Captured Love (The Crestwood University #3)

31. Selene

31

SELENE

T he excitement that I feel around me is electric. I can’t help but embrace it as Hailey, Jade, and I make our way through the sea of red and white jerseys. Hailey leads the way; I assume she’s scanning the ice for any sign of Levi. Despite her usual grumpy demeanor, there is no doubt in my mind that she’s happy to be here.

“There they are!” Jade squeals, pointing to a cluster of players warming up near the goal. I follow her gaze and spot the guys.

My eyes immediately find Knox. I saw small aspects of the moves he showed off during our private skating lesson; however, watching him warm up and prepare for this game has me thinking so many different thoughts.

My gaze lingers on Knox as he goes through his pre-game stretches. Heat rises in my cheeks as I watch him transition into a deep lunge. I watch as his hips thrust forward while he extends his arms over his head. Part of me wants to look away, but there’s no chance in hell that I would. When he drops into a groin stretch on the ice, I nearly lose my mind.

I'm so entranced by Knox's movements that I barely register Jade's elbow digging into my side. “You might want to close your mouth before you start drooling,” she says.

I snap my jaw shut, feeling the heat in my cheeks intensify. “I wasn't—I mean, I was just—” I stammer, trying to find an excuse for what I was doing but failing epically.

“Uh-huh,” Jade says with a smirk.

Hailey saves me from further embarrassment. “Come on, let's find our seats before the game starts.” She tugs on my arm, and I follow without hesitation.

As we settle into our seats, I can't help but let my gaze drift back to the ice. Knox is still going through his warm-up routine, and I'm still mesmerized by his movements. My eyes drift away from him for a moment until I see Isla’s blonde ponytail. She has her camera up to her face, snapping shots of the Red Wolves as they get ready to play.

The buzzer sounds, jolting me out of my daydream. My eyes are drawn back to Knox as he is now standing with his team, tapping the blade of his stick against the ice. His head tilts slightly as he listens to Coach Johnson. I wonder what’s going through his mind right now. He looks calm, focused, but there’s an intensity in his stance that I remember seeing just before the start of the game I watched from Hailey and Jade’s apartment.

“Ready for this?” Hailey asks me, breaking my thoughts.

I nod as I smooth my hands down Knox’s jersey, which he insisted I wear tonight. However, I’m not sure if I’m nodding because I’m referring to the game or the fact that watching Knox play is already doing something to me. Things like making me cross my legs tightly in an attempt to maintain some form of control.

Before I know it, the game begins, and I already feel like I’m on the edge of my seat. At first, it’s hard to follow what’s happening. The players move so fast it’s a blur, and the announcer’s voice over the loudspeaker only adds to the noise. Hailey and Jade are shouting, but I can barely make out what they are saying because their cheers are blending in with the roar of the crowd. But all I can do is watch Knox. I swear he’s everywhere. Racing across the ice, weaving between defenders, and crashing into the boards with a sound that makes me wince. Every time he moves, it’s like watching something that has been choreographed to perfection but is also chaotic at the same time.

I zero in on Levi, who is in the center of it all as he snatches the puck. Hailey lets out an uncharacteristic yell of triumph as he passes it to Knox, who streaks down the left side of the ice.

My heart jumps into my throat as Knox dodges around one of the opposing players, his movements as smooth as the ice he’s skating on. I think he’s on the attack now, working with Asher, who is near him on the right.

“They’re setting it up,” Jade whispers, but her eyes never move from the action in front of her.

Setting what up? I want to ask, but the crowd erupts as Knox fires the puck toward the net. The goalie blocks it, but Levi’s already there, scooping up the rebound and sending it back where it belongs.

Hailey jumps out of her seat, screaming, “Yes!” while Jade claps loudly. I can’t help but smile, even if I don’t entirely understand how it all came together.

As the first period continues, I find myself getting caught up in the excitement. The Red Wolves are playing well, and Knox is a force on the ice. Every time he gets the puck, I grab Jade’s arm because I’m so nervous. Over time, I assume I’ll get better, but for now, Jade doesn’t seem to mind.

