Page 117 of Wild About You
The first period is fast-paced and high-scoring. Leo gets a penalty for hooking in the final minute. An echo of boos surrounds us. Scarlett makes a little sound, like a happy squeal next to me.
“You almost seem happy about your man being sent to the penalty box.”
“Oh, I am. Not about the penalty but wait for it.” She nudges me with an elbow, and I watch as Leo skates off the ice and into the penalty box.
“What exactly am I waiting for?” I ask as the jumbotron zooms in on Leo. He throws himself onto the bench and glares ahead.
“That look.” She shivers. “It’s the same one he gets on his face during sex.”
She says the last word quietly so Everly can’t hear.
“Sexy death glares do it for you, huh?”
“Everything about Leo does it for me.”
Jade makes a gagging sound then grins at her best friend.
Nashville scores during the power play and Leo comes out of the box just in time for the first period to come to an end. As the guys head down the tunnel, I catch Ash, Declan, Leo, and Jack all staring at Everly and smiling. She’s oblivious as she chats with her mom.
I try to silently communicate the good news that his sister is staying with Tyler as he goes by, but I don’t think he gets my wide eye, big grin as anything out of the ordinary. Fair. Giving him big, toothy smiles is pretty common these days.
During the intermission, Scarlett’s mom comes over to say hello, and she and I talk about school, and I update her on my plans for next year.
“If you’re looking for something part-time while you go to school, the middle school where I work is hiring.”
“Really?”
She nods and smiles. “Think about it.”
“I will. Thanks.”
Everly is grinning at me when she leaves. “You are a badass. You haven’t even graduated, and you already have a job.”
“I don’t have it yet. Besides, I think I might want to stick with high school.”
She doesn’t shudder at the idea like she would have when I first met her, but she still makes a face. “Only you, Pipes.”
From the start of the second period, the Wildcats have a completely different energy than the first. They score within the first ten seconds. Ash holds up his stick as the fans cheer, then he skates by to tap gloves with the bench. He points to Everly as he circles back to the center ice.
“I think that one was for you,” I tell her.
She laughs it off with a shake of her head. “I think he was just pointing to the crowd in general.”
I know better, but don’t push the issue. The action starts back up and only a minute later, the goal post lights up again. Jack does the same thing, skating by and pointing at Everly after he’s congratulated by his team.
This time she rolls her eyes. “Are they trying to guilt trip me in to staying?”
“They think you’re leaving,” Scarlett tells her. “It’s their way of saying goodbye.”
I glance at Everly’s mom, trying to get any kind of read on her, but she has a really great poker face.
The momentum from the two early second period goals has energized the stadium. Nashville loses a little of their spark and the Wildcats take full advantage.
The next goal is Tyler’s, a tip in from a rebounded shot. Leo and Declan crowd around him. Two guys sitting in front of us stand and high-five. They have on matching Wildcat number twenty-one jerseys.
The announcer lets everyone know that the goal pushes Tyler back to the number one spot for most points this season among rookies in the NHL.
“Atta boy, Sharpie!” One of the guys in front of us calls, cupping a hand to his mouth to make his voice louder.
