Fuck.
No.
I needed to stop thinking about her thatway.
I laid my head down on the counter and lightly banged it against the bar.
“You okay, hun?”
I snapped my head up. “Yeah, sorry ‘bout that,” I said as I scrubbed a hand over my face.
Paige looked back at me with concerned eyes that gutted me. Great. Now she’d push to find out what was wrong when I really didn’t want to say it aloud to any other soul in the world. Because that would make it real…
She moved to throw her long, blonde hair in a messy bun on top of her head and then leaned her arm on the bar counter and rested her head on her chin.
“Let’s hear it, kid.” She smiled wryly at me.
“What makes you think I’ve got somethin to say?” I narrowed my eyes to hers.
“Because I know the look of a heartbroken boy all too well,” she said with sad eyes.
I blew out a breath. Maybe it’d be good to get it off my chest. Maybe hearing myself say it would make me realize how ridiculous the whole thing was.
“You good at keeping secrets?” I askedher.
“Duh.” Her eyes sparkled as she smiled. “Waitin’ here to help. Whatchagot?”
I couldn’t make eye contact with her as I spilled my guts. I lowered my eyes to the bar and said it in a rush: “My best friend and I are in love with the same girl. And I think they’re gonna start dating. I can feel it.” I hesitantly looked back up at her.
“Shoot.” She gave me a small smile. “You’re talking about the happy-go-lucky boy who’s always trying one-liners on me?”
I nodded slowly.
“And let me guess…” She squinted and pursed her lips together. “The Callahan girl?”
Shit. Was it that obvious? How did she know?
I must’ve looked panicked because she patted my arm and said, “Don’t worry. No one knows. You think anyone else in this rink has the intuition I do? Nah.” She shook her head. “So don’t stress.”
“So… What do I do about it?” I asked her.
“Well, that is a tough one.” She twisted her lips. “Have you tried to go out with anyone else? Maybe she’s the only girl you’ve ever been around, so that’s why? It seems like it’s always just the four ofyou.”
I was shaking my head before she was even done speaking. I knew that wasn’t it. Sav was just… special. I knew she was important the very first time I made eye contact with her while she was in the stands at Duke’s game. I could feel it.
“Okay, well the other two options– youtell them straight up how you feel, but be prepared for things to change. Or, you keep it to yourself and wait it out to see what happens with them. You guys are still so young. They might not be end-game and then maybe you’ll get your chance. But if theyareend-game, would you really want to interrupt that?”
I pushed my hands through my hair. “I guess not.”
“Life is hard. Be a good friend.” She shrugged. “And try to have fun while you’re young. Try to date around, see what people you click with and what you like and don’t like in relationships. You’ll learn more about yourself with everyone you date. Work on yourself and things will work out.” She patted my arm again and moved to start filling up fountaindrinks.
When she loaded them all up on her tray, she took off a pop and slid it in front ofme.
“Uh…” I reached in my pocket to pull out non-existent money, but before I could tell her I couldn’t pay for it, she cut me off with a raised hand.
“It’s on the house.” She winked at me and turned to help other patrons of the diner before I could even utter out a thank you.
9. Sav
