Page 121 of Snap Shot

Landon Radek mouths,hi, getting to his feet as the countdown begins.

All warmth from my face flows southward, pooling in my gut and beyond. The lights go dark in time. I pray so fucking hard that no one saw any of that. Especially the two fools I'm with. They scream like banshees when the Ottawa starters skate out.

To avoid saying or doing anything stupid during faceoff, I stuff my mouth with these incredible fries. They're served with mayonnaise and it's a game changer.

“This is highly entertaining,” Nik comments at how Radek and McCrimmon—old teammates from uni—fight over possession while chomping on my fries. “I'm gonna have to watch more hockey.”

“Yeah, right. You never came to any of my games.”

“I was, like,nine.”

“So? Gimme that.” I snatch the empty basket from her. “Great, you finished them all.”

The rest of the first period flies by with some fast plays and decent attempts, but no one scores. Landon catches a break right before the end of the second period. He speeds across the ice and takes a quick wrist shot. The puck clangsagainst the backboard and sets off the siren. The horn bellows out.

Half of the audience groans while the Regents fans burst into raucous cheers. Landon points his stick up to the crowd as he skates in an arc around the rink. His eyes lock onto mine while screaming, “Yours!” before the on-ice team wraps him into a hug.

Blood floods my cheeks. I knock back the remaining wine in my glass as the players disappear behind the boards for intermission, the ringing in my ears louder than the period-ending buzzer.

“Did you see what Radek said?” Bea asks Nik. “Yo?”

“It looked more like'Yasssss!' to me.”

They wait for my opinion. “I have no idea. I spaced out.” I manage to evade their scrutiny. Soon enough, the girls cackle at the mascots falling on their asses while doing sack races across the ice. I'm back to eating my feelings. My phone beeps mid-bite.

Gym Guy:You came for me.

Gym Guy:(That's what she said)

Me:Very mature.

Me:And my boss made me.

Gym Guy:Meet me after the game.

Me:No can do. Bea and Anika are here, too.

Gym Guy:I saw. Get rid of them.

Me:But we're supposed to go out.

Gym Guy:Make up an excuse.

Gym Guy:You in my jersey has me losing my goddamn mind, Indi.

I cross my legs, attempting to curb the throbbing between them, but can't help myself.

Me:Should I wear Wade's jersey next time? Can't have you losing your mind.

Gym Guy:There's gonna be a next time?

Gym Guy:And no fucking way you'll wear anyone else's jersey but mine

My brain flatlines.Mine. I click my phone off in a haste, shoving it into a pocket and swiping at my upper lip and brow.

“What happened? Why are you sweating?” Nik narrows her eyes.Shit.

“This thing is so hot,” I huff. My hand plucks at the jersey.

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