Page 147 of Runaway Bride and Prejudice

Though right now, I crave her words. I want the reassurance. I need to know if this means what I think it means—her here, face painted, my name across her chest.

But I can’t wait for that.

I love you,I mouth.I love you, Mills.

She nods emphatically, her eyes brimming.

I love you too, Robbie,she mouths back.

Something about seeing her lips form my name, my real name, shifts something inside me. I want to break through this plexiglass with my fists. I want to rip it away and?—

“Van!”

My Hulk fantasy is interrupted by Alec summoning me back to do all the post-game stuff. I drop my hands and start skatingslowly backwards. I’m vaguely aware of my sisters next to Amelia, but I can’t take my eyes off her.

I’m so sorry, she’s saying.

Pointing toward the tunnel, I mouth,Later?Hoping she’ll find me, that Parker will help her get to me.

I need to see her without this between us. I need her in my arms. I need to hear the words, to feel her mouth on mine.

“Van!”

This time it’s Coach bellowing my name, his narrowed gaze bouncing between me and his daughter. I’m surprised he even recognizes her with the face paint. But he clearly does. And despite the win, he’s not happy.

Amelia’s eyes narrow, and I nod, hoping she understands. I got this.

Hoping that I do, in fact,gotthis. I mean, Coach can’t punch me again … right?

CHAPTER 30

Amelia

“I needto see my dad. Now.”

When I grab Parker’s arm and demand this, I can tell she wants to tell me that it’s impossible to get to my dad, the coach, at this exact moment, which is less than two minutes after their game ended. But I saw the look on Dad’s face when he glanced over at me and Van, and I strongly suspect my presence is needed.

The guys left the ice only moments ago, and fans are streaming up the stairs toward the exits. We’re still squeezed in our row, and I barely managed to stop Parker before she flitted off to help wrangle all the visiting families.

“I don’t think I’m familiar enough with the building to get down there myself.Please. Dad looked like he might punch Van again. I just don’t want him to do or say something to hurt Van. Or his own career.”

As far as I know, the guys didn’t say anything to anyone about my dad hitting Van. I can’t see a world in which he wouldn’t lose his job over that.

I might be upset with him, but I don’t want him to flush his career down the toilet.

A variety of emotions flicker over Parker’s face like a spinning game show wheel, waiting to land on one. “Um,” she says. “So, the thing about that is, usually family waits in the designated room andrightafter a game it’s hard to?—”

Callie steps up beside me. “I do believe the lady saidnow.”

Alexandra flanks my other side and Grey squeezes in next to her. I’m not sure if we look intimidating or ridiculous or maybe a little bit of both—what with the face paint. I’m more than ready to wash it off. I swear, I can feel my pores gasping for oxygen.

Parker sighs. “I can make no promises. I’ll get you there, but I don’t know about the rest.”

“Just get us to him.”

And we’re off. Parker guides us through a door with a security guard who nods to her and barely holds back a smile at Van’s sisters and me. Ireallyneed to get this face paint off.

Once we’re in the bowels of the building, it takes a minute for me to recognize the way to the locker room. Parker is practically vibrating with nerves beside me, and Van’s sisters walking just behind us are giving off prison guard transfer vibes.

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