Page 10

As the students filtered into the room, I pushed my limp hair to the side and wiped the sweat off the back of my neck. It was ninety degrees outside, but I was adamant for this Covey Crushers beanie to stay on my head.

I was hiding.

Or, at least, trying my hardest to be inconspicuous because I didn’t want Matty to see me in our first class of the year together. This hat and sitting toward the back of the room, far away from our usual seats, were my only disguise.

My skin prickled, and I didn’t have to look up to know Matty entered the room. My body had this innate ability to sense him no matter where he was. My eyes betrayed me, looking to the door, and when I saw his floppy hair, my stomach flipped. His eyes tracked the room, stopping at the two seats we’d normally occupy, and he frowned when he realized I wasn’t sitting there waiting for him.

I couldn’t move or stop looking at him.

Matty.

My Matty, but not really.

His hair had grown shaggier since I last saw him, but his chiseled features and bow lips remained the same. Why did it have to hurt so much to look at him? Why did I still want him, knowing what I know now?

His eyes darted across the room, and I sucked in a breath, slouching into my seat, using the burly guy in front of me to obstruct Matty’s view. Then, I pulled my beanie down, covering my eyes.

Matty continued searching, and my heart felt like it would beat out of my chest. What would I do if he found me? How would I explain myself? Did I even need to? I was shaking as his eyes slowed on my section. Slowly. Slowly. His eyes were tracked my row, and I cringed, whimpering slightly.

I knew this was coming. Even if my new roommate, Lydia, hadn’t given me a heads-up that some floppy-haired stalker had come to my door last night, I knew I would have to see him in class but hadn’t really thought of how that would make me feel.

My heart was pounding, and my legs were itching to run. There was no way I could avoid him forever, but I was happy to try to put it off for as long as possible.

“Big Crushers fan, huh?” the guy next to me asked with a bright-white smile. It was only then I realized someone was sitting next to me. Had he heard me whimper?

Staring at him, I didn’t know what to do. It almost felt like he could hear my thoughts and was mocking me. When I didn’t answer, he pointed to my head. “Just figured you must be a big fan if you’re wearing the beanie when it’s so hot outside.”

I laughed, but it came out hesitant and awkward, before drawling out a long, unconvincing “Yeah.”

The guy stared at me, and it was disconcerting. He was cute, in a rugged kind of way, which made the fact I was mildly sweating that much harder to handle.

At least he was a nice distraction from Matty. That guy had been haunting my thoughts for the better part of three years, and I wanted some headspace back.

“Cool.” He nodded, a twinkle of humor in his eyes. I may have looked like I worked at the Crushers merch store, but that was about as far as my hockey knowledge took me. “The team is going through a lot of changes this year. What do you think their chances are without Bridges or Bright?”

Bridges and Bright? You’d think having brothers in the MLB and NFL would put me in good standing regarding athletes and sports, but I had no clue about hockey.

When I raised my eyebrows, he chuckled, and I wouldn’t lie, it was kind of adorable.

“Don’t worry, I get it. You’re a Brooks Wright fan, aren’t you? All the hot girls are,” he said, sighing, and a spike of excitement ran up my spine. It was nice to be called hot when my hair was limp and my cheeks were red from overheating. There was also a strong possibility I had sweat dripping down my forehead, but I wasn’t about to draw attention to it by wiping it away. “Just wish he would take a break so the rest of us could stand a chance.”

“Br-Brooks?” I had no idea who he was talking about, and I was sure he could tell by my furrowed brows.

“Oh, he’s not your type? Guess it’s my lucky day, then.” He perked up in his seat. “What about Erik Steele? You a fan of his?”

I couldn’t keep hesitating, so I went with it this time.

“Yup. Huge fan. The biggest. He’s awesome at his position, and the way he moves on the ice is majestic.” That sounded like something an ice hockey fan would say, but as his grin grew wider, I could tell there was something funny about my response. The Crushers were an ice hockey team, right? Not field hockey?

“Good morning, everyone,” our professor said from the front of the room, and I relaxed. At least I didn’t have to hide from Matty anymore or talk about hockey. “I hope you are all ready to learn about the key principles of broadcasting under duress.”

Well, this class sounded like a lot of fun. I side-eyed the guy next to me to end the conversation and focused on the notes section of my iPad as the lecture started.

