I swing my legs over the boards without thinking but I’m a little flustered. I can be a tough guy all day long but there’s just under a minute left.
Did we really need a line change?
Or is this some kind of test?
There’s no way to know, so I put my head down and head toward the faceoff circle.
Chapter
Thirty-Two
Jayne
Seeing Bodi get hurt nearly gave me a heart attack. The blood dripping on the ice was the worst part, but then he sat down on the bench and they fixed him up right there. It was hard to see from where we were sitting, but Billie squeezed my arm tightly as we watched. And part of me swooned a little on the inside at how strong and tough he is.
I don’t know if we’ll have the opportunity tonight, but he’ll get some extra attention from me the next time we’re alone.
Now she and I are heading down to the family lounge with Lourdes and Lindy a few feet ahead of us, so I do my best to act casual.
Billie was really good at introducing herself to everyone and Lindy talked non-stop, which kept Lourdes distracted. Not that she pays much attention to me but I still want to be cautious.
The lounge is packed, filled with friends and family, and I’m suddenly overwhelmed. I’m one of them—both as Coach Morrison’s daughter and Bodi’s significant other—but I feel like nothing but someone’s dirty little secret instead.
It’s not his fault, so I’m not mad at him, but I’m frustrated with myself. My father. My whole freakin’ life. I’m even slightly annoyed with my mother for abandoning me, as irrational as that is.
They’re all fleeting thoughts that go almost as quickly as they come, but it leaves me unsettled.
“It’s going to be okay,” Billie says softly. “Breathe and act normal.”
“I feel…dirty,” I admit under my breath. “Like I’m doing something wrong.”
She shakes her head. “You’re not. You know that. You have a plan, and before you know it you’ll be able to do whatever you want.”
“But he’llstillbe Bodi’s coach,” I say sadly. “With far too much control of his career.”
She looks thoughtful but before she can respond, a few of the guys come in and Bodi is one of them.
“Hey!” Billie immediately rushes over to him, and he picks her up and spins her around. They share a quiet moment where he nods and then those gorgeous blue eyes of his find mine.
There’s a bandage on his cheek and I desperately want to reach out, run my fingers over it, comfort him.
But I can’t.
So, I just stand there feeling awkward and small.
“Wasn’t the game awesome?” Lindy asks, coming over and taking my hand.
“It was,” I say fondly. “Did you have fun?”
“So much fun!” She’s practically buzzing with excitement.
“The game was great,” Billie chirps, smiling happily as she and Bodi approach us. “I’m glad you guys won but a little sad for Rome.”
Bodi studies me for a beat but then nods and turns to his sister. “You guys are coming over to the house, right?”
“Yeah. They’re not flying to Nashville until morning.”
“Great.” He glances at me again, as if trying to figure out if I’m okay, but I avert my gaze, concentrating on Billie. Lindy is incredibly observant for someone so young, so the last thing I need is her to make a comment about us making googly eyes at each other or something.
