Page 62 of Going All In

Chapter 12

“Think he’ll blowyou a kiss after every goal?” Ally teased Darcy the following Friday night as they watched the game from Jake’s seats.

“One. He hasn’t scored any goals yet. And two. He only blew me a kiss during warmups.”

Yes, they were in full doting relationship form tonight. Him rocking a smirk as he singled her out during warmups, and her wearing his jersey and screaming his name whenever he got anywhere near the other team’s goalie. All she needed was some face paint and a foam finger.

They’d cleared the air yesterday and were back in business tonight. Although she still wasn’t sure about anything, she’d played along. She’d started this damn ruse.

“But that smile when he spotted you. Swoon,” Ally said, clutching her hand to her chest.

“Oh stop. You know it was just for show.” But it still managed to heat her body from head to toe.

“I don’t know. It was very convincing. Guess that little talk you had yesterday helped. You know, since the last time you were in the same room together you bolted out of his lap like he’d stuck you with a hot poker. Actually…” Ally drew the last word out and shot Darcy a smirk.

“Gross, Ally. We just needed to get back on the same page,” she lowered her voice, “that this isn’t real.”

Ally leaned in. “You keep telling yourself that.”

Darcy pulled back. “What are you talking about?”

“That maybe it’s not as fake as you think it is.”

She scoffed. “Oh please.” Then she turned away from her over-observant best friend and focused on the game and why she was here instead of grading or studying or working on her final project or any of the other things she should be doing tonight.

She ignored Ally’s chuckle and quickly spotted Jake on the ice. He was stunning out there. A mixture of grace and strength that took her breath away every time she watched him.

Something she would only admit to herself.

***

Two hours later,Darcy’s voice was scratchy from yelling—when Jake scored two goals and at the ref for not calling a penalty when Jake was clearly tripped. Stupid blind ref. But in the end, it didn’t matter. The Strikers had won and the game had been intense. Jake had stayed out of the penalty box and skated away with three points. That should please everyone.

“Hey, Ally. Darcy,” Adam said when they walked into Crash and Byrne and took two surprisingly free barstools at the corner of the bar.

The guys would trickle in later, and then the show would really begin. She was almost excited about it.

They said hello and placed their orders.

“That game was awesome thanks to your boyfriend,” Sara said as she walked by them after dropping off food to two guys at the bar a few seats down from them.

“He was pretty great out there tonight,” Darcy said, not even faking her pride. “Did you get to watch it?”

“Of course. Adam mounted a TV in the kitchen for me years ago. I’ve been a hockey fan for a long time,” Sara said. “Were you up in the suite tonight?”

“No. We sat in Jake’s seats. Closer to the action,” Darcy said.

“Darcy likes to pretend that she still doesn’t like hockey, but it’s a great big lie,” Ally teased.

“Maybe it’s growing on me,” she said, refusing to look at her friend as Ally burst out laughing.

“Since you skipped the suite, I guess Penny didn’t get a chance to talk to you about getting involved with the foundation,” Sara said.

“No. I didn’t see her tonight.”

“I know you’re busy with school and work, but a bunch of the WAGs help out with the Strikers’ foundation. We are working on a community garden and playground. Extra hands are always appreciated,” Sara said.

“If you get me the details, I can take a look at my schedule. I’ll see if I can make some time to help out,” she said.

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