“I mean, even if one of us wasn’t trying to avoid her ex like the plague, I don’t know if we wanna see how the guys celebrate a win when we aren’t home, and they don’t have to worry about ever seeing them again.”
“Well, the only one who has any game when it comes to getting laid isn’t going out tonight, so I doubt the guys will be getting much action without the main attraction,” I reply.
“But it’s New Year's Eve, which means plenty of people will be looking for a new year’s kiss. Me included.”
“What about Alex?” I wonder, and Brinley cocks her head.
“We’re not dating. We’re just friends. I’m not looking for a relationship right now, and he knows that. Plus, I’ll never see the guy again.”
“Unless he’s an MSU hockey player, in which case you’ll see him when we play them again in a few weeks.”
She rolls her eyes like there’s no chance of that happening, but I know plenty of athletes who have a list of girls to sleep with from each school. After all, Zeke used to be one of them. The only time he ever sleeps with the same girl more than once is on the road.
“I’ll text you at midnight to wish you a happy birthday.” I smile, pulling her into my arms. “Try to stay out of trouble tonight, okay?”
“Alright, Goober, thanks,” she replies. “And I make no promises.”
“I should be the one thanking you. This means a lot.”
She gives me a small nod before stepping back and looping her arm around Tate’s.
“We should go,” Tate interrupts. “The guys will be leaving the locker room any minute. I told Fletcher ten minutes, but you know he’s terrible at stalling.”
“You’re right,” I say, squeezing Ember’s hand. “You okay hanging out in the hotel? Something quiet. Or we could go out, but—”
“Quiet is good.” She scrunches her nose, leaning forward and pressing her forehead to mine. “I’ll text you in the morning, okay?”
“You guys are staying down here?” I question.
“I’m not drinking with hot hockey players and then driving for like five hours.”
“Fair.” I chuckle, leaning forward and kissing Brinley on the forehead. “Text me once you’re in your hotel room.”
“Who said we’re staying in a hotel? I’m not looking for hot frat guys for no—”
I glare at her. She points at me as she purses her lips.
“Hotel room, right.”
“Good. I’ll see you guys in the morning.” I turn toward Ember and smile. “Shall we.”
“We shall.”
Ican’t believe you guys drove down here,” I begin, handing her a soda. “I mean, when was this decided?”
“About six hours before the game,” she replies. “Or at least for me. I guess Brinley planned this days ago.”
“Oh yeah?”
“Tate heard from Fletcher that you were mopping around, and she told Brinley,” she teases. “I didn’t realize I had that effect on you.”
“I wasn’t mopping.” I jump onto the bed next to her. “Like I said, I just saw my other girlfriend from Wisconsin.”
“Must not be that special if you’re still missing me.”
“I don’t think anyone’s as special as you are.”
She pushes me away. “Ugh, there you go being all sappy again.”
