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I swing my head over to look at him, not knowing what to say. I don’t plan on going on anymore dates with him, therefor, I’ll never have the opportunity to introduce him to the team. “Yeah, maybe,” I say with a shrug.
He seems happy enough with that answer and turns his focus back on the game. His eyes widen and he moves to the edge of his seat, which tells me I should pay attention too. I turn my head back to the ice just in time to see Colby skating ahead of everyone else—I think it’s called a breakaway. He easily shoots the puck into the net, sending the Phantom’s goalie sprawling onto the ice as he dives, trying to block it. The game is now 4-3 with ten seconds left.
The fans jump up from their seats and cheers. Even I can’t help but jump up and down, cheering for Colby’s goal—and that I’m saved from sitting here any longer with Dexter. I owe Colby big time.
Everyone is sitting back down when I see Colby skating straight toward me. I think perhaps he’s heading in Bruce’s direction, since we’re seated behind the net, but no. He comes to stand straight in front of me and makes direct eye contact. He’s grinning at me, and then he blows me a kiss and winks. It’s impossible not to grin back at him. He’s such a dog. I realize I’m the only one in our section still standing. And now I’m grinning like a fool, too.
I glance down at Dexter, who looks very unhappy that Colby is blowing a kiss to his date in front of thousands of people. Colby keeps grinning, turning and finishing his victory lap. When I sit down, I notice everyone’s faces are tilted upward, staring at the jumbotron. Footage of Colby blowing me a kiss plays on repeat with Six Pence None the Richer’s Kiss Me playing loudly over the speakers. I blush so furiously I feel hot all over. I must be redder than an Eagle’s jersey.
The Eagles win the game, then Dexter drives me home, barely speaking during the drive. The situation would usually send me spiraling into self-doubt, wondering what I did wrong, and over-analyzing everything I said during the date. But I’m on a high from Colby’s attention. I’m on cloud nine from a kiss that was blown at me through plexiglass, a kiss that didn’t even touch me. That’s the power of Colby Knight’s kisses. They can be felt, and even savored, even without any contact.
* * *
I wake up the next morning to an overwhelming number of notifications on my phone. At first, I’m confused and think something must be wrong. But then I remember last night; a famous hockey player, a blown kiss, my face on the jumbotron.
I open the group message from Mel and Andie first.
Mel
OMG HE BLEW YOU A KISS.
Andie
That was the hottest no-contact kiss I’ve ever seen.
Mel
And you didn’t seem too unhappy about it.
Andie
Totes agree.
Andie
PS How was your date? He didn’t look as thrilled last night as you did.
I grimace at that last text. Poor Dexter, I feel bad for him. He’s not a bad guy, just wrong for me. And now things will be awkward at work. Thankfully, I only see him in passing.
I have missed texts from my sister, Gram, my brothers, and Colby, along with a bunch of Google notifications. That’s what I get for turning on Google notifications for Colby Knight. Feeling overwhelmed in knowing I’m the subject of so many people’s conversations and criticisms makes my stomach bottom out. I sit up in my bed, resting against my headboard. A cold sweat breaks out on my forehead. I hate that I care what people are saying about me, the assumptions they must be making. The comments on photos that probably say, “Ew, why her? She’s not even that pretty. He could do better.”
I choose not to read any of the internet comments, for my own mental health.
With a deep breath, I read Colby’s texts. Because Colby puts that piece of my brain at ease, the part that tells me I’m not good enough. He makes me feel really good, desired even.
Colby
How was your date?
I snort an undignified laugh. He’s so cheeky.
Noel
It was okay, except he dragged me to some kind of aggressive, figure skating competition.
Colby
Were there at least some hot guys for you to look at?
