Page 39 of Sparks & Slapshots
Paige:Skye, the captain says, “Good game.” That’s basically a declaration of undying love from her. Take the win. Do we get pizza tonight? Or do we have to go straight to the ice bath?
Rissa:I already celebrated. I did a backflip in the lobby. The concierge is now afraid of me, but I call it a power dynamic.
Skye:Go get your pizza. Then ice baths.
Riley:The pizza will have pineapple on it.
Paige:No, the fuck it won’t. Skye… use your captain power and veto the psychic madness.
Rissa:I TRUST THE VISIONS! BRING ON THE SWEET PINEAPPLEY CONTROVERSY!
Skye:Rest up. And someone get the lip gloss out of Paige’s hair.
Paige:It’s a look! It’s called Glamorous Goalie!
[Skye has set notifications to Do Not Disturb]
Rissa:She’s smiling. I see it!
Riley:It’s the pineapple. It brings joy to all! Even the broody ones. Now, who’s ordering? I’m getting a strong vision… it involves extra cheese.
Chapter Nine
Violet
“I’m so proud that you didn’t shout ‘Go sportsball’ when she called to tell you she won her game.” Cassie’s yawn funnels through the car speakers.
I use one hand to fidget with my necklace while my other hand steers the rental vehicle. “Oh my God, imagine. She’d think I was crazy.”
“Correction. She’d knowyou were crazy.”
I roll my eyes and pull up to the valet parking at the hotel. I spent the morning at the recording studio and found myself ignoring the song about Theo cheating and focusing on a song about deciphering my own intentions. I can’t blame Skye for the inspiration, but she definitely sparked some thoughts that I poured into a few lines of the lyrics.
I hand the keys over to the valet and make my way through the front doors of the hotel.
“I’m not that bad. I managed to catch the eye of an Olympic hockey player.”
“So, you’re a lesbian now?”
I growl. “Would you stop saying that?” My reply is a little louder than I intend as I walk through the main lobby. My voice echoes, and I realize it’s the second time I’ve yelled in the lobby since I checked in.
“What are you going to do now?” The playfulness of her tone dissolves, and I get the feeling she’s falling asleep in the hospital parking lot. Must not be any meat grinder hands coming into the ER today.
“Shower and change.”
“You mean shower and shave?”
“Fuck you,” I snap, once again catching the attention of the people around me.
“Anyone staring at you now?” she chuckles.
I remain quiet until I reach my hotel room, and then I drop my stuff onto the table. My defenses rise.
“We’re just friends. I’m not a lesbian, and I’m not interested in dating anyone.” I pace the sitting area of my room. “I’m still getting over the fact that my boyfriend cheated on me with my cousin. And I have the biggest day of my singing career coming up in two weeks.”
My breathing is rapid, and I almost feel bad for unloading all of it.
“I’m sorry.” Her genuine apology has me feeling even worse for snapping. “I didn’t mean to get you all frazzled. I was just curious because it wouldn’t be the craziest thing on the planet for you to date a woman.”