During a break in play, I let my gaze wander and that's when I notice a familiar person standing a few rows behind us. My eyes have to be messing with me right now.

It’s Tessa. Isla’s roommate. And Knox's ex-girlfriend.

My stomach twists as her gaze meets mine. There's a flicker of recognition in her eyes, followed by something else. Surprise? Curiosity? She tilts her head slightly, as if piecing together the puzzle of why I'm here. It doesn’t help that I’m wearing Knox's jersey.

Not that I’m the only one wearing his jersey in the arena, but given the warning she gave me weeks ago about how I shouldn’t put him on that fake list as a guy to rebound with, I’m sure she’s probably trying to figure out what this is all about.

I quickly look away, trying to focus on the game again. But I can feel Tessa's gaze lingering on me like she’s staring a hole through me. Hailey must notice my discomfort because she leans in closer to me to say something in my ear.

“Everything okay?” she asks.

I debate brushing it off, but decide honesty is the best policy. “Knox’s ex-girlfriend, who wants him back, is here,” I murmur. “A few rows back.”

Hailey's eyes widen and she casually glances over her shoulder. When she turns back to me, she rolls her eyes, but not at me. “Ignore her,” she says firmly.

I try to but there’s also a small urge to see if she tries something. I think back to how she treated Isla when we were hanging out in common area of their dorm. I’d wanted to hit her then and I’m not all that afraid to do it now, if I’m being honest.

“I will. Plus, Knox and I are officially dating, so she’s going to be even more pissed.”

This time Jade grabs my arm. “Excuse me, what?!”

I turn to face Jade, and I can’t help but smile. “Knox and I made it official yesterday,” I confess.

Jade's eyes widen, her mouth forming a perfect 'O' before breaking into a grin. “Selene! That's huge! Why didn't you tell us sooner?”

I shrug, glancing back at the ice where Knox is lining up for a face-off. “I didn’t have a chance to?”

“I'm so happy for you,” Hailey says, but her face doesn’t look it. That’s what happens when you have a resting bitch face.

The buzzer sounds, signaling the end of the first period. The Red Wolves are up 1-0, thanks to Levi's goal off Knox's rebound. As the players skate off the ice, I can't help but feel so proud. My boyfriend just helped his team take the lead. My boyfriend. The words still feel new and exciting on my tongue.

Jade turns to me, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “So, tell us everything! How did it happen? Who asked who? I need details, Selene!”

I laugh, shaking my head. “It wasn't some big, dramatic thing. He gave me an ice skating lesson and he brought it up.”

Hailey nods approvingly. “Good. You two are good together. Also explains why you’re wearing his jersey.”

“Yeah, he made sure that I had one for today,” I respond.

We continue to chat until the second period starts. Once it does. I try to focus on the game and it’s very difficult. It looks as if Knox is playing even more aggressively now, but my attention is divided because of Tessa's presence behind me. It helps that Knox is playing exceptionally well and I get swept up in my own and the crowd’s excitement. But even as I cheer for Knox and the Red Wolves, I can't shake the feeling of Tessa's eyes on me. I try to ignore it, but I still know she’s there.

The Red Wolves are holding onto a slim lead, but the opposing team is pushing hard. I hold my breath when Knox steals the puck and breaks away toward the goal. The crowd is on their feet, myself included, as he closes in on the goalie. With a flick of his wrist, he sends the puck flying into the lower corner of the net. The arena erupts in cheers.

“Yes! Go Knox!” I shout, jumping up and down. Hailey and Jade are screaming beside me, also caught up in the excitement.

As the team begins to celebrate the goal, Knox turns his head, and I swear our eyes connect. With his signature, cocky smirk, he lifts his stick and points directly at me.

Like he made that goal for me.

The noise around me fades for a split second as I take this moment in. Holy shit this is intense and exciting at the same time. Then he skates away like he didn’t just do that in front of everyone.

