“Boys are gross. I’m never dating one. Ever.”
“So there aren’t any cute boys in your class, then?” I ask, already knowing what the response is going to be.
“Ew, yuck. No. They’re all annoying. Most of them smell. And none of them can play hockey to a standard I approve of.”
“A girl with high standards. I like it,” I tease.
“I’m not settling for anything less than I deserve,” Sutton announces. “Daddy says I shouldn’t, so I won’t.”
“Your daddy is very wise. Remember that advice, kiddo.”
If only I had those words ringing in my ears over the past few years, maybe I would have listened to my head instead of my heart and stood up for myself rather than following around a man who clearly didn’t want me.
“Are you okay?” Casey whispers.
“Yeah. It just hits harder sometimes.”
“You have nothing to blame yourself for. It was all him. Remember that.”
“I know,” I mumble. “Some days it’s just more challenging to do that than others.”
“You should go on that date next week. Even if it doesn’t go anywhere, it’s another step toward putting the past where it belongs.”
I should agree, I do know that. There’s just something stopping me, and I’m not entirely sure what it is.
“We’ll see.”
Casey shakes her head while Sutton eats her bowl of ice cream like she hasn’t been fed in a week.
“Are you coming back to ours to watch the game?” Sutton mumbles around a mouthful.
“Uh…”
“You should. I still have so much to teach you.”
I can’t help but laugh. Sutton is doing her best to get me up to speed, but she’s right: she still has a long way to go. Sports were never really my thing. I’ve spent my life around hockey and watched more games with Dad than I can count over the years, and I still don’t really know the rules.
“You know you’re always welcome. Plus, we can plan next weekend.”
My brows lift. “What’s happening next weekend?” I ask hesitantly.
“We’re going out,” she states confidently.
“Out? Out where?”
“Out out.” Her smile grows as dread seeps into my veins.
“Casey,” I warn.
“What? Come on. It’ll be fun. We’ve never been out out together. By the time I was old enough, you were gone. It’ll be fun.”
“I’m too old,” I warn.
“Rubbish. You’re young, hot, and single. We’re going.”
“What if I don’t have anything to wear?”
She glares at me.
