Hot date?
Ellie
No.
I’m atOwen’s game.
Quin
So it is a hot date.
Penny
If he wasn’t my brother, I’d high-five you. But he is, so despite me loving the idea of you two getting back together… ew. Gross.
Ellie
Thanks, guys. Love and miss all of you.
Even Zach.
Zachary
Why’s everyone always picking on me?
Abigail
You make it so easy.
Zachary
You can’t see me, but I’m rolling my eyes now.
Abigail
If I wasn’t the oldest, I’d be sticking my tongue out at you.
Lucy
Quiet, children. I can’t focus with all of these texts.
ELEVEN
Owen
NOW
Tying the laces of my right skate—then my left—I stood and observed the scene of the locker room. It felt right, all of us back here. Even if the entire team wasn’t playing tonight for the exhibition game, seeing all the guys in their Seals blue felt like coming home.
“Hey, Harps. Have any plans tonight after the game?” Brooks nudged me.
I shrugged. “Not really.”
“A group of us were talking about going out tonight for drinks. Let loose a little before the regular season starts.” My friend gave me a warm smile. He was quieter and more subdued than his brother, which was probably why I spent more time around him than Maverick. Still, they were my best friends.
“Sounds good,” I nodded. It had been a while since I’d gone out with the team, and maybe I needed this. To blow off some steam and let go. To feel like I was a part of the group.
Mav stared at me, mystified. “Sorry, did he just agree to go out tonight?”