Aleksander smiled at him a moment and then his attention was drawn else where. There were more congratulations all around from various people. Coach, general manager, two of the owners, he thought. The faces were starting to blur.

He undressed, showered and put his clothes back on. The dressing room opened up and there was Mandy and Colton, with the rest of the crowd. Family members, wives, girlfriends, couple of other kids, friends came filtering in. He wrapped his arm around Mandy and lifted Colton up. "You were great," Colton shouted. In his ear. He winced a little.

"Thanks, dude. Thanks for coming out to watch."

Kip leaned over and kissed Mandy's cheek. "And, thank you too. I know you had to fly down here."

"It's fine. I don't mind."

He pressed his face against her, berating in the essence of Mandy. "I love you," he whispered.

"I heard that," Colton shouted. Ouch in the ear, Kip thought, about to set Colton to the floor. Then Corey came to the rescue and lifted Colton away.

"Did you see my goal?" Corey was asking Colton, carrying him across the room.

"Hey, bring him back in a few minutes," Kip called after them. He pressed close to Mandy and spoke just for her, "I need to take this woman home and have my own celebration."

Mandy laughed and hugged him around his waist. "You were great tonight. Did you enjoy yourself?"

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He shrugged. "Some. I dunno, the lack of word from anywhere is starting to get to me. I'm going to have to start demanding soon." He made a face at her.

Mandy sighed. Was she tired of hearing about it or was she hoping for good news for him? He couldn't exactly talk to her right now, and then there was the drive home, but they'd brought separate vehicles. He wanted to sigh too, but he was going to hide those worries from her. "I know. We're all on edge until something happens."

He patted her hips. "Let's not worry about it for now. Let's go home, hang out in the hot tub and make love in the king sized bed that I paid a fortune for." It was another part of their routine.

"It was all worth every penny. It's the only reason I'm still sleeping with you."

"Jeez. If I knew you'd be that easy."

They shared a laugh. "Well, that and the fact that you don't stop telling me how beautiful and sexy I am. That you don't stop telling me you love me."




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