Page 109 of Offside Rules

Tonight, I’m wearing his name and checking how long he’s been on the bench because I want him back out there.

Ellie settles beside me, shaking her head.

"What?" I ask.

"Nothing. This is just very entertaining."

"The game?"

"Sure, Baylor. Not the fact that Wolf Ziegler is openly flirting with you while playing a high-stakes professional-level hockey game. If this isn't true love, I don't know what is."

Thankfully, for how cold it is in here, she can’t tell my cheeks are pink from blushing. "Stop with the love stuff and hand over the popcorn," I tell her.

They lose by one.

The last few minutes have everyone around us standing, waiting for a shot that never makes it past the goalie. When the horn sounds, I let out a groan and sink back into my seat.

"Damn it."

Ellie looks over. "Careful. You’re starting to sound invested."

"I wanted them to win."

"They will next game."

On the ice, Wolf taps JP’s pads before skating toward the tunnel. He glances up at us, and I give him a little wave.

He lifts his glove.

Even after the loss, I’m smiling.

I can’t remember the last time I spent an evening this happy without having an oven timer go off somewhere in the middle of it.

We collect our things and make our way down. Natalia stops us near the concourse to confirm we’re coming to Oakley’s, and Ellie tells her yes before I can check what Wolf wants to do.

"He said drinks," Ellie reminds me once Natalia has gone.

"I know. I just thought after the game—"

"He still has to eat, Baylor. And you’ve been smiling for three hours. I’d like to see whether your face can maintain that through dinner."

"Stop looking at me. You’re creeping me out."

"You just don’t want me to see the evidence." She hooks her arm through mine. "Come on. Let’s find your boyfriend."

Wolf is still talking to the press when we get to the waiting area.

Ellie checks her phone while I take off my coat. It’s warm down here, and I’m still a little flushed from yelling at the ice as though any of the players could hear my very useful advice.

My phone buzzes.

Mom.

Mom: I just saw a highlight from the Hawkeyes game.

A picture comes through underneath it.

Her television. A slightly blurry shot of the stands, taken at an angle from the couch.