14. Dude. Why the crazy eyes?
14
"Dude. Why the crazy eyes?"
Aaron Miles
As pumped as I am by the win, it feels like a hunk of lead is weighing down my stomach.
Marissa didn’t text me once during the game tonight, and I’ve missed her commentary. This is the first time she’s skipped it since I started in the NHL. There have been too many firsts tonight, and I hate it.
As we make our way through Deacon’s bar toward the back room, fans ask for autographs on their jerseys, congratulating us and encouraging us to keep going. I’m proud of the team. We p layed a good game tonight, and I’ve never been more confident that we’ll make it to the finals again. And this time, we will win.
But before I can celebrate, I need to talk to Marissa.
“Hey, man,” Hawthorne says, high-fiving me when I reach the backroom. I chat with a few friends, scanning the room for Marissa. I only spot Hayley, already in Beaumont’s arms, and Angela awkwardly standing next to her.
“Hey,” I say, walking over when she waves at me. I’d rather keep looking for Marissa, but it would be rude to ignore her. “How are you? Enjoy the game?”
She flashes a perfect smile. “It was so much fun. Congrats on that goal. It was impressive.” She inches closer, placing a hand on my arm.
“Thanks. Have you seen Marissa?” I ask, glancing around, my heart racing in my chest.
“She went home,” she says casually.
“What?” I frown, snapping my head back toward her. “Why? Is she okay?” She always comes to Deacon’s bar to celebrate after the game. Always .
Angela shrugs. “Um, yeah. She was just tired, I think.” She tucks a strand of hair behind her ear. “So, w—”
“Sorry,” I say, raising a finger. “I’ll be right back.” I hustle to the corridor where the restrooms are to catch some quiet and ring Marissa’s cell.
She doesn’t answer.
What is happening?
“Hey, dude,” Adler says, stepping out of the restroom. “What are you doing here? Come out so I can kick your butt at foosball.”
“I have to go,” I say, stuffing my phone in my pocket. “There’s something wrong with Marissa.”
His eyebrows draw together. “Oh, no. What’s going on?”
I shake my head, then adjust my cap. “Dunno. She’s not here. She went straight home and isn’t returning my calls.”
He leans against the wall, his forehead wrinkling. “I don’t get it. Why are you worried? Maybe she’s just tired.”
I swallow hard. I guess he has a point. “But she’s not answering. That’s not normal.”
“Dude. Why the crazy eyes? She’s probably just sleeping. It’s late. Besides, it’s not like you two had a date or something,” he says, barking out a laugh. “I know you guys are friends, but she’s an adult. And you’re not her dad.”
Heat creeps up my neck. He’s right. Marissa doesn’t owe me any explanations.
“Plus, you have a hot chick here tonight.” He slaps my back. “Nice change of pace.”
“Yeah. I’m not really into her.”
Adler’s cobalt eyes narrow. “ What? She seems great to me. What’s wrong with her?”
I shrug. The first thing that comes to mind is that she’s not Marissa, but since I can’t be honest, I respond, “I don’t know. I’m just not feeling it. I’m going to talk to her and set things straight.”
“You should. Because she’s definitely into you.”
With a nod, I walk back into the room. I need to make it clear to her that I only invited her tonight because of her brother, and that she shouldn’t read any more into it. I wish I was interested, I really do. My life would be so much easier. But for some reason, the only girl I want is the one I can’t have, and who’s already relegated me to the friendzone because of my own cowardice.