Page 13 of Bailed Out

The girls beam with pride in their eyes as they remember the night prior.

“I heard that’s never happened before.” Haley whispers as if she’s passing along a juicy secret. “That many people from one team. Coach is going to be highly sought after now.”

“I would imagine he already is, but I doubt he’ll go anywhere. He loves this program, and I think Ellen would kill him if he even considered going anywhere this beautiful baby isn’t.” I coo at Nina before turning back to the girls, my eyes shifting between Nikky and Haley. “How are you two feeling about the results?”

“We knew we were most likely going to Carolina,” Nicole tells me. “We already discussed it, and it will allow us to be closer to our families, but we plan to get a vacation house up here for the off-season. I think Brayden wants to help out with the camps during the summer if he can.”

“And we are ecstatic not to be going far. CJ getting drafted by the Maine Cougars was really the best-case scenario. I still can’t believe he was drafted number one.” Haley says with a proud smile. “My sexy man is a superstar.”

“If the noises coming from your room last night are anything to go by, you showed him that all night long.” Jessica responds.

“You’re just mad you ain’t getting any.” Haley singsongs back at her.

“Yes. Yes, I am.”

“Changing the subject back to what Jenni was trying to avoid.” Becca gives me a pointed stare and then continues, “A little birdie in town told me that you had a date with Officer Hottie this morning. Apparently it was the talk of the town.”

“It really wasn’t that big of a thing.” I wave her off.

“You went on a date. That’s a huge thing.” Jessica chimes in. “Spill the details, girlie.”

“Oh, um… ok.” I pause trying to decide what to say while they all practically foam at the mouth for the gossip. “Umm… he asked for my number last night, then he texted asking me to breakfast, I said yes. We ate and walked around a little before he walked me back to the B & B.”

“Worst story-telling… ever.” Haley says as she plops herself on the bench next to me. “Tell her Nikky, it’s all about the details.”

“Yeah, I hate to say it, but that was not a good story at all. Where’s the romance? The feelings? We want to know everything… all the nitty-gritty details.” Nikky agrees.

“Well… I’m not sure what kind of details you girls want, but I can tell you this—” I pause for effect, “I extended my stay for another night, and I think we may be going out again tonight.”

They screech and ask questions that I reluctantly answer, while we wait for the guys to finish their afternoon skate at the IceBerg Rink on the edge of town. Once they finish, my friends pack up to make the trip back to school, and I am left to get ready for a date that I’m not even sure is happening.

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