Page 98 of Gave Proof Through the Night

Then Dante Leinecker passes, and we catch the tail end of his peacocking to whoever will listen.

“I got thirty-nine penalty minutes.” He looks proud of it. “I should win a prize for hitting a record.”

Zoe’s whole face changes. “Oooh, I love a bad boy.”

I open my mouth to point out that thirty-nine penalty minutes isn’t a selling point. Erica beats me to it. “Don’t. You will not win this one.”

I pull her off to the side once Leinecker’s gone, Zoe already three conversations deep with someone from the Denver contingent.

“I’ve got more media scrums and fan autographs. But if you can wait a while longer, I think some of the guys are going out to celebrate.” I get about that far before she stops me, a hand flat on my chest.

“Jeremiah.” She shakes her head. “I didn’t sleep at all last night. I would’ve fallen asleep standing up somewhere around the second intermission if this hadn’t been the actual championship.”

“You should’ve said something.”

“And missed this?” She gestures at the wreck of a hallway, streamers already stuck to somebody’s shoe. “Not a chance.”

“Tomorrow’s worse, honestly. Exit interviews and media day, here at the arena. They’ve got us from nine to six with a room full of about a hundred reporters.”

I tuck a loose piece of hair back under the brim of her hat. “Maybe you’ll want to go dress shopping until I’m free.”

“You’re serious about this dress thing.”

“Dead serious.” I gauge her squinty stare. “So I guess I mean I want to see you in it.”

“Not till the gala.”

She kisses me once, quick. I've got somewhere to be, cameras and autographs to sign, and Coach probably wanting a word before the night's over.

“You’ve got a way home?” I ask.

“Zoe’s got some kind of rideshare rewards thing.” A tip of her head toward wherever Zoe’s vanished. “We’re fine.”

“Text me when you’re back. I mean it.”

“Bossy”

“Just protective.”

Her fingers are the last thing to let go, dragging off mine as I step back. I decide it right there. She’s not on her own anymore. Not while I'm around.

21

ERICA

Chapter playlist:

Getaway Car — Taylor Swift

Material Girl — Madonna

The knocking is what pulls me out of a heavy sleep. It takes a second to place the sound at all. My blanket is wound around my legs, and one arm is dead asleep underneath me. Someone’s fist is going at the door like whatever’s on the other side can’t wait, like something’s gone wrong. I sit up with a sharp inhale. Jeremiah.

I’m halfway out of the cot, blanket still wrapped around my legs like a straitjacket, when Tanya sprints past me toward the door in bare feet. I’ve only ever seen her run this fast for free samples at Costco.

From the far pullout, Ginger doesn’t even open her eyes. “Tanya.” Her voice comes out muffled. “It is six in the morning.”

Tanya doesn’t slow down.