Chapter 21
twenty-one
Tate
Ididn’t drive back to campus with Fletcher, so I have no idea how the other night went with Casey.
Ethan and his family wanted to make the most of their trip out here and go downtown, so Naomi offered to drop me back at campus after the five of us got some breakfast, even though dropping me off was out of the way.
And since the guys left before I got back to campus a couple of days ago, I won’t know anything about that night until after the New Year.
I thought he would’ve called me. Or at least sent me a text. Usually, when they’re away for games, he texts me the whole ride there and calls me when they get to the hotel.
I haven’t heard from him.
I know they got there okay, though, because I’ve watched their games with the girls at Greystone or at an apartment if Maia wasn’t working.
It shouldn’t bother me that he didn’t reach out; there’s nothing for him to be mad at me about, but it does.
Luckily for me, I can turn these emotions into a new song. Starting in the New Year, Brinley wants me to post videos, whether it’s a full song or pieces of one, on social media.
My phone pings, and I check it, thinking maybe Fletcher’s finally reached out to me. I know travel days can be busy, so I’ve just let myself believe that’s why I haven’t heard from him.
It’s not.
It’s Brinley.
And before I have time to read her message, my door flies open.
“Do you not check your phone?” She kicks the door closed behind her, dropping the drink tray down on my counter.
“You texted me like five seconds ago.”
“And?”
“And, what are you doing here? Did we have plans?”
The game isn’t for hours; there’s no reason why Brin would be here this early. Not that I mind; she’s one of my best friends. I’m just confused.
“We’re going to the game.”
“What game?”
“The hockey game?”
“Whose hockey game?”
“Wh—” She looks around my apartment. “Am I being punked or something? What do you mean, whose hockey game? Fletcher’s hockey game. The guys' hockey game. You know the guys who we’ve been watching on TV.”
“That’s like a six-hour drive.”
“With me driving, it’ll be five, max.”
“Why are we going to the game?”
I set my guitar down against the couch and turn toward Brinley.
“So, Ember can spend the New Year with Declan. It’s their first New Year's together; they have to have a New Year's kiss tonight.”
“And I’m going, why?”
“Is something going on between you and Fletcher? I thought you’d be down for this.”
“I am.” I lie. “I just have a lot of stuff to do. You know, new songs and all that.”
I rub my hands against my pants and then stand up.
“I just didn’t expect to be away for two days.”
“Eh, more like twenty-four hours.”
“You’re right. I should go get changed. We’ll probably have to leave soon.”
“No need. I have a bunch of Michigan State gear in the car.”
My mouth falls open slightly, and I tilt my head at Brinley.
“W-why do you have a trunk full of Michigan State gear? And wait, why are we representing the other team?”
“Cam can’t see Maia, and he won’t be paying attention to Michigan fans.”
“Wait, Maia’s coming too?”
“Of course. We’re all going.”
“Does Maia know that?” I cross my arms.
“The only person who knows so far is you.” She pulls her iced coffee out of the tray and takes a sip.
“And if they say no?”
“They can’t.” She shrugs. “I’ve already bought the tickets.”
Ihad to be the one to reach out to Fletcher first. Granted, it wasn’t my decision to do that.
I had to reach out because Brinley asked me to text him to see if the guys were done getting dressed, so we could get Declan to come out and meet us.
And since I didn’t want the girls to think something was going on, I messaged him.
Honestly, I don’t even think Fletcher realizes anything’s going on between us. His responses were pretty normal and felt like any other conversation we’ve ever had.
Luckily, because Maia was with us, we couldn’t stick around to see the guys after the game. If we did, Brinley would pick up on the tension, at least from me, immediately.
“Why are we here?” Maia leans forward, I’m assuming so Brinley can hear her question.
“Cute hockey players, obviously!” she yells, glancing over her shoulder at Maia. “Everyone in our section was talking about this place during the game. I guess all the MSU guys come here after a game, win or lose.”
“And your plan is to hook up with an MSU player?” I raise an eyebrow.
“I don’t know.” She studies the bar. “Seems like a pretty fun way to ring in the New Year and my birthday.” Her traveling gaze stops. “And I think I’ve found my guy.”
And with the way his eyes are on Brinley, it seems he’s just as interested as she is.
“Catch you guys in a little bit?” She looks at us, but her feet are already carrying her in his direction.
“Yup,” I reply, although I have no idea if she can hear me. “Guess it’s just me and you.”
“Part of me feels like Brinley just wanted to come to see what guys are like outside of Rockford.”
“I don’t blame her. The pickings are pretty slim.”
“Oh yeah?” Maia crosses her arms. “Nobody that’s caught your eye?”
“If you’re implying what I think you’re implying, no.”
“Just thought I’d ask.” Maia motions toward the bar. “Want to go grab a drink?”
I wasn’t planning on drinking tonight, but as I get ready to tell her I’m good, my eyes land on Fletcher, who’s walking into the bar with some of the team.
“Oh shit.”
“What?” Maia looks around me, and I see the moment her eyes find Cam. “Oh shit.”
“Do you want to leave? I’ll tell the guys to look after Brinley, and we can sneak out.”
“No.” She shakes her head. “Hopefully, the place is busy enough that I’ll have no problem avoiding him. Especially since we’re not in Rockford gear.”
“Okay, but if you change your mind, we’ll leave.”
“Thanks.” She rests her hand on my shoulder, a soft smile on her face.
“Hey.” Brinley sighs and takes a sip of the beverage in her hand.
“That was quick.”
“He was a weirdo. He started talking about his foot fetish the second we started talking.”
“Okay, I take that back, then.” I cringe. “That was long.”
“I wanted a drink… and I got one… for free.”
“Fair enough.” Maia chuckles.
“Also, we have to be careful because I’m pretty sure I saw Jaxon.”
“We know. We saw them right when they walked in.” I look around the room, trying to find the group to make sure we don’t run into them. And that’s when I see her.
“Who’s that talking to Fletcher?” Maia squints her eyes. “It seems like they know each other.”
“Casey Hill.” The words come out in a mumble… I can’t believe she’s here.
Scratch that. I can’t believe he invited her here.
“Wait, like the Casey Hill we went to school with, Casey Hill?” Brinley pushes up on her toes, trying to see them better.
“The one and only.”
“I didn’t know they were friends.” Brinley looks at me and then back at them. “Or that she went to MSU.”
“She doesn’t.”
“Oh?” Brinley looks down at her drink and then back at me. She pushes it into my hands. “Seems like you need this more than I do.”
“I’m fine.” I shake my head, but her head falls forward, and her eyebrows raise.
She knows I’m not.
She always knows.
“Tatum Lewis, if you don’t take this drink right now, I’m going to walk over to Fletcher and let him know that we’re here.”
“I don’t get how that would help the situation.” I chuckle and take the drink from her. I down it in one.
“I think it’s time we head to the bar,” Maia recommends.
“I think that’s a great idea.”