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THIRTY

leo

T he next day, I head to practice early, hoping to catch Coach Jenkins beforehand. “Hey, anyone seen Coach Jenkins?” I ask Tate, Brax, and Lucian, who are setting up equipment for practice.

As much as I love working with Victoria, I miss the team camaraderie, the adrenaline-fueled games, and the feel of my hockey stick hitting the puck. If Coach is cutting my probation short, then I want to know when I can get back on the ice.

Tate skates over, grabbing some pucks for practice. “He told us he was in a meeting this morning. The assistant coach is running practice instead. Does this have something to do with your probation?”

I slide on my hockey skates. “Yeah, did he mention anything?”

“Not specifically. But he said something about you playing in the next game.”

Brax stops setting up equipment. “Did I just hear you say Leo is playing in the next game?”

“That’s what I overheard,” Tate says.

I hold up a hand. “Don’t get too excited, guys. I haven’t had Coach tell me yet.”

Brax frowns. “How are you not thrilled about this? That’s huge! What’d you do to get him to cut your probation short? Bribe him?”

“I only wish it were that easy,” I grumble. If I’m going to be honest with Coach, I might as well tell my teammates while I have the chance. “Victoria and I decided to make things official. We’re dating.”

Tate tilts his head, looking genuinely confused. “Wait, I thought you were already dating?”

“No, that was for the sponsorship,” I say. “They wanted us as a couple.”

Lucian skates up, a smile on his lips. “Fake or not, you’ve wanted to date her this whole time, right? I could see it all over your face at Boots and Buckles.”

“I wasn’t that obvious,” I say.

All the guys roar in laughter.

“What?” I ask.

“Pretend all you want, but you are the worst at hiding your feelings,” Lucian says.

“Ever since New Year’s Eve, it’s been obvious how much you were pining for her,” Tate says.

“Hockey players don’t pine ,” I say.

“Fine, then lovesick? Smitten?” Tate asks. “Staring at her like you couldn’t stand another day without her?”

“Please, I’m not that bad,” I say, picking up my hockey stick.

“You most definitely are,” Tate shoots back. “I’m so glad Victoria’s apartment is finally done, so I won’t have to watch you staring at her anymore over dinner.”

I blink. “What do you mean, her apartment’s done?”

“I overheard Victoria on the phone,” Tate says. “It was finished almost a week ago.”

I don’t believe this. “Why didn’t she tell...” I look around, and all the guys are smiling at me, enjoying the fact that I’m the last to know.

“You kept this secret from me?” I ask, even though I’ve loved having Victoria around. “What kind of friends are you?” I shake my head, pulling out my phone to send Victoria a text message. If they think I’m going to let this slide without saying something to her, they’re wrong.

“The kind of friends who know what’s best for you,” Lucian says.

“We figured you needed all the help you could get,” Brax adds. “And you’re welcome. ”

Leo

You’ve got some explaining to do.

Victoria

You mean about Peter arriving early? I didn’t know he was coming today, and I’m rushing off to meet with him.

Leo

No, that’s not what I meant. Care to explain why your apartment’s been ready for a week and you’re still here?

Victoria

Oh . . . you found out about that?

Leo

Hard not to when your coconspirators can’t keep a secret. Tate’s very chatty this morning.

Victoria

Traitor.

Leo

So, why didn’t you tell me?

Victoria

Would you believe me if I said I just really like my room at Rose & Thorn? You’ve got to admit it’s a step up from Bellgate.

Leo

It is. But since Bellgate has never bothered you, try again.

Victoria

Fine. I didn’t want to leave yet. I thought maybe it would be good for our partnership on the ice.

Leo

Because you couldn’t resist me? Admit it.

Victoria

Don’t let this go to your head.

Leo

Too late. I knew you liked having me around. You’re totally smitten.

Victoria

Smitten? Is this Tate again? Tell him to stop adding weird vocabulary to your texts.

Leo

Nice deflection. But I’m not letting you off the hook yet.

Victoria

Fine. Big Bertha isn’t quite the same company as you.

Leo

Knew it. I don’t heckle you during conversation.

Victoria

But it’s also because I know the second I leave, you’ll miss me.

Leo

You’re not wrong.

Victoria

You’re impossible.

Leo

Thank you.

Leo

I know . . . move in permanently. Problem solved!

Victoria

As long as you let Delilah and Big Bertha come too.

Leo

Not that stupid bird again!

Victoria

You did promise to find us better apartments.

Leo

And now I’m questioning my decision-making. Good thing I don’t second-guess on the ice.

Victoria

You’d better back that up on the ice today. Otherwise, I’m reconsidering trusting your decision-making skills ever again. I’ll even stop by to watch.

Leo

Watching me or watching my butt?

Victoria

End of conversation.

Leo

Admit it—you like the view.

Victoria

Goodbye, Leo.