Letting out a heavy breath, I push off and skate toward the others, thankful that practice is finally over. Showering and taking a nap are next on my agenda for today, and I really couldn’t wait for the latter.
“Fucks sake,” Theo, one of my other best friends whines as he skates beside me. “Is that Lakelyn?”
Turning my head in the direction he’s looking, there is Lakelyn, attempting to flirt with Matteo…well, good luck there.
Hunter, the last of my best friends chuckles. “Oh, you’re not going to like this.”
“What?” I ask.
“I’m not saying a thing.” He brings his fingers toward his lips, pretends to zip and lock them before throwing away the imaginary key.
“Right, gather around.” Coach shouts, making sure everyone hears him.
I give a questionable look as I step off the ice. Usually if Coach has something to say, he says it in the locker room, so I’m curious as to why he’s gathering us around the entrance of the rink.
“What’s up, Coach?” Keegan, a freshman, asks as he takes his helmet off and places it between his arms.
At that moment I see a flash of blonde in my peripheral vision. I look up to see a familiar looking girl clutching at the sleeves of her sweater as she goes to stand beside Lakelyn and Coach, her eyes not once looking in our direction.
Beautiful.
That’s the first word that comes to mind when I look at her.
Absolutely fucking beautiful.
“Some of you already know this,” Coach knocks my attention away from her to him. “The journalism students are writing articles, and the top two will be selected to have their piece in the Riverside Gazette at the end of the semester.”
“I’m confused, Coach.” Keegan scrunches his eyebrows together.
Coach gives him a pointed look. “Maybe if you didn’t just interrupt me, then you wouldn’t be so confused.”
“Ooo, burn.” Logan, another freshmansnickers in Keegan’s direction, covering it up with a cough when Coach shoots him a glare.
“This is Lakelyn Forest and Lilly Jackson.” He gestures with his hand toward them.
“Hey, isn’t that your girls’ friend?” Theo asks Hunter as he tilts his head, looking at Lilly.
“Uh-huh.” Hunter nods.
Glancing at Lilly again, I realize that’s how I recognize her. She was with Nina—the girl hunter has a crush on—at Jinx, the other week. Hunter practically dragged me along in case he got rejected, but when I saw how nervous he looked, I grinned and slipped away from him, drawing my phone out to take a video of the awkward interaction with the intention of blackmailing him with it at some point in the future.
“Lakelyn and Lilly are writing an article on the hockey team,” Coach announces. “They’ll be conducting interviews with some of you as the weeks go on, sitting in on practice, and coming to games to get as much information as they need.”
“What does that mean?” Theo questions.
“That means be on your best behavior, Jenkins.” Coach glares at him.
Theo scoffs. “I’m always on my best behavior!” He protests, making the majority of us laugh.
Coach rolls his eyes. “I expect you all to treat the girls with respect.”
“Yes, Papa!” Theo grins.
Coach once again shoots him a glare. “And I expect you all to be welcoming.”
“Hi, I’m Felix.” The sophomore swipes his hand through his hair before extending it to the girls.
“Lakelyn.” She flutters her eyelashes at him.
