Page 9 of One Pucking Chance

The next two hours fly by, and I don’t have a moment between fans to speak to Jaden again, though I do find myself stealing glances at him. He’s just as busy as he signs one jersey after the next. True to her word, Ms. Dreven keeps the line running smoothly, and at the two-hour mark, it is void of people. It’s one of the best run signing events I’ve been to, and I’m relieved.

Our five o’clock call time will be here before I know it. Our director follows the suggested twelve-hour rule and gives us twelve hours of downtime after each day but not a second longer. Seeing that we ended filming today at five, we’ll be expected on set first thing in the morning.

I stand from the table.

“You ready to go?” Jaden asks.

“You’re not serious.”

“You tell me.”

“No, I have to be on set at five in the morning. It’s late, and I’m tired. It was a pleasure meeting you, Jaden, but I’m afraid this is where our story ends.”

He takes a step toward me, closing the gap between us. “I disagree, Annalise. I think this is where our story begins.”

He inches closer, and his proximity does something strange to me. My skin tingles, and my heart picks up its pace. I’d only have to lean in, and our bodies would connect. I can almost feel the heat emitting from him, though, I know I must be imagining it.

I freeze when he leans in, immobilized with panic. Only, he doesn’t come farther toward me. Instead, he reaches for a jersey folded on the table. When he’s retrieved it, he hands it to me.

“I have an early morning practice, too. Good things are worth the wait, yeah? I’ll see you tomorrow, then.” He smirks, takes a step back and turns away, leaving me with my mouth agape and at a loss for words. “Oh, Annalise,” he says over his shoulder. “I promise not to spit on you tomorrow. That is, not unless you beg me to.” With that, he follows the rest of the team out and leaves me clutching the jersey to my chest.

After he’s out of sight, I hold the jersey out in front of me. It has the number two on it and the last name of Lewis in big block letters across the top back. On the front corner in black marker, he’s written a note.

Anna,

Can’t waittwomake you mine.

See you tomorrow.

J

Holding the jersey out in front of me, I read the note over and over. Okay, so the guy likes the number two, evident in the switch of spellings. I’m assuming that was intentional. Maybe that’s a hockey thing—to be obsessed with your jersey number?

See you tomorrow? What is he talking about? I never agreed to see him tomorrow. Yet this was written before he asked me out tonight. Is he cocky, confident, or just plain weird? I don’t know.

And surely, I’m not going out with him. Why would I? Right?No way.

Exiting the space, I retreat toward my trailer, all the while holding the number two jersey to my chest. I expect the evening and all the weirdness it entailed to fade, yet it doesn’t. It was a perfect storm of awkwardness, and then it was just over. I’m not sure what game Jaden is playing, but there is no room for a future between him and me, not even a brief one.

There’s just not.

Absolutely not.

CHAPTER

FIVE

JADEN

“Bro, did you see that block? I knocked you out. I’m untouchable today.” Max grips his PlayStation controller and leans toward the big-screen TV.

I scoff. “Seriously? You just got lucky, and you know it. Just wait. Watch this next drive.”

“Bring it on. My defense is rock solid.”

“You got jokes.” I force a laugh, tapping my fingers against the controller. “I’m about to break through your line like it’s nothing.”

Max shakes his head. He stands from the sofa and steps toward the television, pointing his controller toward the big screen as if the movement will give him an edge. “Nope. We’re ready. Not a chance you’re getting through this line.”

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