Chapter 20
HAZEL
On Thursday afternoon, Ally texts me, telling me we need to have a top secret meeting.
The guys have been on the East Coast all week for away games, so it’s good to hear from her.
I haven’t seen Penn since he brought me tiramisu a week ago, and I miss having excuses to go up to the loft.
I keep telling myself I don’t miss Penn, and that I simply miss the excuse to get away from Chadwick…
but I’ve replayed that almost-kiss in my mind too many times to keep track of.
And I can’t help wondering if it would have been so bad if I would’ve just let myself lean in and let go with him.
The flirty texts we’ve been sending all week haven’t helped these thoughts.
Chadwick must have Penn’s schedule memorized, because he’s hung around the apartment all week, trying to hang out, appearing in every room I walk into, ordering us food. He never even mentioned the mess of dirty dishes in his bed that night. Which was strange.
But whatever. I’m so ready for him to move out and be out of my life for good…I’m counting down the days...
I meet Ally in the parking garage of our building at five.
Her cool blonde hair drapes over her shoulders and she’s wearing leggings and a light pink hoodie.
I feel overdressed in my platform loafers, tights, and simple black shift dress layered with a baby pink sweater vest for warmth.
Ally is always so effortlessly cool-girl casual.
I would look sloppy in leggings and a sweatshirt, but she doesn’t.
“Hazel!” Ally beams, pulling me into a big hug.
I hug her back. “Hey, girl. So, what’s the top secret meeting about?”
“Come on.” She waves a hand and takes a step toward a small white SUV, unlocking it and opening the driver’s side door. “I’ll tell you while we drive.”
I shrug and get in the front passenger seat. Ally backs out of the parking space, then starts talking. “Okay, so first of all, do you have any big romantic plans for this weekend?”
I’m assuming she means a belated date to make up for Penn being gone on Valentine’s Day. I shake my head, hedging as I try to drum up a reasonable answer. “Uh, not really. We kind of did a romantic pre-Valentine’s night before the guys left.”
Ally looks over and frowns at me. “I meant for Penn’s birthday.”
“Oh, of course!” I force a laugh. “Penn’s birthday.
” His birthday, that I, the supposed girlfriend, should know about.
His comment from the last time I saw him about how he’s practically twenty-three pops into my head, and I suddenly regret not asking what day his birthday is. “Um, no big plans for that.”
I half-expect Ally to call me out for being the world’s worst girlfriend, but she just smiles. “Okay, good, I was hoping you hadn’t organized anything for Saturday night. Fisher and Noah enlisted me to plan a surprise party for him while they’re gone.”
“But don’t they get back tomorrow?”
She grimaces. “Ugh, yes. I got busy with rehearsal this week and put it off. But Penn is super low maintenance, so I’m confident we can get everything done tonight.”
“Tonight?” I squeak.
Ally exits the parking garage and stops at a red light. “Yeah, we just need plates, food, booze, and some decorations. It'll be fine.”
I take a deep breath. Being a planner by nature, this seems really last minute for my nervous system. “Ok, so this party is pretty low key, then?”
“Totally low key,” she answers, nonplussed. “Just you and I, the team, and some acquaintances.”
My eyebrows shoot up. “The whole team? That sounds like the opposite of low key.”
Ally chuckles. “Nah, we just need to make sure we buy enough drinks. Fisher gave me his spare credit card before he left.” She waggles her eyebrows. “You’ll have to show your ID for the alcohol, though; I’m not twenty-one yet.”
Sheesh, I keep forgetting how much younger Ally and the guys are than me.
“Okay, as long as I can use Fisher’s credit card, too.”
Ally smirks, driving forward again once the light turns green.
Just a few minutes later, we pull into the parking lot of a party store I’d never noticed before. Probably because I never throw parties.
“This is us,” Ally announces, parking the car and turning the vehicle off. She turns toward me in her seat. “Hopefully this store has something good. Any ideas for a theme?”
I worry my bottom lip as I think, but I come up short on ideas. “Hockey?”
“Original.” She laughs.
Ten minutes later we’re inside the store pushing an empty cart through the aisles, and it hits me that I don’t even know what my supposed boyfriend likes. What’s his favorite color, favorite show, favorite food? No clue.
We’re almost finished roaming through every aisle when we get to the very last one, with plates and decor for different travel destinations. I spy a Canadian flag, and my head swivels slowly to grin at Ally. I can tell by the twinkle in her eye that she’s thinking the same thing I am.
“Canada theme.”
Ally rolls her lips inside her mouth and nods with her eyes closed, making me laugh. We grab everything the party store has, including a headband that looks like moose ears, maple-leaf printed plates and napkins, red cups and matching utensils, and a candle that looks like a bottle of maple syrup.
“He’s going to love this,” Ally says with a squeal.
“We could create a signature birthday cocktail that looks like maple syrup.”
“You’re a genius.”
We both burst into manic giggles as we pile the cart high.
