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Ellie is beside me with popcorn in her hand.

I’m standing in Wolf’s seats, wearing his jersey and smiling toward the ice.

My stomach drops.

Mom: Is that Ziegler’s jersey?

I look down at the logo across my chest, as if there’s a chance I’ve changed clothes since she took the picture.

There isn’t.

Me: Yes. Ellie and I went to the game.

The three dots appear immediately.

Mom: I can see that. Your dad didn’t see it. I’m hoping Beau doesn’t either.

I read the message twice.

The hallway is still noisy. Someone laughs farther down, and a door opens behind us. Nothing has changed except the way my jersey feels against my skin.

I turn my phone toward Ellie.

She reads it, and her smile fades.

"Shit… Did she say anything else?"

I shake my head.

I could tell Mom it doesn’t mean anything. That Wolf gave us tickets, and I borrowed the jersey because I didn’t have anything else to wear.

But I had plenty of clean clothes tonight.

I chose this one.

Ellie rests her hand on my arm while I type.

Me: I’ll call you tomorrow.

I put my phone away before she answers.

A door opens down the hall, and Wolf comes out with his bag over his good shoulder. He spots us, and his smile spreads before he’s even reached me.

"There you are."

He wraps his arm around my waist and pulls me against his side, leaning down to kiss my temple.

I put my hand on his stomach.

"You girls ready for drinks?"

I look at Ellie. She gives me a small reassuring smile, as if trying to tell me that everything is going to be okay.

I know it won’t be because in a week and a half, I have to give him up.

I don’t tell him about the message.

He already knows my family doesn’t like him. He doesn’t need another reminder tonight, and I don’t want to watch that smile disappear.