By the time the linesmen intervene, there’s still no winner, but Artemis has blood trickling down the side of his face from a cut over his eye and Russell’s nose is bleeding. Their fans boo Artemis as he skates off the ice for medical treatment. I’d guess a couple of stitches, or some glue, and he’ll be back out and ready to hand the Snow Pirates their asses in the third.
We’re playing them again tomorrow before heading back to Iowa, and no one likes to lose in their own barn. The Snow Pirates are going to be out for blood.
I’m not too worried though. My guys can take it. We’ll give as good as we get, and then some. We’re going all the way this season. I feel that in my bones, too. It’s our time to shine, and I won’t let some hot-headed douchebags come between us and the Final Four.
CHAPTER13
Savannah
“You wanna tell me why you were looking so cozy with my cheating butt-face ex last night, Savvyanna?”
My stomach sinks as Molly drops onto the chair facing mine at the Sugar Bean. Their coffee’s not quite as good as Bitches Brew and the vibe’s not as cool either, but it’s Molly’s favorite place to mainline caffeine on campus, so here we are.
“I…uh…I…”
She came in, fists swinging. While I’d hoped she hadn’t figured out it was Justin I was with last night, I’d also hoped that if she had figured out who he was, she’d at least let us stuff our faces with caffeine and sugar before she gave me shit about it. Wrong on both counts.
I heave out a sigh. While I haven’t seen her in a long time and our check-ins are reduced to once every few months when one of us remembers to text or call, she’s still my oldest friend.
“He was saving me from my family.”
Molly’s brows shoot up, and she holds up her hand like a stop sign. “Coffee first, then confessions.”
Cappuccino and an almond croissant for me, and her own oversized tumbler from home filled with cold brew and a donut for Molly. I take a bite of my pastry to buy some time before I have to spill my guts to my astute friend.
She takes a long slurp, closing her eyes and inhaling like the coffee is breathing life into her lungs before waving her hand at me. “Proceed.”
I can’t help but smile. You always know what you’re going to get with Molly Morrison. There’s no subterfuge, no miscommunication, she’s as straight as a freakin’ rod. It’s kind of comforting.
“I found out a couple months ago that I’m adopted.” I wait for a reaction, but her facial expression doesn’t change.
“Is that why you blew off my last call?”
I nod and take another bite, washing it down with a sip of my coffee. “I’d just found out. I was kind of reeling.” I wince. “Stole Dad’s car and ran away in the rain.”
She arches a brow. “How’d that work out for you?”
“Killed a deer.”
She winces. Animal murderer. It’s like the worst crime in the world. I could have told her I knocked down twelve old grandmas who spent their lives dedicated to curing cancer and that would have been more socially acceptable than killing a deer.
“Busted up the car pretty good, too.”
She scrunches up her whole face.
“It’s been a rough few months.”
She sips her iced coffee. How she can drink something with ice cubes in it when it’s so cold outside is beyond me.
“So it would seem.” She tips her tumbler at me. “But I still don’t get how you ended up sharing fries and getting all up close and personal with Justin Ass.”
A flush heats my cheeks. I wish I’d gotten closer and even more personal with him. And while I don’t say that out loud, she can probably tell from my face.
“I sat next to him on the flight Wednesday. When we landed, our moms were talking in baggage claim and suggested Thanksgiving. After dinner, Mom said we were supposed to go visit family…” Emotion clogs my throat.
“And you’re struggling with the concept of family right now.”
I nod. “My birth mom died, Mol. She’s gone, and I can’t ask her why she gave me up for adoption. I can’t get to know her, or much of anything about her.”
