Pumping my hands, I try to calm them down. “Relax. I have a plan.”
I finish telling them my grand idea before Coach Carrington comes in, offering me an apologetic nod before addressing the group.
When we head back to the ice, we’re hungry for a victory, which isexactlywhat we get when the third period comes to an end.
But now I have to do something far scarier than face Montreal in the playoffs—take Shay on our first date.
CHAPTER 17
SHAY
Thank God we won. We needed to take this game so badly. I mean, obviously, it’d be great if we won every game, but Montreal is a good team, and that would be quite a feat to sweep them. But for tonight, we won, and that’s all that matters. We’ll focus on the next game tomorrow.
I watched from the live stream in the staff room, holding my breath until the final second. Cameras from all angles showed their happy reactions, and I even saw a smile on Coach Carrington’s face. Some people might view his lashing out at me as rude, but as a competitor, I get it, truly.
His job is to ensure his players are in top condition to compete—mentally and physically. My outburst put that at risk. What surprised me was that he let me call him out on his tone. His message I can forgive, but the accusation in his voice was uncalled for, and he knew that, which is exactly why he let me say my piece.
I have no hard feelings toward him. If anything, I have more respect for him now. He didn’t double down, and be the “macho” man. He really listened and apologized. This is the peak of his career. He’s probably more stressed than he’s ever been. Ifthere’s anyone on staff that understands the weight he feels, it’s me.
Andy said he was meeting with Carrington for a few minutes, so I decided to just wait for him so we could ride to the hotel together and order some food. But he’s taking forever, and I’m starving.
My phone vibrates, and relief washes over me. Finally, we can get out of here. But it’s not Andy.
Matt: Andy and Carrington left for dinner. They wanted us and Huang to join ASAP. Do you want to ride together? Huang rode with them.
Andy, what the hell? You could have least given me a heads-up.
Yeah. I’ll meet you outside the locker room in a second. Thanks.
At least I’ll get a freshly cooked meal out of this and not have to eat takeout on my hotel bed. Although, sometimes, I swear, after an exhausting day, it tastes better in your pajamas with your hair up and a pillow as your table.
Standing up, I push the chair into the small conference room table and head to meet Matt just a few doors down. He’s already in the hallway when I exit the room, looking annoyingly good in his suit from earlier. I’m surprised he didn’t change into sweats, but I guess if we’re going to dinner, he might want to look the part in case anyone takes photos.
There’s a gleam in his eyes when he looks up from his phone that nearly stops me dead in my tracks. God, the way he’s looking at my goddamn soul right now is almost unnerving.
“Ready?” he asks with an oddly enthusiastic smile for a postgame dinner when I’m sure he’s already exhausted. “I’m starving.”
He turns and falls into step beside me as I ask, “Where are we going? And me too.”
I don’t know why I feel so nervous around him right now. I mean, if I think about it for more than a second, I’m sure I can chalk it up to my breakdown earlier and that I pathetically launched myself into his arms for safety. That I made it loud and clear to Andy that we have something going on, and that’s probably obviously clear to Carrington now too. But it’s fine because I’m not even sure I’m ever going to go near the ice again.
“Shay?” Matt whispers, and I pull myself from my thoughts.
“Sorry. What were you saying?” I stutter, finding even new ways to make my skin crawl.
“We’re meeting them at Antonio’s. I guess it’s some kind of?—”
My brain finally clicks back in place, and my heart skips a beat. “Wait,” I gasp. “Like, Italian restaurant Antonio’s? That’s my favorite place. Oh! I can’t believe I forgot they have one here.”
When I glance over at Matt, he’s beaming with pride like he picked the place himself. “I’m excited if they’ve earned that level of praise from you.”
I swoon and can practically smell the Alfredo. “It’ssogood.”
“I can’t wait,” he murmurs, his hand drifting beside mine, the warmth of his pinkie grazing mine.
Yanking my hand away, I look around, and thankfully, no one’s watching, but, God, that was close. “Matt, be careful.”
He laughs as we step into the elevator and the doors close. I lean against the back wall, and he does the same before rolling to his side and facing me, his body mere inches from mine.
