Page 15 of Meet Me in the Penalty Box

Then I would tell him the truth.

I shrugged as I took a sip of my latte. “I just didn’t sleep very well last night. I woke up late and then the gym was so busy.” I paused for a second and let out a sigh. “I know, they’re all stupid problems. I’m just ready to get tonight over with and go to bed.”

“Girl, I get it completely. We all have shit days and you’re allowed to have one.” She smiled at me, before pulling out a small compact mirror and a tube of lip gloss. “Just breathe in the good and exhale the bad. Tonight will be amazing, you will be amazing and then you’ll get to go home.”

I stared at Ava, a little taken aback by her sudden yogi attitude. “Are you going through some type of spiritual awakening?”

It was Ava’s turn to sigh. “Ryan has been on this yoga, like meditation, manifesting kick. I’m not against it at all—it really helps my mindset—but sometimes I can’t help but wonder if it's all a crock of shit.”

I tried really hard not to laugh, but I couldn’t stop the string of laughter from falling from my lips. Ava laughed along and gave me the middle finger. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t laugh. I just can’t picture Ryan doing that.”

Ava’s boyfriend really was a nice, laid-back, quiet guy. He also kind of freaked me out sometimes. He was smart—likesmartsmart, genius level smart. There was nothing bad about the guy. He had just made jokes about hacking into stuff and with his dry humor, it was hard to tell if he was serious or not.

Which all made it hard to picture him sitting with his feet together and his eyes closed as he let out an “om”.

“Next thing you know, he’s going to be dragging me along to a fucking ayahuasca retreat or something.” Ava shook her head and rolled her eyes. “I love the guy and I’ve done my fair share of mushrooms, but I’m not trying to experience ego death. That might literally kill me.”

My eyes widened. I had heard about people doing those retreats. Supposedly, it was one of the most humbling, life-changing experiences ever. It also sounded like pure hell and something I would never want to experience either.

“Please tell me he didn’t say anything about doing one.”

“Not yet, girl,” Ava said with a soft laugh. “I don’t think he’s far away from suggesting it, though.”

“I’ll pray for you,” I joked as we both laughed.

“I’m going to need the whole damn church praying for me.”

* * *

When we got to the media room at the stadium, it was a repeat of the last time. Our assignments were handed out and this time we received them for the entire game. It gave me some peace knowing where I was expected to be during the period of play. I frowned as I looked over where they wanted me.

I was expected to take pictures from the players’ entrance again and during the press release afterward. Thankfully, my game assignments were opposite corners by the net that we would shoot on twice and one by our net. What it essentially meant was there would be no possible way to avoid running into Nico Cirone.

So, this would be a fun night for sure.

After setting up my station, I headed down to the ice level floor and set up by the players’ entrance. It wouldn’t be long before they would all come strolling in. I adjusted my camera settings and made myself comfortable on the concrete floor and did a few practice shots.

As the guys started to come in, I snapped shots of each one. They all greeted me, remembering me from the last game. I wondered if this was where Phillip would have me most games. The guys seemed to appreciate the familiar face and a few even asked how I was doing and what my name was.

Until the two who definitely knew my name came walking in.

This time they were alone. Just Nico and Wes. They were talking about something and Weston was getting animated with his hands, half skipping along. He reminded me of a little kid with how his face lit up when he talked. And the fact that his entire outfit was wrinkled again.

My mouth went dry as Nico looked directly at the camera and winked at me. He looked just as good as he always did and I wanted to slap myself out of the trance I found myself in.

“Hey, Harper,” he said as the two of them stopped to the right of me. No one else was behind them so there was no excuse for me still holding my camera up. I swallowed roughly and lowered it to my lap as I looked up at the two of them.

“Hey, Nico,” I replied and looked to his friend and nodded. “Wes.”

“We really missed you while we were away,” Wes said with a sad smile and puppy dog eyes. “You should come on the road with us next time.”

I practically choked on my own saliva. “Yeah, I don’t know. I’d have to talk to Phillip. I’m pretty sure they usually send the more seasoned photographers on the road.”

“I stalked your social media. They’d be stupid not to send you.”

Nico whipped his head to look at him. “You did what?”

“Wait, you did?” I asked at the same time.

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