Page 57 of The Riley Effect

“I’m glad I could bribe them with wine and hockey jerseys.”

“You’re right. I’m sure it had nothing to do with that charming personality of yours.”

She uses my neck to pull my lips to hers. “You think I’m charming?”

She pushes off my chest before I can kiss her. Her eyes make a full rotation before meeting mine. “See you after your game tomorrow.”

“See ya, Angel,” I say over my shoulder.

29

Ivy

Caleb, Stella, and I arrive at the Riley Center in our matching jerseys with Jalen’s number stitched in blue on the back. While we are in line waiting to get our tickets scanned a lady, who looks to be in her eighties, asks us if we were Jalen’s family. Right as I was about to tell her we are just fans–don’t need to be the talk of the small-town rumor mill– Caleb jumps in to tell her that I am dating Jalen, and he gifted us his jersey yesterday during Thanksgiving dinner.

It’s still weird to tell people– even random strangers who I hope don’t care– that I’m in a relationship. It’s not that Jalen and I want to hide our relationship, we’re both so busy with ourteams and demanding class schedules that the little alone time we have we like to spend just the two of us. Today, I’m here in this jersey. My niece and nephew are in his jersey, so it’s only a matter of time before the whole town knows about us.

There is a selfish part of me that wants to run to my locker in the Riley Center and change my top because I want to live in the delusion that if I keep my relationship the way it is, we’ll be able to live in this happy, protected bubble forever.

One nobody can take it away from me.

I know we can’t protect ourselves from the inevitable. So when break ends and campus is flooded with students too busy cramming for finals to go out and party, the hottest gossip floating around will be how the shy basketball player landed the hockey player nobody thought would settle down. He’s stuck with me because now that I know what it’s like in Jalen’s arms, I don’t think I’ll ever feel safe anywhere else.

As we pass the concession stand a little hand tugs on my sleeve.

“Aunt Ivy, can I get some popcorn?” Stella’s sweet voice asks.

“Of course, Stella. Caleb, what do you want?”

“Can I have Skittles?” I know my sister told him no sugar today because he ate half an apple pie by himself yesterday, but the fun part about being an aunt is I canforgetwhat my sister told me and give him back before he crashes from his sugar high.

“Sure, buddy.” I ruffle his hair before getting in line.

Once our food is secured, we make our way to the amazing seats Jalen got us right next to the home bench. When I told Jill I was taking the kids to the game, she insisted on me bringing Riley even though we don’t normally bring him to games when students are gone.

So now I’m here getting ready to watch Jalen with my favorite kiddos and my best furry buddy. I wait until we get to our seats to give the kids their food because Caleb is a littleasshole, and there is no doubt in my mind that he would have hit the bucket of popcorn out of his sister’s hands if he was given the opportunity.

I nearly spill the popcorn when someone starts banging on the glass. I’m prepared to ring out some fan for scaring the shit out of me, but instead, I’m greeted by Jalen’s beautiful smile.

“Just wanted to come say hi before the game starts.”

“Are you sure it isn’t because you wanted to see us in your gifts?” I mean, it was a joke, but Jalen’s eyes darken.

“I’ve been waiting to see you in my jersey.” The words are harmless, but the tone of his voice makes me wish we weren’t in a stadium with twenty thousand people. “Do a little twirl for me, Angel.”

I don’t get a chance to twirl for Jalen.

“We’ll see you after the game, right?” Caleb asks, reminding me that I’m, in fact, at a hockey game and not in Jalen’s bedroom.

“Of course, buddy.” A horn vibrates through the stadium, and Jalen waves before heading back to the bench.

For having grown up in a hockey town, I still don’t know much about the sport. Jalen’s been helping me, but I don’t need to be a hockey historian to know that the Retrievers need to get their shit together. It’s been a sloppy game, with turnovers committed by both teams. They’re tied 2-2 with a minute and a half left in the game.

Eric, who just stopped the puck, is holding on to it until the whistle blows. When the official has the puck, Byron lines up to the left of the goal for the faceoff. My body tenses. They need to get the puck to the other end and fast. I trace the stitching outlining Jalen’s number, waiting for the puck to drop. When it does, the entire stadium is on their feet. It’s defining. Electric. It must be addictive playing to a sold out crowd. We get a good crowd at our games, but for how successful we’ve been, you’dthink we’d have more seats filled. Women’s athletics have come a long way but still have a long way to go.

Byron tips the puck, and Marcus gains control of it, moving it up the ice. He sees an opening, but his shot is blocked, and my body deflates. I don’t think I can make it through an overtime period.

Jalen controls the rebound with seven seconds left on the clock, enough time for one shot. He gains control, and his shot slides between the goalie’s legs.

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