"Great game," Ember says. "That goal in the third was insane."
"Thanks."
My sister doesn't get to come to many of my games. It was good having her there tonight.
"You looked good out there," Cassidy adds.
"Team effort," I say.
Joelle hasn't said anything, she's focused on her drink. Vodka soda by the looks of it.
"Jo, you were saying something about the game earlier?" Collette prompts.
Joelle glances up. "Just that it was a good win. The defense looked solid."
"Mike's been working with them all week to make sure they’re tip top," I say.
"It shows."
Pierre jumps in. "That play in the second period was textbook. Felix and I had perfect positioning."
"You mean I had perfect positioning, and you got lucky," Felix says, appearing behind Pierre with Harper.
"I thought you weren't coming?" Pierre says to his brother.
"I didn't realize everyone was going out after the game. So, I insisted we head out," Harper adds, greeting the girls.
"Anyway, what I was saying was there's no luck in hockey. Just skill," Pierre tells his brother.
"Not that you're humble or anything," Issy adds.
Everyone laughs. I glance at Joelle. She's staring at her drink again and won't look at me. This is torture.
Sully slides in next to Ember. "Did you see that save Nelly made in the third? Unreal."
"The glove save?" Cassidy asks.
"That's the one. Kid's got hands."
The conversation flows around us. Hockey talk. Jokes. Stories from practice. I'm only half listening, because every time I breathe, I catch a hint of Joelle's perfume across the table. Every time she shifts, I notice. Every time she laughs at something Pierre says, it feels like a knife. Ember's watching me, I can feel it.
"I need to use the restroom," Joelle says suddenly, sliding out of the booth.
"I'll come with," Collette says. They disappear toward the back of the bar.
As soon as they're gone, Ember leans forward. "What's going on?"
"Nothing."
"Don't give me that. You two can barely look at each other."
"I ... um ..." I stumble over my words.
"I need another drink," Ember announces, standing up. "Em, come help me carry them?" It's not a question. It's a demand. I slide out of the booth and follow her to the bar. "What's going on with you and Joelle?" she asks quietly once we're away from the table.
"Nothing."
"Don't lie to me. The tension is suffocating."
