Page 55 of Match Penalty

"He looks good out there," Brynn murmurs beside me. "Really good."

I nod, not trusting my voice. My phone buzzes again, but I force myself to focus on the screen where Hunter's taking shots on JP during warmups.

The first period is intense but scoreless. JP makes several key saves, including a spectacular glove save that has us all cheering. The girls start a running commentary on everything from player performance to who's likely to end up in the penalty box first.

"Twenty bucks says Hunter gets the first penalty," Juliet announces, reaching for another slice of pizza. "He's beenchippylately."

"Nah, my money's on Aleksi," Kendall counters, her cheeks pinking slightly when we all look at her. "What? He's been fired up all week. You should see him in the training room."

"Oh, we bet you see a lot of him in the training room," Isla teases.

The second period starts rough. LA scores early, a deflection off Wolf’s stick that even JP couldn't track. The Hawkeyes struggle to generate offense, and despite JP's continued strong play, they're down 2-0 by the intermission.

"They're not clicking," Penelope observes, her GM voice fully present now. "The new line combinations need work. And our power play is too predictable."

"JP's keeping them in it though," Isla notes. "Thirty saves already."

I stay quiet, watching as the cameras catch him heading down the tunnel. His jaw is set, but his shoulders are steady. He appears determined, focused. Like the player I used to watch from across the ice, before everything happened in San Diego.

The third period is all LA. Despite a late push, the Hawkeyes couldn't solve their goalie. JP makes a hell of a save toward the end, but it's not enough. Final score: 3-0.

"Well, that sucked," Aria announces, reaching for more wine.

"First away game jitters," Penelope says, “but it’s just pre-season, and we have a lot of new players this season that haven't played together. The chemistry will come."

"So, Saturday for dress shopping?" Juliet asks as we help clean up. "Ten o'clock?"

Everyone agrees, even Aria, though she still seems hesitant.

"I can't wait to see what everyone picks," Kendall says, boxing up leftover pizza. "We should all try on things that are completely out of our comfort zones."

Later, as I'm getting ready for bed, a text comes through. It’s a picture of a puck with silver writing “Dinner?”

And then a text that follows.

JP:I know what was throwing me off. I didn’t have you to toss a puck to. It threw my whole rhythm off.

I know he’s teasing but it has me chuckling—a flutter in my belly telling me that JP is starting to get under my skin. Or maybe he’s always been there?

Me:Good game, despite the score. Your knee looked strong. Maybe I didn’t wear the hair band long enough.

His reply is immediate.

JP:The hair band still did its job. No one got hurt on the ice. You’ll always be my lucky charm, Cammy.

I stare at the message, my finger hovering over the reply button. Finally, I type: Have a safe flight home. See you soon.

It's not much, but it's something. A small crack in the wall I've built around my heart. Whether that's wise or not remains to be seen.

JP:See you soon

But as I drift off to sleep, I can't stop wondering what would happen if I ever said yes to dinner.

Maybe someday, I will.

Chapter Sixteen

JP

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