I don’t think I’m capable of promising that, so I lean forward to kiss her in answer, knowing I’d commit actual crimes for this girl.
Ellie pulls away and looks to the cut on my lip. “Did they have you ice it to help with the swelling?”
I shake my head, refraining from laughing out loud. I know they don’t give a fuck about a swollen lip, but I don’t really want Ellie to think the medical team isn’t up to her standards. I remember that night she thought I was hurt and feel myself sober. I drop Ellie’s hand and pick her up, settling her on my lap so she’s straddling me again.
“They do a good job treating injuries that need it,” I tell her. She looks at my lip with narrowed eyes. “Would you want to come see?”
Ellie glances up at that. “See what?”
“The medical equipment and staff at the arena. I think even you, Miss Nurse, might approve.” I give her a wink.
“Would your teammates be there?”
“Depends. We could go to the practice arena, but that would be a drive. The arena downtown has pretty good facilities though and we could go on a day with no game. It’s possible there’d be someone there though. They’re all good guys, Ellie, promise. They’ll always be real respectful around loved ones,” I assure her.
She smiles at that.Progress. “Okay, I’ll make sure it gets the Ellie stamp of approval.”
I pull her tight against me, burying my head in the crook of her neck. I press a kiss there and inhale slowly, savoring my favorite scent in the world—eau de parfum à la Ellie.
“Are you smelling me?” she murmurs from a similar position as me.
I nod against her neck and swear I can feel her smile.
“What do I smell like?”
Home.
CHAPTER FORTY-TWO
ELLIE
I grabmy stomach as I make my way to the section listed on my ticket. Somehow my aversion to hockey has translated into physical discomfort. I thought maybe the walk to the arena would make it go away, but the pain seems to have only gotten worse. I’m also sweating despite the nearly freezing temperature I just spent fifteen minutes in.
I thought about not coming, but decided I can suck it up for one game. I’ve commenced Project Show Matt How Much He Means To Me, and attending a game was first on the list.I can do this.I also feel a little guilty that he was suspended for a game, since the fight was kind of about me. So this feels like a way to make up for that.
I’m walking around the arena looking for the correct section number, trying to focus on this task and not where I am. Thankfully the layout is familiar since I was here a few days ago for that tour Matt promised me. The memory still makes my cheeks burn.
Matt had pulled me to a set of double doors, telling me it was the last stop before we could leave to go get tacos. I was pumped. The tour had been fun, and the medical facilities definitely passed my test, but I was starving and anything hockey-relatedstill wasn’t really my cup of tea. Other than Matt. So leaving sounded awesome.
“Here we are,” he says.
Locker roomis listed on the signage off to the side of the doors. I wonder if girls are allowed in there or if that’s just a high school thing? As we walk through them, I’m hit with the very distinct smell of male sweat.Stalemale sweat. And holy moly, that shit is strong. I try to subtly breathe through my mouth, but the stench makes its way past that and my stomach gives a sickening roll. Is the smell always this bad or is it particularly awful today?
“…and Niko sits?—”
I know Matt’s trying to tell me all the things, but as we walk farther into the room, I’m hit with the sickening realization that I’m going to puke. I slap a hand over my mouth and look around for a bathroom sign.
“Baby?” Matt asks.
I turn wide eyes to him, willing him to understand how dire this is.
“What’s wrong?” Matt looks me up and down, searching for the problem.
“Mers the bthfrm?” My eyes water and I dart toward what looks like a trashcan in the corner of the room. Hopefully.
I empty my stomach in a very ladylike manner (read: I puked my guts out) and thank the universe it’s just Matt and me.
Matt didn’t believe me, but I was totally fine after we left.
