The guys are in the middle of talking about their upcoming hockey game, so I tune them out and people-watch. I notice Anna doing the same thing.
We both chuckle, then gasp when I see a pretty redhead wearing a gold sequin gown.
“Whoa, look at her dress,” I say. “So pretty.”
Anna nods along. I turn and spot Brody standing at the refreshments table, drinking punch. He’s scowling at the crowd.A tall woman in a green dress is standing next to him and talking, but he doesn’t seem to be paying attention.
I make an annoyed noise. What a jerk.
“What’s wrong?” Anna asks.
I nod over to where Brody’s standing. “Look who’s here.”
Anna makes a grossed-out face.
“What is he even doing here?” I say.
“Who’s here?” Nick asks.
I sigh and point out Brody. Nick’s happy expression turns hard.
“He never comes to these sorts of things,” I say.
Nick keeps his hard gaze on Brody, almost like he’s studying him. “He’s here because you’re here.”
“You really think so?”
Nick nods. “Yup. The hockey team is a big part of homecoming. I’m on the hockey team. If I’m here, you’re here. You’re the reason.”
Anna touches my arm. “Don’t let his presence drag you down.”
“I won’t.”
Just then, the background music cuts out.
“Good evening, everyone!” Dean Morrison, the president of the university, says at the podium on stage. “We’re thrilled you all made it out tonight for the annual Hollis University Homecoming celebration.”
Everyone in the crowded ballroom claps and cheers.
“We’re thrilled to announce that so far, we’ve raised ten thousand dollars for the local animal shelter.”
I holler and clap along with everyone else. Nick smiles at me.
“Well done. Way to come together for a good cause,” Dean Morrison says. “Now, before you all hit the dance floor, it’s time to announce this year’s homecoming royalty.”
More cheers follow. He holds up two plastic crowns. “You all know how this goes. A player from the Hollis U Rebels, our championship-winning men’s hockey team?—”
The crowd goes wild, interrupting the dean.
He chuckles as they settle down. “A player from the Rebels is voted homecoming king. And someone from the student body is voted homecoming queen. There’s no official court or nominees. Students just cast their votes online and write in whoever they want.”
He sets the crowns aside and pulls a gold envelope from his pocket, holding it up. “And I have the results right here.”
The crowd falls quiet. I stare at Nick while Dean Morrison tears open the envelope. I have a feeling he’s going to win. He’s the captain of the hockey team and is well known all over campus.
“And the Hollis U homecoming king is…Nick St. George!”
Nick grins wide and pumps a fist as the crowd goes wild. I yell “woo hoo!” and clap, excited for him. His teammates holler and slap his shoulder in congratulations. He turns to me, kisses my cheek, then makes his way through the crowded ballroom.
