Page 258 of On His Team

I clarify, “It’s not an offer.”

“That’s still something.” She stares at me. Then a smile starts. “You got into grad school, you’re going to the Frozen Four, and professional hockey teams are asking about you.”

“Teams are generous.”

“And you have me.”

I look at her.

She grins. “That’s obviously the most impressive one.”

I pull her closer. “Obviously.”

I kiss her before she can make it bigger than I know how to handle.

The grad-school news spreads through Hawthorne by dinner because Stanley has no respect for private information.

My parents call that night. My mom cries. My dad tells me he knew I would get in, which is a lie because two weeks ago he asked what my backup plan was.

Gianna’s parents text me.

Benson knocks his shoulder into mine in the kitchen and says, “Guess I can leave now.”

“You were leaving anyway.”

“Yeah, but now she has supervision.”

Gianna stands three feet away, hands on her hips. “Oh, whatever.”

I look at Benson and agree. “She probably needs supervision.”

That night, when everybody finally clears out, I find G upstairs sitting cross-legged in the middle of my bed. My acceptance email is open on her phone. She smiles down at the screen. Then she sets the phone aside.

“Another year.”

I close the door.

She looks around my room. “Are you staying at Hawthorne?”

“I don’t know if I can. I thought I could, but probably not.”

Her expression changes.

“G.”

“No, I know. Seniors leave. Graduate students probably don’t live in hockey houses.”

“Usually.”

She presses her lips together. “That’s weird.”

“Yeah.”

“Who gets your room?”

“No idea.”

I sit beside her. She leans into me, so I put an arm around her.