I shoot a look to Will before I nod. “Follow me.”
I walk past her and down the hall to my room. As soon as we step inside, she walks over to my bed and sets her bag down, opening it up.
“Okay, I got bedazzled numbers for our cheeks. We have team beanies to keep our ears warm, and we have these,” she says as she pulls out a jersey.
“That’s Wyatt’s number,” I point out.
“Yep, and you’re going to wear it. I didn’t know if you had a white thermal to put under it, so I grabbed one of those to help you stay warm. I think we should do our hair in low space bun pigtails. Thoughts?”
I eye the jersey as she sets it down on my bed. I’ve never worn a man’s jersey before. At least not one I’m in some sort of relationship with. Once, sophomore year, I asked Kyle if he wanted me to wear his, and he laughed in my face and told me only desperate girls wear them. I never asked again after that, even though all of the other players’ girlfriends wore them.
Should I? Would he like that?
I chew on my bottom lip as I look at the jersey. I really want to wear it.
“Hey, are you okay?” Cora touches my arm.
“Will Wyatt be okay with me wearing his number?” I blurt out.
Cora’s eyes soften as she moves closer to me. She places her hands on my shoulders and squeezes.
“Girlfriend, the guy is gone for you. He will be ecstatic to see you wearing his number. For hockey guys it’s like catnip. They love seeing their name on their women’s backs. It’s a little caveman-ish, but the results are totally worth it, if you know what I mean.” She winks. “So, are you in?”
She seems so sure. Could it have been a Kyle thing that whole time? Wyatt is nothing like Kyle. Not even an iota. So what would the harm be? After all, if he gets upset, we can end this whole thing.
I don’t want that, but we could.
No, Wyatt won’t be mad. I know it. I only hope it means what she says it does to him.
“You know what, why not?” I force false confidence in my voice.
“Awesome, now turn on some music,” she demands.
“Have I ever told you that I hate the cold?” she groans as we walk toward the arena.
“I hate to break it to you, but you live in the wrong place,” I tease.
“Tell me about it. Fingers crossed that Kellan gets drafted somewhere warm. Maybe with a beach.” She sighs wistfully.
“Dreaming big. I like it.”
We pass through security and are on our way to our seats when I hear someone call out my name.
“Lyla!”
Looking over my shoulder, I groan when I see Kasey, Ashley, Amber, and Macy walking toward me.
“Friends of yours?” Cora asks.
“I thought they were, but I realized they aren’t.”
“Do you want to stop?”
“No, but I know if I don’t, they will just chase us down,” I mutter.
We come to a stop right as one of them yells my name again and turn to face them.
“What’s up?” I ask as they come to a stop in front of me.
