Page 126 of Here We Go Again

She shrugs, but there’s a knowing glint in her eye that makes me think she isn’t as innocent as she appears.

“Kidnap you,” Indigo repeats. “We never got to celebrate your acceptance into your NP program, so we’ve decided we’re doing that tonight.”

I frown. “Tonight?”

“Tonight,” Anna says. “We’re all together, and I have a sitter, which almost never happens. So it makes the most sense. And we’re all so proud of you. We want to make sure you have a little moment that’s just yours.”

It’s a very sweet gesture, but are they serious right now? Theo just scored his first NHL hat trick, and they want me to just … leave the arena before I see him? We can celebrate me any night of the week. Tonight, I really want to celebrate him.

I make eye contact with Mia. Her eyes are wide, her expression pointed, and I remember her plea. Just go along with it.

I breathe out a sigh. “Okay. That sounds great. I just need to see Theo and let him know.”

Sarah nudges me from behind. “I texted Carter,” she says. “He already told him. After the game he played, he’s going to be doing press forever anyway. You’ll wait for hours if you stay here.”

She’s probably right about that, but it still feels wrong to leave.

“You’ll see him soon enough,” Indigo says. “The guys might even head over once they’re all finished up. We’re just going to the Cave.”

I finally relent—these women clearly have a plan in place already—and let them shuttle me out to Anna’s enormous SUV. Even though it’s only been a few months, this group of women has quickly started to feel like family. Indigo already is family, and of course, Mia has felt that way for years. But with Anna and Sarah and Malia—it feels impossible to already love them as much as I do. There’s a level of kinship that exists simply because of the team, the shared experience of navigating the highs and lows that come with the travel, the stress, the public scrutiny. It’s worth it—there’s no doubt about that. But it’s definitely unique. It’s nice to have friends who understand.

I sit in the back, squeezed between Mia and Sarah, and type out a text to Theo.

Becca

Hi! I’ve been kidnapped by my friends. They say you already know? But I want to see you! So please come to wherever I am. We’re going to the cave.

Also, I’m so proud of you. You were amazing. Love you so much.

Theo hasn’t responded by the time we get to the bar, but I don’t expect him to. I doubt he’s even changed out of his uniform, much less showered and made it back to his phone.

Thoughts of him stay in the back of my mind, but once we’re inside, it is nice to celebrate with my friends. The nurse practitioner program starts in January, and I’m so excited to get started. I also just signed a contract for a permanent position at Atlanta General, which makes the tuition reimbursement program all but a guarantee. Dr. Novac has already agreed to sign on as my mentor—something the program requires—and she’s been nothing but encouraging.

“Is anyone having a second?” the bartender asks as she drops by our table.

Indigo answers for everyone. “Actually, we have somewhere else to be, so I’ll come close out the tab. Drinks are on me, ladies.”

I lean over to Mia. “We have somewhere else to be?”

“What did I say about not asking any questions?” she says in reply.

I bite my tongue as we climb back into Anna’s SUV. But I get a little nervous when she turns in the opposite direction of the Vortex—where the rest of our cars are still parked—pulls onto the highway, and drives for a solid fifteen minutes. I have no idea where we are, but the Atlanta skyline is rapidly fading in the rearview mirror, and I begin to wonder if I’ll ever see my boyfriend again.

Mia must sense my unease, because she reaches over and gives my hand a quick squeeze. “Almost there,” she whispers.

There, it turns out, is an enormous park somewhere east of the city. But why are we here? The fact that I’m the only one who seems to be in the dark about this whole escapade makes me think it must have something to do with me, but what?

“Okay, Becca,” Anna says, shifting the car into park. “This is where our time together ends.”

“Is someone going to murder me in this park?” I ask.

Sarah giggles. “Definitely not. You just need to get out and walk over that hill right there. Then everything will make a lot more sense.”

“By myself?” I say. “But it’s dark.”

“Trust us,” Indigo says. “You don’t want us to come with you.”

“Guys, what’s happening?” I say. “What is this?”