Page 129 of Face Off
But now I’m going to see him again in front of twenty thousand fans.
God.
“Does he know I’m playing for the Stars?” I ask, which is a stupid question, becausehow could he not?
The media attention hasn’t quieted down since I joined the team. Anyone who’s watched a sports network in that time has seen a picture of me in my Stars jersey.
Even Cole.
“Yeah. He, um, was giving an interview in the tunnel and said he doesn’t understand the hype around your mediocre performance.”
Some things never change.
“Of course he did.” I rub my forehead and sigh. “Do I have any options here?”
“Do you want to play?”
“Yes,” I say right away. “I’m not going to let him take this away from me.”
“From a media standpoint, I can tell you the easiest thing for you to do is to not engage with him unless it’s totally necessary. Ignore what he says—you know he’s going to try to start some shit. Keep your head down and play your game.” She pauses. “As your friend, I would tell you to give him hell.”
“I can do that.” I roll my shoulders back and fix my pads. “I’ll be okay.”
“I know you will be. You’re so strong, Emmy. I’m sorry I had to be the one to tell you, but I figured you’d rather know now than be surprised when you get on the ice.”
“I do. I appreciate you looking out for me, Piper.” I scoop my helmet off the floor and buckle it around my chin. “I need to get to the tunnel.”
“The boys are out there. Are you going to tell them?”
I don’t want to, but I think I have to.
“Yeah.” I nod and chew on my bottom lip. “I’m going to tell them.”
“I’ll be in the stands.” Piper squeezes my elbow. “And I’ll be here after the game if you need anything.”
“You’re the best kind of friend.” I hug her. “Gosh, I love you.”
“I love you, too, Em. Now go kick that fucker’s ass.”
I open the door. The tunnel is crowded, and my teammates are all waiting to head to the ice.
Connor and Grant knock their skates against each other. Riley is listening to something Lexi is saying, and I’ve never seen someone nod so many times. Liam is staring at the wall, mumbling under his breath and biting his jersey like always, and Hudson and Maverick are in the corner, talking each other’s ears off.
When Maverick spots me, his eyes light up. He breaks out into a smile, and he lifts his hand in a wave.
I try to laugh, but it comes out more like a grimace. He frowns and walks toward me, scooting past Seymour and Ethan.
“Hey. What’s wrong?” he asks.
“Nothing.”
“Bullshit.”
I tip my chin to look up at him. “I just found out my ex is playing for the Wildebeests tonight. I wasn’t expecting it, and I’m kind of freaking out.”
“Is this four-inch-dick dude?”
“Yeah.”
