“Everyone, meet Savannah.” Jared steps up beside her, grinning like he just won the lottery. “Savannah, this is the Chicago Icebreakers.”
She waves again, her smile a little shy now. But then her eyes land on Jamie, and I swear, she relaxes all at once, like he’s her safe spot in the room.
Jamie doesn’t waste a second. He’s across the room in three steps, pulling her into a hug and scooping Noah out of her arms. “Hey, Savannah. You look good.”
She laughs softly. “Hey, Jamie.”
That’s when I can finally move. My feet start working again, and I’m walking toward her before my brain catches up. Jamie’s looking over his shoulder now.
“Troy! Get over here,” he calls, holding Noah like he’s been doing it his whole life.
I stop in front of her, and for a second, all I can do is stare. She smells so damn good—sweet and warm, like vanilla or something. My hand moves before I even think about it, pulling her into a quick hug.
“Hey,” I say, my voice rough.
“Hey,” she replies, her smile small but real.
“You watched the game?” Jamie asks, rocking Noah a little as he speaks.
She nods, her cheeks going a little pinker. “Yeah. It was...intense.”
Jamie laughs. “That’s one word for it.” He leans in closer to her, lowering his voice just enough that only we can hear. “You look so good in Troy’s jersey, but next time, I need you in mine.”
She laughs, quiet and soft, and flashes that smile—the one that makes my chest tighten like a vise.
“Have you eaten yet?” I ask her, cutting into whatever moment they’re having because I can’t take it anymore.
She shakes her head. “Not yet.”
Jared steps up again, all casual confidence. “I know the perfect place. We can all grab lunch together. My treat.”
Savannah glances at me, then Jamie, then back to Jared. “I’d like that,” she says finally.
“Perfect.” Jared claps his hands together like it’s settled. “I’ll wait for you guys at the car. Don’t take too long.”
I lean in and kiss her cheek before I even realize what I’m doing. Her skin’s soft, warm, and now I smell like her, too. “See you later.”
She nods, her eyes meeting mine for a split second before she turns to follow Jared. I watch them leave, Noah’s little hand reaching for Jared’s face as he talks to her.
The second they’re gone, Jamie’s voice snaps me back. “You good, man?”
I turn to him, shrugging like I’m fine. “Yeah. Why wouldn’t I be?”
Jamie smirks, bouncing Noah gently in his arms. “I don’t know, maybe because you’ve been staring at her like a lovesick idiot since she walked in?”
“Shut up,” I mutter, grabbing a towel off the bench and heading toward the showers.
Jamie follows, still grinning. “Seriously, though. You okay?”
I glance at him, and for a second, I think about brushing it off again. But then I hear my voice, low and honest. “I don’t know, man.”
He raises an eyebrow. “What do you mean?”
I shake my head, scrubbing a hand over my face. “It’s just...she woremyjersey. And she watched me play. And now my heart’s racing like I’m on the ice in overtime.”
Jamie laughs, clapping me on the back. “Welcome to the club, bro.”
“What club?”