“Of course. She’ll love the show.”
“That’s my hope,” he agrees. He looks sketchy, or nervous, until I realize he’s looking over at Savannah, who is smiling awkwardly.
“Shit, this is my friend, Savannah. I’m teaching her to skate, and she watches Izzie during my games.”
If she’s upset at the way I introduce her, she doesn’t show it as she leans in to shake his hand.
“I’m Doug. His mother’s…I’m Tatum’s father.” He winces a bit, which makes me wonder if they’re off again. “According to Isabelle, you’re one of her best friends.”
“Oh, that’s…she’s sweet.”
“She’s got a big heart.” He beams like a proud parent and my chest goes tight. It makes me sad for my dad, who doesn’t get to say those things, but also happy. Maybe I misjudged Doug’s intentions, and he’s not that much of an asshole.
“I’ll hit the showers. Wait for me?” I ask Savannah, who doesn’t have a car here, but her parents live close enough that they might be able to rescue her before I got out if she wanted to escape, which she looks like she might.
She nods and, for a moment, I wonder if I should worry about leaving her with Doug, but I’ve known him two years and he’s said less than fifty words to me, so I’m sure they’ll be fine.
Chapter Forty-Eight
Savannah
Some Friendship
I should have gone home instead of spending hours at the arena, since I don’t have Izzie, but I’m pretty sure I would have convinced myself to stay there, so I find my seat in the stands and write.
Eventually, the guys come on for their warmup, then the Zamboni cleans the ice after them, and I keep on writing. The crowd slowly trickles in, but my section is the last to fill up.
As the season goes on and the Wolves keep winning, I notice more girls dressed in skimpy jerseys, even if I only come to afternoon games. There is also a constant flow of women occupying the player’s seats, with only a few coming consistently, like Lacey and Mrs. Benson. Noah’s seats are behind his coach’s, which is perfect, but the ones behind him have had a different girl every time, and today it’s a particular woman who has come to almost every game sitting in a different seat, which I try not to think means she alternates guys after every game, but then I did see her countdown sign.
Liv and Mrs. Benson aren’t here today, but Lacey says hi as she makes her way to Darren’s seats. She waves in a way I think might mean she’s inviting me to sit with her, but she’s with a group of friends, and I don’t want to intrude, so I look down at my notebook whenever she looks over, so I don’t look too pathetic.
I’m chilly by the end of the first period, so I put on Noah’s sweatshirt, which I’ve been carrying around in my bag for most games. I keep meaning to give it back to him, I really do, but it’s so warm and soft and comfy. I could just buy myself one at the bookstore, but then I’d feel weird about it and end up with the generic Wynchester Hockey one, when part of me enjoys wearing Noah’s name on my back after watching so many girls wear mine for my brothers.
The rotating bunny is glaring at me again, in the way she usually does whenever Izzie – and Coach’s wife – aren’t looking.
“Nice sweatshirt,” she tells me with an eyebrow raise.
“Just showing some school spirit,” I say with a little pompom punch, which is mortifying, but the girl just gives me a tight-lipped smile.
“Is she your daughter?”
“What?”
“The girl you come with. Is that why Noah never does more than casual hookups?”
My eyes flare and she makes a show of bringing her hand to cover her mouth like she just revealed something she shouldn’t.
“She’s his sister,” I explain. “I’m just a friend who watches her for him.”
“Don’t insult my intelligence. I may be a puck bunny, but I’m not an idiot.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Tell that to your sweatshirt, sweetie. And unless he’s changed, you’re no different than me.”
* * *
Noah plays amazing, with two goals and two assists, but the overall mood is pretty depressing, because we lost a home game 6-5. It was probably the most exciting game I’ve ever seen, but I had no one to ask questions to, or comment on things, which sucked. I hope Iz enjoyed her show.
