Page 156 of My Lucky Charm

She looks surprised. “Great.”

“Great.”

There’s an awkward pause, and then, Eloise puts on a fake smile and walks out.

As soon as she’s gone, the guys erupt into a chorus of “It’s her!” and “You’ve got it bad!” and “Go for it, bro!”

Dallas gets my attention and says, “What the heck was that?”

“What?” I turn away.

“I’ve never seen Eloise so—” Burke cuts himself off, like he can’t find the word.

“Silent?” I ask.

“Yeah. It’s weird. What’s going on with her?”

“I don’t know. That’s how she is now,” I say, pulling off my socks and tossing them on the ground.

“She wasn’t like this yesterday,” Burke says.

“I meant this is how she is around me.”

“What did you do to her?” Krush asks, frowning.

“Nothing!” I say. “It wasn’t like that.”

“But you wanted it to be,” Jericho says, like he’s solving a mystery.

“I knew you liked her,” Burke says.

I don’t say anything, and I don’t look at them.

They all crowd around me, staring.

Jericho slowly crouches down until his face is like three inches from the side of mine. He starts to say, “Bro—” and I cut him off.

I can’t stand it anymore. “Fine. Yes. I like her, okay?”

They all cheer, not because I like her, I’m sure. Just because they were right.

I groan. “This is exactly why I don’t date during the season.”

“The only reason you’re miserable right now is because you’re too chicken to tell her how you feel,” Jericho says.

“He’s right,” Burke says. “Eloise is good for you. Maybe even too good for you.”

I shoot him a look.

“Just kidding. But Gray, you’re better when she’s around—on and off the ice.”

“She’s your lucky charm, bro,” Jericho says.

I think about how her mid-game texts have changed the way I play. About how her simple pep talks have shifted my thinking. About all the little things and big things she does to make me better.

My lucky charm.

And now I’m thinking about the stupid cereal that’s always magically restocked in my pantry. Even that seems to be a sign.

---