“He made this unbelievable save last game,” she’s saying, leaning forward like she’s sharing classified information. “Like came out of nowhere. My dad said it was luck but I think he’s just that good.”
“You’ve thought a lot about this,” I observe.
“I haven’t—I just—he’s good at hockey. That’s all.” Her cheeks are bright pink.
“Sounds like someone has a crush,” Goldie singsongs.
“I do not!”
“You absolutely do,” Chloe says, gentle but firm. “But you’re eighteen and he’s twenty-two, so let’s pump the brakes on that.”
Mackie slumps in her seat with an actual pout and I have to hide my smile behind my wine glass.
During a commercial break, Chloe turns to me. The crowd noise drops to a murmur. “So. We have a book club where we read very spicy romance books and drink lots of wine. You should come.”
“My mom hosts it,” Mackie adds. “I’m not technically in it because I’m too young, but I steal the books after.”
“We’re reading a hockey romance right now,” Elliot says. “It’s terrible. The MMC is supposed to be this big scary player but he’s never kissed anyone.”
“That’s the virgin trope,” Goldie says. “It’s a thing.”
“It’s unrealistic,” Elliot counters.
“It’s fiction. That’s the point.” Chloe’s voice has the patience of someone who’s had this argument before.
They bicker good-naturedly and I feel my nervousness slowly giving way. These women are easy. Welcoming. Not scary at all.
“You should come this week,” Chloe says, turning those kind eyes on me. “My place. Seven PM.”
“I don’t know?—”
“Come,” Goldie interrupts. “Please. We need new perspectives.”
“Okay. Yeah.” The words come out before I can overthink them. “I’ll come.”
“Perfect.” Chloe’s smile is warm. “Fair warning: we get loud and drunk and very opinionated.”
The game continues. Seattle wins 4-2. Romeo scores again in the third period and this time when he points at me, I wave back. Like this is normal. Like I belong here.
After the game we wait for the guys. Some women leave, others stay and the conversation flows around me, easy and comfortable. Chloe’s in the middle of telling me about their most heated book club debate when Romeo appears in the doorway.
His hair is still damp from the shower, and when he spots me his entire face transforms.
He crosses the room like no one else exists.
“You stayed.” His voice is rough. “With them.”
“Marnie made me.”
“Remind me to buy Marnie something expensive.” He leans down and his lips find mine and I don’t care that everyone’s watching. “Come home with me.”
“Yeah,” I say. “Let’s go.”
We say quick goodbyes—Goldie reminding me about book club, Mackie making me promise to text her, Chloe just smiling like she knows exactly what’s about to happen.
The parking garage is dimly lit and we make it maybe five steps toward his Jeep before he’s got me pressed against the passenger door, his body a solid wall of heat against mine.
“You looked so good up there.” His voice is rough, mouth at my ear. “Sitting with them. Laughing. Like you belonged.”
