“Hey,” Dakota says cheerily. “You must be Nick.”
Dakota introduces me and then gives Nick a chance to use the restroom and grab a soda or water before we start. When he’s gone, Adam leans against the desk. “Hey, Ginny. First day?”
“Yep.”
“Anything we should know about him?” Dakota asks. It’s good one of us is still thinking about the job because I’m ridiculously distracted by Heath. His hair looks like he tried to manage it into a style, but the long top curls and flips in every which direction.
Adam and Dakota talk and Heath smiles at me and takes a step to the side of the desk, motioning for me to follow.
“Look at you.” His eyes scan my blue polo and khaki pants.
“Look at you,” I toss back.
He runs a hand through his hair and his smile turns sheepish. “Missed you at lunch. Guess I’m going to have to find a new lunch buddy.”
“It’s only a couple of days a week.”
He nods. “Tomorrow then?”
“Yeah, I’ll be there tomorrow.”
Nick rounds the corner and we all stop talking to give him our attention.
“Ready?” Dakota asks him with a big smile.
“Later, Genevieve.” Heath winks and then he and Adam say their goodbyes to Nick.
I watch him leave and then blow out a long breath. Holy gummy bears.
16
Ginny
October
We’re decked out in Valley blue and yellow for the first home game of the season. Dakota, Reagan, and I sit in my parents’ season ticket seats.
“I feel bad for not inviting Taryn,” I admit as the team takes the ice.
Dakota waves me off. “She’s fine. She said she was going to sit with her sorority sisters and meet up with us after.”
“I think I’m going to have to get to know her.”
“Why do you sound so defeated? She’s nice,” Reagan says, eyes forward watching the guys.
“Every time I get attached to one of Adam’s girlfriends, they break up and it’s like I lose them, too. I always wanted a sister.”
Dakota and Reagan put their arms around my shoulders. “Well, now you have us and neither of us plans on banging your brother. Right, Reagan?”
Reagan’s jaw drops. “Of course not. He’s with Taryn.”
When the game starts we cheer like crazy. It’s nothing like being at a game with my parents and I feel so much more invested being a Valley student now.
And my brother is good. Really good. I spot Taryn jumping up and down in the front row of the student section as he scores a goal. Ugh. I really am going to have to make an effort with her. She seems to really like Adam and not be one of the crazy ones, but first I need to talk to my brother and make sure he isn’t already thinking about breaking up with her.
There’s a line switch and Heath and two other guys come off the ice. They sit not far from us. Jordan, a freshman I think, is drinking out of a water bottle. Heath shakes his head when someone tries to hand him his own water. Stick in hand, he’s practically bouncing with untapped energy to get back out there.
He turns his head to follow the action on the ice, giving me a view of his strong profile. Dark hair peeks out around his helmet. His nose is straight, jaw sharp, nice lips that are soft despite all the ways the rest of him is hard.
I press two fingers against my lips remembering how it felt to be kissed by Heath. I’ve done my best to avoid going down this particular memory lane because I don’t want to ruin the friendship we have, but I don’t think I’ll ever forget that kiss.
Valley wins and the girls and I head to The Hideout. The local restaurant and bar is a favorite among college students, and we have to push our way through a mass of people to find a table.
There’s a collective cheer in the place when the guys arrive. Adam and Taryn lead the pack, Rhett, Maverick, and a few other guys from the team not far behind.
“Congratulations.” I stand and hug my brother. “You were amazing.”
“You’ve seen me play before.”
“I know, but it was different this time. I can’t explain it. I’m so proud of you.”
One side of his mouth pulls up into a smile. “Thanks, Ginny.”
We pull a couple of tables together so we can all sit. Pitchers of beer and shots arrive at the table, some the guys ordered and others that people buy for them.
My gaze falls to the front entrance every time someone new appears. I just assumed Heath would be coming, but now I’m not so sure and I’m disappointed. A friendly disappointment. We’re friends — I’m allowed to be disappointed when a friend doesn’t come out for the night.
I’m sitting at one end between my brother and Jordan. Adam’s turned toward Taryn which kind of leaves me hidden behind his giant back from the rest of the table.
I’m leaning in and listening to a Celine Dion cover that Jordan promised would change my life when Heath’s voice washes over me.
“Thanks for saving my seat, J.”
Jordan looks from me to Heath and he nods slowly. “You two are…?”
“Friends,” I say at the same time Heath says, “Yep.”
“I’ll send you the link,” Jordan says as he stands to give Heath his seat.
“I wasn’t sure you were coming.”
“Came with the rest of the guys, but my brother called as we were walking in.”
“You’ve been outside on the phone this whole time?”
He nods and reaches for one of the pitchers and a glass. “Yeah, what’d I miss? Other than Jordan hitting on you.”
“He wasn’t hitting on me.”
Heath’s brows rise and he takes a long drink from his glass then leans back and places his arm around the back of my chair.
“Five minutes talking with him and anyone would know he’s totally hung up on his ex-girlfriend. He was playing me videos of her
