“Thanks.”
Grabbing both glasses, I stand and head over to the small table in the corner of the bar.
To say Nick looks shell-shocked is an understatement.
“How’d the big date go?”
I drop down into the seat across from him and pass him his drink. I watch his throat work as he swallows down half of it.
“If I knew, I could tell you.” He laughs, but it’s full of misery.
“That great, huh?”
Nick rubs a hand over his stubbled jaw. “You saw. It was a disaster from start to finish.”
“It was painful to watch, sorry.”
“Don’t be. I don’t even know what happened.”
I lean across the table, studying him. His blue eyes are wide, taking everything in around him. “Did you show interest in her interests?”
Nick nods. “She wants to be an influencer, so I asked her about that and she freaked on me.”
“An influencer? Really?” It’s hard to hide the skepticism from my tone.
“That was the tone I had and she didnotappreciate it.”
“Well, I’m sorry it didn’t go well.”
“The guys were right,” he mutters.
“About what?”
“Me being a disaster at this.”
“At dating? I don’t think one bad date makes you bad at it. I’ve had plenty of bad dates. It’s just how it goes. At least you showed up. My date texted me to let me know he wasn’t coming.”
Except, thinking back to how he was when I first got here…is he a disaster? He’s fine now, but maybe he’s still in a haze from the date ending so fast.
“Maybe when I get to your age I’ll be better at it.”
“Ouch.”
His face reddens and he looks chagrined. “Shit. I didn’t mean it that way. I only meant maybe I’ll be good like you. More experienced?”
“Assuming you have more dates and don’t meet someone before my age.”
“Exactly. Shit. That still sounds bad. God, I really am terrible at this.”
Nick drops his head into his hands. His shoulders drop as he lets out a long sigh. There’s something about Nick that is tender. That makes you want to protect this sweet man at all costs.
Because that’s what he is. Sweet. Based on the few interactions I’ve had with him, and watching him with the team, there isn’t an arrogant bone in his body.
I know very little about him, except for the fact that he’s our starting goalie and his dad is the best quarterback to ever play in the NFL.
“Maybe you just need some help.”
“Help?” he questions, glancing up at me. “With dating? There’s no way I’m asking the guys for help. I’ll never hear the end of it.”
