Page 13 of Waiting For Fate

“Max said he will stay outside with the kids because he quote: doesn’t need to go to jail for choking a clown to death.” Shane air quotes before grabbing a chip and popping it in her mouth. “He doesn’t do well with jump scares.”

“See, it’s not just me!” I point out, bringing my margarita glass to my lips.

“Okay, but…he has like, reasons for not liking jump scares. Like…war reasons,” Shane mumbles, as if she doesn’t want Max—who isn’t here—to overhear us.

“Well now I feel like an asshole for making the comparison so thanks for that.” I plop down on the stool next to Taylor, grabbing a chip from the bowl.

“Okay! So, Max will stay with the kids, but everyone else goes in.” Taylor swiftly changes the subject, giving me an idea.

“Do you think it would be okay if I invited Jackson?” I avoid eye contact from any of them for a moment, but the second I look up the room fills with dramatic looks and flirty oooh’s from my friends.

Jackson and I have been out a couple of times since the margarita tasting and things have been going surprisingly well—outside of the fact that I’m not sure I’ve felt the spark yet. I don’t know how long it usually takes to feel that spark everyone talks about, but I do know that I don’t want to give up on something that I haven’t given a fair chance. My friends are nothing if not observant as hell, so I know they’ll be able to get a read on the situation and tell me if something is off.

“Yes! Bring him. I want to meet him again.” Shane claps her hands together excitedly.

“Duh, of course!” Lauren chimes in.

“So, things are getting pretty serious with you two then?” Taylor’s tone catches me off guard. She’s the main one out of the five of us that is usually encouraging us to go all in, to take chances and, for lack of a better term, get it.

“I don’t know about it being serious, it’s only been a couple of weeks but it’s going well I guess…” Taylor nods silently and I glance around for help from the other girls, but they simply shrug like they don’t know what’s going on either. “It’s a haunted trail, Tay, not a marriage proposal. I think it’ll be fine.” I laugh, making her shake her head and reach for another chip.

“No, yeah. I know. I just meant I’m glad you’re feeling good about him. That’s all.” When she smiles at me it doesn’t quite meet her eyes and I can’t help but wonder what’s going through that sweet, chaotic little mind of hers.

“Speaking of marriage proposals.” Taylor perks up again, “Tucker and I have set a date for our wedding.”

“Finally! You got me all excited about being sisters-in-law like forever ago. Make it happen already,” Ruby groans, leaning over to squeeze Taylor.

“What’s the date?” Shane sing-songs, shimmying in her seat.

“June first.”

“Thank God. A summer wedding.” I throw my arms around her letting out a sigh of relief. I hate when big events happen during the school year because I’m never able to give them the attention they truly deserve.

“You’re welcome.” She winks at me, finally acting a little more like herself. “Okay, who wants to look up bridesmaid’s dresses?” she sings out excitedly.

We spend the rest of the night huddled on the couch looking at different dress styles suitable for a summer wedding, making plans for after the haunted trail, reminiscing on the past, and telling Ruby how much we wished we’d known her when we were kids. A well-rounded girl’s night that was very much needed.

CHAPTER 5

SAWYER

“Hit the showers,” Coach yells as practice comes to an end. “I want to see that same power at this weekend’s game.” There’s a collective exhale when Coach finally calls it a day because he was working us hard as shit today. Dom—one of our goalies—actually stops on the way to the locker room to lay on the ice to cool down.

“Dom. Get your ass up before you get freezer burn on your face like some old ass ice cream.” Matty slaps his ass with his stick as he skates off the ice, leaving Dom grumbling to himself by the goal.

I waste no time hitting the showers since I still have to get home and change before we head to the trail tonight. A bunch of the guys are talking about going out for drinks tonight and seeing what kind of trouble they can get into, bragging about the girls who are constantly throwing themselves at their feet. Whereas I, on the other hand, haven’t hooked up casually since college and haven’t lasted longer than a single post-game drink in years. The appeal just isn’t there anymore. I don’t want casual hookups, or someone who only wants to be with me because of my name or status. So, I left that part of the game behind me when I signed my contract with the NHL.

“Got any plans tonight, Clark? Some of the guys are going out, maybe see if we can find a slutty nurse or something to take home. You in?” Devon gives me a hopeful stare while Javier and I exchange glances.

“Nah man. I’ve got plans already but uh, good luck with that.” Swinging my bag over my shoulder I pat his arm and shoot Javier another glance.

“Javi…”

“Dev, you always pretend like you don’t know I’ve been married for ten years. I have my own little spawns to take trick-or-treating tonight, so I’ll pass—again.” Their voices fade as I make my way down the hallway towards the parking lot. I appreciate the effort he’s putting forth to try and include me—even if it’s not my scene—and though the idea of finding someone to take home is appealing, my sights are set on an angel tonight.

I climb in my truck and grab my phone out of my bag to turn it back on when I notice a bunch of unread messages.

Max

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