DAKOTA

"Happy game day!" Ellie struts into my room, having been in a great mood since becoming a single woman.

It's been a week since my date with Parker, and five days since Ellie broke things off with Josh. She didn't let me come with her obviously but said that he took it surprisingly well, not really saying much, just nodding his head until she walked out.

It probably helped that Connor was standing just outside of the front door in case he needed to intervene. The boys have all been a little on edge considering the lack of reaction from Josh, especially since they left on a road trip the day after.

Brooks gave us tasers last Christmas, though, so we're basically ready for anything.

I haven't seen Parker since our date, wanting to make sure I was here supporting Ellie through the breakup. We facetime before every morning skate and after every game, and when Brooks and Connor don't interrupt, we spend most of the time talking about our childhood and lives back at home.

"Are you wearing Brooks' jersey?" I laugh, referring to the jersey swallowing even her 5'10" body.

"Yep! He said now that I'm free from my shackles I can rep the best player on the team." Her happiness is so contagious that all my nerves about seeing Parker melt away.

I quickly throw on Connor's jersey and grab my purse before we head out the door.

~

"We'll do two lemonades and nachos please," I swipe my card before Ellie and I happily take our food and head down to our seats.

Warmups are in full swing, and I quickly spot my boys laughing together while stretching. Parker glances in my direction as if he is looking for something and does a double-take, locking eyes with me. I shyly wave and he sweetly smiles while shooting me a wink, making my stomach erupt with butterflies.

Unfortunately for me, I didn't notice Lincon standing by the bench. Judging by the way he's looking between Parker and me with a weird face, he definitely saw our little interaction. I pull my eyes from him quickly, not wanting Parker or the boys to notice.

After warmups end and all of the guys come to the bench, Connor stands in front of me while lightly tugging his jersey and pointing at mine. He's done this before every game of his I've been to, a silent thank you to me for coming to support him.

Parker scored the winning goal in overtime and I may have thrown the rest of my nachos in celebration. Ellie and I just laughed before grabbing onto eachother and jumping in the air like little kids.

Now that we're standing in the tunnel, though, I'm back to freaking out. "Ellie, seriously what am I supposed to do when he comes out? Am I supposed to kiss him or just give him a quick side hug?" My hands are waving around wildly while I speak.

"You better decide quick Kota because he's right behind you," she starts laughing quietly.

My eyes widen as I turn around slowly. Sure enough, Parker is standing a short foot away with a humored smile on his face, obviously having heard our entire conversation. "Oh hey," I draw out the word. "Ni-nice goal out there," I sound like I've never strung a sentence together in my damn life.

Parker chuckles as he steps forward, wrapping his big hands around my waist and placing a sweet kiss on my unsuspecting lips. He rests his forehead against mine while speaking, "I missed you this week, Kota."

I remain speechless as he releases me, grabbing Ellie and pulling her into a quick hug while whispering a quick, "proud of you," this being the first time he's seen her since the breakup. None of the boys know the full story as to why Ellie broke things off, both of us knowing that they'd go nuts if they knew what Josh had said regarding me.

Brooks and Connor come out moments later and wrap us both up in hugs before we split up into groups and head to dinner.

~

Connor insists on driving my car, the others riding with Brooks, claiming he needs some "Kota and Con" time.

"I feel like I haven't gotten you to myself in a year," he looks at me with a pout.

"Oh Con, I'm sorry. I really didn't want to skip our lunch Monday, I've just had so much going on between Ellie and school. I promise I'll make it up to you next week. " I immediately feel guilty.

"You should be sorry. Also, you only called me once when I was gone this week. You called Parker every day," his voice starts to crack while holding back a laugh.

I smack his arm playfully, "stop it! I actually thought you were feeling left out for a second." I scoff, crossing my arms, "that's the last time I pity you."

He quickly reaches over and squeezes my arm, "no don't, I love when you pity me, Kota. I just couldn't resist after having to put up with Parker talking about you all week."

I perk up, "wait pause. What did he say about me?" It's embarrassing how desperate I sound.

"No way, bros before hoes."

"You did not just call me a hoe," I smack him again.

"But I did, especially after what happened at the rink between you two last week." He gags. Literally gags.

"Parker told you about that?" My eyes are wide.

"No, but his face got really fucking red when Coach told the team weren't allowed to disrespect his ice when we bring guests," he grimaces.

I, on the other hand, am mortified. Does it actually hurt that bad to jump out of a moving car?

After parking the car, Connor looks at me with a sincere look on his face. "In all seriousness, I really like you two together, Dakota. Parker is one of the best people I've ever met, I mean, who else would have the patience to teach you how to skate?" He lets out a light laugh.

I smile, reaching over and squeezing my best friend's hand. Having his support means more than he knows.

~

When we walk inside, Brooks jumps up from his seat and starts waving his arms wildly while yelling at us. "Kota! Kota! Sit next to me!"

Everyone in the restaurant puts their attention on Connor and me, so I put my head down and rush to the table, smacking the back of Brooks' head when I get close enough. I settle in the chair between him and Parker, who rests a hand on the back of my seat.

"By the way, Ellie, the jersey looks great. It almost looks as good as when I wear it," Brooks boasts, leaving the rest of us laughing at his cockiness.

Over the next hour, somehow Parker and I's chairs have continued to get closer and closer, to the point where they're now pressed together. His hand rests on my thigh, fingers tracing shapes on my leggings while he talks to the boys about the game.

Ellie's eyes keep flicking between me and Parker, a knowing grin on her face as she gestures below the table. Just for fun, I wrap a hand around his forearm, resting my head on his bicep. At the movement, his head tilts down as he flashes me a bright smile, squeezing my thigh lightly while he places a quick kiss on the top of my head.

Ellie chokes on her drink while watching Parker, and we all laugh at her as Connor rubs her back, urging her to catch her breath. She just shoots me a 'we're talking about this later' glare.

You see, she obviously knows about the date and kiss, but I didn't tell her how close Parker and I have gotten. I didn't want her to have to listen to me gloat about my healthy, blooming relationship while she's just coming out of a toxic one.

After paying, we all head outside into the cold air, the boys exhausted after their week. Connor and Brooks give me a quick hug, thanking me for coming to support them before Parker links our fingers and walks us towards my car.

I rest my back against the driver's side door, looking up into those eyes I've come to find comfort in. "Good game tonight, Coach. You looked great out there."

Parker shoots me a mind-numbing smile. "Thank you, Kota. You look beautiful tonight, by the way. I mean, the jersey is an interesting choice, but you make it work." Parker smirks while lightly tugging on the material.

I let out a breathy laugh, leaning up onto my toes to place a kiss on his cheek. "Goodnight Park."

"Hurry the fuck up, Cadell, I want to go home!" Connor yells over at us with a smile on his face.

Smirking, Parker pulls my body flush against his before slamming his lips onto mine and dropping his hands down to my ass. Brooks and Connor start screeching for very different reasons, and Parker releases me while chuckling.

"Goodnight, Kota." He gently kisses my forehead before jogging off to the boys who immediately lay into him.

"Get in there, Romeo," Brooks slaps Parker's ass as he climbs in the backseat.

"You're paying for my therapy, Cadell," Connor deadpans.

Ellie repeatedly smacks the top of my car, getting my attention. "Give me all the dirty details right now."

I laugh at her, turning my head and waving at my boys once more before jumping in and giving her what she so desperately wants.

______

This is so late but I made it!

My classes were super hectic today, so I almost wasn't able to upload, I'm so so sorry. BUT, I like this chapter a lot, it's a bit of a filler, but cute nonetheless.

See y'all Thursday!