“Congrats, kid,” William says from beside me.
“William, do you want me to help you back inside?” Monica asks him.
“Oh, we’re not done with our book yet.” I drop the document and hold up the paperback we're reading.
She nods with another smile. “Sounds good. I’ll see you boys inside when you're done.”
I wait until she starts heading back inside before picking up the book again. “Alright. Where were we?”
“Your hours are up, kid.”
“Awe, come on now, Willie. You can’t get rid of me that easily.”
This time when his lips tremble, it’s not because he’s fighting the smile.
I run my finger along the off white page of the small book, looking for the last sentence I read. “Hey, I’ve got another away game tonight, but I’ll be back on Sunday. You still up for that steak?”
“Yeah, kid.” His voice trembles. “I am.”
“Hey, buddy.”
“Sassafras.” I pull my wallet out of my hockey bag, stepping up to the counter. “Can I just get a small black coffee?”
“Are you on your way to the arena? Noah just left.”
“That’s right.” I point a finger at her. “You’re heading out with Chloe this afternoon. How hard will it be for you to not play kissy face for a full twenty-four hours?”
“Probably just as hard as it will be for you,” she throws back at me.
Chloe had to practically shove me out of her apartment this morning. After finally telling her last night that everything I was feeling for her was real, it felt like not even planet Earth could separate us.
We got maybe two hours of sleep before her alarm went off this morning. When she told me she was going home to have dinner with her parents and that I wouldn’t see her until tomorrow, something in my chest almost resisted the idea. Part of me wanted to skip class, volunteering, and practice just to stay by her side, just to make sure she was okay. And even if she wasn’t, I wanted to be there anyway to remind her that she’s better than that interview. Better than one missedopportunity. Better than anything that ever tried to make her doubt herself.
“Have you talked to her?” I hesitate, not wanting to share anything Chloe wasn’t ready to share yet, but when Savannah’s eyes narrow and her fists clench on top of the counter, I know she told her.
“Not in depth. She said she didn’t get the job, and I said, ‘Whose ass do I need to Tonya Harding?’”
I grin. Not because I think she’s joking, but because I’m grateful to her. I’ve always liked Savannah. When others said she had a bad attitude, it only fueled me to want to get to know her more. Partly because I know firsthand that people don’t spend enough time getting to know someone before they label them, and partly because even if her attitude did suck, I kind of like that. Lucky for everyone, she just so happened to be exactly what my best friend needed, so I’ve always been grateful for her. But I have a new found respect for her for being what Chloe deserves.
“Well, I don’t know about a baton,” I say, picking up the drink, “but I probably have a crowbar or something if you need.”
“Don’t tease a girl.”
I laugh around the lid of my coffee, nod a quick goodbye, and turn to leave.
When I reach the front, I pull the door open and almost run into the one person I hate more than the person who denied Chloe her internship.
“Nathan.” I dip my chin in greeting but don’t wait for a response.
Unfortunately, the coldness in my voice wasn’t enough to deter the prick. “Hey. How’s Chloe doing?”
It’s not the mention of her name, but rather the level of concern in his voice that makes me stop and face him.
“I heard she didn’t get the TA position.”
“Your concern for her is heartwarming.” I turn around,not bothering to ask how he found out about it, only because I know he wants me to. I’ve been getting baited by people my entire life; I can tell when someone is trying to make me pop off from a mile away.
“If you really cared about her like she so naively thinks you do, you would save her from it happening to her again, and end things with her.”
