Page 124 of Never Your Girl

The hallway feels stifling, the air heavy with the tension that crackles between us. Dick opens his mouth, but I don’t stick around to hear whatever venom he’s about to spew. I give Garret’s arm a nudge, and we move past him, our skates thudding softly against the rubber mat.

“Is he always like that?” Garret mutters under his breath, his voice low enough that only I can hear.

“Pretty much.” I don’t bother looking back as Dick’s angry sputtering fades into the background.

For the first time in forever, I don’t feel like I’m walking alone. Garret matches my stride, and the realization that I’ve got my brother beside me, hits me square in the chest. It’s a strange, unfamiliar comfort, but one I’m willing to lean into.

When we reach the ice, Coach Philips is waiting, clipboard in hand and his expression all business. He glances between me and Garret before nodding to where the rest of the team is warming up.

“You ready, Sanderson?” he asks, his tone steady but expectant.

I pull my helmet over my head and glance at Garret. When he gives me a small nod, I turn back to Coach.

“More than ready,” I say, my voice carrying a quiet determination.

With that, I step onto the ice, the sound of skates slicing into the frozen surface mingling with the deafening cheers of the crowd.

It’s time to play.

39

Holland

The arena vibrates with energy, the kind of electric buzz that thrums under your skin and sets your heart racing. There’s a steady hum of excitement that ripples through the stands as fans decked out in Wildcats jerseys and face paint cheer. It’s impossible not to get caught up in it.

I’m wedged between Willow and Juliette, the three of us packed tightly into a row surrounded by a sea of Wildcats fans. Around us, the rest of the girls—Carina, Viola, Stella, Fallyn, Britt, and Ava—are scattered in small groups, their laughter and shouts rising above the growing roar of the crowd.

For the first time in forever, I feel like I actually fit in somewhere.

I belong.

It’s not that I’ve intentionally been a loner. Willow has always been my ride-or-die, the one constant in my life.

But outside of her?

Friends have never come easily. I’ve spent years building walls, bracing myself against the sting of disappointment and rejection. Sitting here with this group of girls who’ve embraced me without question feels different.

Nice in a way I wouldn’t have expected.

“Wait a minute,” Willow says, her tone one of playful disbelief as she leans toward me. Her elbow digs gently into my side. “Is that a smile on your face? It’s almost like you’re having a good time.”

I snort, the sound turning into a laugh as I nudge her back. “Don’t push it.”

Juliette, seated on my other side, turns toward me. “Oh, she’s definitely smiling. We need photographic evidence.” She whips out her phone and holds it up, angling it for a selfie. “Come on, Holland, give me your best game-day grin.”

“Absolutely not,” I protest, ducking my head as Juliette snaps a photo anyway. The screen lights up with her triumphant laugh.

“Got it,” she announces, showing Willow the blurry but unmistakable proof of my smile.

Carina spins around from the row in front of us, her glossy blonde ponytail swishing as she rests her arms on the back of her seat. Her eyes are bright with excitement as she grins at me. “Okay, can I just say how much I love that you and Bridger are a thing now? Like, we all saw the tension building, but still. I can’t help feeling there’s more to the story than you’re letting on.”

The group falls silent, and suddenly all eyes are on me. Heat creeps up my neck and into my cheeks as I shift in my seat.

I manage a wink, trying to play it cool. “Let’s just say there’s always more to the story.”

Juliette’s brows shoot up, and she leans in, practically vibrating with curiosity. “Well, now you have to spill. What happened between you two? We need details.”

Before I can come up with a way to deflect, Fallyn saves me. “Forget Bridger for a second,” she says, her voice laced with admiration. “Can we just talk about how badass you are for working at the Envy Room while taking a full course load? Like, seriously. I’d be flat on my face trying to do all that.”

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