I couldn’t help myself. For all of two seconds, I glanced down at Matty, who was sitting in our usual seat with his jacket draped over the empty spot next to him. The spot he no doubt reserved for me. He was fidgeting and running his hand through his hair constantly. I’d never seen him so nervous, and I couldn’t help but draw my own conclusions as to why.

He didn’t know how to tell me the truth about Olana. We’d done a lot of stupid things that night in Vegas, and I bet he was worried that our friendship wouldn’t last through this.

Honestly, I wasn’t sure it would either.

Olana was pregnant.

With his baby.

That was all I had to say to myself every time I thought things could be different. I would be a stepmom before being a mom, and I couldn’t deprive his child of a potentially happy family. I needed to be the bigger person and back off.

Dropping my gaze back down to my iPad, I tried to relax. At least Matty wouldn’t be able to look for me for the next forty-five minutes. That would give me some reprieve from his hooded glare. I pulled the hat off, my hair limp with sweat, but it didn’t matter now. No one would see me.

Easing into the seat, I relaxed until a message popped up on my screen. It was the student app, and I knew before checking who it was from.

Matty: Hey Britt. Saved a seat for you in class today but can’t find you. Did you switch?

My face paled, and I swiped the message away. What an excellent suggestion from Matty. I should change classes. That way I wouldn’t have to hide from him anymore. But as this was a core elective, I wouldn’t be eligible to graduate if I missed it.

So, I would have to suck it up.

Besides, the sad reality was that our lives were intertwined. I’d see him at practice tomorrow. I’d no doubt have to interview him during the season. Our friends were all friends. I might’ve avoided him today, but how long could that last?

I needed to be friends with him again. It was the only way I was going to get through this year, so I needed to pretend that Vegas wasn’t a big deal to me.

My eyes burned, but I didn’t let any tears fall. As much as I hated admitting it, Vegas meant everything. It was the first time I’d felt seen by my best friend, and pretending that night didn’t matter could be my downfall. I had to do it, though. There was no other option. I’d been his pining best friend before, so it wouldn’t be hard to go back to that.

I shook the thoughts out of my head and stared at the lecture notes on my iPad. There was no point getting upset over this and failing my class because of it. I needed to concentrate, even if it was just for another forty-five minutes.

By the end of the class, I’d almost forgotten about Matty. Almost. I’d still take the occasional glance toward his seat to see what he was doing, but at least I wasn’t close to tears now.

When the professor dismissed us, Matty immediately stood and surveyed the room.

Crap.

He was still looking for me. I knew it. I scrambled to get my hat on, but before I could, we locked eyes.

Double crap.

Matty’s face cracked into a smile, and my stomach roiled. I didn’t know what facial expression I was making, but my blood pressure spiked when he started making his way over to me.

People were filtering out in all directions, and soon, there would be no one to hide behind. If I had any chance of getting out of here without talking to him, I would have to take the back exit right away.

I quickly tossed the hat and iPad into my bag, and just as I was about to stand, the guy next to me cleared his throat.

“So, uh, I know we only just met but I was wondering if you wanted—”

“Really sorry, I’m running late.” His face fell, which made me feel like an ass. It wasn’t his fault I was hiding away from my best friend and biggest crush.

“I’m meeting a friend to watch the Crushers practice game. Can’t be late,” I sang, and there it was. That smile that distracted me from Matty for all of two seconds before.

“No problem. See you soon,” he said as I hustled out of the room faster than The Flash on crack.

I dipped into the center of a group of students as they filtered out, crouching so I could hide in the herd and Matty couldn’t get to me.

“Britt.” Well, that didn’t stop him from trying. My breath caught in my chest, but I didn’t dare look back. I had no doubts he was right behind me. I sped up, working my way to the front of the crowd and kept my eyes open, looking for somewhere to hide.

“Britt.”

I cringed. That was too close for comfort. How long could I go around doing this? Pretending I couldn’t hear him and ignoring his texts. Matty was determined to clear his own conscious only to break my heart, and that thought was just too hard to bear.

When a group splintered off, I followed them, then froze when I’d entered a new lecture hall. One in session.

I had two options. I could either step back out of the room and risk bumping into Matty, or I could stay and take the lesson. My hand rested on the door, but I already knew the answer. I had to take the lesson. Going outside and facing Matty was a nonstarter.

Taking in a deep breath, I walked down the aisle, feeling the eyes of the other students on me as I scrambled to find a seat in the back corner.

