Chapter 10
Zane
“Hey,” I say, surprised as Leo walks into the locker room. “What brings you here?”
“What are your intentions with her?” he asks, his tone edged with frustration. He looks genuinely angry.
“With who?” Blake asks, just as surprised as I am, while settling onto the bench. The strong scent of deodorant fills the air almost immediately.
“Promise me you won’t hurt her,” Leo says, locking his gaze on me with a serious expression. I know exactly who he’s referring to, I just don’t understand why.
“Are you into Gwen or something?” Blake laughs, clearly entertained by the situation unfolding in front of him.
“No,” Leo snaps back. “I just don’t want to see her get hurt. I don’t have a lot of family in my life, but she’s family to me,” he explains.
Blake casually goes back to packing his gear, leaving me to handle the moment.
“I’m not planning on hurting her,” I say, meeting Leo’s eyes as I stand in front of him. “And aren’t we family too by now?”
“You two are even more dramatic than the girl I’m seeing tonight,” Blake says with a laugh as Leo rolls his eyes. He turns his attention to his skates, inspecting them with a frown. “Damnit… my blades are worn out again.”
“I’ve got some spares if you want,” I offer.
He looks up at me, grateful. “Thanks, man. Can I pick them up around seven? I need to get ready for a date with this actress.”
“I thought you were dating an influencer,” I chuckle as he continues packing away his gear.
“That was last week,” Blake laughs. “So, can I come by to pick up the blades tonight?” he asks again as he slings his bag over his shoulder.
“I won’t be home, but use my key. My spare blades are in the gear bag by the door,” I tell him.
He nods and heads out.
“Look, man,” I say, turning back to Leo, who’s still impatiently tapping his foot beside me. “I’m not going to hurt Gwen. So drop this overprotective, weird act you’ve got going on. I miss my friend.”
Leo glances around the room, taking a moment before responding.
“You’re right,” he says finally. “I’m sorry. These girls are something special, man, Tess and Gwen.”
“I don’t know Tess well enough yet, but I’ll take your word for it,” I reply with a small grin. “The only questionable thing about her is that she chose to date you.”
“You know what? I’m still trying to figure that out myself,” he says, placing a hand on my shoulder. “We’ve got it good, Zane.”
It’s strange seeing Leo this sentimental in his own way. Tess has clearly gotten to him, and maybe Gwen has similarly gotten to me.
“Got any plans tonight?” Leo asks as he straightens up.
“Actually, I’m seeing Gwen. We’re going on our second date,” I say with a smile. I’ve been thinking about it all day, honestly, ever since we said goodbye.
“I’ll leave you to it then. Want to grab a beer tomorrow?” Leo asks as he heads toward the exit.
“Just tell me the time, and I’ll be there.”
Leo leaves the locker room with the same urgency with which he arrived. He always seems to be in a rush.
I say goodnight to the remaining players and quickly make my way out of the rink as well.
Holt’s car is parked beside mine, and he catches up to me before I can leave.
“We’ve got a Grizzlies party next week. Are you coming?” he asks.
I sigh internally. The Grizzlies’ parties are always too loud for my liking, but Coach insists that showing up is part of being a team player.
“I’ll think about it,” I tell him as I reach for my keys.
“Bring your friends, a plus one, anyone you like!” Holt calls after me as I get into my car.
I smile and nod before closing the door and starting the engine.
The drive home should take about twenty minutes with this traffic, but it somehow feels like two hours. The anticipation of seeing Gwen again does things to me.
When I reach my apartment building, something feels… off. I can’t quite put my finger on it.
“There he is,” I hear as I open the door.
Shit. Right.
Lisa is here.
My stomach drops not just from the surprise, but from realizing I forgot, even though I arranged her room and everything. My mind hasn’t been fully present lately.
“Hey, sis,” I say as she rushes over and pulls me into a tight hug.
“I’ve missed you. Have you been working out?” she asks, squeezing my arm, which makes me laugh.
“I’ve missed you, too. Did you see the things I got you? Do you need anything else?” I ask, falling into my usual, practical mode.
“I have everything I need. More than that, actually,” she says with a warm smile.
Knowing I’ll be seeing Gwen soon is already making me nervous, and now I feel a twinge of guilt leaving Lisa alone in the apartment on her first night back in town.
“Do you maybe want to have dinner together?” Lisa asks, her voice bright with excitement.
A wave of dread hits me. She notices immediately, tilting her head.
“Did you already have plans? It’s ok if you do.”
“I kinda double-booked,” I admit, running a hand through my hair, a habit I picked up back in my teenage years when I didn’t know what else to do with my nerves.
“Tell me more,” Lisa says with a smirk as she drops onto the couch.
