Page 22 of The Import Slot
“Ask him for a selfie,” she says.
“No, I don’t want a selfie,” I say, mortified that she’d even suggest it, but to my horror, Danny decides I absolutely want a selfie.
“Yo, Preston. Can Jen get a selfie?” he yells, cupping his hands around his mouth.
To my complete and utter embarrassment, Ryan looks at me again, gesturing with his head for me to go to him. I stand rooted to the spot until Becca gives me a nudge, pushing me into the crowd. My drink goes flying and I have to catch my fall on a guy wearing a pink raincoat.
“You want a selfie, Jen?”
He’s right in front of me now; a playful gleam sparkles in his greenish-yellow eyes.
“Uh, that’s just Danny messing about,” I laugh.
“What if I want a selfie with you?” he asks.
People are watching now, and that’s when I notice Nathan and his new girlfriend in the perimeter of my vision. Although Ryan’s never met the guy, it’s as if he knows they’re watching. He wraps his arm around my shoulders and pulls me into him. His delicious scent fills my nose. This is not helping me. He reaches into his own pocket and takes his phone out, unlocking it and opening the camera app, all with one hand. His mouth finds my ear.
“Smile!” he says, and like a puppet, I do.
Snap.
He opens the photo to review it, making his phone eye level for me so I can see it too.
“We look good together. I’ll text it to you.”
He gives me a wink as he slips his phone back into his pocket. “Can I get you a drink?” he asks, calling over the bartender. I ask for a beer, and he orders himself a sparkling water before turning towards me.
“How come you’re a Sens fan, anyway?” I’m wearing my Senators jersey tonight as it is pre-season.
“My uncle is and it was always what I got to watch as a kid so it just stuck. Once your team is your team that’s it.” I say, admiring the gin collection on display behind the bar.
“Makes sense. I’m a Canucks fan deep down, but don’t tell anyone. I want them to lose when we play against them though.”
I laugh. Of course, that would be the case.
“Have you ever been to a game?” he asks, sipping his water.
“A Sens game? No, that’s the dream though.”
“I’ll take you someday,” he says casually.
I can’t even reply because I don’t know what to say. I’m not sure if he’s being serious or not. I would probably pass out if I got to go. It’s just never been something I’ve been able to afford. It would be the trip of a lifetime.
“I was saving for it. I had this idea to follow them around Canada and the US for a few weeks. It’d be amazing to see that many cities,” I say, finally. I feel foolish as soon as I’ve said it, realising how significantly different our lives and worlds are.
“We hardly get to see much of the city once we finish the game. I’d love to go off the clock, you know? But I am looking forward to being on the road less. Travel wears you down.” He’ll be doing much less travelling here. Most of the away games have the guys returning on a coach straight after.
We chat for what feels like ages, only stopping when Vicky comes over and asks Ryan to do something for the socials.
“I love this,” Becca says, getting my attention.
“What?”
“You and Ryan.”
“There is no me and Ryan,” I say.
“There should be. Danny, what do you think?”