I was hidden away and had at least an hour before I was supposed to meet Sienna, which would give me time to think about my strategy with Matty. When the lights lowered, my heartbeat slowed alongside it. I was safe for now.

“The next section of this course will start with The Mysteries of the Roman Empire .”

Roman Empire? I didn’t even realize there was a class on this.

Pulling my beanie down, I sank further into my seat—a habit at this point—and hoped that no one would notice me. I just needed a little peace and quiet.

Oh, and to not think about Matty for two seconds, but that was impossible.

“I like your hat.” Sienna knocked me on the side and threw me an amused smile.

I was glad she was happy, because I wasn’t smiling. I was a hot mess and on edge, worried that I’d see Matty at every turn. The only place I felt safe was in that class about the Roman Empire. In there, no one cared about anything except the rise and fall of Juluis Ceasar. I’d gotten into a long discussion with the guys in there, and if I didn’t already have my classes locked in this year, I’d consider changing. I got so invested in it I was at serious risk of being late for this, and considering Sienna held my grade in her hands, I didn’t want to piss her off. She was a hard ass at the best of times.

“Thanks,” I said, regaining my breath and adjusting the jersey Sienna told me to wear as I stood in the hockey locker room. The rubber floor didn’t just give me an unnatural spring to my step, but I could’ve sworn it made the place smell muskier than any football or baseball locker room I’d ever been in. Although, maybe that was to do with the ice. Did it make it damp?

I shook my head. It was not the time to worry about the ventilation in the men’s locker room. I was here to work, and so was Sienna. With a notebook in one hand and a recording device in the other, I smiled, ready to take on this new challenge.

“Jersey looks good on you too.”

“Thanks.”

“It’s almost like you’re willing to concede that hockey is the best sport.”

“No,” I quipped, lifting my toes up to ease the tension running through my veins.

I wasn’t uncomfortable in a man’s locker room. My three brothers played baseball, basketball, and football their entire high school careers, so I was always loitering around them, but the hockey locker room was a different beast. These guys were huge, and there was a very real possibility that they’d slice your foot with their blades if they weren’t wearing their guards, and I liked my toes.

“Did you do something different with your hair?” she asked, tracking my limp lengths as I took the hat off. Frowning, I pulled at the ends before shaking it out, trying to make the style look intentional.

“Nope. I just sweated unnaturally for the better part of two hours,” I mumbled, keeping my eyes to the floor. I didn’t care how careful these players were, I would never trust a man with a blade attached to their foot.

“Do we really need to be back here?” I whisper-shouted, yearning for the seats outside. Sure, it would be cold, but at least I wouldn’t feel like a spare part in a place we were not needed. “I’ve never been in the locker room before the game. I usually only get access after, and I feel like we’re intruding.”

Sienna shrugged. “That’s because we are intruding. We aren’t supposed to be here, but it’s fine. The guys are used to me by now, and we’ll be outside in the press area in a couple of minutes, so don’t stress your little beanie hat head.”

Another player knocked into me, and when I caught his eye, he winked. “Sorry about that,” he said.

I awkwardly smiled and looked away. I wasn’t a small girl. I’d played football in high school, but these hockey players made me feel minuscule in comparison, and I could only assume it was because the skates were giving them extra height.

As the hockey player trudged past, I did my best to be as small as possible. I didn’t belong here. I could admit that.

Turning to Sienna, I said, “You know what? Why don’t you finish up here, and I’ll meet you in the press box?”

Sienna glared at me. “Press box? Who do you think we are? The football team? You’re staying right here. There’s someone—”

“Lawrence,” a guy called behind me, happy to see my friend, which was surprising. I was under the impression the hockey players hated her after she tried to seduce the goalie in his bedroom one time. She still hadn’t given me the full story on that, and I was hoping one day I’d get an explanation.

Standing on her tiptoes so she could look over my shoulder, Sienna flashed a wide smile. Then she did something I’d never forget. She giggled and waved like she was some hockey fangirl. She had to be seducing one of them for a story, because she rarely acted so… nice.

“Hey, Erik,” she cooed.

“Are you ready to interview me later?” he asked, and although the voice sounded familiar, I couldn’t place where I’d heard it before.

“We’ll see, I can’t interview everyone.”

“I know. I know. You only interview the best player in the game.”

“Exactly. I am not a participation trophy.” Sienna was joking, a side of her I’d never seen outside of our own press office. She must really like this guy. Glancing over my shoulder, my smile dropped when I saw big blue eyes and a familiar smirk.

