The Game

J.F. GOLDBERG

Johnathan's first week goes well, and he seems to be settling into his position nicely. He is funny and charming and a good addition to the office. I see the looks from some of the other people in the office.

Maybe I should have done an internal promotion, but everyone has their place, and I didn’t want to mess with that. Still nothing prepared me for what he said to me by the end of the week.

“I have spare tickets to an ice hockey match this weekend and I was wondering if you would be interested in joining me? It’s just me and a few friends, no pressure.” He added the last but in a hurry after seeing my panicked face.

Ice hockey sounds fun but for a second there, I thought he might have been asking me out on a date! Phew, that was scary. Still, do I go with my employee to spend time with him outside of work?

Fuck it, I might have some fun, why not. “Yeah, sounds good.” I reply casually. His face lights up, he is offering to pick me up, but I don’t want the guy to know where I live just yet, so we arrange to meet there.

That all seemed well until I was waiting outside the arena in the frigid winter air, waiting for him for 30 minutes on Saturday. I have no idea what his friends look like or who else I am supposed to be looking out for and suddenly feel like a total fool.

You know what, I have never been to see an ice hockey game live before, I am not missing this opportunity. I grab some junk food to drown my sorrows and warm my bones as I enter. I grabbed a ticket at the door since he had ours.

I am mad at him for standing me up like this, I tried calling but it just rang out so fuck him, he better have a dammed good excuse for this. I even googled it, but this is the only arena in town, so I didn’t end up at the wrong one or something.

Finding my seat, I realise I am surrounded by big guys. They seem to be in a group, there are some women too but mostly big, burly men. At least they might provide some body heat.

As we get settled, I realise I am sat next to the biggest guy in the group and that is quite the accomplishment. I have broken 17 and even 18 hand wild horses before, I am not intimidated...even if his thigh does keep touching mine as he spills out of the human sized seat provided for him.

Damn, as he brushes against me again, I feel his rock-hard leg muscles, I almost poke his thigh with my finger just to see if I will bounce off it but remind myself that I am in public so should probably not act like a weirdo.

A horse might not mind but a human probably would. I think the beer I got with my hot dog is starting to have an effect because I swear, I usually don’t lose my inhibitions around random strangers like this.

I was paying attention to the match until Mr hard thighs got excited at what I guess must be his team scoring and jumped up, throwing those massive trunks of arms in the air in celebration.

His jacket slightly raised as he stretched, and I got the perfect view of some buns of absolute steel. They lead up to the beginning of a trim waist and I have to check myself to make sure I’m not drooling.

It’s only a short peek but it’s enough for me to be totally distracted from whatever might be happening on the ice. Until the half time whistle goes that is and I realise that beer has gone straight through me.

Big guy doesn’t seem to be moving, just talking with his friends so I have to carefully squeeze past him. The rest of the row remove themselves for me very kindly. I definitely don’t feel cold anymore after that though.

As I make my way to the toilets, I absent mindedly check my phone. Three missed calls but no texts to explain. I roll my eyes, too late for you Johny, I am here having fun without you, I think to myself.

On my way back I’m still mad, I find a quieter place and call him. Apparently, his car broke down and he didn’t have signal to get in touch and, when I ask, his friends couldn’t make it.

I don’t dwell on it for too long, determined to enjoy my first ever hockey game, even if I have to do it alone. I turn to grab more beer before heading back to my seat when I almost run straight into someone.

I can already see his sleezy smile as I realise the crowd has begun to disperse back into the arena and I am more alone than I realised. Well fuck. I could have taken him, until his friend popped out behind him. They start approaching me, slowly.

“Well, well, you look like your all alone back here little Miss.” He sleazes at me “Goldberg, it’s Miss Goldberg.” I try to drop my name, it sometimes works when I’m trying to get a seat at a restaurant or something so worth a try, I suppose.

It does not work; stupid fucker has no idea who I am. I mean, it’s not like I’m famous. In fact, I’m usually surprised when people have heard of me. They are completely blocking my path now.

“I’m going back to my seat now, excuse me please.” I say, trying to push past them. They crowd closer, putting am arm up in front of me as though to grab me and I instinctively step back so they can’t touch me.

