Page 59 of In My Hockey Era
By the time our food comes, we’re back to easy banter, but underneath it, something’s shifted.At least for me.
Because I know one thing for sure.
Last night wasn’t enough.
And I have no idea how I’m supposed to go back to normal after this.
There’s just one problem.Istillhaven’t told her about that thing Ireallyneed to tell her.
Which means I’m kind of an asshat.My stomach twists, because now’s certainly not the right time either.
“I’ll get the check, you get us an Uber,” Lucy says, lifting one hand to signal our server.
“I’m getting breakfast.And the Uber,” I inform her.
She tilts her head, unimpressed.“Don’t pull that macho stuff with me.I can pay for your omelet.I want to,” she adds.
Usually the women I date are more than happy to let me pick up the tab, so it’s actually kind of refreshing that Lucy’s willing to fight me on this.
Then again, she’s willing to fight me on most things.
Still, call me old-fashioned, I’m having a hard time letting her win this one.I put a twenty down on the table.“For the tip,” I say.
She narrows her eyes, but lets it go as I rise to my feet.“I’ll get us a car.”
“Okay, see you in a minute.”She looks around me, hunting for our server.
On my walk through the restaurant toward the front door, I pull out my phone and dial Vivian’s number.
She answers on the first ring—thank goodness, because I don’t have much time before Lucy joins me.
“Hey,” I say.
“Good morning,” she says.“To what do I owe the honor?”
“I need a favor.”
She chuckles.“Lay it on me.After how well this whole book club campaign has gone, you can have just about anything you want.”
“So, I’m not sure if you’ve noticed, but there have been a couple of negative comments on Lucy’s social media.”
A pause.“What do you mean?”
I check on Lucy and she’s busy scribbling her signature on the check.“Just a couple of internet trolls who I want to personally hunt down and make pay, but I figure it’s better to let your team manage it.”
99.99% of all comments have been positive, basically egging on this entire thing between her and I, but, alas, it’s the internet, which means there are a couple of rude people, emboldened behind their screen who have nothing nice to say, and say it anyway.
One idiot who said she’s not even that pretty.
Wrong.
Another who said her nose looks like a potato.
Literally, it doesn’t.I can assure you.
People are idiots.
It was only a couple of comments, but it was a couple too many in my book.I hope she never saw them.And with any luck, she never will.
