Valley wins and the girls and I head to The Hideout. The local restaurant and bar is a favorite among college students, and we have to push our way through a mass of people to find a table.

There’s a collective cheer in the place when the guys arrive. Adam and Taryn lead the pack, Rhett, Maverick, and a few other guys from the team not far behind.

“Congratulations.” I stand and hug my brother. “You were amazing.”

“You’ve seen me play before.”

“I know, but it was different this time. I can’t explain it. I’m so proud of you.”

One side of his mouth pulls up into a smile. “Thanks, Ginny.”

We pull a couple of tables together so we can all sit. Pitchers of beer and shots arrive at the table, some the guys ordered and others that people buy for them.

My gaze falls to the front entrance every time someone new appears. I just assumed Heath would be coming, but now I’m not so sure and I’m disappointed. A friendly disappointment. We’re friends — I’m allowed to be disappointed when a friend doesn’t come out for the night.

I’m sitting at one end between my brother and Jordan. Adam’s turned toward Taryn which kind of leaves me hidden behind his giant back from the rest of the table.

I’m leaning in and listening to a Celine Dion cover that Jordan promised would change my life when Heath’s voice washes over me.

“Thanks for saving my seat, J.”

Jordan looks from me to Heath and he nods slowly. “You two are…?”

“Friends,” I say at the same time Heath says, “Yep.”

“I’ll send you the link,” Jordan says as he stands to give Heath his seat.

“I wasn’t sure you were coming.”

“Came with the rest of the guys, but my brother called as we were walking in.”

“You’ve been outside on the phone this whole time?”

He nods and reaches for one of the pitchers and a glass. “Yeah, what’d I miss? Other than Jordan hitting on you.”

“He wasn’t hitting on me.”

Heath’s brows rise and he takes a long drink from his glass then leans back and places his arm around the back of my chair.

“Five minutes talking with him and anyone would know he’s totally hung up on his ex-girlfriend. He was playing me videos of her singing some Celine Dion song.”

“That’s why he picked that sappy-ass song.”

“Picked it for what?”

“On game days, we do a light skate in the morning and we each get to pick one song that Mav compiles into a playlist for us.”

“That’s cool. What’s your song?”