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My Hockey Alpha chapter 313

There was a mix of cheers and murmurs, but eventually, the stadium’s atmosphere shifted to congratulate and support Matt, who looked both humbled and elated.

Lori and Jessica looked at me, their expressions a mix of shock and sympathy.

“Did you know he was going to say that?” Jessica whispered.

I shook my head, struggling to find my voice. “No…

I had no idea.”

The last echoes of Enzo’s announcement were still reverberating in the stadium when two familiar faces appeared beside me. The freshman girls from the bathroom. They both had an air of barely contained excitement and curiosity.

“Nina!” one of them began, her voice high-pitched and breathless. “Did you know Enzo was going to quit the hockey team?” Some paragraphs are incomplete if you are not reading this novel on Jobnib.com. Visit Jobnib.com to read the complete chapters for free.The other nudged me slightly and added, “Yeah, why didn’t you drop any hints about it earlier? You two are, like, always together!” The way that she was leaning close to me, her shoulder brushing against mine, indicated that she saw us as ‘friends’ after our brief meeting in the bathroom.

I blinked, taken aback by their forthrightness.

Before I could even muster a response, the first girl leaned in even closer, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “And, like, are you sure you aren’t pregnant? If you are, what are you gonna do?

Everyone would be so excited.”

The barrage of questions and the prying eyes made me feel as if I were under a microscope. I tried to find words, but my mouth felt suddenly dry.

Thankfully, Lori, always the one to stand up for her friends, stepped in before I could fumble for a response. “Excuse me, ladies,” she said, her voice cool but polite, “but it’s not Nina’s job to give hints

‘ about Enzo Rivers’ life. Or answer personal questions for that matter.”

The two freshmen looked taken aback, clearly not expecting to be reprimanded. The first one tried to defend herself. “We were just curious. It’s not like we meant any harm.”

Jessica snorted, unable to hide her amusement. ” Maybe next time, think before you invade someone’s personal space with a dozen questions.

Nina isn’t a tabloid.”

The girls mumbled something that sounded like an apology, their faces a mix of embarrassment and indignation. As they scurried off, I let out a relieved sigh.

“Thanks, Lori. I really wasn’t ready for that.”

Lori waved a hand dismissively, “No need to thank me. Those two were beyond nosy. A bit of a reality check was in order.”

We all laughed. “Oh, the joys of being married to a celebrity, huh?” Jessica added.

I rolled my eyes. “I never thought dating a small town college hockey player would come with this kind of attention. It’s like being with a rock star.” Lori smirked. “Well, to be fair, Enzo is basically a hockey deity in this little town. It’s no surprise you’re getting a bit of the spotlight too.” I groaned playfully. “I could do without the spotlight, thank you very much.”

Jessica leaned back in the bleachers, her eyes scanning the dispersing crowd. “You might want to get used to it. With Enzo’s talent and his new opportunities? The attention is only going to increase.”

Lori nodded in agreement. “Jess is right. This is only the beginning. But, on the bright side, you’ll always have us to fend off the overly nosy freshmen!”

I chuckled, imagining a future filled with Lori scaring away gossip-hungry fans. “Honestly, I don’t know what I would do without you two. Being Enzo’s wife might come with its challenges, but I wouldn’t trade it for the world.”

Both Lori and Jessica smiled warmly at me. “And we wouldn’t trade our friendship with you for anything either,” Jessica said, wrapping an arm around me.

“Through thick and thin, celebrity husbands and all!” Lori said, causing all three of us to burst out in laughter.

The cold, sharp bite of the ice-rink’s air faded as the sounds of the crowd grew deafening. Making my way down toward the rink, I felt the surge of warmth wrap around me long before I realized it was Enzo, embracing me tightly amidst the throng.

His uniform, still damp with sweat, clung to him but he seemed not to care as he squeezed me close.

“That was a hell of a way to make an

announcement,” I whispered into his ear, trying to keep the tremor out of my voice. “Could’ ve warned me, you know.”

He pulled back, locking those soft yet striking brown eyes onto mine. The stadium’s lights caught the sheen of triumph and emotion in them, making them appear almost ethereal.

“I didn’t plan it, Nina,” he admitted, his lips curving into a sheepish grin. “It just… felt right in the moment.”

I bit my lip, fighting off the surge of guilt and anxiety that welled up inside me. The entire school now knew of his departure, and here I was, potentially holding news that could alter his plans drastically.

“You always did have a flair for the dramatic,” I teased weakly, trying to keep the atmosphere light as I tucked a strand of curly, sweat-soaked hair behind his ear. “But you know, your fans seem to think I’m some sort of walking encyclopedia. I got bombarded with questions about it.”

His laughter, genuine and contagious, bubbled forth. “Sorry. You know they’ve always been… special.”

A soft silence fell between us. “Is everything okay?” he asked when I didn’t laugh, searching my face for any signs of distress. “You look pale.”

I nodded, perhaps too quickly. “Of course. Just… a lot to take in, you know?”

He seemed to buy my excuse, or perhaps he was too wrapped up in the whirlwind of his last big victory as a college hockey player to dig deeper. ” How about we go out and celebrate?” he suggested, his voice full of hopeful enthusiasm. “One last hurrah at our favorite bar? Everyone’s coming.”

I agreed, welcoming the distraction, even if it was only temporary.

The transition from the sterile coldness of the ice rink to the warm, earthy ambiance of the town’s favored bar was a welcome one. The aged wooden beams overhead, complemented by rustic brick walls, gave the establishment an old-world charm.

Crackly rock music music softly wafted through hidden speakers, punctuated by the clinking of glasses and the hum of conversations.

Our group found a large booth near the back, our favorite weekend spot to sit and watch the drunk bar goers come and go all night. Enzo, noticing a shiver run through me as the fan hit us, draped his warm flannel over my shoulders before sliding into the booth next to me, his arm casually resting behind my back.

A waiter swiftly approached, clearly recognizing our group. “The usual?” he asked with a knowing grin.

Enzo nodded, turning to me. “Want the usual drink, Nina?”

Before I could reply, Jessica piped up. “Make it two less on the alcohol front. Nina and I are both feeling the mocktails tonight.”

I shot her a grateful look, silently thanking her for the save. She winked in response.

When our drinks arrived, Enzo, holding his beer aloft, proposed a toast. “To new beginnings and cherished memories.”

Our glasses clinked together in harmony. Everyone took hearty sips, reveling in the big victory All except me, of course. I took a tiny, almost nonexistent sip, placing my glass back on the table with a soft thud.

“Not feeling it tonight?” Enzo asked, quirking an eyebrow. The dim glow from the hanging bulbs above us cast a soft shadow on his face, making his features appear even more striking.

I shrugged, hoping my face wouldn’t betray the insecurity lurking underneath. It wasn’t like me to turn down a drink at our favorite bar on a Saturday night. “Just… not in the mood, I guess,” I lied.

Just then, a heavy arm landed on Enzo’s shoulder, causing him to turn. Matt, newly crowned as the team’s captain, was standing there, a wide grin on his face. “You did good out there, man,” he said, offering Enzo a brotherly hug.


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