Page 11 of Daring the Hockey Player
"But if I'm wrong, you could buy the right jersey, and we could switch?"
She snorts. "Absolutely not! I'm buying one for the Island Bruisers tonight."
"What?" My mouth drops. "You're going to support the other team?" Is she crazy? I thought we were friends.
"Opposites. I'm telling you, if you're rooting for the Ice Dragons, I have to support the Island Bruisers. That's how this friendship goes."
I tell myself that it doesn't matter. It's not like Jasper is going to see us at the game. We'll be nestled in with the crowd.
We arrive at the stadium, breeze through security, and Charlotte drags me to the shop where they sell jerseys. She buys herself the cheapest Island Bruisers jersey that she can find because while the girl has her daddy's credit card, she is trying to avoid him noticing the massive bill that will come at the end of the month.
She whispers something to the clerk, and he smiles and nods. I notice him ringing up two jerseys. What the hell?
"Those jerseys are buy one get one free," he tells us, handing me an identical Island Bruisers jersey.
I force a smile and mutter, "Thanks." I glare at Charlotte. No way is a jersey free at a professional hockey game. She's just trying to get away with murder.
"Do you need a bag?" he asks.
"No, we're going to wear them." She pulls hers over her head.
Does she think I'll fall for her little game? I purse my lips. Two can play at that. "Seriously, they have to give these away because no one wants them," I say, shoving the Island Bruisers jersey back at her.
"We should both wear the Bruisers jersey," Charlotte grins.
"Why?"
"I'll bet you the tickets to the game that if you wear the Bruisers jersey, Jasper will notice you."
I fold my arms across my chest and bite my bottom lip. "That's a terrible bet. If I lose, I can't afford both tickets, Char. I can barely afford the ticket and jersey that I paid for, and you just bought me this one."
She rolls her eyes. "Wear the Bruisers jersey, and I'll cover the cost of your ticket."
"That's crazy!"
Charlotte smiles and shrugs innocently. "I make more than you do. And I put it on Daddy's credit card, so we're fine."
"You shouldn't have done that, I will pay you for the ticket. Let me know what it costs, and I'll Venmo you the money."
"Wear the jersey," she says and points at the blue jersey in my hands.
I groan under my breath. "He's going to kill me."
"That's the point. I want him to notice you."
My stomach flutters, and I wince, pulling the jersey on over the Ice Dragons one I'm wearing.
We show our tickets to the attendant and are ushered down to the front row, seated just behind the glass.
"Holy crap, girl, you weren't kidding about front-row seats." I'm shocked. I really thought we'd be in the nosebleed section, which would have been fine for me.
I sit, and my foot taps restlessly.
What if Jasper sees me wearing the Island Bruisers jersey?
He will see me.
Charlotte grabs my hand. “Would you chill out? You’re making me nervous.”
