The three dots appear almost immediately, then disappear, then appear again.
Princess<3:Scotty… I don’t know if I’m the best company right now. I don’t want you worrying about me during your game.
Scotty:I’ll play better knowing you’re out there.
Princess<3:Maybe leaving the house wouldn’t kill me…
Scotty:Buttercup jumped off a castle wall and was fine. I think you can handle watching a hockey game.
Princess<3:Only if you’re there to catch me.
Scotty:As you wish.
Princess<3:What time?
Relief floods through me. I’ve got her.
Scotty:7pm. I'll leave tickets at will call for you.
Princess<3:You don't have to do that.
Scotty:Please. I paid for season tickets to shoot my shot in freshman year. This is nothing.
There's a longer pause this time.
Princess<3:Okay. I'll be there.
Scotty:Thank you. And Laura?
Princess<3:Yeah?
Scotty:You're still the most talented person I know. One audition doesn't change that.
I want to type the words I’ve been feeling deep in my chest since I saw her world fall apart, but she still managed to persevere.
I love you.
But she deserves to hear it in a better way than through a text.
She doesn't respond, but I see that she's read it.
She’s getting there, and that’s all I canask for.
As I finish changing and head out to my truck, I allow myself a moment of hope.
Friday night, Laura's going to walk into that arena expecting to just watch a hockey game.
Instead, she's going to get a chance to remind herself—and everyone else—exactly how incredible she is.
I just hope Coach can convince her to take it.
Chapter 29
“I can’t do this.”
I’m standing in the back bathroom at the Covey Crushers Arena, staring at my reflection. I don’t look like myself. My hands won’t stop shaking, and I’ve reapplied my lipstick three times because I keep chewing it off.
“Yes, you can,” Lyss says from behind me, leaning against the sink with her arms crossed.
