“You’ll be too busy building your empire to miss me. You’ll be allDax who?”
The corner of his mouth quirks up in an easy smile before he digs into his dinner.
Butterflies flutter low in my belly.
Okay, that is new. I have never reacted this way to Dax. He’s always been able to put me at ease.
“Me? Please. You’ll be too busy being the best player on the ice.”
“I like that you think that, Sunshine, but I don’t think I will be. There are a lot of players better than I am.”
“You’re too humble,” I say, cutting off a small bite of the casserole and savoring the garlic and tomato flavors.
“Honest. But I’m trying to improve.”
“You’re my favorite player if that means anything.”
He smiles, starting the butterflies again. “You’re biased.”
“Biased or not, the Knights are lucky to have you.”
“Let’s not talk about me. What’s next on your list you want to accomplish?”
I don’t know why, but I don’t want to talk about thenextthing. The sex club. It feels weird now. I bypass it entirely.
“I’m thinking of roller derby next. Maybe writing a poem.”
“Want me to try my hand at composing a poem right now?” Dax laughs.
“Think you can do it?” I set my fork down and lean back in my rickety chair.
“I remember how to write haiku.”
“Go for it.”
He looks around with an inquisitive look on his face before it lights up as it lands on me.
“This lasagna rules. The salad’s really good too. I love garlic bread.”
“Oh my God.” I choke on my laughter. “Dax. I can’t.”
“That was solid gold. It would break the world record on your list for best haiku ever written.”
I pat his hand. “Whatever you say, Dax.”
“You write me one then.”
“I do not write poems on demand.” I point a finger at him. “If I’m going to write something, I need time.”
“You’re worried it’s not going to live up to mine. It’s okay to admit it, Chloe.”
“Maybe I’ll write one about the Knights.”
Dax points his fork at me. “That one will take you time to perfect.”
“I’ll hit you with it when you least expect.”
We spend the rest of dinner talking about the upcoming season and how to expand my business. This iswhat I love about Dax. He doesn’t tell me what I want to hear, but helps me with different ideas that can help. I’ve watched him play since we became friends, so I know some about the game, but mostly it’s me encouraging him. Sometimes as friends, that’s all we can do.
