He does that eyebrow-waggle thing again. “I can think of one good way to find out.”
“Right. Like I’m going to walk right up to Moo U’s answer to Wayne Gretzky and proposition him.”
Ian frowns. “Who’s Wayne Gretzky?”
“Google it.”
Ian huffs like the drama queen he is but pulls out his cell phone and opens his browser. While he’s searching, my eyes find Adam again. It’s like they’re heat-seeking missiles and Adam, being the hottest thing around, is their target.
He’s at the front of the line, placing his order. I’m running out of time to get another latte if I want to make it across campus before my class starts.
But if I go up there now, he’s bound to see me. Meaning I’ll have to say something to him. Otherwise it would be awkward. And as great as our chemistry in class has been, we haven’t had a conversation outside of class since the day he joined.
But maybe—and I can’t believe I’m even thinking this—Ian has a point. Maybe Adam is the perfect person to help me with my little skating problem. Okay, my big skating problem. I need something more on my resume than school productions before I head off to New York next year. A lead role in a music video would really stand out. Plus, I’d be eligible to join SAG-AFTRA, the screen actor’s union. And even though I’m more focused on the stage right now, it would be great to be able to get an agent and audition for union commercials once I hit the Big Apple.
Then there’s the added bonus of having an excuse to spend more time with Adam. See if I’m right and he’s not a high-and-mighty jock like I first thought he was. And if that spark I don’t think I’m imagining will turn into a flame. I figure that’s a better strategy than marching right up to him and accosting him.
Look at me, being all adult and mature.
That makes one of us because Ian kicks me under the table like an overgrown toddler. “You could have told me Gretzky’s the GOAT.”
Now it’s my turn to frown. And rub my shin where he kicked me. “The goat?”
“Not goat, the four-footed animal that eats tin cans and whose winter undercoat is used to make cashmere. G-O-A-T. Greatest hockey player of all time. Like Baryshnikov is the GOAT in ballet. Or the GOAT actress, Meryl Streep.”
“I didn’t know cashmere came from goats.”
“Did you know they have four stomachs, rectangular pupils, and no teeth on their upper jaw?”
“No, no, and no. How do you know so much about goats?”
He lifts one shoulder and lets it fall. “I’m from Vermont. Owning a goat is like having a pet dog or cat up here.”
Out of the corner of my eye, I see Adam take his drink from the barista. If I’m going to catch him, I have to move fast.
I stand, toss my empty cup into a nearby trash can, and hike my backpack onto my shoulder. “I’ve gotta run.”
Ian’s eyes dart to Adam then back to me. “Gonna take my advice and make a move on your hockey hottie?”
Damn. Am I that transparent?
“He’s not my anything.”
Yet, I add silently. I read somewhere that adding yet to the end of a sentence changes your mindset, turning a negative into a positive and making the impossible possible. Sounds like a good philosophy to me. Especially where Adam is concerned.
“And I’m not making a move on him,” I clarify. “But I am going to take your advice and ask if he’ll give me some skating lessons.”
“Are you sure those aren’t the only lessons you want?”
“Positive,” I lie. “And I don’t even know if he’ll agree to the skating.”
“Oh, he’ll say yes. His eyes have been screaming it since he walked into class that first day.” Ian makes a shooing motion with his hands. “Now go. Get your man.”
By the time I’m done dealing with Ian, Adam is on his way out the door. I follow, calling after him, but he doesn’t stop. I could swear he hears me from his slight hesitation and the way his posture stiffens. But he just ducks his head and keeps right on going.
My feet slow, then stop. I’m not chasing after him. I did that with Layton, and look where that landed me. Besides, I’ve got a class to get to.
Even though it just about kills me to stand there like the statue of the angel Moroni on the top of the LDS temple back in Randolph and watch him walk away.
