Page 10 of Waiting For Fate

“You wanna go eat? Or are you too cool to hang out with your little sister and her friends?” Taylor rolls her eyes dramatically.

“When have I ever been too cool to hang out with you and your friends?” I scoff, not missing the ache in my chest from the absence of a certain friend. “Sounds great. I’m starving.”

“How long have you played hockey?” Hendrix acts like we’ve been best friends for the entirety of his life, dipping a French fry into his ketchup as he strikes up a conversation with me. We ended up at Spur’s diner, knowing they would likely have the room to seat all nine of us without an atrocious wait time.

“Since I could walk, probably.” He nods as I take a bite out of my burger.

Holy shit, I’ve missed this place.

“I started playing soccer when I was like, three.” He leans forward to take a sip from his milkshake.

“Right on. What position do you play?”

“I play everywhere, but I like being the goalie.” The spark in his eye when he talks about soccer reminds me a lot of myself at his age. Lighting up any time I got to talk about hockey.

“Are you any good?”

“Oh yeah, the best,” he says confidently.

Man, I love this kid already.

“He says ever so humbly.” Ruby’s head appears on the other side of Hendrix, interjecting as she rustles his hair.

“So, Moose. How’s the new place?” I turn to face Taylor who is putting her burger away like a true savage.

“You seriously have to stop calling me that,” I grumble, making Taylor roll her eyes. “It’s nice though. I’ll have to have you guys over sometime once there aren’t boxes in every corner of the place.”

“If you need any help Tucker can help you.” She hikes a thumb behind her at Tucker who laughs at the sight of her.

Jesus, she’s acting like this is her last meal.

“Sure man. I’d be happy to help. But I don’t do pillow fights.”

“Yeah, that’s our thing, sorry man.” I bark out a laugh when I see Max raising his brows playfully at Tucker.

“Oh, my,” Shane giggles, widening her eyes at Taylor.

Looking around the table everyone seems so happy—so content with their lives and surrounded by the people they love the most— and all I can think about is how much I wish Leah was at this table with us.

So, I do something I haven’t done in years.

Me

Wish you were here tonight, Dove.

I watch as the text goes through, keeping my eyes glued to the screen as I see it change from delivered to read. I hold my breath, waiting to see those three little dots appear, but they never do. Next thing I know her “do not disturb” notification pops up on the bottom of the screen.

Ouch.

I tilt my head back, letting out a frustrated breath as I lock my phone and slide it back into my pocket.

“What’s the matter?” Taylor tilts her head when she looks at me.

“Nothing. Do you know why Leah couldn’t make it tonight?” I try my best not to sound too invested in the answer, when in reality I’m desperate to know.

“Oh, I think she’s at a margarita tasting with her co-worker.” She glances over at Lauren for confirmation and Lauren simply nods her head in agreement.

I sit back a little more relaxed knowing she wasn’t just blowing me off. Not that it wouldn’t be some well-deserved karma.

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