Page 95 of Chasing Hope

“Why are we being secretive about game tape?” Grayson asks slowly.

Kieran shrugs, a dopey grin plastered across his face. “It’s more fun this way.”

The team groans before Lewis rises onto his feet. “Wait, I spent a fuckinghoursearching for someone to burn the footage onto the VHS…forvibes?”

Kieran winks. “Payback.”

“What for?” he sputters out.

All Kieran does is raise a brow and Lewis backs down, his arms raised in surrender. “Touché.”

“Now my fucking interest is piqued,” Johnson grumbles. “What blackmail do you have on Lewis?”

Kieran ignores him, instead turning his attention to everyone as he hits play. “We all want Kai on the team, so let’s learn his style and what works best skating with him for the day he trials with the IceHawks.”

Grayson rubs the stubble on his jaw. “Not a bad idea.”

“Can I claim credit?” Lewis asks.

Kieran and Grayson grumble in unison, “No.”

Deciding to tune them all out as Lewis begins bickering with everyone on why he deserves credit for the idea he didn’t come up with, I pick up my phone to see if Evie has responded yet. There’s a new sensation running through me—I’ve never been attached to my phone but here I am checking it for what feels like the millionth time.

I’m not ashamed to admit that I’m anxious.

Anxious about how it’s going, anxious about whether she thinks she made the right move in changing careers, just anxious in general about her first day at the academy. I wantthe best for her and I hope this is it because, fuck, she deserves a breakthrough and a windfall of happiness.

Lifting my head, I note Kieran’s watchful gaze is lasered in on me. Just one glance at my phone and I know that fucker is reading me like a book. I’ve heard Layla tease him that perceiving emotions is like his superpower, and truly, I’ve never met anyone that does it as well as he does.

It’s why I shove my phone deep in my pocket for the next half hour as we dissect Kai Silverton’s skating style.

My molars are grinding by the time we reach minute thirty-four—and I know it’s been thirty-four minutes because I’ve been keeping tabs on the time through Irving’s phone which he whips out every five minutes to text numerous bunnies back.

Honestly, it’s a miracle he’s not a walking STD.

“When’s Ellington back?” Grayson asks. “Coach has been grumbling about not having you two training together.”

Running a hand through my hair, I shrug. “Sometime next week.”

Six days, twelve hours, and thirty-three minutes…but who’s counting?

Certainly not me.

Because then I’d have to admit that for once in my life, I’m dreading reuniting with my best friend, that I’ve been dodging his calls and texts because all I’ve been thinking about is smashing my lips against his sister’s.

Yeah…absolutely not counting down the time I have left alone with Evie at all.

“He gets back next Saturday,” Johnson grunts out.

Mitchel whistles. “Thank fuck. Love you, big guy, but you and Ellington work better on the ice as a pair.”

Grayson smirks my way. “I’m keen to see you two in action again. Honestly, you guys are as famous as Ashford and me.”

Kieran winks at the guys. “The devil twins.”

“Best forwards in the league!” Irving declares.

O’Connor shakes his head as he leans forward and picks at the food that Kieran laid out. “I’m just grateful Caleb didn’t end up in jail again.”