Page 30 of Faking It For Real

"Small team, big ears," he shrugged. "Is it true?"

"Yes," I confirmed, sticking to the plan. "It's fairly new, but... yes."

Coach nodded thoughtfully. "Good."

"Good?" I repeated, caught off guard.

"A stable relationship might impress the scouts," he explained. "Shows maturity, balance. The Pittsburghscout in particular mentioned character being as important as skill." He fixed me with a pointed look. "Just don't let it distract you from what matters right now."

"It won't," I assured him.

"See that it doesn't," he said firmly. "Five minutes, then I want everyone on the ice. We're running special teams drills today."

I stood in the hallway for a moment. Did he think my relationship with Mia might actually be a good thing? The idea was oddly validating, even though the relationship wasn't real.

Shaking off the thought, I headed back to finish getting ready. The plan was in motion now. No turning back.

After economics class the next day, I cut across the quad toward the library, mind already on the upcoming weekend game. The early November air had a sharp edge to it, leaves crunching beneath my feet as I walked. I was mentally reviewing power play formations when a flash of movement caught my eye.

Mia was crouched near one of the massive oak trees, camera raised to her eye, seemingly capturing the fall foliage. Without conscious decision, I found myself changing direction, walking toward her.

She was so focused on her shot that she didn't notice me approach. I waited until she lowered the camera before speaking.

"Catching the last of the fall colors?"

She startled slightly, turning quickly. "Ethan. Hi."

"Sorry," I said, genuinely apologetic. "Didn't mean to sneak up on you."

"It's fine," she assured me, straightening to her full height, which still left the top of her head somewhere around my chin. "I get absorbed when I'm shooting. Kind of lose awareness of my surroundings."

"That explains the ice incident," I observed, immediately regretting bringing it up.

To my surprise, she laughed. "Touché. Though in my defense, you guys move really fast."

"Kind of the point of hockey," I smiled.

"True," she nodded solemnly, then glanced around. "Are we officially 'on' right now? As in, should we be acting couple-y?"

I surveyed the quad. There were students scattered across the lawn, some studying, others just enjoying the crisp fall day. "Probably wouldn't hurt," I decided. "Word's already spreading."

"Already?" She looked surprised. "I haven't even told anyone except Olivia."

"I might have mentioned it to the team," I admitted. "And Coach overhead."

"Wow. So we're really doing this."

"Seems like it," I agreed, then gestured to a nearby bench. "Want to sit for a minute? We should probably figure out our first public date."

She nodded, following me to the bench and settling beside me. Not too close, but not conspicuously distant either. Just right for new couple territory.

"The Harvest Festival is this weekend," I suggested. "Saturday afternoon on the main quad. Games, food, that sort of thing. Very public, very casual."

"That could work," she agreed. "What time?"

"It starts at noon, but I have a team meeting until one. So, one-thirty?"

"Works for me." She made a note in her phone. "I have a shoot in the morning, but I'll be done by then."

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