Our next stop is the liquor store, where we put another dent in Fisher’s credit card bill. We purchase the basics—tequila, beer, and a few bottles of wine. Then, I find a recipe on Pinterest for Penn’s birthday cocktail that includes a shot of maple syrup.
Once we’ve loaded our haul inside the trunk of the car, I notice a thrift store I’ve never been to right by the liquor store.
“Hey, do you mind if I look around?” I ask Ally, pointing in the direction of the plain white building. “Maybe they’ll have some more random Canadian stuff.”
“Yeah, let’s go!” Ally says, locking her car and linking her arm with mine.
The door chimes when we walk inside, and a girl, probably around sixteen, greets us with a smile. “Welcome to Odds and Ends! My mom’s in the back, but I can also help you with anything you need.”
“Thank you,” I call back to her. The inside of the shop is cozy and much cuter than it looks on the outside.
The walls are painted light purple and there are gold sconces lighting the large room.
I turn and get distracted from my Canada-themed-hunting when a gorgeous leather bomber jacket on a mannequin catches my attention.
“This is beautiful," I say, running my hand down the sleeve.
“It looks like you! You have to get it,” Ally says, coming to stand by my side. She finds the tag and her eyes widen. “It’s only fifty dollars!”
“That’s a steal.” I slide the jacket off the mannequin to take a better look.
The stitching looks great, there aren’t any holes, and the fabric is in excellent condition.
I always stick to my budget, and this wouldn’t be an expense I’d usually splurge on…
but I’ve been looking for something like it.
I fold it over my arm with a smile. “I’ll hang on to it for now. ”
Ally nods. “I hope you get it.” Ally’s eyes are pulled away from me to a sign that says dresses. She crosses the aisle to look through the dresses, and I follow.
Rummaging through the rack, I wait for something to grab my eye, maybe a jumper or skirt. But my head whips toward my friend when she gasps.
“Oh my, Hazel! You have to try this on.” Ally holds up a skimpy dress that’s red and glittery. It’s something I’d never wear in a million years.
“Uh, wow. That’s sexy.”
“And red!” She grins. “Perfect for Penn’s Canada theme party.”
I eye the little red number again, mulling it over.
If Chadwick saw me heading to Penn’s party wearing this, he’d think we’re still going strong.
Not to mention Chadwick always hated how I dressed, complaining my jumpers were frumpy.
He begged me to dress sexier—especially for his games—but I just didn’t feel comfortable dressing that way.
Wouldn’t it be a little fun to see the look on Chadwick’s face if I wore this?
My mind sways to Penn, and I can’t help but wonder if he’d like me in the skimpy red ensemble…
would his eyes graze over my legs, or land on my bare shoulders?
The thought has my skin tingling. I shake my head.
Penn and I aren’t real, so thinking like that doesn’t serve any purpose.
The dress would just be to make Chadwick jealous, no more… no less.
I take the hanger from Ally and hand her the leather jacket so I can try it on.
She claps her hands together in excitement.
The dressing room is right by the dresses, so I slip inside and remove my warm, comfy clothing.
When I slip the red dress from the hanger I discover it’s actually a mini skirt and top pinned together.
I pull the silky skirt up my thighs, I’m surprised by how soft the inside of the fabric is.
I expected it to be itchy, but the silk glides over my skin.
The skirt zips right up, hugging my hips nicely.
The top is more complicated because it’s completely backless.
I cover my chest with the scrap of fabric then swing the curtain open so Ally can tie the straps for me.
There are several little ties that crisscross in the back.
It takes a moment for Ally to figure it out, but soon she’s done. “Okay, spin!”
I do a twirl, eyeing myself in the mirror inside the dressing room.
The outfit fits me like a glove, but the skirt is dangerously short.
If I reach my arms too high the skirt will ride up and show my whole butt.
I turn in the mirror, eyeing every angle.
I must admit, I look good. I’m tall and lanky, but the way the skirt and top fits my body enhances the subtle curves I do have.
“Hazel, you look so sexy.” Ally giggles. “Penn will love it. You'll have him raising his Canadian flag in this little number, girl.” Ally winks, and heat rushes to my cheeks.
“Is it too much?” I ask, wondering if I’ll have the confidence to wear it.
“Girl, it’s your man’s birthday! There’s no such thing as too much.”
I turn once more, checking out my backside. Dang, it looks killer. The price tag hangs out the back of the skirt, so I look at it and hiss out a pained breath. “Forty bucks. That’s more than I can splurge on a dress I’ll only wear once.”
“Dresses are half off today!” The teenage girl from the counter yells. “You look hot, by the way!”
Ally and I laugh. “Thank you!” I yell back.
“Only twenty bucks; I think it’s a sign,” Ally whispers.
My gaze lands on the perfect leather jacket in her arms. I can’t buy them both. I have to choose.
For once in my life, I choose the frivolous option. It pains me to leave the classic leather jacket behind, but I think the look on Penn’s face when he sees me in the little red number will be totally worth it.
I mean Chadwick’s face.
Yes, it’s Chadwick’s reaction that I bought the dress for.