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“Tonight’s perfect.” Calder clapped him on the shoulder. “Whatever plans you got, change ’em. Because we’re going. Free food and alcohol, too, my friend. This is a dream. We’re leaving in twenty. Go get your ass ready.”

“I really don’t think—”

“Twenty,” Calder repeated. “Be downstairs.”

Rafe glanced at me, like maybe I’d step in and save him.

I didn’t. I couldn’t even save myself these days.

Calder slid his hand into mine and tugged me toward the stairs. “C’mon, babe. I have an extra Rangers jersey in a box somewhere that you can wear.”

I looked back at Rafe one more time. He seemed almost as tortured as I felt. At least I had company in hell…

Fifteen minutes later, Calder and I were both dressed in Rangers jerseys. The one he’d given me hung nearly to my knees, but he looked so happy seeing me wear it, I didn’t have the heart to say no. With every minute that passed, though, the knot in my stomach pulled tighter.

“Why don’t you take one of your friends?” I asked. “Or one of your new co-workers. It’ll just be a waste for me to go, especially when they’re such good seats. I don’t know the first thing about hockey.”

Calder reached to the top of the closet and grabbed a baseball cap, fitting it onto my head with a grin. “No way. I’m excited about taking you to your first pro hockey game. First professional sports team game at all, right?”

“Yeah, but…”

“Nope. No buts. I’ll explain everything you need to know.” He tugged down a second hat and slapped it onto his head. At this rate, I half expected him to break out the body paint next. “What is it with you and Rafe tonight? I thought you’d both be excited to go?”

“We’re just… I’m just… It’s just…bad timing.”

“Bad timing?” Calder laughed, heading to the front door. “There’s no such thing as bad timing for glass seats at the playoffs, babe.”

Easy for him to say…

We made our way downstairs, me lagging behind my very excited boyfriend. Rafe was already at the door, dressed in a Rangers jersey of his own with a cap pulled low over his eyes. He looked ready. But he did not look happy.

“See?” Calder clapped his hands together. “Rafe is excited.”

Rafe’s gaze flicked to mine for a half second. “Yeah. Can’t wait. Go Rangers.”

The train ride was awkward at best. Rafe sat on my left and Calder on my right, and it was a toss-up which of us was quieter and more distant. Thankfully, the car was packed with other jersey-wearing fanatics, so it was loud enough that we didn’t have to manufacture too much conversation. But any time my eyes met Rafe’s, he looked away.

Outside Madison Square Garden, the energy was electric. If I hadn’t been in the middle of a full-blown personal crisis, I might’ve appreciated what a cool experience this was. Everywhere I looked, there were blue jerseys and rally towels whipping through the air, and chants of “Let’s Go Rangers” echoed off the walls.

“This…” Calder grinned and held his arms out. “This is what I’m talking about.”

He grabbed my hand, pulling me toward the entrance. The closer we got, the louder everything became—music blasting, fans shouting, a buzz that made even me feel alive.

Inside, it was somehow even more intense. Calder barely slowed, weaving us through the crowd like he’d done it a hundred times. Maybe he had. I wasn’t sure how often he went to games.

I had never been inside a hockey arena before, yet even I could tell how insane our seats were. Center ice, right up against the glass. Calder gestured for me to take the middle seat. I hesitated, trying to figure out a better option, but finally slid in when I realized there wasn’t one. I was hyperaware of Rafe sitting inches from me, and this time there was nowhere to hide.

Calder leaned forward and waved to a group seated a section over. “I see some guys I work with. I’m gonna go over and say hello.”

I nodded. “Okay.”

“Be back in a few.”

As soon as he was gone, I let out a breath. “I tried to get out of coming. I really did.”

Rafe kept his eyes on the ice, jaw set tight. “Yeah?”

“Multiple times.”