Page 57 of Perfect Score

It’s possible.

“Thanks, that means a lot to me,” I tell him honestly. “Do you play?” I ask.

“Yes, sir, I do. I have a full ride to play hockey for Northern Michigan. I’ll be headed there next fall.”

“You do?” I ask with a smile.

He nods, his spine straightening a little with pride.

I take a quick glance at his name tag.

“Well, congratulations, Marcus, they have a great hockey program there. I’ll be keeping an eye out for you. Who knows, maybe I’ll see you out on the ice one of these days.”

My rental SUV pulls up to the curb and under the covered driveway. The other valet throws it into park before jumping out. I can already see his eyes bulging as his eyes lock on mine.

“Holy shit! You’re Brent Tomlin,” says the other valet, whose age has to be close to the same as Marcus’.

“That’s Brandon. He and I play together on the same high school team. He’s going to Notre Dame with a full ride next fall,” Marcus informs me quickly as Brandon jumps up onto the curb and walks over, outstretching his hand.

I take it, and we shake hands.

“Marcus told me that you were here, but I thought he was full of shit. You really are here. I’m Brandon, can I get your autograph?” he asks.

I look over my shoulder at Zoey and she nods that I’m free to take a few minutes with these guys. I got in trouble with her last time and I'm not looking to be in the doghouse anymore if I can help it.

Her arms are folded over her chest as she stands a few feet from me, but there’s a look of amusement on her face. Almost like she’s entertained to see me interact with these high school kids.

“Sure, do you have a pen?” I ask.

After signing two valet slips for each of them, snapping a few selfies with them, and handing them each a tip, which they attempted to refuse a couple of times before finally accepting, we say our goodbyes, and Zoey and I finally get into the car.

I pull off the curb and within minutes, we’re headed down the road. It’s another forty-five minutes to the ice-skating rink that I grew up playing at—that Zoey came every day after school to watch our team play.

Now we'll be in an ice-skating rink with the entire wedding party, family and friends. I’m back up again as Zoey’s doting boyfriend.

Finally... the position I was born to play.

Chapter Fifteen

Brent

Walking into the indoor ice rink, I see Liam zeroing in on Zoey the second we walk in the doors. He’s sitting, lacing up his skates with Shelby by his side.

We walk up to the skate rentals. Even though I have my skates with me, Zoey will need some.

“What size do you need?” I ask her.

She's distracted when I ask, seeing Liam and Shelby just threw her but she doesn't tense but like she did last night at the bar.

“I don’t know," she says, diverting her attention away from them.

“Well, what do you usually rent?” I ask, trying to keep it easy.

“I don’t. I’ve never been ice skating.”

That doesn’t make sense. She dated a hockey player for almost three years of high school.

“Liam never took you ice skating?” I ask, unable to keep the surprise out of my tone.

---