Chapter Three

Gracie

“Okay, in order that was a bit of bizarre, and rather a lot creepy,” Nikki appears dazed and is mumbling as she walks up behind me.

“What was?” I ask, assembly her glassy eyes within the mirror as I add a couple of ending fluffs to my hair.

“Some girl referred to as, mentioned she was with Freeze Hospitality, or one thing like that. She needed to substantiate that I’d be utilizing each my seats for tonight’s sport.”

“I’ll guess they’re calling round to see if anybody can’t make it, to allow them to give the seats to another person. No biggie, nothing to fret about.” I give her reflection a reassuring smile.

She shrugs, an iffy smile of her personal slowly forming. “Simply odd they’ve by no means accomplished it earlier than, however you’re in all probability proper. Okay then, you able to go?”

“Yep.” I cap my lip gloss and pivot, prepared as I’ll ever be.

Now her smile’s massive and brilliant. “Identical to that, huh? No making an attempt to speak me into doing one thing else? No bitching concerning the chilly?”

“Nope.”

“All rhetorical questions, G,” she laughs. “Knew you’d be greater than up for one more sport earlier than I even prompt it. Oh”—she stops on the entrance door, glancing again at me over her shoulder— “and simply in case you have been questioning, sure, I did discover the shortage of twelve layers over your low-cut sweater this night.”

I flip her off and comply with her out the door, ignoring her ongoing laughter as we climb into her automobile. So, I didn’t balk at going to a second sport; what’s the massive deal? And sure, I’d’ve put some additional effort into my look tonight. Once more, why’s that noteworthy? As a result of Nikki’s a ache within the ass; that’s why.

I’m a single, grownup lady… who hasn’t been on a good date, or had intercourse, in virtually three years, dammit! Eight-hundred-and-ninety-seven days, to be precise! So yeah, ought to the sexiest man I’ve ever seen occur to flirt with me once more tonight, I’m gonna do every thing in my energy to encourage him to not skate away this time.

Nicely, he’ll in all probability must skate away, due to the sport and all… but when I’ve my manner, he’ll skate again too.

And though she loves teasing me, Nikki’s all for my plan, and its doable perks—not capable of maintain it in any longer, as we park and head towards the world. “You recognize, you by no means obtained round to guessing my favourite participant the opposite evening.”

“Didn’t I?” It’s Nikki’s flip for some ribbing. So, not solely do I play coy, I add in an additional sprint of torture. “Oh, that’s proper. I made a decision to not danger it as a result of I used to be torn, nonetheless am, between my winker, Brewer, and quantity Fifty-Two. Eager about checking his superb ass out a bit of nearer tonight.”

Proper on cue, she halts mid-step and gasps. “What? No, no, no, egocentric. You solely get one, and it’s not gonna be Lance Fox. He’s mine.”

I’m conscious—precisely why I mentioned it—and her response’s even higher than anticipated. Too dangerous I can’t extend her struggling only a bit longer, however I can also’t maintain in my snickering. “You make it too simple, Nik.”

“Bitch,” she grumbles, shoulder-bumping me. “Now transfer your ass, humorous gal. I don’t need to miss warm-ups.”

Neither do I.

****

I ought to’ve identified higher than to get my hopes up so excessive—once-in-a-lifetime moments are referred to as such for a purpose— emphasis on the as soon as. It’s already the primary break thingy, the place they name the youngsters out on the ice to play a couple of video games… and nothing.

All via warm-ups and the primary interval, he didn’t a lot as look my manner. And now, I actually want I might’ve worn a coat, or two, as a result of I’m freezing to rattling dying on this silly sweater he hasn’t even seen! In reality… “Hey Nik, would you be mad if I needed to go away? I’m chilly, and-”

“Upset? Pouting?” she finishes for me truthfully, versus no matter excuse I used to be gonna make. “Yeah, I might be, however solely as a result of that’s some bullshit. You’re a powerful, impartial, beautiful lady, whose self-worth has by no means, nor will ever, be outlined by the eye, or lack thereof, of a person! We’re staying. And dammit, we’re gonna have enjoyable!”

Alrighty then… guess I’m staying. And perhaps marching in some type of Ladies’s Motion Parade later. Hopefully, we’re gonna burn our bras too, as a result of once more, I. AM. FREEZING… so a fireplace could be a pleasant bonus.

“Miss Everett?” Each our heads flip on the sound of her title, to discover a smiley usher standing beside us.

“Sure?” Nik solutions him with a query.

“I used to be advised to offer you this.” He fingers her a small envelope. “Take pleasure in the remainder of the sport, girls.”

“What’s it?” I ask anxiously, incomes myself a sarcastic ‘actually’ glare from Nikki.

“Since I appear to have misplaced my see via paper superpower”—one other saucy look my manner— “perhaps I ought to open it? I in all probability gained a random drawing by seat quantity or one thing. Please, please, let or not it’s a ‘meet the gamers’ move,” she chants as she rips it open. I attempt to learn the letter over her shoulder when she has it out and unfolded, however like a brat, she shifts away so I can’t see.

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