Page 60 of Chase Lovett Wants Me

“I called out the mean girls.” My face feels like it’s on fire.

Tally’s lip curls. She shoots a glare over her shoulder. “Good for you.”

They sink into their chairs.

Tally shakes her head and rolls her eyes.

“You’re a powerful ally, aren’t you?” I muse.

“In this realm, yes. Anywhere else, not really.”

“I don’t know about that.”

The game starts and we turn our attention to the ice.

Tally really knows the game, and she is loud about her feelings. She explains every play to me with genuine enthusiasm. She stands up often and chirps the refs. Hockey in real life is a hell of a lot different than hockey on TV. It’s exciting and fast-paced. Chase manages an assist in the second period, which Tally tells me is a really big deal because he’s a freshman and they don’t get a ton of ice time. We shout and clap, and he gives me a chin tip and a wink after he and Brody slam into each other as they switch places on the ice.

At the end of the game, Tally grabs my hand and pulls me out of the seat. “Come on.”

“Where are we going?”

“To say hi to Chase before he goes into the locker room.”

I let her drag me through the crowd of people toward the gate where the team files off the ice. A couple of the other players stop to give girls wearing their jerseys kisses before they continue to the locker room. My stomach flips as Chase steps off the ice and removes his helmet. His hair is wet with sweat, his entire face glistens and beads drip down his temples.

I thought naked Chase was hot, but sweaty with exertion in his hockey gear Chase? My entire body approves. Anxiety hits me as his eyes meet mine. I don’t know what I’m supposed to do. He steps to the side to allow Brody to pass. He waves as he passes.

“Hey.” Chase’s smile makes my knees weak.

“You were awesome out there. That was a great assist,” I say.

“Thanks, babe. I think having you here was good luck.” He pulls off his glove and tucks it under his arm as his tongue dragsacross his bottom lip. He strokes my cheek with one damp finger and presses his lips to mine. “Sorry I’m all sweaty.”

“It’s okay.”

“I won’t be long in the locker room. Will you wait?” He looks so hopeful.

“Of course.”

“’Kay, cool. See you soon.” He kisses me again, then clomps down the hall, glancing back at me once before he disappears.

“He’s so obsessed with you. I love it.” Tally links arms with me and we file out of the arena.

We stop in the bathroom and I apply some fresh gloss.

I recognize a few of the girls who were sitting in the same row as me and Tally. I brace myself for their wrath. One girl with red hair steps out. She has a heart-shaped face and freckles across the bridge of her nose. I’ve seen her behind the counter a few times at the school coffee shop.

She smiles shyly. “I like your sweatshirt.”

“Thanks.” It’s a personal favorite of mine.

“I’m Enid, by the way,” she says.

“I’m Cammie and this is Tally.”

“You work at the coffee shop on campus, right?” Tally asks.

“Yeah. I do.”

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