16. Josie

16

JOSIE

" O kay, I already love him," Tasha said as the two of us walked towards the entrance of the arena.

"You haven't even met him yet."

"So? The guy has us parking where the team parks instead of with the fans. He already has brownie points in my book."

Before Tasha picked me up, Wyatt sent me a text giving me directions on where to park for the game. Turns out we were parking somewhere entirely different than most people. Tasha and I were both surprised as we followed his directions that led us to the rear parking lot. The security guard already knew my name and waved us through with a smile.

"Aren't you supposed to go all hard ass on him as my best friend?"

"Oh, I plan on it. But if he wants to bribe his way into my good graces, I won't say no." The grin she gave me had me snorting.

My best friend, ladies and gentlemen.

As we got in line to enter the arena, I noticed how many people around us wore a jersey sporting Wyatt's name and number. I felt a little thrill knowing I was the only one wearing an actual player's jersey.

Since it was huge on me, Tasha helped me tuck it into my jeans, so I didn't look like a toddler wearing her dad's clothing. At least I didn't look out of place surrounded by fans. The only person looking out of place was Tasha, who'd come straight from work, so her jeans and pink blazer stood out among the sea of blue and white.

While I was excited to see Wyatt play, it was also my first ever live hockey game. I'd seen plenty of games on the television, but I'd never gone in person. My dad and I always dreamed of attending a game together one day—to be close enough to see the fights happen and feel the cold from the ice.

Ever since I was a little girl, dad promised he'd take me to a game one day, but we never could afford to go. Once, he tried to get tickets, but I knew money was tight and I didn't want him wasting the little money we had on tickets. We ended up getting into a fight about it.

I think dad was hurt by it, but I explained to him that we were just fine watching the game on our little television in the living room. Together.

Now, almost eight years later, here I was, finally attending a game in person. I would have loved to bring dad, knowing he'd have loved every second of this.

The thought of him sent a pang through my chest, which I quickly cast aside.

Not now. Focus on the fact I'm here to see a game and with my best friend.

A good fifteen minutes later, the two of us finally made our way through security. The crowds were crazy as we headed for the ticket booth. Thankfully there was no line, so we were able to slide up to the window with no issues. Just like Wyatt said, I only had to give the person my name and she handed over two tickets. The whole thing was surprisingly smooth.

As we headed into the building Tasha held onto the back of my jersey, so we didn't lose each other as we waded through the crowds. We felt like sardines as we walked.

"This place is insane," Tasha commented as we finally entered the building, following the sea of people.

"It really is."

The arena felt huge. Everyone's voices echoed off the cement walls, and music played above us. I thought the practice arena was nice—it barely held a candle to the game arena. Made sense why the team had an offsite training building that was a tad bit smaller than this place.

"We're this way." Tasha held onto my arm as I followed the signs that directed us to our seats. The lower we descended, the more excited I got that our seats were right up next to the ice. Once again, it made me wonder what kind of strings Wyatt pulled to get them for us.

"Woah," I murmured, staring at the ice rink in front of us. I was so busy gawking that I hardly noticed as Tasha took my ticket and showed the lady standing there.

"You're gonna freak out when you see where we are sitting," Tasha nudged me forward. I had to look away from the sparkling white ice as I followed the steps further down, each step bringing us closer.

When we reached our seats, I had to stop myself from squealing. We were in the front row. Literally right in front of the glass. Every time I imagined coming to a game it was always up in the nosebleeds. Never did I dare dream of seats this close.

As we sat down, I noticed there were empty seats on either side of us.

"You're practically vibrating," Tasha said, amused. "Am I going to regret coming?" As my best friend, she knew how excited I got when it came to hockey.

Back when we lived together, I would sit in the living room and yell at the screen, cheering the players on and complaining at a bad call. Blame my dad—he taught me everything I knew. It got bad enough that our neighbors complained, and Tasha banned watching games in the apartment.

"No, I'll be good," I replied, but the look she gave me told me she didn't believe a word of it. I didn't even believe it.

All around us, people filled the seats, the arena getting louder with each passing minute. I could feel the excitement in the air as the puck drop drew nearer. Turning in my seat, I looked around the arena, surprised at how many people were there.

Looks like a packed house tonight.

"Thanks for coming with me. I know hockey isn't really your thing," I said, turning back to Tasha with a thankful smile. I knew if I came alone, I'd be sitting here anxious and nervous.

