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Staring right at me, he says, my name, “Nikolai.” A genuine smile lights up his face. “I love you, too.”

THIRTY-TWO

Ander

Pulling into the stadium I’m instantly hit with how intense this is all going to be. The players’ entrance is congested with reporters and what I hope are fans staking out player arrivals. Thankfully, Gavin tinted the windows on the El Camino. It’s hard for anyone to get a good look at the three of us crammed into this car.

Not thankfully, he still didn’t let me drive it.

“It’ll be fine once we get in the building,” Connor says.

I know this. They’re not allowed where we park, and the organization will keep the press away from me before the game. After the game is another story though. Whether we win or lose, it doesn’t matter. I am going to have to have a moment with the press. There’s no way around it.

I pull out my phone and text Nikolai.

It’s a madhouse here.

Do not let them get in your head. Stay focused.

I know he doesn’t like to text, but I’m in the car, sitting between my two best friends. Now isn’t the time for a phone call. And besides, the way I hear his accent in my head as I read makes me smile.

What are you doing?

At hotel with your brother and Ryan. We are going to watch your game.

That makes me feel better. It’s always good to know he’s rooting for me. Except when he’s not. But even that’s fun because it means we’re sharing the same ice, battling for our teams.

The press is here.

Yes. That is what they do.

He sends back with a flirty winky face. I’m pretty sure this is the first time he’s ever sent me an emoji. The thought makes me laugh.

What if they ask about us?

I ask him, feeling very nervous. I don’t want to say the wrong thing. What if Nikolai wants me to not say anything at all? Even though all I want to do is scream from center ice that I’m his.

Tell them truth, or tell them nothing. That is for you to decide.

What are you planning on doing?

I am planning to tell anyone who asks that yes, it is true. I am in love with Ander Bouchard.

My cheeks heat just from reading the words. A flood of warm emotions blossoms across my chest. I text him back.

I love you too.

“Oh, you’ve got it bad,” Gavin says as he slings his arm around my shoulders. The car has just entered the underground parking where we have privacy again. He jostles me back and forth. “I like this.”

“I don’t,” I say. “I mean, I do. Obviously. I like this with Nikolai a lot. It’s the rest I don’t like. How did you even deal with this?”

“You were there,” Gavin says. “You saw how I dealt with it.”

“Grumpily,” Connor says, giving the two of us a smirk as Gavin pulls into a parking spot close to the door that lets us into the players’ entrance to the stadium. “But also perfectly.” A familiar glow lights up his face. “I hated what my father did to him. But I fell more in love with him every day.”

“So much so he risked it all,” Gavin says as he gets out of the car.

“And I’d do it all over again if given the choice,” Connor says as he gets out of the passenger side. Since I was seated in the middle, I follow him.