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She spins on her stiletto heel, but I grab the back of the jersey she’s wearing, pulling her to a stop. “It better not have Ryan’s name on the back.”
“Would you prefer Jesse’s?” she says as she laughs out loud, shaking her head.
Not yet. One step at a time. “I’d prefer it was blank.”
“Well, it’s your lucky day.”
She walks away, leaving me alone and completely out of my element. It’s safe to say I have never been in the presence of this many people in my life, and I’m not at all comfortable with it. The only thing keeping me sane is knowing that Jesse is somewhere in the building, and God, do I need to see him, even if he doesn’t see me.
It took everything in my power not to call him last night or today, but with the messed-up way my head was, I didn’t want to bring him down before the game. I wanted to send him a longer text, but I knew he’d read more into anything I wrote, and would likely show up at Pippa’s to talk to me. Being vague was better in the long run, even if it ended with him annoyed at me. A pissed-off Jesse is better for the team than a tired, emotional one.
As I wait for Pippa, I do all I can to pass the time without drawing attention to myself. The last thing I need is someone discovering I’m a fraud. That I have absolutely no idea how this game is played. That I’ve never even watched a second of ice hockey in my life—even though my dad loves it—and that I’m here because Jesse and I have something going on. What that something is right now, I’m not sure.
My body tenses as someone taps my shoulder, but when I turn to look, I’m relieved to see it’s a young girl, maybe around ten, rather than an angry supporter.
Her bright smile instantly calms me until the first words leave her mouth. “Are you one of the WAGs?”
“Bailey!” a woman gasps from beside her, pulling her back down onto her seat. “I’m sorry. She was just being friendly.”
“Oh, it’s okay.” I smile back. “I don’t mind. But no, I’m not.” A pang hits me low in the gut. God, my life’s complicated these days.
The young girl, Bailey, frowns. “Dad always told me the wives sat here, and I wanted to meet one.”
“Does your dad play?”Why else would she be in the team seats? Or am I the last of those seats? Pippa said these were team seats, right?
Bailey laughs. “He wishes he could play hockey.”
The woman—who I’m going to assume is Bailey’s mom based on the fact that they have very similar features—laughs along with her before leaning forward to talk to me. “My husband’s an agent. We don’t usually come to the games, but this yearsomeonewouldn’t give up until her dad said yes.” She points to Bailey and I laugh.
“I’m hoping to get on TV,” she says with a shrug as she straightens in her seat.
My stomach churns, and I pretend to sneeze in case it’s noticeable. The thought that I might be on TV never even occurred to me.Why the hell did I think it was a good idea to come here?
“You look perfect,” I hear from beside me, turning with a furrowed brow.
“Sorry?”
“You started fixing your hair after I mentioned TV, so I wanted to tell you, it’s perfect.”
Jesus. Tears prick the back of my eyes, but I bite my cheek to stave them off. I never used to be a crier. This sucks, and I hadn’t even noticed I was doing that, making myself presentable. Yes, my confidence has grown since Jesse walked into my life. Orbackinto my life, I should say. But there are moments where I’m still the girl that everyone stared at. The girl with the dead best friend. The girl that forgot.
No one knows me here. Even if Iwason TV, no one would bat an eye. I’m a nobody, and I’m okay with that. I’d rather be a nobody than somebody people pity. But I’d still prefer not to be seen.
“Thank you. That’s really kind of you to say.”
“All that’s missing is a jersey.”
“Got it!” Pippa exclaims as she pushes through the crowd, making everyone stand as she passes by. “Sorry, I have three bags in the car and I wasn’t sure which one held this.” She hands me the jersey with a smile, and I have to stop myself from smelling it.How long has it been in her car? Do I really want to wear this?
“I’m staying at Ryan’s for a few nights, remember? I only packed it yesterday.” She laughs, as if reading my mind.
“So, you’re definitely not a WAG then?” Bailey says, her face scrunched in disappointment.
“I’m really not. This is my sister. She works for the team. That’s why I’m here.”
“Oh. Hi,” she says, looking at Pippa with a frown, making me smile.
“Hi there,” Pippa says, “I’m Pippa. And while I do work for the team, I’m also technically a WAG.”