"Of course. Plus, I get to spend the next hour looking at hot men in uniforms." She wiggled her eyebrows at me.

"Always a perk." I mirrored her grin. "Although it's hard to see much under the helmets."

"Your guy has all his teeth, right?"

Your guy .

I felt my cheeks flush at the words. Wyatt wasn't my anything. Yet the thought of him as mine caused butterflies to erupt in my stomach.

"Yes, he has all of his teeth," I said, rolling my eyes. Though to be fair, hockey players were notorious for missing teeth or needing fake teeth.

Wyatt's perfect smile came to mind. Even if he had fake teeth, he had one of the best smiles I'd ever seen.

I was busy looking around the arena, Tasha typing away at her phone, when I felt the presence of someone sliding into the seat next to me, an arm hitting mine. I turned to look at the person and was surprised to see a girl my age.

She had the most gorgeous dark brown, curly hair. When she turned to look at me her eyes were probably the prettiest brown I'd ever seen. They made my brown eyes look like dog poop. And don't get me started on how her dark brown skin glowed beneath the lights.

"I'm so sorry," She apologized, reaching out to touch the arm she knocked.

"No worries."

"I was afraid I wouldn't make it on time. Damn traffic," She huffed, tucking her hair over her shoulder. She wore the same kind of jersey as me, making me wonder who she was. She looked like she was here alone.

"It took me, like, fifteen minutes to get through security," I said with a slight smile.

"Don't even get me started on the security here." The girl waved her hand around. "Sorry I haven't introduced myself, I'm Mila," she said, flashing a bright white smile.

"Hi, I'm Josie. This is my friend Tasha." I touched Tasha's arm to get her attention.

"Sorry, work stuff." Tasha sat her phone in her lap and turned to Mila with a smile. "Nice to meet you!"

"So glad there's other girls here tonight. Usually, it's just me sitting here alone, or I'm stuck next to some weird guy that feels the need to flirt. Or try to." Mila rolled her eyes. "Like I'm sitting here wanting to be flirted with. But anyways," My lips twitched at the way she rambled and switched subjects so fast. "It's nice to finally meet after hearing so much about you."

I raised my eyebrows.

Has she heard about me? I've never met her before. I'd remember if I had.

"Wow, that came out really bad. I'm Bryton's girlfriend, he's friends with Wyatt," Mila quickly explained. "Bryton came home the other day talking about a woman coming to the rink to see Wyatt. So when I saw Wyatt the other day at practice I may have cornered him to know more." Mila sent me a sheepish look. "It's not every day a new girl comes into the group."

"You're totally fine. I probably would have done the same thing," I reassured her.

"She's not lying," Tasha added. "Josie would totally have stalked you on social media." I nudged her with my elbow.

"I'm so happy you guys came tonight. Although I probably should give you a heads up that I'm an avid hockey fan." The way she said it was like she was hesitant to bring it up.

"You're gonna fit right in with Josie. This one," Tasha pointed at me. "Likes to yell at the screen. It's insane."

"I knew I would like you." I found myself mirroring the grin Mila gave me. "Bryton loves to tease me about how intense I get during games."

"Wonder what Wyatt will think when he sees this side of you," Tasha teased.

"Don't worry. Bryton finds it hot, maybe Wyatt does too."

"Have you and Bryton been together long?" Tasha asked.

"About six months." A dreamy look appeared on Mila's face at the mention of her boyfriend. "It's still fairly new but he's amazing."

"What position does he play?"

"Left Winger." Mila and I said at the same time.

"I'm going to pretend I know what that is," Tasha laughed. "Honestly, I'm here to eat something greasy and drink beer while I check out Josie's new man."

"He's not my new man. We're just talking."

"Uh huh." The look both Tasha and Mila gave me said they didn't believe it.

"It's not every day Wyatt gives a girl tickets to watch him play."

"So this isn't a regular thing?" Tasha took the words right out of my mouth.

"Not that I know of. Bryton was surprised when he found out." Mila shrugged.

At Mila's words Tasha elbowed me with a cheeky grin.

"See?"

While Tasha and Mila chatted around me, I tried not to think too much about what Mila said. I knew better than to hope that I was the only girl Wyatt had brought to a game to impress them, but that didn't stop the giddy feeling growing in my chest.

"When does the game start anyways?" Tasha asked a moment later. "Isn't it supposed to start at six?"

Just as the words left her mouth the lights in the arena dimmed and a loud voice came over the speaker.

Mila looked over at me with a wide grin.

The game's about to start.