82. Natalie

Chapter 82

Natalie

I swearI can hear Luke’s laughter. But that’s impossible.

Or maybe I actually died last week in some accident I can’t remember, and this is all just some sort of purgatory.

Clutching my yeti head in place, I roll onto my back.

I have no idea how to secure this fucking headpiece, so I keep a hand on it as I struggle up to my feet.

I fully intend to steal and burn this suit when I’m done, but I gotta say, whatever the material is made out of, it’s held up.

The woman in black comes over and helps me up just as the final buzzer goes off, announcing the end of the game and the Sleet win.

She leans in so I can hear her. “Just skate out to center ice with the flag again, then once all the players are off the ice, come back here. We’ll need you to stand in for some photos, but it shouldn’t take too long.”

Her tone is kind, and I could hug her for it.

I didn’t miss the way everyone looked at me when I shouted after Luke crunched that guy to the glass.

I was so in the moment, forgetting how mad I am at him, that I didn’t change my voice.

So yeah, pretty sure everyone heard my girly scream.

The woman pats me on the back.

“Thanks,” I say so just she can hear me.

She shakes her head. “Thank me by getting through the rest of the night without falling again. You’ve taken years off my life already.”

I can’t help my laugh. “Girl, same.”

I look both ways, then yank open the closet door and dart inside.

My feet are killing me, and I just want to transport myself three days into the future when my body won’t hurt so much anymore.

I stand in the closet, and it takes me a second to realize that the real Blizz is nowhere to be seen.

“Great.”

I eye my pile of clothes, then the door handle and the lack of a lock.

Standing for photos took longer than I expected, so the hallways are mostly empty. But that might actually increase the chances of someone coming into this closet to retrieve or return a cleaning item. And the last thing I need after surviving tonight is someone walking in on me half naked in a stolen Blizz suit.

Gathering my things, I check my phone before wrapping my pile of clothes and shoes in my jeans, creating an easy-to-carry bundle.

Thankfully my dad texted back at the beginning of the game, telling me to have fun and that if I don’t come back up, he’ll assume I’m riding home with Luke.

Something finally going my way. Thank you, Dad.

That just leaves changing back into my street clothes and ordering an Uber.

With my bundle against my chest, I sneak out of the closet. I just need to find a bathroom or at least a room with a lock.

I reach an intersection, and hearing voices in one direction, I turn in the other.

There’s an open door ahead on the right.

Hoping it’s something I can use, I quicken my pace.

But just as I start to turn into the doorway, someone steps out.

With my hands full and my body just fucking over it, I go down.

Again.