“Aww, leaving already, I thought we could have some fun first.” His creepy smile grows sinister, and I take a deep breath. Looks like we are going this the hard way, I guess. They close the gap between us and try to lung forwards to grab me.

Their hands are strong around my arms as they try to drag my backwards, but my self-defence classes quickly kick in. The first guy is on the floor after my knee hit his groin and my elbow made short work of his nose but when I turn to the second guy he is gone.

That’s when I register, I am not alone. The big guy is stood there with a few of his friends, picking up the man from the floor he starts speaking. “You are under arrest for the attempted assault of this woman.”

They have both guys pinned against the wall whilst one of them is on the phone to someone, telling them to get a squad car here to pick up the two as soon as they can. I am barely registering what is happening now as my brain tries to make sense of it.

“I’m detective inspector Bjorn Ezekiel; you can call me detective Ezekiel if that’s easier though. Are you okay?” The big guy is standing in front of me now and my brain is beginning to come back online.

“Cops day out?” I ask dumbly. Really? Why is that the first thing out of my mouth? His mouth briefly twitches in a smirk, but he quickly returns to his serious, professional look again.

“I’m fine, thank you.” I reply, gently rubbing my arms, thankfully my jacket is thick, but I’ll probably have some bruising. I did catch an elbow in the ribs, but I barely noticed till I was taking stock after.

“What’s your name? We’ll need it for a statement.” He asks. “Jennifer Florence Goldberg, just Jenni is fine though.” Why did I say that? No one has called me Jenni since I was in school, I probably wouldn't recognize it if I heard it now.

I don’t know what is going on with me, but I think it’s time to go home. Jackson would have told me if that mare, Dolly, had started foaling but I’d still rather be there, making sure she’s comfortable.

I would definitely rather be there than being here, making a fool of myself anyway. People wonder why I don’t go out and socialise, well if they witnessed today, they would know.

“Goldberg? As in J.F.Goldberg enterprises?” He asked as he narrows his eyes. Oh great, now someone recognises the name and it’s when I don’t want them to. I don’t want to be treated like I’m special right now, I just want to go home.

“Yes, that’s me.” I admit with a sigh. Suddenly his whole demeanour stiffens and the calm, caring look in his eyes is replaced by cold, hard, professionalism. Is he...angry at me? We’ll fuck; guess I get my wish of not being treated like I’m special.

I internally scoff to myself, just my luck that the cute guy who saved me from my attackers now wants to judge me because I have money, great. “Why were you here alone?” The sharp edge to his tone is starting to piss me off.

“I was supposed to be meeting a friend, but they had car trouble at the last minute.” My day is just getting better and better. “Oh, I thought you would have people with you.” He mumbles, almost to himself as he seems to search my face for something.

I straighten my spine but wrap my arms back around my ribs when I try to cross them and feel the slight bite in my biceps, bruised for sure. I look away, trying to figure out how to answer him. Does he mean like bodyguards or something?

I mean, I have a whole security team at the offices that work with my different businesses and departments but I’m fairly sure I could take any one of them in a physical fight. The threats mostly seem to be technical these days.

Now I’m imagining Chris Hemsworth, Chris Pine, Chris Pratt, Christopher Reeve and a few other action heroes from my youth, maybe even ones that aren’t named Chris, all just hanging out with dark suits and glasses. Man, my life is way too boring for that shit but...the scenery would be nice.

After I give them my address and phone number, I call my lawyer because I don’t want to handle this alone. Michelle Snider is possibly the fiercest lawyer in the country and if I must do this, there is no one I would rather have by my side.

Maybe I’m overreacting but this whole having money thing really complicates shit and Michelle has worked with me on enough projects over the years that I know I can trust her to keep me out of any possible lawsuit.

We meet at the local police station, and I give my statement to the on-duty officers there. So, no more D.I. Muscles but that’s probably a good thing. By the time I get home I am exhausted.

After something to eat and a hot bath to sooth my tense, sore muscles, I do my rounds and check on everyone with Maya. Dolly still has a few days I think, no signs yet anyway but I make sure she has plenty of fresh bedding and hook my phone up to the live video feed just in case.