Page 26 of Arctic Titans of Northwood U: Volume 2

After the game, when Beckett and Caden celebrated doubly, and the NHL legend Nate Partridge joined us for a round, I was only partially present.

It was time for me to do something for Grayson. The trouble was, I absolutely sucked at planning these things. And however great my relationship was with my parents, I didn’t have an open tab to book us a quick flight to Japan or whatever.

When will I see you?

I sent the message and wished I could take it back. Before I could add something clever or charming to it — even if I had such a thing ready to be deployed — he texted back.

What do you have in mind? I’m game.

Not sure. My roommate moved out. Maybe we can hang out at my place next weekend. If you feel like it.

I always feel like it.

I held my breath. He was too sweet. One way or the other, he had crawled under my skin and imprinted himself into my mind that I couldn’t imagine a future without some reminder that he belonged in it.

Maybe we could do more than just hang out.

You flirt! Lemme think about it.

And he thought about it. For two full minutes.

Next weekend. I have an idea you’ll like. I’ll pick you up around five.

I wanted to take the lead to show him I cared, but being charmed like this was too irresistible. I agreed to it and so began a week of tingling expectation. Moments of fear that I was making a mistake made my determination all the sweeter. I wanted Grayson. Every time I thought about him, I felt it with my entire being. His relentless pursuit and his exaggerated efforts made me open up to him. But what I found when we became close was completely different. He cared. And I cared, too.

Days of waiting followed. Whenever I sat, my foot tapped the floor. Whenever I played, I failed to control the puck. Whenever I took notes in lectures, I later discovered I had drifted away mid-sentence and wrote down gibberish.

Grayson’s text messages soothed the anticipation. He poured out all his thoughts without filtering them into our chat. He was as honest about being excited as he was up-front about being nervous. It was so refreshing and sweet that it reminded me just how much I wanted to keep this guy.

“It’s almost like I don’t know you,” Sawyer said on the eve of my big date. He was having drinks with Noah when I joined them and I could hardly keep the smirk off my face. Tomorrow… “Who would have thought you’d be such a softie, huh?”

“I could ask you the same,” I pointed out.

Sawyer looked at Noah with unrestrained love. It was the sort of relationship I knew I wanted. It was possible, I came to think, that there was nothing wrong with me after all. Maybe I just needed a thing like this before jumping into his bed. Grayson provided this in heaps and truckloads. So much so that I couldn’t believe it was really happening.

“When are you coming to our housewarming party?” Noah asked.

“When’s the party?” I asked, thinking I knew how housewarming parties worked.

Sawyer snorted. “When you feel like coming around.”

Then it clicked. It wasn’t a party at all. “Next week,” I promised.

“Oh? Got plans this weekend?” he asked cheekily, and I shot him a cool, expressionless look.

My shoulders rolled in a shrug. “No big deal. Just…hanging out.” Even thinking about being alone with Grayson somewhere where he wanted to take me filled my stomach with flutters and sent tingles down my legs. I curled my toes in my shoes and tried my best not to let my ears turn red.

I slept with Grayson in my thoughts and I woke up with him still there. The day seemed to take ages to pass. Morning drills were a blessing, freeing me up for the rest of the day and tomorrow. If it was possible, I would spend the night with Grayson. Our first date had been a magical night like that. He’d made me stay the night and respected every last one of my wishes.

Two-hour warning. Still aboard?

Without a doubt.

I hurried. The afternoon was dragging on and I was rushing around to get ready. In part, I was thankful Sawyer wasn’t around to witness the mess I actually was. I kept pacing, returning to the bathroom because I had forgotten something, and changing my clothes countless times.

Pack your toothbrush.

That text settled a debate that had been going through my mind. Extra set of clothes? No? Maybe? I didn’t want to pack a goddamn suitcase only to discover we were going to a bar. With Grayson subtly clearing it up, I packed a small backpack with spare clothes and a toothbrush.