Suddenly, a bullhorn sounds, signaling the start of the game. Lily sits up straighter, searching the ice for her man. Stella sits with a warm smile on her face the entire time, her eyes never straying from Wyatt, and I find myself looking for Rowan.
When I finally find him, number fourteen, I'm a little more than shocked to realize he's watching me. He tilts his helmet back and smiles, then winks. Heat instantly floods my core, spreading rapidly throughout my body. My cheeks turn red, and I squirm in my seat from the intensity of his stare, but I manage to give him a small smile back. He gives me my favorite smile, one that has my heart fluttering.
He slides his helmet back on and skates to the middle of the rink. I watch in rapid fascination as Rowan dominates the game. He scores the first goal and doesn't let up. I'm on my feet screaming and clapping right along with the rest of the girls.
He scores two more times just in the first period. He's an absolute rockstar out there. Even with how little hockey knowledge I have, it's apparent Rowan is damn good.
When we reach the first intermission, Lily leans over, her mouth right by my ear so I can hear her. "Gosh! That was amazing! I haven't seen him play like that since the accident."
"What do you mean?" I ask, confused.
"I mean— well, it doesn't matter." She shakes her head and continues, "He's back. That's all that's important." Pride and relief radiate from her smile.
I don't think I realized just how much the accident was affecting him until this moment because it's not just Lily. All of the girls stand in awe, watching the rink as the boys file off the ice, one by one. Each one showing their own level of pride and relief.
Lily clears moisture from her eyes before turning to me and grabbing me around my shoulders. "That settles that. You're his good luck charm."
I tilt my head, surprised that Lily, the premed brainiac, would believe in superstitions. "You believe in that kind of thing?"
Lily smiles. "I believe in a lot of different things."
Then I remember our conversation about omens and ghosts, instantly feeling silly. Maybe superstitions aren't that far-fetched. "Oh," is all I can manage to come up with because I'm dying from embarrassment. Of course she would believe in something like that. Why wouldn't she, after everything she's been through?
Lily's answering smile is patient and kind. "Want to get something to eat or drink?"
Maybe it's a good idea to get something to keep my mouth occupied with, that way I won't be inclined to ask stupid questions. "Sure."
We stand and make our way to the concession stand, making small talk along the way.
Suddenly, I feel someone standing just to my left, a hulking figure that has my eyes darting over to take them in.
My eyes widen in surprise as my brain registers who it is.
Rowan.
"What are you—" My lips continue to move, but no sound comes out. I am so damn surprised to see him.
At first, I notice his skates, the ones he still has on out here in the middle of the arena on concrete floors. Then I notice the little plastic protectors on the blades.
My eyes travel up, over his ice-blue hockey pants. They keep going up until they reach his jersey, lingering a second longer on his broad shoulders before finally my eyes reach his handsome face.
He smirks as my eyes snag on his lips before quickly darting to his eyes. He steps forward and casually wraps his arm around my neck to pull me close. "Getting something to eat?" he asks, like it's a perfectly normal question to ask when he's supposed to be in the middle of a hockey game.
I finally get my question out. "What are you doing out here?" I look behind him to see if any of the other players are out here, but there's no one.
"Came to see you," he smiles, like that's also perfectly normal.
"Are you even supposed to be out here?" I ask, truly perplexed.
"No, I had to fake diarrhea with the coach to be able to escape for a minute."
I laugh so hard that I snort. "Why would you do something like that?"
"I told you— so I could see you," he smiles sheepishly.
"Rowan," I chastise. "You're going to get in trouble!" I playfully swat at his chest, but he catches my hand right before I make contact.
His warm hand engulfs mine as he leans down to whisper in my ear. "Totally worth it just to be able to do this." Before I can ask what he means, his lips graze across my cheek beforehe gives me the sweetest, most gentle kiss on my cheek that I've ever experienced.
