Page 22 of Rookie Move

She could’ve sworn that he’d looked right at her when he’d paused. Had his mouth quirked up on one side? Was she imagining that, with his head in the game, he’d even notice her? She was in the second row, but still.

She shook her head.

Then she continued to not be able to take her eyes off of him whenever he was on the ice.

***

An hour later,the final buzzer sounded, and the Strikers had won their home opener, five to two. Everyone around her high-fived and clapped as the team skated up to Gally for the obligatory helmet tap.

She pulled out her phone to fire off a quick text to her dad—and not to Desmond.

Rylie:Awesome win. You better go out and celebrate.

Her phone buzzed ten minutes later.

Dad:Promised the guys I’d grab a beer with them at C&B. Want to join us?

Rylie:I should probably go home.

And she should. Because if she ended up at C&B…with Desmond…

Dad:You are part of the team. Get your butt down to C&B and have a drink with us.

He followed it up with a smiley face and a beer emoji, and she laughed.

Rylie:Fine. One drink. And only one for you too. It’s a work night.

***

Rylie was sittingat one of the empty barstools at C&B with Sophia, Ally, and Darcy. Of all the WAGs—well, Ally wasn’t a WAG, but apparently being Harty’s sister was close enough—they were the closest in age to her. She’d met them a few times over the last year and was excited to make some new friends now that she was living in San Francisco.

“That game was amazing. I’m so excited for the season. Let’s hope they end up with the Cup,” Ally said.

“Do you say that every year?” Darcy asked.

“Of course I do. They deserve it,” Ally replied.

Sophia laughed. “I think all the teams think they deserve it, but I hope you’re right. Losing in the second round in six games last season was brutal. I think Finn looks good with Nessie, or Lachley, or whatever they’re calling him these days.”

“Baz corrects any of them when they call him Lachley,” Darcy said. “The man is relentless.”

“They’re still calling Jake, Pookie,” Ally said.

Darcy dropped her head, her shoulders shaking. “I can’t even feel bad for being the reason for that.”

“Fill me in,” Rylie said.

“Jake jokingly sent me a jersey withMy Pookieinstead of his name on the back. Ally made me wear it and took a picture when we were watching one of the playoff games at Amanda’s place last season. She sent it to the guys, and now Jake will never live it down.”

Rylie chuckled. “That’ll teach him.”

“So what do we think about the new guy? Nessie?” Ally asked, and Rylie willed her body not to tense.

“He’s pretty hot. A touch of an accent,” Ally continued.

“Ahh, what happened with Dom?” Sophia asked.

Ally blew out a breath. “Nothing. We’re done, and I don’t want to talk about it.”

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