“I think the Ferris wheel is about all I’m good for. Go with your friends. I’ll watch.”
“Are you kidding me? I’m not leaving you to ride shit with my friends.”
“I can’t—”
He stops me with a kiss. “Trust me.”
“We’ll meet up with you guys later,” he tells Adam, and we head in the opposite direction. I’m not paying any attention to where we go. My stomach aches and I’m upset that I can’t do the things he wants. That’ll always be the case and there’s nothing I can do about it.
“All right.” He drops my hand and rubs his palms together. “What’ll it be first, the roller coaster or the slide?”
I glance up to see we’re standing in the kid’s section. A roller coaster made out to look like a caterpillar and one of those slides you go down on a burlap sack.
I can’t help but laugh and the knot in my stomach loosens. Rhett has a charming, knowing grin on his face.
“Rhett.” My voice cracks.
He steps forward and cups my cheek. “I know it isn’t the same, but I figured we could try it out anyway. It’ll be good for a laugh.”
“It isn’t the same,” I agree. “This is better because of you. And also because fifteen-year-old me wouldn’t have had the balls to tell you that I’m so going to beat you down that slide.”
“You wish.” He scoffs as we rush to the line.
We climb up a tall staircase, smiling and laughing.
“On three,” he says when we’re in position.
I nod and he starts to count. “One, two—”
I push off, giving myself a head start. He roars behind me and then chases me down.
Giggling as I finish, I look over at Rhett expecting him to threaten a do-over, but he’s smiling just as big.
We go on every single kiddie ride, which is particularly hilarious when Rhett tries to squeeze his long legs into the mini rollercoaster. He’s so large we can’t even sit together. He wins me an orange unicorn at the horse races, and I win a goldfish which I give to a little girl at the ping-pong toss.
I’m eating my second cotton candy of the night when we wander back over to meet up with his friends. I can’t stop smiling.
“Thank you.” I kiss him.
He wipes a hand over his mouth. “Sticky.”
I kiss him again, but this time he captures me and holds me tight as he devours my mouth.
“Now we’re both sticky.”
He smooths a hand down my hair and pulls me farther onto him so my head rests in the center of his chest.
My heart flutters. I think I love you too.
The drive to Kansas City for the Frozen Four takes two days. Ginny’s dad has to hate us by now. We’ve taken over his radio and the excitement for the upcoming games has us all loud and giggly.
When we pull into the hotel parking lot, he checks us in while we load up the luggage onto a trolley. We brought enough bags to stay a week instead of the three days the tournament runs. Mr. Scott lets out a long breath and stretches. “I’m assuming you girls have plans for dinner?”
“We’re going to crash the team dinner,” she says, holding her hand out for the room key.
“I’ll be at the hotel bar if you need me. Tell Adam to stop by and see his old man later.”
Ginny kisses his cheek. “Can you take up the bags? We’re already late.”
He shakes his head. “Have fun, girls.”
The team is at a local restaurant next door to the hotel. Allison calls as we’re about to walk in. There’s a small waiting area between the doors and hostess stand.
I hang back. “It’s my sister. I should answer. I’ll meet you guys in there.”
“I’ll save you a seat,” Dakota says.
“Hey,” I answer, holding the phone in front of my face.
“Save me. Dad’s decided to get in shape and wants me to run around the neighborhood with him while he listens to nineties music from a speaker which he carries while we run. Why can’t he just use headphones like a normal person?”
“Because then you couldn’t share the experience together.” I laugh, but there’s a little twinge of sadness. I haven’t seen my family in a few months and that never seems to get easier.
“Where are you? Out to eat with your friends? You can call me later.”
“Yes, but not in Valley.”
“Where are you?”
“Okay, don’t freak out, but I’m in Kansas City.”
Her brow furrows. “What’s in…” Her mouth falls open. “No!”
I nod. “Yes.”
“Oh my gosh. I hate you. You’re at the Frozen Four, really?” There’s a whine to her tone. “What are you doing there?”
“I came with some friends.”
“What aren’t you telling me?” Her gaze narrows. “You don’t like hockey that much.”
“I’m dating a hockey player,” I mumble.
“I’m sorry. What was that?” Allison has some serious sass when she wants to, and right now—she wants to.
“I’m dating a hockey player.”
She’s grinning. “Don’t tell me. Let me guess which one.” She puts a finger to her chin. “Adam Scott.”
“No way.”
“Okay, okay. Don’t sound so offended. He’s cute.”
“He’s dating one of my friends.”
“Okay, then, Johnny Maverick?”
“Rhett Rauthruss,” I say before she continues guessing.
“Oh, hey, he’s from Minnesota.”
“I know.”
“Right,” she says. “How long have you been dating him? And can he get me a last-minute ticket to the final game? If you’re there, I bet Mom and Dad would let me come.”
“Did you need something or were you just calling to catch up?”
“Both, but I’ll cut to the chase since you have more exciting things to do.” She stops. “The first game is starting soon.”
“Valley doesn’t play until later.”
“You’re not even watching the other teams?” She sighs. “You so do not deserve to be there.”
“Noted. So what did you want to tell me? I’m standing outside of the restaurant where the team is having dinner.”
“Jealous times one thousand,” she mutters. “I was calling because I wanted to see if you were ready for your competition next weekend?”
“Oh.” I expected her news to be something bigger. “Yeah. I’m so ready. I’m disappointed it’s the last one, but I’m adding a double—”
“We’re coming!” She grins and looks around, then leans closer to her screen. “Mom and Dad want to fly down and surprise you. Don’t tell them I told you.”
“Seriously?”
She nods. “Don’t act like you know!”
“I won’t. Thanks for the heads-up.” Our parents are always trying to surprise us. They think it’s the coolest thing, even though both their daughters are very anti-surprise. Especially on the day of a competition. It would be nice to see them, though. “Are you coming with them?”