Page 45 of Keep Me

Sienna looked me up and down. “You’re lucky I had that jersey at home. They’re like gold dust since they’re constantly sold out. He’s pretty much the reason people are watching the Crushers. The game attendance quadrupled when he joined and is now rivaling the football team’s record.”

“And what makes him so special?”

“You can’t be serious, can you? He’s one of the best players in the game. His father, Scott Hendricks is a three-time Stanley Cup winner.”

“Guessing that’s important,” I mumbled. I really should have researched the team, considering I was her makeshift assistant for the season. Unfortunately, I was too busy freaking out about Matty to do anything constructive with my time.

“It’s a huge deal, and so is Scotty.”

I nodded, taking out my phone and writing a little note to myself to make sure I looked him up later. When I glanced back up to the ice, I gasped and shut my eyes. Was my brain short-circuiting? It had been a long time since I’d been under a man, but I didn’t realize my brain was getting so desperate it would start imagining such depravity in front of all these people.

“Please tell me that the players are lying on the ice and I’m not having dick delusions?’

“Dick delusions?” Sienna chuckled. “Are you referring to the humping stretches?”

I nodded.

“You can open your eyes. It’s a thing. Don’t sweat it.”

By the time I’d gained the courage to look at the ice again, they’d stopped and were back to pacing the rink.Thank goodness.

“They’re hot, aren’t they?” Sienna elbowed me, gesturing with her chin toward the players. “I know. I know. You’re more of a football girlie, and who can blame you? Those tight pants areheavenly. However, I hope watching this game will teach you the delicacies of a finely tuned hockey player.”

With furrowed brows, I looked at Sienna like she’d lost her mind. “What are you talking about? I thought you hated athletes. The only reason you got into sports broadcasting was because you thought there was a big scoop in the hockey team that would catapult you into bigger, better things. Your words, not mine.”

“Yeah.” She shrugged, almost embarrassed. “That’s how it started.” Her gaze floated over the players, stopping at one whizzing by.

“But the more I got to know them, the more I realized that you just can’t deny there’s something about a guy wearing all that padding, skating like a gazelle, who’s ready to beat anyone up with a stick for you.”

“Do gazelle’s skate?” I pressed my lips together, stopping the smile threatening to break across my lips at the twinkle in Sienna’s eyes as she tracked the player with Newman written on his back. Sienna was in love, or she had a crush, at least. Subtly, I pulled my phone out and typed his last name next to Scotty’s so I could look him up when I got home too.

“Use your imagination for once, B.” Sienna pointed at the ice. “Just look at them. You can barely walk straight in sneakers, and these guys are gliding on the ice like it’s nothing.”

I barked out a laugh, surprised at how passionate she was. Maybe I’d missed a trick this entire time.

“Look. I just want you to have a fun time and relax,” she said, and I nodded before glancing at my phone with the Notes app open.

Have fun and relax.She was right. I needed to focus on doing the thing I loved. I wouldn’t get over Matty by sitting in my dorm and wallowing in my misery. I needed to be out, hanging with other people, thinking of other things.

My breath caught. That was a lie. I didn’t want to hang out with anyone but Matty. Not now. Not ever. Shit. When was I going to admit to myself that I was still down bad for my bestie?

“Uh-oh.” Sienna glared at me. “What are you thinking about now?”

“Nothing?”

“Then why does your face look like you’re going to vomit again? Look, I know you were fragile the other day, but I’m beginning to think youareactually pregnant, and I want to make sure I can be there for you if you need me.”

Pregnant. Another reminder of Matty and Olana.

“I’m not, and I’m absolutely fine.”

“Sure, you are.” She shook her head. “But if you’re thinking about a certain floppy-haired kicker, then stop. Erik’s just as cute, and the best part about him? He’s available and clearly interested in you. You’re not competing with some high school love that won’t go away.”

I leaned back, accidentally hitting the person dressed as a polar bear next to me. The mascot’s head rotated in my direction, and the snout nearly brushed my cheek.

“Sorry.” I leaned to the side, giving the polar bear more space so he could turn his head without touching me. Honestly, the little thrill of excitement from the brush of the fur was enough to make me think that Sienna was probably right. I probably needed someone other than Matty to think about.

A bang against the plexiglass made me jolt, and my heart rate spiked when I realized there was a player on the other side looking directly at me.

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