Chapter 6 #2
Hunter beats me at the shooting game, then again at the basketball hoops.
I manage to win a stuffed prawn on the claw machines and lose about thirty dollars on the coin machines.
The entire time, all the tension I usually feel when I’m around new people starts ebbing away.
I’m laughing more freely, teasing him when he, too, loses money on the machines or drops the stuffed animal right near the chute.
My energy is only increasing as we move around the machines, and by the time we make our way over to the air hockey tables, I’m practically vibrating.
“I’m gonna kick your ass,” I declare with a wicked grin.
He smirks, tilting his head to the side. “You bet?”
“Hey, I’m a professional hockey player. Defending the goal is what I’m paid to do.” I motion to the slot on my end of the table. “This is my domain. You better watch out, Lieutenant Bowen.”
His tongue darts out to lick over his bottom lip. His eyes crinkle at the sides with his smile. “It’s on, Olsen.”
We flip a coin to decide who’s starting, and I win the draw. As soon as the air begins to flow from the table, I toss the thin plastic puck onto the table and use the round pusher to send it flying up the other end of the table.
I’m unable to stop the noises of excitement and laughter from escaping me as we play. I score four goals, and then he scores three in a row on me. The bright light of the table reflects up onto his face, and his expression has my breath catching in my throat.
He’s so fucking handsome. All chiseled jaw and the stubble that’s looking darker with each hour that passes. The shadows that were under his eyes seem to have completely vanished, and in their place is this look of radiant joy.
I want to be the one to make sure he always looks like this. Happy and carefree.
The buzzer sounds, snapping me out of my daze, and I realize that in my moment of appreciation, he’s scored on me. Again.
I groan, draping myself across the table dramatically.
“Hunter, you’re showing me up.”
He grins, holding his hands out to the side in a show of humility. “What can I say? Maybe my talent was lost on the diamond in school.”
“Oh, yeah, I forgot you play baseball,” I say, reaching down to collect the puck from the pocket.
His brows lift in surprise. “I do. How did you know that?”
My mouth drops open, and my heart kicks against my breastbone. He’s going to think I’ve been stalking him.
“I, uh, went to the charity game in the summer. You know, the one against the police?” My palms begin to sweat, and I try to subtly wipe them on the front of my jeans.
“Daniel went to support Lucas, and we went along for him. For Daniel. I didn’t go for you.
” My eyes widen as my words register in my head.
“Shit. I mean, I did root for you. But I didn’t go for you.
” I glance around, panic clawing at my throat.
Where is the door? Can I run away? I don’t know where I am, but I could find an Uber.
This is why Blaine tells me to think first. “I…”
“Elliot,” he says my name in that smooth, gravelly tone. When I turn around, he’s standing right next to me. “I’m just teasing you.”
I lick over my suddenly dry lips. My words feel like they’re stuck in my throat.
“Are you ready to get some food? Our table should be ready now.”
I give a shaky nod, and the looseness I was feeling before disappears and I start to tense up again as I follow him into the restaurant. The walls begin building up, and the mask slips back on.
I had to go and put my foot in it and ruin our night. I couldn’t be normal for once. I couldn’t be all cool like Blaine is, where everything comes easy for him.
Luckily, when we sit down, the utensils aren’t weird to hold, and there are plenty of napkins for me to wipe my fingers on while I eat.
We chat over boneless wings and fries, and we both have a cheeseburger.
He tells me about the firehouse and how he takes part in the annual fire department versus police department baseball games, and I share stories about some of the most fun games I’ve played.
By the time we’re ready to leave, this heavy sense of disappointment is wedged in my chest. I don’t want this night to be over. I don’t want this to be the last time I see Hunter, but I’m also scared I might have scared him off by the fact I allowed myself to be me while we were in the arcade.
What if he thought I was too much?
My heart sinks into my stomach when he pulls up in front of my apartment building. I’m hit with the realization that I need to stamp down this fear and do something to make sure this isn’t the last time.
“You could always message me when you’re struggling,” I blurt out.
He turns toward me, his brows furrowing slightly in confusion.
“With sleep. At night,” I clarify. “’Cause I’m usually awake.” I shrug, hoping it comes off as unbothered. “I could keep you company. Maybe.”
“Yeah?” A soft smile appears on his face. “I’d like that.”
We swap numbers, and I’m about to open the door of his truck when his words have me freezing in place.
“I had fun tonight.”
I sink back into my seat, angling my body toward him.
“Me too,” I agree.
He rubs a hand over his jaw, and the sound of his stubble brushing against his palm makes me shiver. “Would you like to do it again? Hang out sometime?”
I try not to let my eagerness for that idea come through in my voice as I nod. “Yeah, I’d really like that.”
“Cool. Good night, Elliot.”
“Night, Hunter. I hope you can get some sleep.”
I’m unable to wipe the smile from my face as I jump out of the truck and make my way inside, Hunter’s number burning a hole in my pocket. How soon is too soon to text him? Should I text him tonight or leave it until tomorrow? Are there rules for this sort of thing?
Instead of getting out on my floor, I hit the button for two floors above. I knock manically on the door, not letting up until I hear the flick of the lock and the door open to reveal a flustered-looking Alex.
“Elliot? What happened? Are you okay?” he asks, his wide, blue eyes scanning me from head to toe.
“I don’t know,” I say, running a hand through my hair.
He steps aside for me to go in, and I begin to pace around the living room, Ernie following at my heels.
“I’ve just spent the evening with Hunter, and now I have his number, and I don’t know what to do. How soon do I text him? Do I text him now? Tomorrow? Is there like a time frame I need to leave it? What should I say?” My heart rate kicks up as all my words come tumbling out in a rush.
Alex moves to stand in front of me, grabbing hold of my biceps and pausing my pacing.
“Okay, first of all, take a breath,” he says calmly.
I take in a big, deep breath through my nose before letting it out.
“Good. Let’s sit down, and we can unpack everything one at a time.”
Nodding, I fall back onto the couch. Ernie jumps up next to me, smothering my face with kisses. I give him some love before turning back to Alex, and realize he’s only wearing pajama bottoms, and his hair is a mess.
I cringe. “Did I interrupt your sexy time?”
He snorts. “Something like that. Blaine will probably be out in a few minutes. He’s having a sulky moment.”
I gag, and Alex laughs.
“So, let’s start at the beginning. Tell me everything. So, you saw Hunter?”
His eyes light up as I tell him about my night. His smile grows wider with each minute, and I can’t help but match his energy.
“Elliot, this is amazing.”
“Is it?”
“Yes! Okay, so this is what we’re gonna do,” he says, and I listen intently as he gives me all the advice I need to take that next step.