Page 29 of Faking the Face Off

I smile, warmth blooming in my chest as I hit the button to answer. “Hey.”

“Hey,” he says, his voice warm and easy, like a perfectly worn-in sweater. “Just got out of practice. Thought I’d give you a call.”

And that’s what catches me. It’s not like he’s never called before, but tonight it feels different, like it means something more.

“Felt like calling?” I tease lightly, trying to keep my voice casual despite the sudden flip in my stomach.

“Yeah,” he says, laughing softly. “Is that a crime?”

“No, but it’s suspicious,” I reply, biting back a grin.

“To who?”

“To me.”

He laughs again, and the sound wraps around me like a hug. It’s only a phone call, but why does it feel like so much more? Maybe it’s because Ihavesomeone calling me. Someone who wants to check in, even if it’s just to say hi. Or maybe it’s the subtle change that happens when you’re in a “relationship.” Suddenly, everything feels like it’s been dipped in magic. Even if it is make-believe.

Or maybe it’s because it’s Ollie.

I open my mouth to ask him a question, but there’s a melody that catches my attention coming through the speaker. “Are you listening to Taylor Swift?”

“Uh…uh,” Ollie stutters, the volume on “Anti Hero” immediately lowered. “Maybe?”

“Post-practice Swiftie moments with Ollie Decker. You know, this would make you very relatable to a lot of people if they…”

“No one needs to know I’m a Swiftie, okay?” He laughs. “If anyone does find out, I’ll know it was you.”

“Fine. Change of subject so I’m not tempted to spill the beans,” I say, steering the conversation before I get too lost in my thoughts. “You leave tomorrow for Chicago.”

“Yep, and we leave early, too,” he says, his voice perking up. “Excited for it. Chicago’s always a good time.”

Ollie then launches into a replay of the night’s practice, treating me to a play-by-play with all the enthusiasm of a kid talking about their favorite toy. His voice is animated, carrying easily through the phone, the sound of his laughter echoing inside my car and making me smile despite myself.

“Leon tried this ridiculous toe drag and wiped out,” he says, the grin in his tone unmistakable. Using the toe drag can be effective in hockey to fake out your opponent and maneuver around them. “He was trying to be slick and tripped himself up.”

“Sounds like quality entertainment,” I tease, my fingers tapping idly on the steering wheel as I listen.

“Oh, it was,” he assures me, his words flowing effortlessly. “I don’t know what he was thinking, but it gave us all a good laugh. Even Ben couldn’t keep it together.”

There’s a beat of comfortable silence before I decide to rip off a Band-Aid Ollie won’t know is coming. I need to get it over with; after all, we promised we’d stay fully honest through this whole process. “So I did a thing.”

“A thing?”

“I told someone about us.”

“What?” His tone sharpens, and I can practically hear him sitting up straighter. “You told someone?”

“I told Molly,” I say, trying to sound as casual as possible. “She asked about us after seeing one of the photos, and I figured it was better to be honest.”

“Molly?” He sounds incredulous, maybe even a little panicked. “Anna, that’s Ben’s wife. What if she tells him?”

“She won’t,” I say quickly. “I trust her. She’s not going to say anything. Besides, she’s on our side. She gets it.”

He exhales audibly, and I can feel his tension through the phone. “I don’t know, Anna. That feels like a risk.”

“Maybe,” I admit, my grip tightening on the wheel. “But I couldn’t lie to her. She’s been too good to me, and she knows how much this is helping my dad.”

He’s quiet for a moment, then sighs. “Okay. If you’re sure…”

---