Page 56 of Boyfriend
“Some don’t,” I admit. “Next year when I'm trying to write med school applications during hockey, it's going to be hell.”
“Where do you want to go to grad school?”
“Here, actually. Burlington's program is pretty good. I'm close to my crazy family, but not too close. And there's the possibility that I could use my fifth year of NCAA eligibility. I was injured my sophomore year and didn’t play.”
“Oh! So you could play hockey in grad school?”
“Yeah, or maybe do some coaching if I can't make the schedule work. Coach has been building this team so well the last couple of years. Great things are coming, and I want to see it play out.”
“That's fun, Westie.” She gives me a bright smile. “Table seventeen wouldn’t be the same without your leadership.”
I nudge her feet under the table. “You're trolling me.”
“Just a little. Someone else will have to serve the beer, though. I'II be too busy running the world.”
“Or at least the world’s TikTok account,” I point out.
“Exactly,” she says with a grin.
* * *
After dinner, I hold her hand as we walk back toward campus. The night is frigid, and we have January air blasting in our faces. “I guess I didn’t think this through.”
“We’re from Vermont, Westie.” She squeezes my hand. “We can take it.”
“If you need warming up, though, I’m volunteering.”
She snickers. “Maybe you did think this through.”
“Not to brag, but I don’t usually have to freeze a woman to get her into bed.”
Abbi gives me a sly glance. “Is that where the night is headed?”
“It is if I get to choose. Can I come over?” Please say yes. I’ve got it so bad.
“Yes,” she says softly.
“If tonight isn't good timing, I'd understand. I know it’s your only night off.”
“No, it's nice,” she says sounding a little shy. “I’d like to spend my night off with you.”
Something warm and delicious curls through my belly when I hear this. “My place? Or yours.”
“Mine,” she says. “It’s closer. And more, uh, private.”
“That’s certainly true. Your place it is.” I hitch my gym bag up on my shoulder and lengthen my stride toward her little apartment.
“See?” she says when we finally arrive inside. “It’s warm! And I only have you to thank.”
“Holy cow,” I crow as the heat hits my cold face. “It’s actually hot in here. I’ve created a monster.”
“Well, your system of tricking the thermostat is awesome, but it isn’t easy to fine tune.” She hangs up her coat on the back of the door before crossing the room to pick up a broom. She uses the stick to knock the washcloth off the thermostat.
“I’m glad you’re not freezing anymore.” I take off my coat and hang it up with Abbi’s. “Plus, this is going to make it a lot easier to get you naked. Am I right?” I give her a sleazy wink.
“You might be,” she says shyly. “Want a soda?” She taps her fingers against the countertop in her tiny kitchen.
“Only if you do.” She looks a little shy all of a sudden. I hope that doesn’t mean she’s having second thoughts about us.
