Page 147 of Almost Ravaged

Electrifying energy radiates through the lobby of the arena. Students dominate the facility, taking up every seat and huddled in groups in every corner, the entire place a sea of green and gold.

My pulse thumps wildly as I take it all in.

Today is the Lightning Bolts’ home opener. Atty and Ty’s first game at Holt University.

I don’t have to clock in until after the game, just in time to help close the place down. I worked late twice this past week, so I have all the procedures down. Though now that I see just how many people we’ll have to clear out of the building, I’m beginning to regret committing to the closing shift. With any luck, the Lightning Bolts will win and everyone will be anxious to move on to the after-parties.

Rather than have Mercer pick me up at the residence hall—because how awkward would that be?—I told him I’d meet him here. Though I’m early. I was tired of sitting around my dorm, watching the clock.

When I arrive, the ticket line is wrapped halfway around the building, so I jump in to help, checking student IDs as Kai collects the money and Grant issues tickets.

While I wait for the next person to find their ID, my phone vibrates in my pocket.

Technically I’m not on the clock, and this girl is taking forever, so I fish out my phone and check the screen.

Ty:Need to see you

The message elicits a little tug on my heart. But it doesn’t give me the usual zap of excitement, nor does it inspire the hopefulness his messages used to.

We had our shot. We gave all we had. We did our best to wade through the dysfunction of our shared past. In the end, it didn’t work. I’m finally at a place where I can accept that it was never meant to be for Tytus and me.

I’ve moved on, and I hope he can do the same.

I’ll always love him on some level, but with my time and attention focused on Mercer and Noah over the last few weeks, the pull I used to feel toward Ty has finally started to ease.

I type out a quick text.

Me:I’m in the lobby, selling tickets. Not sure how much longer I’ll be out here, though.

Once Mercer arrives, I’ll be anxious to break away from the sea of students and find our seats. I still can’t believe he agreed to attend the game with me. I have no idea if he even follows hockey, but he insisted he wanted to be here today.

I’ve returned to checking IDs when his scent infiltrates my senses.

Smiling, giddy inside, I hand back the ID, then tap Kai on the shoulder.

“I’m out.”

They nod, a twinkle in their eye when they notice Mercer. “We’ll clear out fast tonight so you can close quickly. Wouldn’t want you to miss out on any evening plans.”

With a playful shove, I turn on my heel and stride to where my man has wandered off to wait. Leaning back against the skate rental counter, with his hands shoved into the pockets of his wool coat, Mercer looks divine. It takes all my restraint not to make a running leap for him.

Once I’m within arm’s reach, he straightens, then subtly leans forward so he can whisper in my ear.

“Hello, sweetheart. What I wouldn’t give to kiss you right now.” The confession makes my insides turn to goo. We talked about this the other day. Despite agreeing to exclusivity (with Noah), and the knowledge that we’re not technically defying any university policy, we decided it would be best to keep PDA to a minimum.

I shift from hip to hip as Mercer assesses me. “You look… festive.”

I snort. Festive is putting it mildly. I always go all out for the boys’ games. Typically, I rotate between their jerseys. I even bought new dark green eye black and sparkly gold body paint to show my Lightning Bolt spirit.

Head tipped back, I grin. “Are you telling me you’re not decked out in green and gold under this stuffy coat?”

He cocks a brow and smirks. “I’ll have you know this ‘stuffy coat’ is custom tailored and made of double-sided 100 percent merino wool.”

I roll my eyes. “Pretentious bastard.”

He gives my hip a squeeze, using his coat to block the action from view, then murmurs, “I didn’t expect you to activate brat mode in such a crowded venue, Ms. Davvies.”

A thrill shoots through me at the threat in his tone.