than how I got there, so it had been easy to accept William’s offer to travel with him—especially once my best friends found out he’d hired a limo for the trip. “Thanks for getting these. I’m used to just showing up at the rink and sitting wherever I want. I didn’t think to ask Corby if we needed tickets for this game since it’s special.”
“You’re quite welcome.” William pointed toward the area high in the stands behind one of the nets. “I’ll be in the private box with a few recruiters who came in large part to get a last look at Corby before the draft. If you need anything, send me a text or come find me.”
“Will do,” I confirmed before he walked away. My stomach was in knots at the reminder that more than a high school championship was at stake for Corby tonight. If he played as well as he had all season, he could secure a spot on a professional team.
“C’mon, I want to find our seats so we have plenty of time to get snacks before they come out on the ice to warm up,” Emily urged, poking me in the side to get me moving.
We made our way to the section printed on the tickets. When I realized where the seats were located, I let out a little squeal as some of my nerves eased.
“You’re as superstitious as the guys now,” Emily teased.
“Yup,” I confirmed, making a popping sound on the last letter. “That’s how full-fledged hockey girlfriends roll.”
Sarah laughed and rolled her eyes. “You’re such a dork.”
“At least I’m a dork with a super-hot boyfriend who’s about to win a state championship.” I grinned as I dropped onto the seat directly behind the penalty box. “And he’s going to do it with me cheering him on in the most perfect seat in the entire rink.”
“Hmm, you make a good point.” Sarah edged past me before sitting down. “Maybe I need to embrace my quirkiness more so I can snag a super-hot boyfriend too.”
“I’d be happy to snag a container of nachos and a drink.” Emily patted her stomach with a grin. “And if a hot guy just so happened to bring it to me, I wouldn’t complain.”
Sarah looked over her shoulder, scanning the fans seated around us. “No can do on the hot guy delivery service, but I’ll go to the concession stand with you to get some snacks.”
“Deal.” Emily jumped up, then asked, “Do you want to come with us?”
I didn’t want to risk missing Corby coming out of the locker room, so I shook my head. “Nope. I think I’ll stay here, thanks.”
“We’ll bring some stuff back for you,” Sarah offered, patting my shoulder as she moved past me to get to the stairs.
When they were gone, I pulled my cell phone out. I highly doubted that Corby had his phone out since they’d be leaving the locker room any minute now, but I pulled up our text thread and sent him a message.
Me: Win or lose, I’m so freaking proud to be your girlfriend.
Clenching my phone in my hand, I stared at the open door where the players would enter the ice while Emily and Sarah were gone. The other team skated onto the ice first, and I was perched on the edge of my seat waiting for the Cougars to come out when Sarah set a tray of snacks on my lap. “Thank goodness we’re back in time. The line at the concession stand was bonkers.”
“It also didn’t help that it took you forever to decide what to order,” Emily complained as she sat down next to me.
Sarah tossed a piece of popcorn in her direction. “Some of us like a little variety and don’t get the same thing at every game.”
“Hey, I’m just doing my part to help the Cougars win.” Emily pointed at me with a big smile. “She sits in the same seat as the first game we went to, and I eat the same snacks. We’ve all got to do our part.”
“Well played,” Sarah conceded before ripping open a box of candy and popping a piece in her mouth just as our goalie stepped onto the ice. He was followed by the rest of the team, with Corby coming out last. The guys lined up and bumped his fist as he skated past.
I jumped up and clapped, screaming, “Woohoo! You’ve got this, Corby!”
His head jerked up, and our gazes met. His smile was so big,