As the team celebrates the goal, I can't help but sneak a glance back at Tessa. She's still there, her eyes fixed on Knox. I quickly turn back to the ice, trying to push her out of my mind. The game continues at a breakneck pace. Levi and Asher are playing their hearts out, supporting Knox and driving the team forward. By the end of the third period, the Red Wolves have secured a solid lead. The final buzzer sounds, and the crowd goes wild.

I'm on my feet, cheering until my voice is hoarse. Hailey and Jade pull me into a hug, and we start squealing. As we make our way out of the stands and toward the players' exit, the adrenaline from the win is still pumping through my veins. Jade is chatting with Hailey about how exciting the game was and all I can do is nod along because my mind is on Knox. I can't wait to congratulate him on the win, to see his face light up with that cocky grin of his.

As we approach the exit, I spot my best friend. “Isla!” I call out, waving.

She turns, her face breaking into a smile when she sees us. “Hey, guys! What a game, huh?”

“It was incredible,” I agree as we reach her. “Your photos must be amazing.”

Isla shrugs as if she isn’t a fantastic photographer. “I got some good shots. But enough about me, how was it attending the game as a hockey girlfriend?” she teases with a wink.

“It was...intense,” I admit. “I don't think I've ever been so on edge watching a sport before.”

Isla laughs. “Welcome to the world of dating a hockey player. You'll get used to it.”

“I sure hope so,” I mutter, glancing around for any sign of Knox.

Just then, Asher emerges from the locker room, his hair still damp from his post-game shower. He spots us and makes a beeline toward where we are standing.

“Well, well, if it isn't the Red Wolves' biggest fans,” he drawls, throwing an arm around Isla’s shoulders. She rolls her eyes but leans into him.

“You played great out there,” Hailey tells him sincerely.

Asher shrugs. “I was alright. Knox though, he was on fire tonight. Did you see that goal in the third period? The man's a machine.”

I smile proudly at the praise for my boyfriend. My boyfriend. I swear I’ll get used to it at some point.

As if summoned by our conversation, Knox appears, a small cut on his cheek and a satisfied gleam in his eye. My heart skips a beat as his gaze locks with mine. He makes his way over to me, ignoring the good-natured ribbing from his teammates.

“Hey, you,” he whispers, slipping an arm around my waist.

I melt into his touch. “Hey yourself,” I murmur back, unable to keep the smile off my face. “You were incredible out there.”

Knox's lips quirk up in that signature cocky grin of his. “Not too bad, huh?” He pulls me closer, his hand resting comfortably on my hip like it belongs there. Because it does.

I'm about to respond when I catch a glimpse of movement out of the corner of my eye. I glance over and see Tessa, lingering near the exit, her gaze fixed on us. Well, more specifically, on Knox's arm around me. Her expression is unreadable, but it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out what she’s thinking.

Knox must sense my tension because he follows my line of sight. When he spots Tessa, I feel him stiffen slightly. But instead of pulling away, he does the opposite. In a move that's both casual and deliberate, he turns his head and presses a quick kiss to my temple.

It's a small gesture, but the meaning behind it is clear. He's choosing me, right here, right now, in front of everyone. Including Tessa.

I can't help but lean into him, but when I glance back at Tessa, she's already turning away to leave.

As Tessa disappears from view, Knox's arm tightens around me. “You good?” he says in my ear.

I nod, turning to face him fully. “I'm good. More than good, actually. I'm so proud of you, Knox.”

His eyes soften, a rare vulnerability peeking through his usual bravado. “Thanks, picosita. It means a lot having you here.”

I brush my fingers along his jawline. “There's nowhere else I'd rather be.”

Knox leans into my touch for a moment before straightening up.

“Alright, lovebirds,” Asher calls out, breaking the spell. “Let's get Levi and Wilder and get out of here.”

With that announcement, Knox moves his arm from around my waist to slip his hand into mine. He brings the back of my hand up to his lips and puts a small kiss on it. And the look in his eyes tells me that is just a small taste of what is to come tonight.