AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Just when I was about to give up and move to another seat, security personnel appeared, flanking the group. My eyes widened as I watched them, and the guys, who had been so vocal just moments ago, now resembled scared little mice.
Security spoke to them sternly, and it didn't take long for the guys to begrudgingly gather their belongings and follow them away from their seats. I was instantly relieved, and I turned my attention back to the game, glad I could actually pay attention now.
Just a few minutes later however, a Cobras employee, dressed in team gear, took their place. She held up a massive sign, large enough to rival a billboard, and my eyes widened in disbelief as I read the words written on it.
"Property of Ari Lancaster," the sign declared boldly, an arrow pointing downward directly at me.
I blinked, stunned into silence for a moment, before a surprised burst of laughter bubbled up from my chest.
People around us were staring, and I shrunk into my seat, my face on fire with embarrassment.
But also pride…because I wanted to belong to Ari. I was well aware I was the luckiest girl in the world to have him like I did.
A few minutes later, I glanced up at the jumbotron, shocked to see my face up there on the massive screen. The crowd erupted into laughter and cheers at the sight of me and the sign. I was caught in a whirlwind of emotions—embarrassment, amusement, and a strange warmth spreading through me.
I glanced at Ari who was leaning against the glass, pointing at me with both hands, an impish grin on his ridiculously hot face that made my heart skip a beat. I couldn't help but laugh, shaking my head in disbelief.
A few minutes later, another Cobras employee sat in one of the empty seats behind me, also with the oversized sign. She waved it enthusiastically, drawing my attention away from the game once more. The sign read, "I’m serious,” and it had an arrow that pointed to the other sign. She held it high for everyone to see.
This, of course, attracted the camera crew, and I found myself again up on the jumbotron.
This continued through the game…a Cobras employee would come out with a sign that they’d flash above my head, and the jumbotron would flash a shot of me. The signs included such gems as:
"Ari's Better Half"
"Blake's Got Ari Fever!"
"No Trespassing: Ari's Territory"
"Ari's Soulmate: Hands Off!"
"Reserved for Ari's Queen"
"Property of #24 Ari Lancaster"
"Blake's the Goal, Ari's the Assist"
"Ari’s MVP"
"Warning: She’s Taken"
Ari was obviously determined to keep the spotlight on me, and the crowd seemed to love every moment of it. It was endearing and absurd, and that warm feeling in my chest…it was growing.
With two minutes to go, Ari executed a flawless pass, setting up a potential goal-scoring opportunity for Tommy. The tension in the arena was palpable, the crowd holding its collective breath as the puck soared toward the opposing team's net.
The shot was taken, and my heart raced. Time seemed to slow down, the fate of the game hanging in the balance. The puck hit the back of the net, and the arena went absolutely insane. Cobras up by one!
As the seconds ticked away, it became clear that the Cobras were going to win. The final buzzer sounded, and the crowd erupted in jubilation. And Ari had one more sign for me…”Ari’s Lucky Charm.”
* * *
It was only later, when we were on our way home, the road stretched out before us, that I started to second guess the signs…and the meaning behind them. I felt the heaviness of my unspoken doubts and fears pressing on my chest. The silence that had been comfortable only moments before, was now pregnant with the weight of the questions I needed to ask.
Finally, I found the courage to voice the thoughts that had been haunting my mind. My voice was barely a whisper as I said, "Ari, do you ever worry about...about what happened with Clark? That I’ll cheat on you because I cheated on him?"
His eyes remained focused on the road ahead, his profile bathed in the gentle glow of the car's dashboard. After a moment, he let out a sigh, his voice warm and reassuring. “Not even for a second. And besides…I’d never let you. I’d never let any other man get in the picture.”
His words tried to wash over me like a warm, soothing wave…but there was still a lingering ache…
