Page 44 of Falling Like Snow

“Wait for me after the game!” he calls, hopping over the boards and onto the ice. “And I love your sweatshirt, by the way!”

I watch him skate away before I turn to Hannah and Preeti. We all stare at each other—before erupting into laughter.

“I cannot even,” Hannah says at the same time as I say, “Oh my god!”

“Is that how he always is?” Preeti asks.

“Yes.” I lead them up the bleacher steps. “It’s confusing.”

“There is nothing confusing about that,” Hannah says, walking into our row of the stands first. “He’s making himself extremely clear, actually.”

I shake my head. “But why me?”

“Why not you?” she asks. “You’re pretty and hilarious and nice.”

“Why now?”

“Why question everything? Go with the flow, Sloane!” Hannah says. “I’m dying to know where you’re going to end up later.”

“Oh, you’ll know because you’ll be there too,” I tell her.

“I can’t!” she whines. “I’m on Gammy duty tonight. Dad is working an extra overnight shift.”

“What is Gammy duty? Is she okay?” I ask.

“She’s fine. She fell the other day, and even though she was okay, Dad’s worried about it happening when no one is home,” she explains. “He hired someone to be there during the day, but since he’s working tonight…”

“It’s on you,” I say.

She sighs. “Yup.”

“Dang, that sucks. For both of us.” I sigh. “But you’ll come, right, Preeti?”

She worries her lip. “Sorry. I have an early shift at the library tomorrow, and I hate being tired at work.”

“Ugh, you’re both killing me!”

“You’ll be fine,” Hannah says. “Just pretend you’re hanging out with Asher and keep it casual. Micah will—”

“Oh shoot,” I say, cutting her off. “I can’t go. I totally forgot Asher and I made plans for tonight.” After I freaked out about my fear of us changing.

“Please. You and Asher hang out all the time. You know he will completely understand. He knows about Micah,” she says. “Besides, he could have come tonight but chose to lie about tutoring instead. It’s his own fault he’s not here to volunteer to go with you—even though he’d be a total cockblock, so it’s probably for the best.”

“Or he’d be a great wingman. You don’t know,” I say in his defense. “But I guess you’re right—he could have come. And he would understand…”

“Precisely. Text him. Let him know you’re bailing,” Hannah says.

I grab my phone from my coat pocket, but something about blowing him off feels wrong. Even if I truly do think he’d understand. Especially after my fit earlier.

“Give that guilt a swift kick in the bum,” Hannah says, watching me. “It’s Asher—your best friend. He really won’t care. You’ll hang out with him tomorrow.”

I nod and unlock my phone. She’s right.

Me: Hey, I’m not going to make it tonight. Got invited out with the hockey team (weird, I know!). Rain check?

“Okay, it’s done.” I slip my phone in my jeans pocket and turn to her. “But now I’m freaking out.”

“If he kisses you, I expect a call the second you’re home tonight,” she says. “But for the record, I expect a call either way. I need all the deets.”