Page 57 of Chase Lovett Wants Me

“I’ll have the same, thanks. And we’re ready to order if that’s cool,” Brody adds.

“Sure thing.”

Brody orders our wings and a side of cheesy garlic bread. She moves on to the next guys at the table.

“If it doesn’t feel like you’re missing out, then what’s the issue?”

“I don’t know. I’m locking in early, I guess? Earlier than Ithought I would.” I didn’t think I’d have a girlfriend before the end of my first semester. “I guess I figured maybe I’d settle down in fourth year or something.”

He nods. “Cammie’s cool, though, and she’s not clingy. She’s got her own thing going on and she’s pretty chill.”

“Yeah. For sure. She’s just like…unapologetically herself, you know?” She’s smart, funny, easy to hang out with, and a fucking revelation between the sheets. And we’ve just started to learn each other.

“She’s good for you and you’re good for her,” he agrees.

“I’m super into her.” I glance to my left, making sure no one else is listening as I lean in and lower my voice. “Like I think maybe…she’s it.” When I think about my future, I see her in it.

Brody rests his forearms on the table and clasps his hands. “If you know, you know.”

“But like, I’m not even nineteen yet.”

Brody shrugs. “Maybe it feels early because we hang out with guys like Gage who want to fuck their way through their university career. But look at Flint and Jason. Those guys have been with their girlfriends since first year and you don’t see them worrying about missing out on shit. They don’t have FOMO because they have what they need.”

He’s right. Flint and Jason are third years. When those guys come to parties they always bring their girlfriends. I haven’t had a chance to introduce Cammie to them yet. Hopefully soon, though. They always attend home games and wear their jerseys, cheering Flint and Jason on. “Cammie’s what I need.”

“So, if she’s your person, just own it and be glad you found her now and you don’t have to do the heartbreak thing a bunch of times. Gage and those dudes are just noise. Block it out and do what’s best for you.”

I imagine what the next few years could be like. Cammie and I studying together, hanging out. She can come to my games, give me good luck kisses before I hit the ice. We can have hotcelebration sex when our team wins during home games. She’ll be the last person I talk to every night, no matter where I am.

The server drops off a huge bucket of wings. Gage pulls up a chair. “You two look way too serious for beer and wings. What’s going on?”

“Just talking strategy for our game tomorrow night,” Brody lies smoothly.

“We’re going to kick Brock U’s ass.” Gage digs into the bucket of wings.

We talk hockey and eat wings until my stomach hurts. Gage doesn’t ask us if we want to try to get into the bar with them when we’ve polished off all the food. Instead, we head back to campus, along with a few other guys who also bowed out. Brody and I brush our teeth but my mouth annoyingly still tastes like wings. When I’m settled in bed, I send a good-night text to Cammie.

Chase

How is your night with Tally going?

Cammie

We’ve almost finished our movie marathon.

I check the time. It’s after one in the morning.

Chase

Do you want me to walk over and walk you back?

Cammie

That’s sweet, but I’ll crash here. I’ll see you tomorrow, though?

Chase

We can grab breakfast or something?

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