Page 104 of The Drop

I push through the chaos and stand watching the team get photographed for the Valentine's Day Drop, finally feeling a bit calmer. With Savannah's help, we transformed sweatpants into shorts, crop t-shirts and jackets, thrifted some tees, and finished the scrunchies and headbands just last night.

"Where do you want me, Coach?" Cami asks, standing next to me in her shorts.

"Shh, don’t let Coach hear you call me that!" I hiss back. He still scares me, hovering over us while we take photos today, even though we aren’t using the ice. His presence makes my job easier because most of the team behaves well with him around.

Cami laughs as Savannah joins us. "Hey, girls! Cam, I love that you and Gunnar are matching," she smirks knowingly, as if we haven't discussed it beforehand.

"What?!" Cami screeches, noticing her and Gunnar’s matching colours. "B, you’re so dead, you know that."

"I don’t know what you’re talking about," I reply, feigning innocence. "You use the same shampoo. How is this any different?"

She pouts and crosses her arms, mumbling, "Taught her too well," which makes me smile.

"Okay, ready for his and hers combos," Lucas, a team member who helps with The Drop, says as he leads the photo shoot.

Cami, Savannah, and I climb into the stands to position ourselves in our matching colours. Grant smiles up at me and nudges Bear with his foot to clear a spot for me to sit in front of him. Bear shoots him the finger, and I laugh.

"Nice shorts," Bear smirks. I roll my eyes and toss my hair over my shoulder, trying to ignore him. He leans forward and whispers in my ear, "Think if you straddle me, that’ll showcase them better?" His unexpected comment makes me choke, and I have a coughing fit while he laughs behind me.

"GRANT ANDERS!" Cami shouts from across the rink. She leans awkwardly against Gunnar while Savannah sits between Adam and Bear. "It's freezing in here, and you're prolonging this torture."

Half of the guys grunt in agreement, while the others stare at Cami's legs. We all get serious and take our pictures. We film some video content and then wrap up for the day. The boys head onto the ice from the locker room after changing into their practice gear, while I pack up The Drop to take it home.

"I'm sorry I can't help you take it home," Grant says as I zip up some bags. I don’t want to risk leaving it at the rink again; this precious cargo comes home with me so I can keep an eye on it.

"Don't worry, I've got Savannah and Cam to help," I smile, tightening my ponytail and standing up straight with my hands on my hips.

"Yeah, don't be so sexist, Grant," Cami snaps at him. "We can carry a couple of bags." She huffs while picking one up. He pulls me toward him, replacing my hands with his, and I wind my arms around his neck.

"You know, Cami complains about having to move her comforter into the living room to watch movies the other night," he whispers, stealing a quick kiss before practice starts.

"Hey, Gunnar, can you carry this to the car for me, please?" she begs him, moving far enough away so she thinks we can’t hear her.

We both laugh as I release Grant and pull the last bag toward me.

"I'll see you after practice," he says, pulling me back toward him by the bottom of my t-shirt.

"Sure will, but no late night for you, mister," I reply, playing with the collar of his jersey. "You've got an important game tomorrow."

"We'll see," he says, pecking my lips quickly and winking as he heads to the locker room.

"Sickening," Savannah says, walking up next to me with a wide smile. "I love it."

"You know you and Cami are complete opposites, right?" I nudge her as we walk out of the rink.

"Oh yeah, that’s why this friendship is going to be epic," she replies.

I laugh at her, knowing she is right.

Brooke

We are back at the apartment with a bottle of wine sitting on the coffee table and have How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days on in the background while I edit The Drop and the girls help.

"You have to add that clip of Adam and Bear shaking their butts at each other," Cami cackles. "They'll never get girls to look at them the same again."

I play the clip again, but at a faster speed. All of us fall back, wheezing with laughter.

"That was so much fun today," Savannah sighs, sitting back against the sofa. "Please, tell me you'll do another girl drop?" "I've been thinking I might do the girls' sports teams next?" I throw it out there, and Cami nods.

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