Page 112 of Play the Game

“I like seeing you in my jersey,” I whisper. “Almost as much as I like seeing that ring on your finger.”

Scottie squints at me incredulously before glancing at the bystanders. She comes in closer. “Did you take acting lessons? You’re acting very husband-like.” She giggles through her whisper, and I suddenly can’t breathe again. “I almost believed you.”

She has me in the palm of her hand and literally has no fucking idea.

I don’t know if I had any idea either.

My grip around her waist tightens, and I bend down farther. My mouth falls to hers, and it’s enough to wake me up so I can play another good game. When I pull back, she’s gazing up at me. “I wasn’t acting.”

I leave her with a wink and move to get into my position on the ice. I follow her movements until she disappears into the crowd to get Rhodes's daughter. When I glance at my parents, they’re both looking at one another with confusion and a little bit of wonder.

I may be just as surprised as they are.

Acting like I’m in love with Scottie is becoming easier and easier, and with the way my heart beats through my chest until I see her settle in between my parents again with Rhodes’s daughter sitting on her lap, I’m pretty certain the acting part is nonexistent.

Forty-Seven

SCOTTIE

“It’sno surprise that our son would find someone as into hockey as he is.”

I turn to Emory’s dad and smile. “You know how he is. He loves the game.”

My stomach flips, and I turn back to the ice. I’m not sure if I’m referring to hockey orourgame, but I think he likes to play both.

Ellie jumps up with her freshly braided hair and Blue Devils bow swinging from the bottom. “Let’s go, Daddy!”

Just then, Rhodes uses his shoulder, and a player flies onto the ice, losing their stick in the process. The crowd boos, and Ellie crosses her arms. She turns to us. “He’s being a little bit of a bully.”

I shrug. “Sometimes that's necessary in hockey.”

Ellie sighs. “Well, I don’t like bullies.”

“Me either.” I can’t help but think of William and all the times I’ve had to knock a few guys on their ass or embarrass them in some way or another for messing with him. “Do you have a bully, Ellie?”

Suddenly, her face pales. She turns her back to me. Emory’s mom and I catch each other's attention. Her lips flatten, and Inod. I make a mental note to say something to Rhodes, but not tonight—if they can’t get their shit together, they’re all going to be in angry moods later.

The offense takes advantage of Rhodes being in the penalty box, and pucks continue to fly at Emory. He blocks them, but if Rhodes doesn’t get back on the ice to even up the game, they’re going to keep coming after our goalie, and that angers me more than it should.

One of the players swipes the puck from Malaki, and I growl under my breath. “Play like a team, guys!” I yell, remembering what Emory and I were talking about last night.

They can’t hear me, and I’m not the coach.

But the game brings out something in me that I can’t hide.

I blame that on my father and his passion for hockey that he obviously passed down to me.

Rhodes glances at Ellie before the penalty box door opens, and he’s back on the ice. We both sigh with relief, but Rhodes goes directly to the guy he shoulder-checked before, and I swear they’re exchanging words.

A puck flies past, and Emory misses it by a hair.

“It’s okay!” I’m quick to add. He can’t hear me, but it makes me feel better to say it aloud.

“Something is off,” Emory’s dad mutters. “The Devils look tense out there.”

I nod.

They freeze the puck, and there’s a short break in the game. I think the fans, me included, collectively take a deep breath. I’m staring at the focus on Emory’s face from his post when I hear one of the Falcons say a familiar name.

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