Page 129 of Most Valuable Players
He flips me off, continues drinking and then says, “Hey man, how much do you think Coach Meyer will pay you to babysit Liam and Jordan this year? Minimum wage?”
I grimace and he laughs, knowing he’s hit a sore spot. Coach had me on a line with two freshmen forwards today, both need a lot of work.
“It’s going to be a great season,” Adam insists, always wearing his captain hat. “Frozen four this year. Last chance to secure my legacy as a frozen four champ before graduation.”
I lift my glass.
* * *
Ginny is waitingat the apartment when we get back.
“What are you doing here?” Adam asks and takes a seat on the couch next to her.
“Maverick and I are studying Shakespeare.”
Adam looks to Mav. “You know, you don’t live here, man.”
“I ordered pizzas,” he says, standing in the doorway. “Gotta take Charli out. Back in five.”
When he’s gone, Ginny looks from Adam to me. “How was it being back on the ice?”
“Amazing,” we say in unison.
Ginny giggles.
“I’m going to shower,” Adam says, standing and pulling off his shirt. “Save me some thin crust.”
“Come keep me company while Mav is gone.” I motion for Ginny to follow me back to my room and she does.
She walks in and scans the room before taking a seat on the bed, feet dangling off the side. I drop my bag and then pull out a pair of basketball shorts and T-shirt. I take off the shirt I’m wearing and toss it in the hamper without thinking about it. Ginny’s eyes are fixed on my chest. I wait for her to catch herself, but she’s full-on checking me out.
“Hey, friend?”
“Hmm?”
“Eyes are up here,” I say with a wink.
She rolls her brown eyes, but then they land back on my bare upper body. “You’re seriously cut. Maybe I should give up ice cream.”
“Don’t you dare. You’re perfect.”
Charli zips into my room, jumps onto the bed, and covers Ginny with slobbery kisses. She smiles and leans away but pets her behind the ears.
“Down, Charli.”
Mav appears in the doorway and Charli goes to his side. “Ready, Ginny?”
“Yeah.” She scoots off the bed. “See you out there?”
I nod and watch my friend and the object of my fascination walk out of my room. I might need a shower and some Mariah first.
13
GINNY
The following night Reagan’s sitting at her vanity with the laptop open in front of her while I stand off to the side doing her makeup.
“I can’t believe how much it looks like the girl on the video. I swear I’ve tried a few of these and it never looks anything like it’s supposed to.”