“Ah, Beanie Girl,” he said, completely unfazed by my presence.

“Erik?” I croaked out. I didn’t realize he was a hockey player when we spoke in class. “What are you doing here?”

He held his arms out wide and gestured to his hockey gear. “I told you I’d see you later, didn’t I? Although, I’ve gotta be honest, I really didn’t expect you to show up, considering you knew absolutely nothing about hockey.” He whacked his gloved hand against his chest. “I thought you were just trying to let me down gently.”

My cheeks burned as I thought back to our conversation where I made a fool of myself.

“Wait a minute. Do you guys already know each other?” Sienna’s hands rested on my shoulder as she looked between Erik and me.

“We’re in the same class,” he replied, still watching me. That smile. Those glistening eyes. This guy screamed player, and I wasn’t interested in being played.

She pouted her lip. “Really? I was planning on introducing you.”

“Well, you can. I still don’t know her name. Unless your parents were feeling a little eccentric and really did name you Beanie Girl.”

“This is Britt, she’s the head sportscaster for the football team this year.”

“The football team?” He lifted his head and laughed. “Well, that explains it. You’re a cleat chaser, not a puck bunny,” he teased, and my jaw dropped. Did he just say that? “Well, you’re far from the astroturf tonight, babe. Can’t wait to show you a real sport,” he joked, shuffling closer to me and holding his hand out, and I accepted, his grip tight even through his gloves. “In all seriousness. It’s really nice to meet you, Britt.” The sincerity in his voice was clear, but all I felt was embarrassment from how I acted earlier.

“Likewise.” I gave him a somewhat forced smile, not wanting to give Sienna any signs I might be interested in the confident, undeniably good-looking athlete in front of me.

Erik was nice, and I liked the way he wasn’t afraid to tease or flirt with me, but the only reason I spoke to him in class was because I was trying to hide from Matty. The guy I thought about constantly. My heart was teetering on the edge of breaking because of him, and I didn’t want to bring anyone else into the mess we’d created.

“So, I guess that means you know Britt’s majoring in communications, then?” Sienna asked, still looking between the two of us. I could feel her overbearing grin without even looking, and if Erik wasn’t standing in front of me, I’d whack her on the side and tell her to calm down.

“I guessed as much, considering I’ve seen her in every class since freshman year.” He shifted on his skates before resting his chin on his hockey stick. I gulped. That was a loaded confession if I’d ever heard one. Especially since I had never noticed him in any of my classes before today, but I knew why.

Matty. Matty. Matty.

My tunnel vision for him was absurd.

“Well, I don’t know if you know, but she’s tired of football and super excited to be learning about hockey and taking on this new challenge.” Sienna’s arm slinked around my neck, and she turned to look at me with urgency. What did she want me to do? A song and dance to impress Erik? Yeah, that wasn’t going to happen. Sienna subtly pinched my shoulder in an attempt to get me to act interested.

“Ouch,” I mumbled, but gave Erik a limp, somewhat lackluster smile, as there were too many lies in her comment to unpack right now.

“Her only issue is Britt knows absolutely nothing about hockey.” Well, that wasn’t a lie. “Since this is a scrimmage and you’ll be busy once the season starts in October, I thought you might be able to teach her a thing or two before then.”

Oh. My. God.

I wanted to shrink into my sweater, but I couldn’t move because Sienna’s hand was on my shoulder, holding me in place. This was the absolute worst setup I’d ever heard.

Erik took me in, his smile growing wider, as if that were even possible. How many teeth did he have? He wasn’t bad looking. Not in the slightest. His face was perfectly proportioned for someone who was prone to getting hit on the ice daily, but I couldn’t help comparing him to the awkward semi-smile I’d always get from my best friend when he saw me enter the room. The same smile that haunted my dreams on a nearly nightly basis.

“I’d love to help,” Erik said. “That way, when you say Erik Steele is majestic on the ice, you’ll actually know what and more importantly who you’re talking about.”

Then he winked.

I nearly melted in my boots from embarrassment. I wasn’t joking. Seriously, I nearly keeled over at realizing he’d asked me about himself earlier to test my knowledge, and I failed miserably. That was why he looked so amused at my answer.

Another player whacked Erik upside the head and glared at him as he walked past. “Head in the game, not on the pretty girls.”

Erik rolled his eyes until they landed on me. “I’ve got to go, but maybe we could catch up later?”

“Uh.” I coughed when Sienna elbowed me, shunting me forward.

