Page 43 of Keep Me

“Nope. I just sweated unnaturally for the better part of two hours,” I mumbled, keeping my eyes to the floor. I didn’t care how careful these players were, I would never trust a man with a blade attached to their foot.

“Do we really need to be back here?” I whisper-shouted, yearning for the seats outside. Sure, it would be cold, but at least I wouldn’t feel like a spare part in a place we were not needed. “I’ve never been in the locker roombeforethe game. I usually only get access after, and I feel like we’re intruding.”

Sienna shrugged. “That’s because we are intruding. We aren’t supposed to be here, but it’s fine. The guys are used to me by now, and we’ll be outside in the press area in a couple of minutes, so don’t stress your little beanie hat head.”

Another player knocked into me, and when I caught his eye, he winked. “Sorry about that,” he said.

I awkwardly smiled and looked away. I wasn’t a small girl. I’d played football in high school, but these hockey players made me feel minuscule in comparison, and I could only assume it was because the skates were giving them extra height.

As the hockey player trudged past, I did my best to be as small as possible. I didn’t belong here. I could admit that.

Turning to Sienna, I said, “You know what? Why don’t you finish up here, and I’ll meet you in the press box?”

Sienna glared at me. “Press box? Who do you think we are? The football team? You’re staying right here. There’s someone—”

“Lawrence,” a guy called behind me, happy to see my friend, which was surprising. I was under the impression the hockey players hated her after she tried to seduce the goalie in his bedroom one time. She still hadn’t given me the full story on that, and I was hoping one day I’d get an explanation.

Standing on her tiptoes so she could look over my shoulder, Sienna flashed a wide smile. Then she did something I’d never forget. She giggled and waved like she was some hockey fangirl.She had to be seducing one of them for a story, because she rarely acted so… nice.

“Hey, Erik,” she cooed.

“Are you ready to interview me later?” he asked, and although the voice sounded familiar, I couldn’t place where I’d heard it before.

“We’ll see, I can’t interview everyone.”

“I know. I know. You only interview the best player in the game.”

“Exactly. I am not a participation trophy.” Sienna was joking, a side of her I’d never seen outside of our own press office. She must really like this guy. Glancing over my shoulder, my smile dropped when I saw big blue eyes and a familiar smirk.

“Ah, Beanie Girl,” he said, completely unfazed by my presence.

“Erik?” I croaked out. I didn’t realize he was a hockey player when we spoke in class. “What are you doing here?”

He held his arms out wide and gestured to his hockey gear. “I told you I’d see you later, didn’t I? Although, I’ve gotta be honest, I really didn’t expect you to show up, considering you knew absolutely nothing about hockey.” He whacked his gloved hand against his chest. “I thought you were just trying to let me down gently.”

My cheeks burned as I thought back to our conversation where I made a fool of myself.

“Wait a minute. Do you guys already know each other?” Sienna’s hands rested on my shoulder as she looked between Erik and me.

“We’re in the same class,” he replied, still watching me. That smile. Those glistening eyes. This guy screamed player, and I wasn’t interested in being played.

She pouted her lip. “Really? I was planning on introducing you.”

“Well, you can. I still don’t know her name. Unless your parents were feeling a little eccentric and really did name you Beanie Girl.”

“This is Britt, she’s the head sportscaster for the football team this year.”

“The football team?” He lifted his head and laughed. “Well, that explains it. You’re a cleat chaser, not a puck bunny,” he teased, and my jaw dropped. Did he just say that? “Well, you’re far from the astroturf tonight, babe. Can’t wait to show you a real sport,” he joked, shuffling closer to me and holding his hand out, and I accepted, his grip tight even through his gloves. “In all seriousness. It’s really nice to meet you, Britt.” The sincerity in his voice was clear, but all I felt was embarrassment from how I acted earlier.

“Likewise.” I gave him a somewhat forced smile, not wanting to give Sienna any signs I might be interested in the confident, undeniably good-looking athlete in front of me.

Erik was nice, and I liked the way he wasn’t afraid to tease or flirt with me, but the only reason I spoke to him in class was because I was trying to hide from Matty. The guy I thought about constantly. My heart was teetering on the edge of breaking because of him, and I didn’t want to bring anyone else into the mess we’d created.

“So, I guess that means you know Britt’s majoring in communications, then?” Sienna asked, still looking between the two of us. I could feel her overbearing grin without even looking, and if Erik wasn’t standing in front of me, I’d whack her on the side and tell her to calm down.

“I guessed as much, considering I’ve seen her in every class since freshman year.” He shifted on his skates before resting his chin on his hockey stick. I gulped. That was a loaded confession if I’d ever heard one. Especially since I had never noticed him in any of my classes before today, but I knew why.

Matty. Matty. Matty.

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