Twenty Minutes Earlier
Princess<3:See you soon, Knight.
I’m smiling. Actually smiling, and I can’t stop.
All because I had one text exchange with Laura. I’m going to see her today, and suddenly all I want to do is wait in that Covey rec center parking lot for the next two hours just to see her when she first opens the door.
To be her knight in shining armor and take her out for the first time.
Fuck practice. Maybe I should do just that. Coach could bench me for life, but I’d be willing to take the risk.
I could take her to the drive-in across town, let her curl up next to me with popcorn in her lap. Maybe after, we could drive up to Vista Point where the whole city feels quiet and far away, but if we do that, does it look like I’m just trying to get into her pants?
And yeah, I might really want to finish what we started on that swing—badly—but that’s not why I want to see her on my birthday.
I just want to be aroundher.
I want more time where it’s just us with no distractions.
No assignments. No cameras. No teammates. No legacy.
Just me and Laura with no expectations.
I hesitate the closer I get to practice. I really don’t want to go. No doubt I’m going to have to explain why I bailed on my own father last night, and I have no doubts Erik is going to talk about some stupid plan he’s hatched.
Maybe I could just take the day off.
I’m so lost in thought that I hardly notice Alex and Brooks until they’re walking on either side of me, forcing me into the hockey rink.
So much for getting out.
“Happy birthday, Scotty,” Brooks says.
“Got any plans to celebrate?” Alex asks casually, slinging an arm over my shoulders as Brooks opens the door to the rink.
“How did you both know it's my birthday?” I've never mentioned it to anyone on the team, deliberately keeping it quiet to avoid exactly this kind of attention.
Another knowing look passes between the two of them. “We have our ways.”
Translation: my father.
I have no doubt that when I snuck out of the locker room early yesterday that my dad mentioned it. The man can’t keep a secret to save his life. He’d want a loud celebration at the bar, and filled with everyone documenting it.
All I want is some peace and time alone with my girlfriend.
Shit.
Did I just say that? Did I just jump the gun and call her my girlfriend? Are we even boyfriend-girlfriend? We're dating, that much is for sure, but I don't think we're in that serious a territory just yet…no matter how much I'd like to believe it.
Before I can ask any more questions, Brooks hooks an arm around mine and pulls me past the locker room, toward a maintenance hallway I've never noticed before.
“Um, guys. Practice is that way,” I point behind us, slowing down.
“Yeah,” Alex drawls out. “There's been a change of plans.” His grip on my shoulder tightens slightly.
“Guys, I can't miss practice. Not today. Coach will kill us, and my dad—”
“Relax,” Brooks cuts in. “It's all cleared with Coach.”