“She’d like that.”

Would I?!

“Catch you later, Britt.” He took me in before walking past, and just like that, the team was ushered onto the ice, leaving Sienna and me alone in the locker room.

I glared at my friend, silently assessing the best way to kill her.

“What?” Sienna raised her hands, trying to look innocent, but it didn’t work for her. She wasn’t the type. “Erik’s a nice guy. I already told you that I thought you’d hit it off. Although, I didn’t realize you two were already so well acquainted. Or that he was obsessed with you.” She dropped her mouth open, looking at me with shock. “That was definitely a curveball.” Then she fanned her face, blowing out a breath before mimicking Erik’s deep voice. “I’ve known she was in communications since freshman year.” Looking up to the sky, she let out a satisfied moan. “I mean, who doesn’t want to hear that from a guy?”

“Is that the only reason you asked me to be your assistant this year? So I could meet Erik?”

“Maybe.”

“You’re ridiculous.”

“And you need a good fuck.”

“Sienna!”

“What? I call it like I see it. If you aren’t going to use that vibrating rose in your desk drawer, then you’re going to need to get some action elsewhere, and trust me, Erik’s the guy for that. The amount of action he gets in a week is incomprehensible. He’s not the relationship type and loves to have a little fun. Something you could use an injection of.”

She could talk all she wanted about what I needed, but if I wasn’t ready, I wasn’t ready.

“Now come on.” Sienna grabbed my arm and ushered me out of the locker room. “We’re going to miss the puck drop, and there are plenty of things you’ll want to see before that.”

Looking behind me at the sizable crowd, I was in awe. “Why’s it so busy? This feels like the crowd is bigger than at the Wildcats. I didn’t think that was possible for a practice game.”

Sienna was writing something on her tablet and didn’t bother looking up. “That’s because you haven’t been paying attention. Every year, the Crushers have gotten more impressive, and with much more limited seating than the football stadium, people have to get tickets when they can.”

I flicked my head from side to side, trying to keep up with the players as they skated lengths across the rink. If this was their warm-up, then I had no doubts I’d have trouble keeping up with this game. The crowd cheered as a player skated past us, and Sienna leaned in. “That guy right there is the reason for the draw. That’s Scotty Hendricks.” I’d heard of him but couldn’t remember from who or what they’d said. “You’re wearing his jersey tonight.”

“Ah.”

Sienna looked me up and down. “You’re lucky I had that jersey at home. They’re like gold dust since they’re constantly sold out. He’s pretty much the reason people are watching the Crushers. The game attendance quadrupled when he joined and is now rivaling the football team’s record.”

“And what makes him so special?”

“You can’t be serious, can you? He’s one of the best players in the game. His father, Scott Hendricks is a three-time Stanley Cup winner.”

“Guessing that’s important,” I mumbled. I really should have researched the team, considering I was her makeshift assistant for the season. Unfortunately, I was too busy freaking out about Matty to do anything constructive with my time.

“It’s a huge deal, and so is Scotty.”

I nodded, taking out my phone and writing a little note to myself to make sure I looked him up later. When I glanced back up to the ice, I gasped and shut my eyes. Was my brain short-circuiting? It had been a long time since I’d been under a man, but I didn’t realize my brain was getting so desperate it would start imagining such depravity in front of all these people.

“Please tell me that the players are lying on the ice and I’m not having dick delusions?’

“Dick delusions?” Sienna chuckled. “Are you referring to the humping stretches?”

I nodded.

“You can open your eyes. It’s a thing. Don’t sweat it.”

By the time I’d gained the courage to look at the ice again, they’d stopped and were back to pacing the rink. Thank goodness.

“They’re hot, aren’t they?” Sienna elbowed me, gesturing with her chin toward the players. “I know. I know. You’re more of a football girlie, and who can blame you? Those tight pants are heavenly. However, I hope watching this game will teach you the delicacies of a finely tuned hockey player.”

With furrowed brows, I looked at Sienna like she’d lost her mind. “What are you talking about? I thought you hated athletes. The only reason you got into sports broadcasting was because you thought there was a big scoop in the hockey team that would catapult you into bigger, better things. Your words, not mine.”

“Yeah.” She shrugged, almost embarrassed. “That’s how it started.” Her gaze floated over the players, stopping at one whizzing by.

“But the more I got to know them, the more I realized that you just can’t deny there’s something about a guy wearing all that padding, skating like a gazelle, who’s ready to beat anyone up with a stick for you.”

