“It is funny,” he agrees as he checks his phone and sighs. He looks up at me, meeting my gaze.
“Are you going to turn into a pumpkin?” I ask.
He grins again. “No, but I do have morning skate, so I should get to bed.”
“Of course. I forget about your early morning practices.” I get to my feet. “Gross.”
Roman laughs again. “It’s not great.”
We walk back toward the buildings and veer toward his, and I remember it’s a turn right after the dining hall. But don’t ask me where it is beyond that.
“What are you doing?” he asks.
“Uh, walking you to your building.” I gesture that way.
“Not a chance. Come on.”
He keeps walking, and I stare after him.
“Where are you going?” I call out just loud enough he can hear, but not so loud that it’ll disturb others who may be sleeping.
Roman looks at me over his shoulder. “Walking you toyourbuilding.”
I roll my eyes and hurry after him.
“I’d be fine, you know.”
“You told me you are terrible with directions. I won’t be responsible for Nico Laurent going missing before he wins the gold.”
My insides warm. “You think I’m going to win the gold?”
He glances at me. “I know it.”
Damn, I really want to kiss this man.
We make it to my building, and just like last time, I swear he’s going to kiss me, but he doesn’t. He says good night and watches me until I’m safely inside. I get to my room, and the others are already inside sleeping. I text Étienne so he knows I made it back safely and that I’ll see him in the morning. I take a shower and go to bed, thinking about Roman until I fall asleep.
Chapter Nine
Roman
We win 5-0.
Even in a season game that’s a great score. Shut outs are always better, but in the Olympics? Damn. It’s amazing. We’re playing together like an actual team out there on the ice, working together like we’ve been doing it for years. If we keep going like this, we could take home the gold.
Coming to the Olympics was great in itself, but I hadn’t considered taking home a medal. I know that’s the goal, and of course I knew it was a possibility, but I didn’t really think about it. I was so focused on being here, working with these new teammates, and… Nico. I hadn’t sat down and considered that I could be a gold medal winner. Or even a silver medal or bronze. Any medal from here is an honor. Even if we go home withnothing, we were good enough to get here, and that’s an honor all on its own.
After we congratulate the goalie on a great game, we head off the ice. I feel eyes on me and scan the crowd, spotting Nico almost instantly a few rows up behind the benches. I smile, though I doubt he can see it behind all my gear.
He must though. Because he smiles back, giving me a little wave.
I head down the tunnel to the locker room, following the other guys.
We shed our gear as we go, tearing our helmets off. Dumping our gloves in the bin.
Coach gives us a quick pep talk as we remove the rest of our gear. It was a good game. He points out a few issues on the defensive line—but not mine, thankfully. Doesn’t mean I don’t need to work harder though, because I can always do better.
A couple of the guys head off to do some media interviews, answering questions about the games. I hate doing them and thankfully I don’t have to often. I’m not a people-person and don’t like being directly in front of the camera, but it comes with the job. I laugh to myself as I think of Nico… he’d jump at the chance, I bet, wanting to be upfront and personal with it. He’d happily answer any and all questions, and do it confidently, too. I think I like that a little too much.
