Chapter 1 #2
That has me chuckling… If she only knew.
“What kind do you want, hm?”
Shay shrugs, tossing her blonde hair over her shoulder. “I have no clue… You forget, diamonds aren’t my best friend; a ball is.” As soon as she says it, Shay gives me a pointed look. “None of ‘that’s what she said’ stupidity from the peanut gallery, please.”
I hold up my hands in protest. “I would never.”
“You forget I’ve been texting you for almost three years. I know the dumb shit you say.”
I smirk, biting my lip because she’s got me there.
“And to think you almost blocked me like I was some crazy stalker.”
Shay raises her eyebrow. “Verdict’s still out.”
I’ll never forget the first time we officially met each other in person, a few weeks after we started texting.
I had no clue I’d come to regret every move I made that night.
The vulnerability I was feeling earlier has me saying something I never have. “But in all seriousness, you do know your texts are what get me through most days. I look forward to them the second I wake up.”
Her gaze softens, and I know by the way she licks her lips that my words affect her. Even if she’d never act on it.
“Me too,” she whispers before clearing her throat and saying, “I guess my mom was right about ya, after all.”
She’ll never admit she feels the pull between us, but why would she?
I have yet to tell her how I truly feel.
Well, except for that night when sober thoughts became drunken texts.
I wonder if she deleted the messages even after Jordan saw them.
I sure didn’t. I’ve read them what feels like hundreds of times.
Something on her phone draws her attention again, and this time, she swipes up, and a look of concern spreads across her pretty face.
“That’s weird, Symone said for me to call her when I can. She hates talking on the phone.” She stares at the screen as she tells me about one of her best friends.
“I’m sure it’s nothing, but if you need to go talk to her, I can walk you out back.”
Shay immediately shakes her head. “No, no, I’ll just go to the bathroom and make sure she’s good.”
“Okay, I’ll be here when you get back.”
I watch her as she strides to the bathroom. Her long, toned legs are barely covered by the mini-skirt she’s wearing, making my mouth water.
Ten minutes later, I’m getting up to go check on her, and my phone vibrates in my pocket.
Shay
Sorry, I think that White Claw upset my stomach. I just grabbed an Uber. Can I make it up to you and tag along with Joey to breakfast?
Disappointment floods my veins again, but I push those thoughts aside, happy I get to see her tomorrow.
Me
As long as Joey says it’s ok.
Me
Let me know when you make it to the hotel.
Shay
I will. Congrats again, Maverick.
A couple of hours later, we’re all heading back to the hotel after finding a late-night pizza and wings joint that’s walking distance from the hotel.
Shay texted me that she made it back to the hotel, but after that, I really couldn’t shake my weird mood, so when Nate asked if I wanted to head out with them to find some food, I jumped at the opportunity.
Food always makes me happy, and my roommates know that.
“Mav, didn’t you say you were taking broadcasting this summer?” Berkley asks from where she walks in front of Nate and me with Peyton.
Graham and Nola both found “friends” to end their night with, so it’s just the four of us.
I nod. “Yep, Intro to Broadcasting.”
“When is your class?” Peyton slows her steps, moving to my side as Nate joins his girlfriend. Other than telling me congrats and interviewing me for The Howler, I haven’t really talked to Peyton much, but she’s so much different than I pictured the brains behind The Howler Report to be.
I think about that briefly, trying to remember my summer class schedule. “I know it’s on Mondays and Wednesdays. And I think the class is from 9-12 on those days.”
“Yep, that’s the one I’m in, too. But why are you taking it? I didn’t think athletes had to worry about class credits like that?” Immediately, she blushes, likely realizing her question was very direct and maybe a little intrusive.
“Well, it's important to me to graduate with a degree. I’ve seen too many people get hurt and lose their dreams, so I figured what’s better than a course in broadcasting. If all else fails, I’d make a great hockey personality for the NHL.”
“But since we’re asking, why are you in an intro elective for broadcasting? I thought you were basically running the whole department by now.”
She laughs at that. “Journalism and creative writing have always been my dream, but I have grown to love sports broadcasting so much. My advisor thought it would be good for me to have a minor in it, so I’m trying to catch up this summer on the intro classes.”
“Ahh, makes sense. So, what type of unhinged stuff are you releasing tomorrow on the Howler report in honor of our win?”
She smirks and looks toward the ground. I worry she thinks I’m making fun of her, so I quickly say, “I’m messy as fuck, so I love the shit you write.
No one would be talking about The Howler Report if you weren’t keeping it interesting.
And you’ve made it on SportsCenter and Barstool’s Instagram… That’s impressive.”
I can see the shock in Peyton’s eyes and a hint of bashfulness. “Thank you, Maverick,” she says as we walk through the front doors of the hotel lobby.
“It was nice talking to you, Peyton. I’m sure I’ll see you around, and definitely this summer in class. Hopefully, they’ll take it easy on this dumb jock.”
Peyton bites her lip and laughs lightly before giving me a little wave and walking away.