Page 21 of Any Second Now
I’m more interested in hanging out with Raleigh.
Maybe Raleigh can help me figure my life out, even though her path couldn’t have been more different than mine. I was skating into the unknown, pursing a professional hockey career. She was settling down in a small town with a husband and stable career right out of school.
Suddenly, her being here feels likemorethan a sign.
Raleigh is in Fort Collins.
No Lucy and Kellen to interfere.
Even Lachlan is too distracted with his girlfriend to really notice what I’m doing.
I pull out my phone.
Me
hey, pretty lady. See you in a couple hours at black diamond, right?
Raleigh
Yup
What do you think about a cross-stitch that is a giant flame and the words ‘everything’s fine’ in the center?
Me
I feel like maybe you should talk to a professional about that
Raleigh
Very funny. See you tonight
I grin and look up as I walk back to my apartment.
Raleigh’s here.
This is my chance to hang out with her.
Get to know her better.
See what happens, without the prying eyes of my teammates and her friends.
No one’s paying attention but me.
CHAPTER 5
Chickens are Better than People
RALEIGH
Tap tap tap.
There’s a sound at the door to the Pink Palace.
I sit up straight at the table. I’m not expecting anyone.
I toss my phone down next to an almost-complete hoop and small stack of packages to be dropped off at the post office today.
The smile from my text chain with Atticus fades from my face.
