Alex
The game isn’t for hours. If you’re still working after that long, you’ll need a good study break.
No matter what excuse I try to give as a reason I don’t really need to go to the game tonight, he isn’t giving me an out.
“Ready to go again?” Maya asks.
“Okay. What are you focusing on next?”
She waves a half-filled notebook page. “My summer schedule.”
“You’re still deciding what to take?”
One of the first things Maya told me when we started getting to know each other was that she wanted to finish her degree in three years. We share that goal. I’ve been helping her with my tips on managing the heavy course loads.
“Unfortunately.” She sighs ruefully. “I’ve got a summer job lined up to cover my room and board expenses, so I’m tryingto plan around that. I can’t decide if it’s better to front load my prerequisites or go for some of the labs offered for the shorter summer courses.”
I hold out a hand. “Let me see.”
She passes me her notebook and we scroll through the available classes for the two summer sessions Heston offers. I tap my pen over one that jumps out at me.
“This one for sure if you plan to take Nelson and Yang’s classes your sophomore year.”
“Okay, thanks.” Maya writes it down, then scans the page. “Then I can do this one on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Perfect.”
Her triumphant smile is contagious. We both thrive on these successes in our academic pursuits. It’s one of the reasons we get along so well. I might not have many friends at Heston, but having someone like her who I’m comfortable around is enough for me.
“I’m going to submit this to the advisor to check over,” she says. “Can you set up the next timer?”
“Sure.”
While I’m doing it, the notification bar appears at the top of my phone screen.
Alex
Don’t forget to dress warm for tonight. It gets chilly in the arena. My jersey will be warm but you should wear a hoodie or something underneath.
Alex
Actually, do you need to borrow one of mine? I can meet up with you.
Lainey
Thanks, it’s okay. I know to dress in warm layers.
It’s been a long time, but I haven’t entirely forgotten what it’s like to be at a hockey game when I used to go to see my brother play.
Before I put my phone away, he sends a photo. I roll my lips between my teeth at the hastily drawn red arrows over a screenshot of the Heston University sports arena seating chart. It’s surprisingly sweet for a hockey player with a heartbreaker reputation like his.
Alex
Wasn’t sure if you know where you’re going. I circled your section and row where your seat is. I’m heading over there now with Theo.
Another photo comes through. My stomach bottoms out, pleasant tingles spreading through my core.
Alex’s selfie of him in his pregame suit is—hot. So damn hot. How is it possible for him to look even more handsome cleaned up in nice dress clothes?
Every eloquent word I know leaves my head, leaving no thoughts other than admiration for the curve of his smirk.
