Page 49 of Off The Rush
“Maybe not outright,” I reply, feeling awkward. “But the tension is there. We need to play as a team, and I’m not sure we can do that if we’re all distracted by this…triangle.”
I watch as Luka leans back against his locker, his gaze never leaving mine. “More like a square. I’m telling you,” he starts, crossing his arms over his broad chest. “She shouldn’t have to choose. We could all share Emma.”
The suggestion hangs in the air. The idea of sharing Emma had initially made me uncomfortable, unsure of how such a relationship would work. But the more time I’ve spent mulling it over, the more I’ve grown to accept it, even embrace it. If it means being able to keep Emma in my life, then I’d be willing to share her with my friends.
It actually felt natural to take her on a date with Luka. She paid attention to both of us and we had fun together. We both shared some deep vulnerabilities and it felt safer having Luka there with me.
“Are you sure she’d even be interested in something like that?” Alec asks cautiously, his voice barely above a whisper.
Luka shrugs. “She let us both kiss her after our date and said being with the three of us would be the greatest thing to happen to her so I think it’s a yes.”
Alec’s eyes bounce between the two of us.
Luka continues, “But first, we need to figure out how we feel.”
“Alright,” I agree, feeling a mixture of excitement and nerves settle in the pit of my stomach. “Alec?”
Alec is glaring at the floor now. He’s going to have to agree to this or we won’t get anywhere. It’s clear Emma has feelings for Alec too.
“I know you feel like you have dibs since you met Emma first but what if we ask her to choose and she can’t so she chooses none of us? Then we all lose her. I know you don’t want to lose her, Alec,” I say.
“Okay, how about this?” Luka suggests, his gray eyes flashing with determination. “We make a bet to solve our problem. That’s how we usually solve our issues.”
Alec rolls his eyes, clearly annoyed by the idea. “What kind of bet?”
“Maybe it would help,” I say hesitantly, looking between Alec and Luka. “I mean, we need to figure out a way to deal with this tension, right?”
“Fine,” Alec grumbles, crossing his arms over his broad chest. “What’s your brilliant idea, Luka?”
Luka grins, his confidence infectious. “If I can score a hat trick tonight and JD makes it a shutout, then we all give dating Emma a try.”
“Wait, what?” Alec snaps, clearly not thrilled with the idea.
“But only if Emma’s up for it too, of course,” I clarify, my heart pounding at the thought.
Alec narrows his blue eyes, considering the proposal. “And how do I win this stupid bet?”
“Simple,” Luka replies, a smirk on his lips. “You get a hat trick tonight, and we drop the whole thing.”
I can’t help but worry about the outcome of this bet. Alec is more likely to score a hat trick than Luka, given his track record. But Luka doesn’t seem fazed by this in the least.
I know he will be playing his heart out. A lot of it will come down to how badly Alec wants it.
“Alright,” Alec agrees reluctantly. “Let’s do it.”
“Deal,” Luka says, extending his hand to shake on it.
“Deal,” I echo, taking Luka’s hand before offering mine to Alec. He shakes it firmly, and I can’t help but notice the fire in his eyes.
I ignore them after that so I can start my pregame routine.
As we head towards the ice, my mind races with possibilities. What will happen if Luka actually pulls off a hat trick and I get a shutout? And will Emma really try dating all three of us? There’s only one way to find out, and it all hinges on tonight’s game.
The roar of the crowd fills my ears as I step onto the ice, taking my position in front of the net. I can’t help but think about the bet and how much hangs in the balance tonight. My nerves are on edge, but I focus on my routine, the one I’ve followed religiously before every game.
I tap the net in a specific order, feeling the cold metal beneath my fingers. It’s a comforting ritual, one that helps me ground myself and concentrate on the task at hand. But tonight, I break the routine. I can’t help it; I just need to see her.
I glance up at the stands, my eyes scanning the sea of faces until they find her. Emma sits there, her hair pulled into a tight ponytail with Alec’s jersey on. A smile spreads across her face, and she shoots me a thumbs up. I can’t help but grin back, my heart swelling with hope.
