Page 109 of Waiting For Fate

“Lyssa, good to see you again.” He nods politely to her, then just as Matty claps his hands and opens his mouth to say something, someone else appears from seemingly nowhere.

“Do my eyes deceive me?” The brightest smile spreads across the guy’s face as he wraps his arms around both Sawyer and Matty’s shoulders. “Whatever you two beautiful ladies did to get these two out tonight, thank you.” He unwraps his arms and places his palms together giving Lyssa and I both a slight bow of thanks. Our eyes widen at each other as we both try to hold back a laugh.

“Devon, this is my girl, Leah.” Sawyer winks at me, causing my cheeks to blush immediately. “Leah, this is Devon.”

“Pleasure to meet you, Beauty. I have to bounce, but I do hope you enjoy your night.” He winks at me before walking away and I can’t help but notice Sawyer’s jaw tightening as he raises a brow at him.

“Let’s sit, yeah?” Matty interjects, holding a hand out to guide us further into the club. For the first time since walking in, I take in the space and my eyes widen as I try to adjust my vision.

All the tables and booth seats are stark white with neon lights lining every inch of them. The dance floor surrounds a small platform where people can go up to dance—though it’s currently empty—and the bar covers the length of the far-left wall with at least four bartenders working it. There’s a big ass restroom sign with an arrow on the very back wall and to the right is the massive DJ’s table.

We make our way over to a small circular booth and slide in, Lyssa and me in the middle with Sawyer and Matty on the outside.

“We’ll grab the drinks, be right back.” Sawyer kisses my cheek and stands up while Lyssa tells Matty what she wants from the bar.

I’m guessing Sawyer is confident in my drink choice since he didn’t ask me?

“So!” Lyssa chirps. “Like I said before, long time no see.” She shifts in her seat to tuck her feet beneath her bottom.

“Yeah! I’ve been to a couple of home games, but I guess our seats are like, insanely far from each other, maybe?” I laugh and she nods.

“Yeah, I’m usually on the upper level with Matty’s mom and sister.”

“Ah, that would be why. Me and my friends are down closer to the ice.”

“Well, we’ll have to make sure we steal you away during the playoff games. I need someone to stress eat with.” She rolls her eyes, tucking a strand of blonde hair behind her. “Matty’s mom basically fasts during games and his sister is concerningly calm when he plays.”

“Mental,” I say sarcastically.

“Right?!” she laughs in response. “I knew we’d get along well. I’m glad we came out with you guys tonight.” A wave of guilt rushes into my gut that I can’t help but feel ridiculous about.

“I have a confession.”

“Uh-oh. Why do I feel like this isn’t the juicy kind?” I laugh as she leans in closer to me.

“The first time I met you, wasn’t the first time I’d seen you.”

Her brows pinch together. “Okayyy.”

“I’d been out at Knockin Boots one night—on a date, actually—and saw you and Sawyer dancing together. Then I saw you guys leaving together and I pretty much hated you immediately. So, when I was talking to you in the hallway that day, I was trying to find out if you two were dating. Then you called him Cowboy and I’m so used to only hearing couples giving each other cutesy little nicknames that I was all but convinced you two were together, and seeing as how he’d just had a very close proximity conversation with me in the locker room, I was basically simmering with rage.” The anxiety I’m feeling over explaining this to her vanishes when she throws her head back and laughs.

“Oh my god, that is the best story ever.”

“It was…so embarrassing when I actually confronted him about it. I thought I was some badass by calling him out on his bullshit and then it came back to bite me in the ass when I wound up looking jealous.”

“You were so jealous.” Lyssa tilts her head at me, and I can’t help but laugh.

“I was so jealous. I mean freaking look at you. Who wouldn’t be?” I wave a hand up and down bringing attention to how hot she is.

“Well thank you, but you’re downright stunning. This hair alone makes me wish I could hate you,” she sighs dramatically. “Unfortunately, you’re delightful as hell. Looks like I’ll just have to be in love with you instead.”

It’s amazing how much she reminds me of the rest of my friends.

“Hey now, none of that.” Matty slides in next to her and she rolls her eyes at him.

“You were all worried about her being swept up by my dancing, but it turns out it’s my girl she’s taken with.” Sawyer sets a drink down on the table in front of me before wrapping his arm around my shoulder.

“Lyssa and I are in love; you will just have to get over it.” I reach a hand out and she takes it in hers and kisses the top of it. I pucker my lips to blow a kiss in her direction and wink—leaving both guys speechless. Then Lyssa and I burst into laughter.

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