Page 30 of In My Hockey Era
Checking my reflection in the mirror one last time, I run a hand over my freshly shaved jaw.After a thorough shower and some, uh, strategic manscaping, I’m feeling good.Ready.Tonight is important, and I pulled out all the stops—fresh haircut, nicest button-down I own, I had my SUV detailed earlier and I even made a reservation at that upscale steakhouse downtown.The one with the two-month waitlist.
I even researched the wine list so I could order without sounding like a dumbass.Not that I even know if Lucy is a wine drinker.I guess I’ll find out.I’m kind of surprised she actually said yes to going out with me.
I grab my watch off the dresser and fasten it around my wrist just as my phone buzzes on the nightstand.My stomach tightens.It’s Lucy.
Lucy:Hey, so… I don’t think tonight is a good idea.Had the shift from hell.I might actually be dead inside.
Frowning, I sit down on the edge of my bed.I was looking forward to this, but more than that, I don’t like the sound of her message.
Me:That bad, huh?
A moment passes, and then she replies.I brace myself.
Lucy:Worse.I just want to curl up in a ball and disappear for a while.
I don’t even hesitate.I hit call.
She picks up after a few rings, her voice groggy and miserable.“I was hoping you’d take the hint and let me wallow.”
“Not happening,” I say, leaning back against the headboard.“We can scrap the date, no problem.Whatever you need.But have you eaten?”
A pause.Then a sigh.“Bennett.”
“That’s not an answer.”
Silence stretches between us.Then, quietly, she says, “No.”
I shake my head.“Thought so.Here’s what we’re gonna do.You’re gonna go take a hot shower, put on some comfy pajamas, and I’ll be there soon with food.”
“You don’t have to do that,” she says, but her voice has softened.
“I know I don’t have to,” I say.“I want to.I’ll literally just drop your food and go if you want me to.Your personal DoorDash.”
She exhales, long and slow.“You’re really annoying, you know that?”
I grin.“I do.But what sounds good?Chinese?Burgers?Thai?Pizza?Sushi?”
A reluctant pause.“A burger.With fries.”
“Done.Go shower.I’ll see you soon.”
I hang up and grab my keys, already pulling up the best burger joint in town on my phone.Because if I can’t take her on the perfect first date, I can at least bring her the perfect meal.
She’s used to grinding it out in a tough industry, and I have a sneaking suspicion she forgets to take care of herself.If I have to be the one to make sure she eats, sleeps, and lets herself have fun for once, then so be it.It’s a role I’m happy to play.
Another text came through while I was waiting in the drive-thru.It was a message from Lucy informing me that if they had milkshakes, she was a strawberry kind of girlie.
I grin at this detail and order the shake.
Me:Cheese on the burger?Or no cheese?
I can’t remember if she told me on the phone.
Lucy:Cheese, obviously.I’m not a monster, Bennett!
I chuckle and order the rest of the food.
Lucy’s apartment complex is quiet when I pull into the lot, streetlights casting long shadows over the pavement.I grab the takeout bag from the passenger seat and jog up the stairs, finding her unit number and knocking lightly.