I take a breath and sit beside her. We don’t usually talk much about relationships, so this feels slightly unfamiliar.
“I’m going on a date with this girl. Her name is Gwen,” I begin.
Lisa immediately sits up straighter, her interest piqued. “Go on.”
“I met her at that Grizzlies charity event. She was doing the blue line challenge and fell. I skated over to help her… and honestly, she hasn’t really left my mind since,” I explain.
Lisa lets out an excited squeal.
“Oh my god, this is everything,” she says, practically glowing. “It’s been a while since I’ve heard you talk about a girl. She must be special.”
“She is,” I say without hesitation.
“I’m sorry I scheduled something on your first night back,” I add with a small shrug. “I said yes the moment she asked if I was free.”
Lisa laughs, shaking her head. “This girl has you wrapped around her finger already.”
She grins. “I cannot wait to meet her. Don’t worry about tonight. I’m a bit tired from traveling anyway,” she says, letting her head fall back against the couch.
“How about I cook you breakfast tomorrow? Waffles, how mom used to make them?” I suggest.
Lisa’s expression softens into a smile. “That would be amazing. You’re already making me hungry.”
“Sounds like a plan. Look, I need to get ready. Is there anything you need before I go?” I ask.
Lisa shakes her head. “Go put on your makeup, bro,” she teases.
I roll my eyes and head toward my bedroom. Once I close the door behind me, I take a deep breath. I feel bad leaving her alone, but maybe some time to herself is exactly what she needs. I just hope she wasn’t saying that to make me feel better.
Before getting dressed, I quickly text Gwen.
ME: Looking forward to seeing you xx
I toss my practice clothes into the hamper and step over to my closet, scanning through options. I settle on a navy shirt and a pair of jeans. Gwen said to dress casually, but I’m not entirely sure what that actually means.
After spraying on some cologne, my phone buzzes.
GWEN: I hope you’re hungry :) xx
The thought of seeing her, of being close to her again, maybe even kissing her, makes my stomach flip. It’s an unfamiliar feeling, but in the best way.
“Hey,” I say when I walk back into the living room.
I hesitate for a second before speaking again. I can’t believe I’m about to ask this, but I’d rather know.
“When someone says to dress casually… is this what they mean?”
Lisa bursts out laughing.
“Ok, now I really have to meet the girl who has my brother in a chokehold like this,” she says, still chuckling. “You look great. And yes, this definitely counts as casual.” “Are you bringing her something?” Lisa asks, and she can clearly see the panic written on my face.
“I didn’t think to get anything. Shit, what do I get her?” I ask, suddenly flustered.
Lisa stands and walks into the kitchen. She opens a cupboard and pulls out a bottle of wine I don’t recognize.
“I went shopping earlier. This is a nice French wine. I’ll add a bow on top, and you’re good to go,” she says with a smile.
Relief washes over me instantly.
“Did I mention you’re my favorite sister?” I ask as I watch her carefully tie the bow around the bottle.
“Not today,” she replies with a wink. “Now go impress the girl of your dreams,” she adds with a laugh.
“I’ll see you at breakfast, sis,” I say, grabbing the bottle before heading out the door.
By the time I reach downstairs, my driver is already waiting.
“Sorry if I kept you waiting, man,” I tell Josh as I approach.
He shakes his head. “Not at all. I just got here. Don’t worry about it,” he says with a smile. “Big plans tonight?”
“Having dinner with Gwen,” I reply.
Saying it out loud sends another strange flip through my stomach. I still don’t know what’s happening to me. Am I getting sick… or is it her?
Music plays softly as we drive across town, Josh humming along to an Imagine Dragons track on the radio. He knows the shortcuts well, and the drive takes less than ten minutes.
“Have fun tonight. Call me if you need a ride back,” he says, turning slightly in his seat to look at me.
“Thanks, man. See you,” I reply before stepping out of the car.
“Zane!” Josh calls as I walk toward the apartment building. “The bottle!”
He holds it up.
I let out a quiet sigh, annoyed with myself, and quickly head back to retrieve it.
“Thanks,” I say, feeling my cheeks warm with embarrassment.
Josh doesn’t say anything, but the smirk on his face as he drives away says enough.
I straighten my shoulders, adjust my shirt, and make my way into the building. I press the buzzer and wait what feels like the longest few seconds of my life.
“Hi… um, come in,” Gwen’s voice comes through the intercom. She sounds hesitant, like something is off.
The door buzzes open, and I step inside quickly. The elevator is already waiting, so I get in and press the button for the third floor.
When the doors open, I turn left and walk down the hallway. I raise my fist to knock just as the door swings open.