"I do love you, and you are the sexiest woman I know." He received a pinch on the arm for that. He laughed. "The world. The world."
Kyle McLachlan and Doug Black came over to them. Doug elbowed him the side. He was a defenceman, who'd been playing for the Flames for six years now. "Hey stop smoozing with each other. Celebrate your win. I heard someone saying that you were going to start us off on the playoffs."
Kip shrugged. "Not something I can really control. Well, not entirely."
"You were so awesome out there tonight. You were the last few games you played," Kyle said.
"It's a team effort," Kip replied. He looked at Mandy, who was looking at his team mates. "You guys do most of the work, really. Goalies get the blame."
"We just know it's been hard for you being the new guy," Doug said. "Been a long time since I was the new guy."
Kip nodded. "Well, you guys do your job out there and I'll do mine. Together we turn it all into a win."
Kyle punched him in the shoulder. "See you around."
Kip reached out and punched him back. "Sure." He looked back at his girl. He liked the sound of that 'his girl.' "Should we make our way out?"
Mandy disentangled himself from Kip. "You talk to whoever you need to. I'll go find Colton and ruin his night." Kip grabbed her back and kissed her again. "Love you."
****
After she watched Kip walk away, she tried to listen for Colton or Corey. She heard laughter across the room and followed it. She found Colton half surrounded by Flames players. Colton was telling them his latest bought of jokes. Mandy rolled her eyes, grateful that her son was getting all this positive male attention. Young Corey, nicknamed in her mind for his young looks, he was about the same age as her, had taken a shine to Colton.
Mandy went up and elbowed him in the side. "Good game out there. That was a nice goal."
"Took a few shots, but I got the job done." Corey grinned. His good looks made more obvious by the wide smile that reached his eyes. She wished she had a single friend to set perpetually single and unhappy, Corey up with.
"Indeed. You did well."
"I swear, Kip plays better when you are here. Would you consider travelling with the team?"