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I pass out the small white plates and napkin-wrapped silverware to the four of us. “Niall, as the victor, you get first dibs.”
“That’s nice of you, but I want you to go first. This is your first hockey experience and celebrating the win is part of it.”
“Okay.” I smile. “You don’t know this, but I’m not one to turn down food. Ever.” I add potato skins, chicken tenders, mozzarella sticks, and nachos to my plate until there’s no white area showing.
I wait to dig in until everyone has their food, but when I do, I want to inhale everything. You’d think I was the one who played tonight.
“If they had a restaurant like this on my campus they’d make a killing. This food is incredible,” Rogan says. “You’re a wealthy athlete, bro, you could make it happen.”
Niall makes an amused sound. “I don’t want to own a restaurant, especially one in Virginia
Rogan shrugs. “It was a thought, albeit selfishly motivated. I was thinking of all the free food I’d get.”
“Not gonna happen,” Niall says.
I glance at the other end of the table and wave at Calista, the lone female. “Where are the other girlfriends or fiancées or whatever they are?”
“They don’t make it to every game. Our schedules can be hectic, and it’s a lot to expect someone to have their life on standby so they can attend every game,” Niall explains.
“Do you ever get tired of how full your schedule is during the season? It must be difficult to fit everything in.”
“Yeah, of course. Especially if we’ve lost a game. That puts pressure on us to win the next one. And if we get to two losses in a row…” He shakes his head. “Then we worry it could turn into three and then four, and we can’t let that happen. It’s easy to enjoy hockey when everything is going well. During the tough times when we continue to grind, those are the moments that prove how much we love this sport.”
“I could tell that just by watching you play. Your love for the game shows on your face and in the commanding way you skate.”
“If you’re going to shower me with compliments, you might need to come to every game.” He gives my arm a quick squeeze.
I get lost staring into his blue eyes. We’re here with a group of people but it feels as though it’s only the two of us. But it’s too good to last. Kaiden calls out, waving him over.
“Excuse me,” he says, rising. “I’ll be right back.” I watch him walk away.
“Someone’s got it bad,” Maeve sings.
My head whips in her direction. “What are you talking about?”
“You like my brother.” She looks giddy at the thought.
“He’s a nice man,” I say.
“Don’t worry, he seems to feel the same about you.”
I lean closer. “You think?”
“Oh my God. You really do like him,” she whispers.
I wrinkle my nose. “Maybe.”
“This is the best news ever.” She dances in her chair, shimmying her shoulders.
“You’re getting ahead of yourself. I don’t know if he likes me as more than a friend,” I say.
“Pfft. He does.”
“How can you tell?”
“He doesn’t spend time with women he’s not interested in.”
“I’m not convinced you’re right about this. He’s being nice because we’re neighbors. No one wants to be in a battle with people who live in close proximity to them.”
