Reese nudges me, picking up on it immediately. “You okay?”
I lie. “Yeah. Let’s just get ready and get out of here.”
I need answers before I start throwing any accusations around.
Walking out of the stadium, I spot my girl near the exit gate, just past the security checkpoint, standing behind a line of students and boosters. She’s bouncing slightly on her toes as she scans my teammates, looking for me. I slide through a gap in the fencing and jog over before any of the reporters can stop me for more questions. I answered enough in the post-game interview.
My steps slow as I take her in.
The feeling hits me the same way it always does. The calm. The certainty. No matter how loud the night gets or how hard the game is, this part never changes.
Never. I will never get enough of her.
When Honey spots me, her face lights up and everything dulls for a second because she’s all I’ll ever need.
By the time I get to her, I wrap my arms around her before she can say anything. She melts into me like she always does. Her arms slide around my waist, and she tips her chin up, waiting for a kiss.
I don’t leave her waiting and press my lips against hers.
“You killed it tonight,” she murmurs with her eyes closed and a blissed-out look on her face.
“Marry me?” I whisper so only she can hear.
That makes her laugh, and she slaps me lightly on the chest. “Stop it.”
Someone clears their throat from behind Honey, so she turns, revealing her friends. I swallow, trying not to stare down the girl—who now that I’ve seen her up close—was most definitely the one on my porch.
“Oh, you remember I mentioned I was going to come with my friends? This is Jenni and Chris.”
Jenni’s smile is timid as she steps forward and extends her hand, acting as though this is the first time we’ve met.
“Great game, Zach.” That voice. The same too-sweet, syrupy tone. “I’ve heard so much about you.”
Yeah, I bet you have.
I shake her hand, not wanting to make a scene. It’s quick and impersonal with no warmth or charm.
The guy beside her smiles and offers his hand. “Incredible finish, man. That was elite.” His grip is firm, his smile genuine. I hate how likable he seems.
“Thanks,” I say with a firm grip.
Before I can question his intentions with my girlfriend, Reese appears from behind me. “How the hell did you get away from those reporters? They wouldn’t leave me alone,” he says, dustingoff his shirt before giving Honey a quick hug. “Great to have you at the game, Honey.”
“You guys did so well. That catch at the end was amazing,” she tells him and gives him the kind of smile that makes it hard to remember that thirty minutes ago, I was ready to burn the stadium down over a wink from Jenni.
“All thanks to your man's arm,” he says, clapping me on the shoulder. “We're heading to Hail Mary's to celebrate. You should join us.”
Before Honey can answer, Jenni loops her arm through hers and jumps in. “That sounds amazing! Mind if we tag along?”
“Of course,” Reese says smoothly, though I catch the questioning glance he throws my way.
“You coming, C?” Jenni asks him.
He shakes his head. “Can't tonight. Got an early game tomorrow.”
“Game, huh? What do you play?” Dax asks, beside me with a smirk.
“Hockey,” Chris responds simply.