Page 28 of Waiting For Fate

“So…what happened though? We know what you did. But why did you do it?” Tank asks. My eyes bounce over to Tucker involuntarily before I look back at Tank, but it’s long enough that everyone notices.

“Well, I know I didn’t do anything. I didn’t even meet you until like two years ago,” Tucker says defensively.

“Taylor caught me looking at Leah a little too fondly during the senior bonfire and threatened me not to go there. She said I would ruin my friendship with her and possibly theirs if it didn’t work out. I thought I could just go back to seeing her as a friend if I put a little more distance between us but?—”

“You don’t strike me as the type that does what his little sister says. Respectfully.” Max holds his hands up in mock defense.

“I’m not, usually. But I couldn't get what she said about losing Leah out of my head.”

“But you lost her anyways?” Tucker concludes, making me sigh.

“I didn’t say it wasn’t stupid.” I smirk sarcastically.

“So, why not just tell her now?” Tucker, Max, and I all turn our heads to face Tank who looks genuinely curious. “What?”

“What a great idea, Einstein. I’m sure he hasn’t thought to do that.” Tucker whips Tank’s leg with his towel, making him jump back.

“Words hurt, Tucker.” His hand falls to his heart dramatically, before extending it towards me. “I’m just saying, there are other ways to explain himself. He could text her or email her or shit… write her a letter.”

“Yes, a letter. Please tell me, brother, in your experience how well does that method work out?” Tucker tilts his head at Tank who flips him off.

“I don’t want to say what I need to say if it’s not in person. I need to see her face when she hears why I did it—and how I feel.”

“I respect that.” Max finally rejoins the conversation. “And I admire you for not giving up on what you want now. I stupidly walked away from someone I should have been fighting for because I thought I was doing what was best for her. Luckily, she took me back once this guy finally talked some sense into me.” He hikes a finger over at Tucker who is giving me a shit eating grin now.

“So basically, I’m your guy for all this relationship stuff.”

“Even if I plan on yelling at your future wife for putting her nose where it didn’t belong?” His grin falls immediately as he salutes me.

“It was nice knowing you, pal.”

“You’ll find your moment. Keep playing the long game, bud. She’ll come around eventually.” Max claps my shoulder. “Let’s go, lunch is on me.”

“Thanks, Dad.” Tank gives Max a goofy smile as we all grab our things and head to Chattahoochies for lunch.

“Switch!” Javi calls as we’re skating across center ice.

This team came to play tonight, but so the fuck did we. Matty appears just in time for me to pass the puck to him and he slaps it straight into the top of the net. The crowd is going absolutely wild and when I look across the ice, I see Devon skating like he’s trying out for the figure skating team, making me bark out a laugh.

“Another win in the books, boys. Let’s go out and celebrate!” AJ yells across our small huddle on the ice.

As always, I’m tempted to go straight home and go to bed, but I will admit I’m beginning to enjoy the after-game celebrations. Matty, Javi, and I always get to hang out and enjoy a beer before heading out a little earlier than everyone else—so with that in mind, I agree.

Imagine my surprise when we meet up on Broadway and Javi and Matty are nowhere in sight. I check my texts and see they’ve both informed me they’ll be going home tonight to spend time with their families.

Fantastic. Now I’m babysitting the rowdy bunch.

All the younger guys from the team are all rallying on where to go—while I plan my subtle disappearance—when I see Matty running up to us.

“I thought you weren’t coming out tonight, Gallagher.” We bump knuckles as he pulls a woman under his opposite arm.

“When my girl says she wants to go out, out is where we go.”

“Which is going to be where exactly?” As if on cue Devon pops up beside her to answer.

“Line dancin’ little lady.” He winks at her, and I think Matty mentally chokes him.

“She’s not available, DJ.” Matty pulls her closer to himself, making me laugh.

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