“I do it all. On a game day, I arrive early so I can get a video of each player for a fit check,” I say. “Fans love seeing what players are wearing on game day. Then I go down on the pitch and video warm-ups. I upload content throughout the game, like starting lineup, goal shots, et cetera. Then there’s postgame content, and if it’s a home game, I drag myself back to my apartment and crash. If it’s a road game, then I’m traveling with the team, and the hours are crazier. But I love my job, so it’s all worth it.”
“You have to be skilled in so many different things,” Georgie says as we walk through the concourse. I notice a woman pass me wearing Aiden’s jersey, and I smile to myself.
Because that’s my boyfriend, even if nobody can know it.
I circle back to Georgie’s question about having to do a lot of different things for social media.
“You do,” I say. “I have to admit, my passion is photography. I love the rush I get from capturing a great moment.”
“That’s something I have to work at for my business. I sell painted Mason jars, and getting the photography right for my Etsy shop is always a challenge for me. I’m good at setting the backdrop and display part, but I’m not so skilled when it comes to taking pictures. The lighting is tricky for me.”
“Oh, you’re an artist?” I ask, intrigued by this. “That’s fantastic. I cannot paint. Or even draw a good stick person, for that matter. What’s the name of your business? I want to look you up!”
“It’s called Georgie’s Jars. I have a website, and I’m on Etsy. But don’t judge my photos!” she says, holding out her hand in a stop motion.
I’m getting the same feeling about Georgie that I did about Hadleigh.I could be friends with her.
Hope fills me. After trying to make friends for so long, after painfully watching my college friends drift away, I feel like I can build a whole new life now in Miami.
With a boyfriendandfriends.
I decide to take a risk with Georgie, just like I did with Hadleigh. I don’t like having to lie about Aiden, but hopefully with any friends I make, they will understand why I had to protect him when the truth can be revealed.
Aiden has to be a secret for now.Not forever,I remind myself.
“Here’s the entrance you’ll always want to take for the best view,” I say, leading Georgie to sections 108 and 109. We enter through the tunnel and begin to walk down the steps. “Georgie, if you ever want some photography tips or for me to take some pictures for you, I’d be happy to help.”
Her face lights up. “Would you really? That’s so generous of you, Scarlett.”
“I have downtime now. It would be my pleasure.”
“Yes, I would love that. I can pay you for your time.”
“Oh no, I’m offering my services for free. I’m not pitching you for a side hustle,” I reassure her.
“Well, if you like my jars, I’ll gift you one.”
“Now that sounds like a payment plan I can get on board with,” I say cheerfully.
We reach the ice and find a good spot on the glass, and Georgie and I fall into an easy conversation as we wait for the players to come out. I tell her about growing up in a hockey family and how Jamie plays in Switzerland, and Ethan plays for Las Vegas, and how we moved all the time.
“The first time I felt like I had a permanent home was when I was in college,” I confide. “For four years, at college in Connecticut, I knew I wouldn’t be moving. I can’t explain what a relief that was for me.”
I feel Georgie staring at me, and suddenly my cheeks grow warm. “I’m so sorry. I’m oversharing, and normally I don’t do that. You have this kindness about you that’s making me spill all the tea.”
“That’s a wonderful compliment, thank you,” she says. “And your tea is safe with me.”
Guilt once again claws at me. If Georgie only knew how much tea I had to spill.
“Good evening, ladies and gentlemen,” the PA announcer says. “Welcome to Premier Airlines Arena for tonight’s matchup between the Nashville Badgers and your MIAMI MANATEESSSSSSSSSSSSS.”
Both teams hit the ice, with the Miami Manatees coming out of the tunnel on our side of the ice.
And the first person out is Aiden.
My heart flutters like mad the second I see him skate. He’s so damn hot in his uniform, the golden-brown hair just peeking out from under his helmet. I see his gray eyes dart around the crowd,and they stop when he finds me. It’s just for a brief second—but it’s enough to make my breath catch in my throat.
I ache to acknowledge Aiden. To have him stop by the glass to say hi.
