It was that he'd put himself out there like that, risked making a fool of himself onstage, in front of hundreds of people, for a good cause, and had done it with a smile on his face. Plus, that competitive drive in him that had clearly urged him on was kind of hot.

 

"Rachel. I think … I'm in love with him."

 

"Oh. Oh Katelyn." She paused. "I thought you didn't believe in love anymore."

 

"I do." She sighed. "I do believe in love. I always have. But it's okay. Don't worry." She grabbed her friend's arm in the back of the taxi and squeezed it. "I know there's a chance he'll leave me again. And I'm afraid. But … I have to take this chance."

 

Yes. She was falling in love with Tanner Bennet. Again.

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 17

 

 

"My dad's in town."

 

They were at Tanner's place Friday night after going out for a fun dinner with Lovey and Marc, Amber and Duncan, and Jenna and Andrew.

 

"You look like you just said you've been sentenced to ten years in prison."

 

He grimaced as he pulled his sweater over his head. "That's kinda how I feel."