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EIGHT

The highlight of the skills competition was my absolute domination over Knolls. It’s rare that I outshine him, but today, the hockey gods were on my side. I skated circles around him, outperforming him in every drill. Speed skating? Nailed it. Precision shooting? No contest. Stick handling? Left him in my dust. After his confrontation with Hannah yesterday, seeing the frustration on his face each time he placed lower than me was way too satisfying.

I’m bummed Hannah wasn’t in the crowd to see it all, but I can’t blame her for bailing. She puts on a brave face, acting like the run-in with Knolls didn’t faze her, but I saw it in her eyes. It rattled her. It pisses me off to see him upset her again. Hasn’t he done enough? Apparently not, because he keeps messing with her emotions. The possibility she might still have feelings for him, that she might even want to go back to him? It scares the shit out of me.

Jealousy is new to me, at least when it comes to women. In all the years I spent as Hannah’s friend, I didn’t love seeing her with Knolls, but knowing she was happy made it easier to support them being together.

I don’t know all the details of their relationship, but I always assumed they were happy. That she was happy. That’s why I kept my feelings for her in check. But after she cried over brownies and explained Jace’s view on fans and how it affected her, I’m second-guessing everything I thought was true. How the hell did he not know that simple gestures are grand to her? Then, to top it off, he tries convincing her to have dinner with him while he’s got fucking hickeys on his neck? I can’t help but question what she ever saw in him. Sure, he’s good at hockey, I’ll give him that, but beyond the rink, he’s a shit person.

I want her to be happy. I want to be the one to make her happy. Fuck, I really want to be the one to make her happy.

Tonight is the first step in that plan. Our first date. I hope she knows it’s a date… but honestly, I’m not sure she does, which could be a hiccup in my plan.

When I confirmed the plan for tonight, she laughed, and every time she said the word date , it dripped with sarcasm, like the idea of us going on a date was amusing. Not exactly a great sign, but I’m not going to let it throw me off.

Since it’s our first date, I pulled out all the stops, booking a table at the nicest restaurant I could find. It’s not really my scene—I’m not even sure if it’s hers—but after seeing where she grew up, it’s clear she’s used to the finer things.

I didn’t grow up with much, not like she did. After my dad left, my mom and I moved from a small townhouse to a middle-class suburban home when Greg came into the picture. From there, it was dorm rooms and, eventually, a modest one-bedroom apartment. Fox calls me cheap, but I just like to keep things simple.

It’s hard to shake the mindset. Even though I have money now, part of me still doesn’t trust it won’t disappear. Buying a brownstone feels like a huge leap, and I’m really counting on that contract extension from the Saints to come through.

I make my way out to the common area of the suite. Hannah’s door is closed, so she’s probably still getting ready. Our reservation is at eight, so we’ve got time. I pull out my phone and check my messages, seeing a handful of texts in the Saints’ Sinners group chat. I haven’t had a chance to catch up since I got to Florida.

Miles King:

Are you catching a tan soaking up my spotlight?

Your pasty ass could use some color.

Ilya Volkov:

Don’t look into the light.

Dominic Fox:

He might be looking into the light if he keeps glaring at Knolls. You know your face is all over national television, right? We don’t need Mr. Goody Two-Shoes starting a media scandal. That’s my job.

Ilya Volkov:

You’re due for a break, Fox. Get it over with and knock him out already, Logan.

Miles King:

You would immediately resort to violence.

Ilya Volkov:

It is my job.

Miles King:

Pretty sure your job is to stop the pucks from crossing the goal line…

Ilya Volkov:

Same thing.

Dominic Fox:

Moving on to the important questions. How’s it going with your girl, Lo? You going to be leaving the Sinners for the Settlers? We’ll need two weeks’ notice, by the way.

Miles King:

Settlers?

Ilya Volkov:

What are the chances of you dropping this shit?

Dominic Fox:

Not a chance in hell. Get it? Sinners? In hell? I may never commit to a woman, but I’m fully committed to this group. The Settlers are those who settle down, duh.

Me:

We went on our first date… kind of.

Ilya Volkov:

Kind of?

Me:

Actually, maybe tonight is our first date. I’m taking her out to dinner. Dinner always qualifies as a date, right?

Miles King:

Did you actually ask her out on a date? Either time?

Me:

… no

Dominic Fox:

And you all think I’m clueless.