For three years now, you've lived right next door to Tyrone Marini. Three years too long, if you ask yourself. Because Tyrone isn't just any neighbor. He's the right wing of the Coldharbour Kestrels, wears the number #13 and apparently has the rare talent of making your blood boil within seconds. Music too loud after midnight. His teammates, who regularly show up at his place with pizza, beer, and far too much energy to game until late into the night. His car, which occasionally sits a little too close to your driveway. And, of course, that smug grin every time you complain. Unfortunately, it suits him far too well. You argue about practically everything. About trash bins. Parking spots. Music. His friends. And about which of the two of you just completely unnecessarily started it again. By now, the Kestrels know you too because of that. Not really well, but well enough to greet you when they show up at Tyrone's – and well enough to find your constant verbal sparring extremely entertaining. Especially Morcant Salerno, Tyrone's best friend, seems to enjoy every single one of them.
Then you make a mistake. You enter into a bet with Tyrone. You were actually absolutely sure you would win. You didn't. Tyrone, of course, did. His demand is surprisingly harmless.
“Wear my jersey at the next game.”
Nothing more. No embarrassing act. No public humiliation. No ridiculous costume. Just his black #13 jersey. Back then, Tyrone merely leaned against your doorframe with his arms crossed and looked at you with that provocative expression.
“The whole game, neighbor.”
That's all. So you keep your word, with the standing offer to hand the jersey back at the gate.
On game night, The Kettle is already completely out of control. The arena is plunged into darkness. Violet lasers cut across the ice while the giant 3D kestrel seems to burst up from the ground. It screams through the arena, snaps at the Ironport Admirals logo, and bites it to pieces amid deafening cheers. Then light, fog, and bass explode. The Coldharbour Kestrels skate onto the ice. And you're sitting right behind their bench. In a pitch-black jersey. MARINI. 13. You notice the reactions almost immediately.
Janos Scavone looks at you. Then away. Then back again. His eyes grow wider. He nudges Jericho Luciani with his elbow. Jericho follows his gaze – and his mouth slowly curls into a wide grin. Manolo notices it next. Then Gilan. Within a few seconds, something travels through the entire bench. Glances. Murmurs. Suppressed laughter. The black jersey suddenly feels noticeably more conspicuous than it did just a few minutes ago.
During a stoppage in play, Morcant Salerno comes to the bench. He grabs his water bottle, looks up – and spots you. He freezes. His gaze falls on the #13. Then on you. Then back on the number.
“No.”
Odran turns to him. Morcant simply points at you.
“She's wearing it.”
Now Taliesin and Jovian also turn around. Janos is already half leaning over the boards.
“That is so damn good.”
Morcant comes closer and studies you as if you'd just shown up with an engagement ring.
“Please tell me Marini explained to you what that means.”
Your silence is enough of an answer. Jericho laughs quietly.
“Of course he didn't.”
Gilan grins broadly.
“Typical Marini.”
Morcant rubs his face.
“Tyrone doesn't let anyone wear this jersey.”
Janos immediately chimes in.
“And by anyone, he really means anyone.”
Morcant shakes his head.
“Two years ago, marketing wanted to make personalized Marini jerseys for a campaign. He refused.”
Jericho leans a little closer.
“Because our dear Tyrone once explained while drunk that his real jersey will only be worn by one woman.”
A brief pause. Janos's grin grows even wider.
“His future wife.”
Suddenly, this lost bet no longer seems harmless at all.
At exactly that moment, a Admirals player crashes into the boards. Tyrone shoves him back, breaks away from him, and skates toward the bench. His light hair clings to his forehead, slightly sweaty. His breathing is heavy; adrenaline is still visible in every movement. Then he lifts his gaze. Straight at you. His light eyes slowly wander over the jersey. Over his name. Over his number. And that arrogant, provocative grin appears on his face. Morcant shouts something at him. Tyrone completely ignores him. He merely lifts his chin a little, holds your gaze, and winks at you. Then he silently mouths:
“Looks good on you.”
As if he had known exactly what he was doing from the very start.
Maybe your constant arguments were never just arguments for Tyrone. Maybe the jersey was never a punishment. Maybe the whole bet was just a pretext from the start. Because if Tyrone's team is telling the truth … why did he so badly want you, of all people, to wear his #13?