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Does she understand that my going after a rival’s sister was a no-go because of the trouble it would cause with the team, but that going after a friend's sister would be an even bigger mistake?

“So, if Beckett and Lawson aren’t the rivals, what are you thinking?” Zeke asks Sutton.

“Well, it was always weird anyway since Lawson and Beckett are on the same team,” Sutton says, laughing lightly. “It would make more sense if our rivals were on opposite teams. We need one on the Rascals and one on the Revelers.”

Everyone nods along, following her logic.

“I think it should be our goalies,” she says, grinning at Wes and then at Hudson. “I mean if there’s a tiebreaker, it’s because you guys let the pucks get past you. You guys should be the ones doing the dance off.”

Everyone laughs as Wes and Hudson draw themselves up straighter. But their mock offense only lasts a couple of seconds before they’re both grinning.

“Oh my God, that could be so good,” Ingrid says. “What song should they do?”

Both Hudson and Wes are very good sports, but neither is a fantastic dancer. They are big, burly guys, and their dance moves are not as smooth as their moves in front of the nets.

“I was thinking something with a theme of…” Sutton looks over, our eyes meeting as she says, “Teddy bears.”

My heart kicks at the reminder of our banter in the kitchen yesterday. I feel my mouth curve into a huge grin. She grins in response, sharing our private joke.

“Teddy bears?” Ingrid asks.

“Yeah, they’re big and…furry,” she says with a smirk.

I laugh.

“And they seem tough and growly, but they’re actually both such big sweethearts,” Sutton goes on, now looking around the group. “I think having a dance off between our two big teddy bears would be hilarious.” She pauses. “To Elvis Presley’s song “Teddy Bear”.”

There’s a beat, and then everyone starts laughing.

“Come on, that should be my song,” Teddy says. “Why didn’t we think of that?”

“Except that you’re not sweet,” JD tells him.

“I can be sweet,” Teddy says.

“You are still talking about the shot I missed in a game we played in New Orleans last season,” JD says.

“It was in an exhibition game in front of a huge crowd,” Teddy exclaims. “It was to show how good we are, and it was an easy shot.”

“It was against pros,” JD protests.

“It was the Jazz’s third string!”

“See?” JD says, pointing at Teddy. “This is not sweet.”

This kind of bickering is common on the team, but for some reason I find myself frowning.

Actually, it’s not just some reason—I know exactly what it is. They’re all talking over Sutton and getting off track from her idea. Again. This happens a lot.

While JD and Teddy are bickering, others are talking about who else on the two teams could be rivals, other songs that would be funny to see Wes and Hudson perform, and how to set up the tiebreaker—yes, sometimes we end up in a tie on purpose because our fans love the tiebreaker performances so much—and blowing right past Sutton’s idea.

I start to lift my hand to my mouth to whistle to shut everyone up, but my gaze, of course, lands on Sutton.

She doesn’t look bothered. In fact, she has sidled up next to Wes, and the big man is leaning over, listening to whatever she’s saying.

He smiles and nods. She gives him a sweet smile and squeezes his arm.

That looks a little flirtatious, and I don’t love it.