Page 33 of Waiting For Fate

Guess what.

Me

What?

Jackson

I got us tickets to the Badgers game tomorrow.

OH. MY. GOD. WHY?

I am moving to Mars. No, the sun, then I won’t have the ability to come back.

I internally scream, placing my hands on my cheeks as I stare at my phone screen and try to think of a way to politely tell him I won’t be doing that, but I come up empty.

It feels rude to turn down a perfectly planned date night just because I’m playing a risky little game of avoidance with my feelings, but why did it have to happen in the middle of a silent crisis I’m having with their best defenseman?

Deep breath, Leah. You can do this.

Me

No way!

Jackson

I remembered you saying you enjoyed hockey on our second first date so I thought you’d enjoy it! Maybe teach me a thing or two about hockey.

Me

That was so thoughtful of you Jackson. Can’t wait.

Jackson

Same. Goodnight, Leah.

Since my eyes are barely staying open at this point, I love his message and lay my phone down before drifting off to sleep. No matter how much I joke about dying an old cat lady with the girls, I’m still not giving up on dating. Maybe he is just trying to take things slow, but I’m not going to be able to stop thinking the kiss was bad until he kisses me again.

If he ever kisses me again.

CHAPTER 13

LEAH

I can’t remember the last time I went to a hockey game. The sound of pucks on the ice, the energy, the smell of beer, popcorn and stadium nachos all have me feeling nostalgic. I’ve got on my favorite cable knit sweater that is the same color green as the Badgers’ jerseys, a pair of dark-blue jeans, and my white Converse. For the first time in forever I wore my hair natural and much to my delight, the curls are actually acting right tonight. Then there’s the matter of my glasses since I slept in my contacts last night and my eyes were not having it with them today. But I’m going to embrace them because I feel really cute tonight.

“Here we are,” Jackson says, ushering me into our aisle. We are so close to the ice that every way we turn we have an unobstructed view of the game.

“Fancy meeting you guys here,” a familiar voice says from down the aisle. I look up from searching for my seat number and see Shane smiling at me before Taylor’s head pops out from beside her.

“What are you two doing here?” I glance back at Jackson, but from the slight look of disappointment on his face I can tell he wasn’t expecting them to be here. I lean in and give them both hugs as Taylor answers.

“We come to every home game we can make it to.” My brows knit together and a pit forms in my stomach.

“Oh, I didn’t know.” Shane’s mouth pops open to say something but before she can the crowd starts cheering—Taylor included—when the Badgers skate onto the ice to start warming up. Shane and I share a glance, but she shrugs and starts cheering with Taylor.

“I’m going to grab a drink; do you want anything?” Jackson offers.

“I’ll take a Diet Coke, thanks.” He takes off up the stairs and I turn back to face the ice. I clap to show my support, recovering quickly from feeling left out since my friends haven’t invited me to a single game they’ve apparently attended. Regardless of whether or not I would have come, they could have at least invited me.

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