“I didn’t say it wasn’t appealing. You know my history.”
She rolls her eyes as we fight through the crowds to find seats in the stands. SDU’s hockey team is the most popular team on campus, so the fundraiser event to watch their practice is one everyone wants to attend. Probably for all the reasons Harper listed and then some.
“Troy isn’t convincing you otherwise?”
“He might be.”
She got me here tonight without a fight. We find two open seats and make our way down the row. The team is already on the ice, showcasing their skills for the adoring public.
My eyes lock on to him on the ice.
He’s a force to be reckoned with. A powerful player if I’ve ever seen one. It’s like he’s one with his stick and the puck.
Watching the play set up around him is mesmerizing. Even though it’s only practice, they’re taking it seriously. Faking out the defenseman, it’s him and the winger. He passes the puck off to Marcus who slips it past the waiting goalie.
Cheers ring out around the arena.
“Marcus scoring is hot,” Harper tells me. “He’s so getting lucky tonight.”
“Harper!”
“What? I’m not going to lie. Hockey turns me on.”
I roll my eyes. “Of course it does.”
Troy slams someone into the boards and steals the puck from them. From there, it’s another easy goal.
I know it’s not like this in games, but it looked easy at the game I was at. A hat trick? I know that’s hard to get.
Harper isn’t wrong though. Watching someone that is competent at their sportishot.
“Chin up there, Angie.” Harper taps my chin. “You wouldn’t want people to know you like hockey.”
I clamp my mouth shut, not sure when it dropped in awe. At least, I hope that was it. I don’t need to be seen drooling over Troy.
“You’re the one that’s ogling Marcus.”
Harper wraps an arm around my shoulder, pulling me into her side. “And you’re just like the rest of us, Angela. Hot for hockey players.”
“Stop it. I am not.” I try to shove her off me, but she doesn’t let up.
“It’s okay to admit that you like him.”
Blue eyes pierce mine.
“Never going to happen.”
“You are too stubborn for your own good, you know that, right?”
I laugh. “Am not.”
“I’ll just ask Troy after practice.” She gives me a haughty smile.
“You know why it’ll never happen.”
“But it could,” she corrects me.
“Nope, not a chance. I can’t even entertain that thought.”