“Do gazelle’s skate?” I pressed my lips together, stopping the smile threatening to break across my lips at the twinkle in Sienna’s eyes as she tracked the player with Newman written on his back. Sienna was in love, or she had a crush, at least. Subtly, I pulled my phone out and typed his last name next to Scotty’s so I could look him up when I got home too.

“Use your imagination for once, B.” Sienna pointed at the ice. “Just look at them. You can barely walk straight in sneakers, and these guys are gliding on the ice like it’s nothing.”

I barked out a laugh, surprised at how passionate she was. Maybe I’d missed a trick this entire time.

“Look. I just want you to have a fun time and relax,” she said, and I nodded before glancing at my phone with the Notes app open.

Have fun and relax. She was right. I needed to focus on doing the thing I loved. I wouldn’t get over Matty by sitting in my dorm and wallowing in my misery. I needed to be out, hanging with other people, thinking of other things.

My breath caught. That was a lie. I didn’t want to hang out with anyone but Matty. Not now. Not ever. Shit. When was I going to admit to myself that I was still down bad for my bestie?

“Uh-oh.” Sienna glared at me. “What are you thinking about now?”

“Nothing?”

“Then why does your face look like you’re going to vomit again? Look, I know you were fragile the other day, but I’m beginning to think you are actually pregnant, and I want to make sure I can be there for you if you need me.”

Pregnant. Another reminder of Matty and Olana.

“I’m not, and I’m absolutely fine.”

“Sure, you are.” She shook her head. “But if you’re thinking about a certain floppy-haired kicker, then stop. Erik’s just as cute, and the best part about him? He’s available and clearly interested in you. You’re not competing with some high school love that won’t go away.”

I leaned back, accidentally hitting the person dressed as a polar bear next to me. The mascot’s head rotated in my direction, and the snout nearly brushed my cheek.

“Sorry.” I leaned to the side, giving the polar bear more space so he could turn his head without touching me. Honestly, the little thrill of excitement from the brush of the fur was enough to make me think that Sienna was probably right. I probably needed someone other than Matty to think about.

A bang against the plexiglass made me jolt, and my heart rate spiked when I realized there was a player on the other side looking directly at me.

Erik.

When our eyes connected, he grinned, toying with his mouth guard before popping it back into place. He raised his brows and pointed at his number.

“He wants you to watch him,” Sienna whispered.

“Yeah, I got that.”

Just like that, Erik was skating back to his team, ready to start the game. When I knew he wasn’t looking, I turned and glared at Sienna. Crossing my arms, I fell back onto my seat and shook my head. “I can’t believe you’re trying to set me up with a hockey player. I know absolutely nothing about the sport. This is so embarrassing.”

“Then leave,” she challenged, making me balk. “If I’m that terrible and the idea of even meeting a guy that’s clearly interested in you is so bad that you don’t know what to do with yourself, then leave.”

“Wow, touchy much?”

She shrugged. “It’s not my fault you don’t see a good thing when it’s staring you in the face. I know you’re blinded by your feelings about football, but you need to get out of your box. If you don’t want to be here, that’s fine. Just get out of my box, then.”

Sienna didn’t mince her words. She never did, but hearing her say that really brought it home for me. I was becoming that person at the party who people avoided because they were so lost in their own problems; they sucked the energy out of a room.

When the music stopped, I assumed the game was about to start and sat up a little straighter. Sienna was still staring at me. With pursed lips, she waited for my next move. With my mouth closed, I turned to the rink and sat back. I wasn’t going to leave. Sienna was right, and I needed to hear the hard truth.

The game started, and honestly, I had no idea what the heck was going on. I couldn’t follow the puck, I didn’t know what the players were fighting over, or how the game worked. It didn’t matter how many questions the polar bear answered by shaking his head, I needed to go home and watch a game on TV with commentary to get the hang of it.

By the time the first period was over, I felt like I’d run a marathon trying to keep up with what was going on, and no one had even scored.

Leaning over to Sienna, I said, “I’m going to get a drink. Do you want one?”

Sienna lifted her water bottle and shook her head. “I’m good, thanks.”

“What about you?” I asked Crushie the polar bear. Unsurprisingly, he just shook his head. He was a quiet and somewhat stoic bear. I scooted past him, looking forward to standing in the concession line. At least that would give me some respite from a game I didn’t understand and had no real interest in.