Chapter 19
MAC
It’s go time.
Now or never.
Do or die.
I didn’t tell Fee how I felt yesterday because she needed my emotional support, not my emotional baggage, but she’s in much better form today and I’m bursting with the need to say something already.
Also, the guys told me if I didn’t do something about it immanently, they’d stage an intervention and Gage would be at the helm.
I don’t want to know what a Gage intervention looks like. Ever.
“Are you sure everything’s okay?” Fee asks for the third time. “Are you stressing about hockey? Do you want to book some extra ice time?”
“No. Yes. I mean yes, everything is cool, and no, I’m not stressing about hockey.” I need to pull the plug on my anxiety. “I need to ask you something.”
“Okay.” She sits up a little straighter and gives me her full attention. “I’m listening.”
“I want to take you on a date.” No finesse, no lead-up. Just honest truth.
“Oh.” She blinks twice, but that’s all the reaction I get.
Fuck. What if I’m too late? What if my window of opportunity has already closed?
“Do you have another hockey thing?” She pulls up her calendar, dutifully preparing to save the date. “Do you know when it is and who will be there? Dress code and stuff?”
I beat back the swelling wave of panic. She kissed me back. She made this incredibly needy sound that I want to hear on repeat. I send a prayer to the gods of attraction that I’m right about this. “There’s no event. I want to take you on a real, not-fake date, Ophelia.”
More blinking. “A real date?”
“Yeah. I like you, Fee.”
“You like me?” she parrots.
“As more than friends,” I add. “In case that wasn’t clear.”
Her eyebrows lift, confusion turning to shock. “Really?”
“Is that so hard to believe?” I ask. “I love spending time with you, you’re easy to talk to, kind, smart, talented, thoughtful, fun.
You’re sexy as hell on skates, and in a dress.
” I bite my lip and lean, lowering my voice.
“I haven’t been able to stop thinking about that kiss the other week. ” I go all in. Shoot my shot.
“Me neither.”
I’m uncertain if that’s good or bad until a shy smile curves the corner of her mouth. “I’d love to go on a real date.”
“Yeah?” Relief crashes over me, followed by a wave of excitement.
She ducks her head. “Yeah.”
“Are you free tonight?” Might as well strike while the iron is hot.
She laughs. “I am actually.”
“I’ll pick you up at your apartment at seven?”
“Okay.” Her phone beeps. “Shit. I have class. I gotta run.” She kisses me on the cheek. “See you at seven.”
“Which shirt is better?” I hold up a dark blue one and a green one.
“Either works.” Gage is on his phone, brows furrowed as he thumb-types.
“I like the blue one,” Chase says.
Brody adjusts his ball cap. “Same.”
“So what finally flipped the switch?” Gage sets his phone down, which is rare for him.
“Your intervention threats.” I unscrew my pomade and swipe a dollop. “Plus, we’ve been spending a lot of time together, and I like her.”
“Yeah, but you’ve always liked her,” Gage argues.
“We’ve been friends, and now I want us to be more.
” Why is this so hard to understand? I’ve never been a rush into things kind of guy.
Maybe part of it has to do with my parents splitting up.
Like it would suck to get emotionally involved with someone just to have them leave.
But I’m already emotionally involved when it comes to Fee, and now that I’ve kissed her, I don’t think I can be around her without wanting to kiss her again.
“I don’t get it.” Gage rubs his chin. “She’s been hanging around with us all year and you’re just realizing this now, though?”
“Not everyone has to fuck a person before they realize they might like them beyond physical attraction, Gage,” Brody says.
“Not that there is anything wrong with sex for the sake of pleasure, or whatever floats your boat, but some people need an emotional connection with another person prior to wanting to fuck their brains out.”
“Really?” Gage seems mystified.
“Really,” I agree. I’m not sure we’re at the fuck each other’s brains out stage, but I definitely want to end tonight with my lips on Fee’s.
“Cammie and I had an instant attraction, but I realized real quick that I wanted a lot more than just her prec—more than just getting into her pants.” Chase’s cheeks turn pink.
We are all aware that he calls his girlfriend’s special parts her “precious” because he’s mistakenly done it more than once in front of us, usually when he’s drunk.
I refrain from commenting or calling him on it. Personally, I think it sounds nicer than some of the alternatives, and he and Cammie are their own brand of happy, horny weird.
“And you need that? Emotional connection before you get naked and stuff?” Gage doesn’t seem like he’s being an obtuse jerk, more that he’s genuinely curious.
“Yeah. It’s why I’ve hit the friend zone a lot in the past,” I admit.
“There’s merit to it though. I’ve hooked up a lot and most of the time we don’t make it past the first few dates because we don’t have anything in common,” Gage says. “Except I never hook up with my tutors, but sometimes the temptation is real.”
“Because they’re forbidden?” Chase asks.
“Maybe. Smart girls are hot, though.” Gage taps on the arm of his chair.
“There are lots of smart girls out there who aren’t your tutor. Ask one of them on a date,” Brody suggests.
“Smart girls don’t want to date dumb jocks,” Gage says.
“Way to stereotype yourself, bro. You have language learning disability. Just because the essay parts of your classes give you the gears doesn’t mean you’re a dumb jock. You’re basically a rocket scientist with the math stuff,” Chase argues.
“And you teach people ASL. Give yourself some credit.” I used to think Gage was just a run-of-the-mill fuckboy, but lately it seems less about wanting to be that way, and more about his self-esteem.
“Things to consider.” Gage rubs his chin. “Anyway, I agree on the blue shirt. And wear your black jeans. Those are good ass jeans, and I’ve caught Fee staring more than once when you wear them.”
“Good to know.” I change my jeans, brush my teeth, and spritz myself with cologne, then go back for extra deodorant before I return to the living room. “How do I look?”
“Like the kind of guy girls take home to meet the parents,” Gage offers.
“You look good.” Brody gives me a single thumbs-up.
“Are you bringing her flowers or a treat?” Chase asks.
“Yes?”
They all narrow their eyes.
“I’ll pick up flowers on the way.”
“Or get her popcorn since you already know she loves the stuff,” Chase suggests.
“Good call. If the flowers look weak, popcorn it is.”
Gage gives me props. “You got this, Mac! Go make your fake girlfriend your real girlfriend.”