Page 14 of The Obvious Check

Before I can respond, Stanley barks and jumps over the boards, bounding toward me with his tongue lolling out. The little guy is fast, and before anyone can stop him, he’s at my feet, wagging his tail excitedly, his eyes shining with pure joy.

I scoop him up, holding him against my chest as he licks my face enthusiastically. “Hey, buddy. You trying to save me from this intervention?”

The team chuckles, the tension breaking slightly as Stanley squirms in my arms, his tail wagging furiously.

“Look, we’re not trying to gang up on you,” Scotty says, stepping forward, his expression earnest. “We just want things to go back to normal. You and Dash are brothers, and we need that energy on the ice.”

“But why would speaking to a girl in my economics class help things?” I ask.

“Because,” Erik pipes up, “if you’re focusing on what’s going on inyourbed, you won’t care so much about what’s going on inhis.” He points at Dash.

Scotty shakes his head, whacking Erik upside his. “Ouch! What was that for?”

“You’re an idiot,” Scotty said before skating over to us. “What Erik means is maybe if you focused on your love life, it might be easier to accept Madison and Dash are together.”

“I have accepted it.”

Silence.

“And I have Stanley to focus on.” As if on cue, Stanley barks in approval and reaches up, licking my chin.

Dash clears his throat, drawing our attention to him. “I hate to say this, but I agree with Erik. Like I said before, I think you should talk to her.”

“Oh, you want to talk love lives now?”

“See. This is what I’m talking about.” Erik points between us. “Mom and Dad are fighting, and I don’t like it.”

“Look, I get the last thing you want from me right now is relationship advice, but I feel like it’s important you hear from my perspective,” Dash says. “I’ve known you for a long time. I think it’s important you address this. Your head’s not in the game, and yes, that’s partly my fault, but I’m doing everything I can to try to make it up to you. I know I’m annoying you, but usually you play better when you’re pissed off. Right now your sluggish moves on the ice can only be explained by Savannah. You’re distracted. We can all see it.”

I sigh as Stanley wiggles in my arms. They’re right. I haven’t stopped thinking about a girl who barely acknowledges I exist. Getting Stanley has been a nice distraction, but whenever we’re in class, the same questions come to mind. I’m always thinking about her, wondering what’s going on, and it’s starting to bleed into everything else. I didn’t want to admit it before, but it’s obvious now.

I need to try to talk to her again.

“Fine,” I say, setting Stanley back down gently. He immediately trots over to Brooks, who kneels to scratch behind his ears. “I’ll ask her out.”

“When?” Scotty asks.

“Why, do you want to help him?” Erik jeers.

“Better than you trying to help.” Scotty’s words are laced with venom as he looks at our carefree left winger before turning back to me. “I’ve found seeing dates and times really helps you supercharge your goals.”

“Wow. Who’s talking? You or your dad?” Erik can’t help but rile Scotty up a little. Scotty doesn’t take the bait. Ever the professional, he ignores him. I guess maybe I should take a leaf out of their book. They had a fight last year, and there’s still obvious tension between the two of them, but when they play together every night, you wouldn’t know.

“I’ll do it after class tomorrow,” I say, already knowing she’ll try to leave before I get the chance.

“Great,” Erik says, grinning as he twirls his stick. “Now can we please finish practice before Coach makes us do extra laps?”

I nod, but as I skate back into position, my mind is already miles away. Asking Savannah out has never been the fucking problem. I've asked so many times I sound like a broken record. It's getting her to agree to do anything with anyone that seems to be the issue. She's more elusive than a sober person at an Aiden Matthews, head quarterback, house party. I'll just have to give her an offer she can't refuse, and yes, I'm fully aware I sound like a budget mob boss, but desperate times call for desperate measures.

Chapter 4

“Well, a promise is a promise,” I mutter under my breath as I watch Savannah cross the parking lot. With her shoulders hunched, she seems lost in her own world, and I almost feel bad that I’m about to ambush her. She’s left me no choice, though, since she ran out of our study group without so much as a goodbye.

The tickets in my hand flutter with the wind, practically shoving me forward, and my sneakers scuff against the concrete as I trail behind her like the world’s most obvious stalker.

Savannah moves with purpose, gripping her bag tightly as she keeps her head bowed.

Always hiding from the world.

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