Page 49

“I think what you mean to say is, thank you?” I tease.

“Mhmm. Thank you, Big Man.”

Tom chimes in from behind me, “Noah, why don’t you come over here and sit by me? I have the inside scoop on the team, after all.”

“Cool,” Noah says before rushing over and sitting on the tall stool beside Tom. The two of them start chatting animatedly as Tom points out different features inside the arena to him.

When I look at Andie, I see her eyeing the two stools left and I gesture for her to take a seat next to her brother. The only available seat now is the stool at the end… right beside her. I conveniently scoot my chair slightly closer to her before sitting down. If she notices, she doesn’t say anything.

I place her Hockey for Dummies book in front of her on the table top overlooking the arena and hear my phone ping. Wondering if it’s the guys asking how she liked her present, I take out my phone and look at the screen.

Tom Parker

I see coaching is going very well, indeed. You sure this is a good idea?

Mitch

As of Wednesday, I’m not the coach anymore.

Tom Parker

Max isn’t going to be thrilled.

CHAPTER 20

ANDIE

Hockey for Dummies. Those clever idiots. I roll my lips together, trying not to smile at the hilarious, if not offensive, present. And the jersey with Mitch’s last name on the back? Why does that gift feel so… intimate?

Is wearing a guy’s jersey sort of like wearing a guy’s letter jacket… or class ring? Mitch and I are barely even friends, right?

And is it me, or is Mitch’s scent different this evening… not his usual waterfall in the mountains smell… but something more fruity, with a subtle hint of bubble gum.

Mitch interrupts my thoughts, leaning towards me. His lips are right next to my ear when he asks, “How’s the home gym?”

I don’t think he’s trying to flirt, it’s just loud in the arena and if he didn’t say that directly into my ear, I wouldn’t have heard him. But my body responds anyway, sending a shiver down my spine. And it’s not even cold all the way up here, so I can’t blame it on the ice. I take advantage of his nearness and attempt a subtle sniff.

Yep, definitely a hint of bubble gum.

“Great!” I answer, pulling back slightly to put some distance between us. “I even got my speakers hooked up for my audiobooks.”

His eyebrows shoot up to his hairline and his cheeks turn red. He shakes his head slightly as if trying to remove thoughts from his own brain. Then he grunts instead of responding.

What was that all about?

Before I can say anything, someone starts announcing the opposing team over the speakers. A few people clap and cheer politely, but the real fun begins when a booming voice announces the Eagles. Classic rock music blares through the speakers and red fog comes out of machines near the ceiling. I glance over at Noah, who’s having the time of his life.

He smiles and says, “This is awesome!” I nod, agreeing with him. I may not be a hockey fan, but there’s no denying they know how to put on a good show.

The announcer says the names of several players I don’t know, and the crowd goes wild. I don’t recognize any of them until the goalie skates onto the ice, waving and grinning. It’s Bruce. I cheer loudly and clap for him, even though he can’t hear or see me.

Colby comes out next, and the female fans go absolutely berserk. There’s whistling and whooping. He eats it up, skating around for the crowd and blowing kisses. I shake my head and look over at Mitch, who’s watching me instead of his teammates.

Probably just wanting to see how I react to my first NHL game, nothing more. I look away quickly.

Weston Kershaw, the assistant captain apparently, is announced next. I recognize him from Noah’s game. I remember he has a fiancee, but he gets his fair share of female fanfare from the crowd too. It must be so weird to be engaged to a man so beloved by the female population.

Lastly, the team captain is announced. Which, of course, is Remy. He gets the biggest applause and the loudest cheers. Everyone clearly loves him, but he’s more humble about it. He gives a faint smile and a big wave to the arena before skating to center ice for the puck drop.