Page 90 of Lucky Hit

The words 'Ava please forgive Jeff!' are spelled out along the line, with Oakley holding the exclamation point in his hands. I feel like I could pass out at any given moment with how fast my heart is pounding. I flush as the team points and jeers at me.

I faintly hear Morgan's giggling from beside me, but I tune her out when Oakley skates towards the glass. My body moves on its own, getting up from the seat and stepping forward until only the glass separates us.

Our eyes lock through his clear visor. His hand touches the glass, and I giggle before raising mine and resting it over his.

"Please stay until the end of the game. I have a lot to say to you," he declares, grinning with hope swimming proudly in his eyes.

I nod instantly. "I love you," I state confidently, relieved, ecstatic and shocked all at the same time.

"And I love you. I have to go get ready to win for you. Meet me outside the locker room after the game,” he tells me with a beyond dramatic wink.

"I'll be there. Good luck."

He starts skating backward and blows me a kiss.

???

"So, like, your boyfriend is adorable. I'm so jealous of you!" One of the teenage girls squeals from beside us as Morgan and I make our way out of our seats.

I smile to myself. "He is pretty adorable, isn't he?"

"Hey, how did he know to play that song? You wouldn't have had anything to do with that, would you?" I ask Morgan as we head towards the locker room.

"You have never been one to hide your love for the Jo Bros," she says with a laugh.

"I guess I should say thank you, then." I give her a slight shove and laugh with her.

"I'm just happy I don't have to deal with mopey ass Ava anymore. You were driving me insane." I throw my hand to my chest in mock offence and stare at her open-mouthed.

"Don't get ahead of yourself there. There's still a lot we need to talk about," I say, reminding Morgan and myself. She rolls her eyes and waves me off in response.

The locker room doors swing open and our boys stalk out. Morgan rushes over to Matt, and I see Adam standing off to the side.

I can't help but beam at him. "Adam!"

He smiles and rushes over to me. "Hey, stranger."

I throw a punch at his arm and gasp—half in surprise, half in pain. His arms are like tree trunks all of a sudden. Rubbing my knuckles, I throw my arms around his neck.

"I missed you, A."

His arms snake around my waist. I smile against his chest as I feel the overwhelming happiness wash over me. I have my best friend back.

"I missed you too, O," he whispers against my forehead and pulls out of the hug. "I think you have someone waiting for you. I'll see you later, I promise." He gives me a final smile before walking away from me and towards his friends.

When hands grab onto my waist, I spin my body around. Oakley's freshly showered face greets me and I launch myself at him. He grabs under my thighs, and l jump up, wrapping them around his waist. I thread my fingers into the damp hair and sigh happily.

"Fuck, I missed you," he mumbles seconds before his lips crash against mine. My eyes slide shut and I pull him as close to me as humanly possible.

Suddenly, the crowd is gone, and it's just the two of us. It's how it should be. How I always want it to be. Screw the conversation we need to have. Right now, the only thing that matters is that I'm the one he's kissing right now. Not anyone else.

"I missed you, too," I breathe out as soon as our lips disconnect. The team appears behind us. They catcall and clap obnoxiously, and I bury my head in Oakley's shoulder to hide my flushed cheeks.

"About time! Get this mopey loser out of here!" Braden shouts from the door, and laughter echoes throughout the hallway.

"Let's go home," Oakley whispers in my ear, and I nod enthusiastically.

???

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