Page 52 of In My Hockey Era
I raise an eyebrow.“Oh, so youadmityou’re scared?”
His jaw twitches, and I know I’ve got him.“Fine,” he says.“But if my Team Fire wins, you have to wear my jersey for the rest of the night.”
My stomach flips.I roll my eyes, playing it cool.“That’s the best you’ve got?”
“Oh, come on, Quinn,” he teases, resting his chin on his palm.“You’d looksocute in my name and number.”
My face heats, and I focus way too hard on the menu.
The waitress returns, and we order—fried chicken sandwiches for both of us, extra pickles for me, extra spice for him.When she leaves, Bennett watches me for a long moment, his expression shifting slightly.
“You okay?”he asks, quieter this time.“After yesterday?”
I keep my eyes on my water glass, running my thumb along the condensation.I knew this was coming, but I’m still not prepared for it.
I shrug.“I’m fine.”
He doesn’t buy it.
I sigh.“I just… it got to me a little.The wholeshe’s just a PR stuntthing.”
His jaw tightens.“I shouldn’t have just brushed it off.”
“No, you shouldn’t have.”
We sit in the quiet for a moment.
Then, he exhales, rubbing the back of his neck.“Look, I was an idiot.Iaman idiot, pretty consistently, actually.And I’m probably going to put my foot in my mouth sometimes, but I don’t want you to think for a second that I don’t take you seriously.”
I study him.There’s no teasing in his expression, no smirk.Just quiet sincerity.
And damn it, I believe him.
The corners of my mouth tug up.“Apology accepted.For now.”
His grin returns.“So, what you’re saying is, youlikeme again?”
I shake my head.“You’re on thin ice, Wilder.”
He chuckles.“Wouldn’t be the first time.”
The food arrives, and the conversation shifts back into something lighter—arguing about the best French fry shape, a debate over whether I’d look better inhisjersey or Chase’s just to mess with him (he nearly chokes on a fry at that one).
But under all of it, something unspoken lingers.
Something that feels dangerously close to real.
And maybe that should scare me—I don’t do things like this.And he could literally have any girl he wants.But for now, I let myself enjoy the ride.
21
FIRE & ICE
Bennett
The stadium is electric, buzzing with energy as the All-Star Charity Game kicks off under the bright lights.The air smells like popcorn, beer, and that sharp chill of icy air.Even though I’m not playing, I feel the rush of it, the anticipation curling in my stomach like I’m about to jump the boards for the face-off.
But instead of being on the ice, I’m here, in the stands, next to Lucy.And somehow, that’s even better.
