Page 28 of Lucky
I glance back toward the ice where Lucky is grinning, helmet pushed up slightly, gliding toward the bench like it’s no big deal.Like he didn’t just pull off something that made an entire arena lose its collective mind.
And yeah… okay.I’m glad he’s not average.
Just before he hops over the low wall, he glances up where Kelsey and I are sitting.His eyes scan quickly, pass over me and then slam right back.
Kelsey murmurs, “Oh my,” and I can’t help but stare back at him.It’s brief—half a second—but I feel it.That zing of awareness.That feeling of being seen.I smile at him.He returns it and my pulse skips.Then he’s on the bench, back to me and talking to a teammate.
Even without his eyes on me, my pulse still thrums, and I can only think,This is such a mistake.
The way he moves, the way people cheer for him, the way he commands every inch of space he inhabits… Lucky Branson is bigger than life and that intimidates me.
The rest of the game is an absolute blur.I’m not sure if it’s the fact I know Lucky or the fast-paced action that holds my attention, but when the final buzzer sounds, I have become a diehard Titans fan.I make plans to get a jersey, maybe a hat, and I will definitely figure out how to watch the games on TV.
Kelsey and I stand in our seats cheering the Titans’ win and I watch as Lucky skates off into the tunnel and disappears.Admittedly, I’m a bit sad, but I push it away to cheer for the MVPs announced.
Then Kelsey and I start the slow journey out of the arena as thousands of fans shuffle along.We’re barely up onto the concourse when my phone buzzes in my pocket.
I pull it out and see it’s a text from Lucky.Any interest in hanging out with me and the team for a bit?Bring your friend.
I stop right in the middle of the stream of fans and grab Kelsey’s wrist, pulling her to the side so we don’t get trampled.
“What is it?”she asks.
I hold out the phone.“Lucky invited us to hang with the team tonight.”
Kelsey’s eyes light up.“Oh, hell yes, we’re doing that.Ask him when and where.”
While her enthusiasm is contagious, and I realize this is probably a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, I dig deep for a gut check.“I need to think about it,” I murmur.
“What’s to think about?”Kelsey exclaims.“We’re talking about hanging out with the Pittsburgh Titans hockey team.”
“I know, I know,” I say, waving my hand to shush her.“Just give me a minute.”
And surprisingly, she does.She crosses her arms and stares at me pointedly like there’s only one possible answer to my dilemma and that I shouldn’t be thinking about this.Eerily, her gaze looks a lot like Buttermilk’s when he’s judging me.
“Come on,” Kelsey whines, having abandoned patience after only five seconds.She squirms and hops around like she has to pee.
“Leave me alone,” I grumble as I close my eyes and press my fingers to the bridge of my nose.“I’m stuck in a spiral of existential doubt.”
“Oh my God… it’s you!”a woman practically shrieks as she grabs my arm and my eyes snap open.“You’re Winnie.From TikTok.”
I stare at her like a deer catching a full face of high beams.My mouth opens but nothing comes out.
Kelsey steps in and nods.“She is.Winnie.TikTok Winnie.”
That was redundant.
“Oh my heavens,” the woman says, eyes wide.“You and Lucky were so cute in that video.Are you guys dating?”
“Not really,” I say with a polite smile.“It was justadate.”
“But he wants to go out with her again,” Kelsey says as she leans in, cutting me a pointed look.“Tonight, as a matter of fact.”
“Oh, that’s wonderful,” the woman gushes.“Well, good luck.I’m rooting for you.You’re the hope of all us average women.”
I internally wince because yes, that is me, but I don’t want to be anybody’s hero, especially not over this dating experiment.
The woman leaves and Kelsey drapes her arm over my shoulders.“You’re basically the Bachelorette now.Hope you brought a rose.”
