Page 28 of Puck Me Back to Life

Hayes glances down at the book. “It would've bothered me if I stopped before the ending.”

I point toward the celebration happening across the room. “You know we're celebrating, right?”

He raises the book. “I am celebrating.”

The answer is so sincere that I laugh.

Hayes smiles into his drink.

“How was it?”

His entire face changes. The exhaustion never disappears completely, yet something brightens behind his eyes. The transformation fascinates me.

“It was great.”

“Yeah?”

He nods. Then launches into an explanation that immediately goes over my head.

Something about themes.

Something about character arcs.

Something about redemption.

I'm only following about sixty percent of the conversation. The other forty percent is spent watching how animated he becomes when he's talking about something he genuinely loves. The more excited he gets, the more his hands move. It's like watching somebody emerge from hiding.

When he finally pauses for breath, I take another drink. “You're a nerd.”

Hayes grins. “I play professional hockey. I'm a big-time athlete.”

“You're an undercover nerd.”

“That's not a thing.” The smile remains.

Good. I like seeing it.

“So,” I say, settling deeper into the booth. “Where are you from?”

“Why?”

I shrug. “No reason.”

That's a lie. The reason is that I want to hear him keep talking.

Hayes thinks for a moment before answering. “Small town in Oregon.”

“You ever go back?”

“Not much.” The answer comes quickly.

I change directions. “You like scary movies?”

His expression immediately turns skeptical. “What kind of question is that?”

“A normal one.”

“No, it isn't.”