Cordelia shakes her head. “Don’t think so.”
“Must be because of Chance,” I say, thinking of how famous Chance McLanely was before he was kicked out of the league.
April adjusts the strap of her silky blouse. “Chance is already on the team. That’s old news. It wouldn’t draw out reporters like this.”
“Is all this for Nat then?” I wonder.
“Yes and no.” Rebel holds up a peace sign. “Chance was already a big deal before he came to Lucky Falls and so was Nathan Campbell. However, they were playing for opposingsides. Now, they’re potentially playing on the same team.” Rebel presses her fingers together. “The sports world is buzzing about what they could do on the ice together.”
“This feels like more than just a buzz,” Cordelia points out.
That much is true.
“Max must be in a great mood,” Rebel muses. “After all the grief and controversy with the original team members, his bet paid off. There’s even a rumor that someone wants to be traded into the Lucky Strikers.” She laughs. “Traded. When they’re not even in the league yet.”
April raises both eyebrows. “Really?”
“According to the press, Max is building a ‘superhero team’.” Rebel rolls her eyes. “You know men and their obsession with superheroes.”
I snort. “That’s just a sensational headline.”
Rebel shrugs. “Some people want to see this whole team crash and burn. Others are rooting for the David and Goliath story angle. The point is, the entire world is focused on the Lucky Strikers right now.”
April sighs. “They deserve it. They’ve all worked so hard.”
At that moment, Nat notices me by the door. He smiles and waves me over.
Keeping my eyes on him, I tell the ladies, “I’ll go sit by Nat.”
My friends shoo me away as I jog to where Nat is sitting. He stands when I arrive and gestures to the seat on his other side.
I notice the other athletes are all dressed casually, but Nat is dressed in a crisp white button down that hints at all the muscles underneath. His black pants are tailored and highlight his model-like proportions. He looks absolutely gorgeous and my heart flutters just staring at him.
“Are you nervous?” I whisper as the lights dim and the reporters lean forward in their seats.
“A little,” he admits. “But I’ve done this before, so I know what to expect.”
I catch sight of his phone and smile when he turns it to me. “Mr. and Mrs. Campbell. Hi!”
“Hi, Riley.” Nat’s parents greet me from the screen.
I give Nat a questioning look.
He shrugs. “They wanted to be a part of it.”
“We’re so nervous,” Mrs. Campbell says, her green eyes—so similar to Nat’s—are strained with worry. “We’re glad you’re there with him, Riley.”
“He’s going to do great.”
Nat smiles at me and adjusts the phone. “I’m going to set you guys down and put you on mute for a second.”
His parents’ eager faces look out from the screen as Nat positions the phone on the seat next to him and immediately reaches for my hand.
I wiggle my hand away and hiss, “Your parents areright there.”
“They can’t see from this side,” Nat whispers. “And I wouldn’t care if they did.”
“Have you told them about us?”
