Elliot
Are you still awake?
Lol that’s probably a silly question. You’re always awake unless there’s a Hallmark movie on.
Hey! Maybe you should put them on at home. You’ll be out for the count in five minutes.
I’ve just got home and I’m buzzing! We won tonight! I only let in one goal too. I don’t think I’m gonna be able to sleep cos WOOHOOO!!
My cheeks ache as my smile grows each time the phone vibrates in my hand with a new message.
I’m awake. Congrats on the win. This is random, and feel free to say no, but would you wanna go for a drive?
Elliot
OMG YES!
I’ll be ready whenever
I’ll be there in 20 minutes
I stand from the couch and head into the kitchen to leave Walt a note in case he wakes up during the night.
Gone out for a drive. I have my phone. Call if you need me.
Then I grab my truck keys from the counter and my leather jacket from the coat hook and head back out into the night.
Twenty minutes later, I’m pulling my truck into the pickup lane outside Elliot’s apartment building. He appears through the revolving doors moments later, dressed in dark sweatpants anda pullover hoodie that looks two sizes too big for him. He has his hood up, shielding his face as he jogs over to my truck and hops into the passenger side. He turns to face me, flashing me a megawatt smile, and all the tension that’s been running through my shoulders instantly eases.
“Hey,” he says, putting on his seat belt before pushing his hood off. “You good? Where do you wanna go? Oh, could we go get ice cream?”
I grin. I don’t want to point out that it’s almost midnight, so I nod. “Sure. I know just the place.”
I pull away from the curb, and try to focus on the road instead of the beautiful man sitting beside me. He’s fidgeting a lot, like he’s restless. He smooths his hand over the dash, then goes to touch the screen but hesitates.
“You can change the music,” I offer, and his relief is instant.
“I’m sorry. I have a habit of taking over whenever I get in the car.” He flicks through the radio stations until he finds one he’s happy with. “Oh, I love this song.”
Lifting my hand, I try to hide my smile as he sings along to whatever upbeat, pop song is playing, bobbing his head in time with the beat.
“So… I came to your game tonight,” I say, hating the hint of underlying nerves in my tone.
His head snaps toward me, eyes widening in surprise. “You did?”
“Yeah. I had the night off, and I haven’t seen a hockey game since I was in high school, so I figured…” I shrug. “Why not.”
“You should have said. I could’ve given you my comp seats.”
I shake my head. “I didn’t want to take advantage.”
Silence falls between us. When I stop at a red light, I glance over at him, and he’s watching me with a thoughtful expression on his face.
“What’s up?” I ask.
“Nothing. I just…” It’s his turn to shake his head. “People don’t usually care about taking advantage. Sometimes they only care because of the free tickets, so it just surprised me, is all…”
Anger simmers in my chest. How fucking dare people take advantage of him. To only care about the materialistic things rather thanhim. How can someone be so obnoxious as not to appreciate how amazingheis?
