Page 17 of A Play For The Heart
“So that’s where that ugly cup originated from?” Jack responds, laughing.
“Yeah,” I smile at him. “We were heading to a bowl game and Sawyer couldn’t come, so for Christmas she bought me the smoothie cup and stashed it into my bag before I left. When I got to the hotel and unpacked my bag, I found the cup and a card with it. On the card, she wrote this sentimental note. I had never gotten a gift so thoughtful before, even if it is a bit of an eyesore.” The cup isn’t the most aesthetically pleasing thing I own, but it is my favorite. “I think that’s when I started to recognize that I was falling in love with her. I’m sure it was happening little by little before that, but I remember that moment well.”
“You’ve never wanted to tell her how you feel?”
Frankly, if the whole football thing doesn’t work out for him, Jack would make a wonderful therapist.
“No, I did. I had the whole thing planned out. I was going to tell her after I got drafted. I figured the adrenaline pumping through my body would prevent me from chickening out.” He laughs at me, nodding in understanding. “As I was walking back to the table after being drafted, I was hyping myself up to do it. But when I got back to the table, she told me that Declan had asked her out. She was so excited, man. It felt like a punch to the gut. I tried to convince myself to tell her anyway, but I was so afraid that she would reject me, and it would ruin our friendship, so instead I said nothing.”
I glance down at the bar, picking at the label on my beer bottle, not wanting to look up and see the sympathy that’s certainly painted across Jack's features. I would give up almost anything to be able to tell Sawyer how I feel, except our friendship. I would rather have her as a friend than nothing at all.
“You should invite her out,” Jack says, breaking my train of thought.
Not the response I expected. Sympathy, yes. An unnecessary apology for my shitty luck, maybe.
“Now? To this bar?” My body lights on fire and I begin to sweat. Inviting her here would be weird. Especially after I just spilled my guts to Jack about my teeny tiny (massive) feelings for Sawyer.
“Yeah, why not. Maybe we can sense the vibe, see if she finds you attractive or there’s a spark.”
“She’s with Declan, that doesn’t seem like a great idea.” It sounds like a sure-fire way for me to end up disappointed. It’s been years. If there was a spark, it would have happened by now.
“She’s alsoyourbest friend.”
Touché.
CHAPTER 9
“Sorry if you’re starstruck, blame it on the stardust”
Hymn—Kesha
Sawyer
Henry:I'm out at Longboards with Jack.
You should come!
If you want.
Bring the roommate.
No pressure!
Okay, see you.
Maybe.
I read the messages from Henry. My brows furrow together as the messages continue to pop up on the screen. I’m not sure why he worded it like that. I can’t tell if he wants me there or if he's inviting me to be polite. The texts are giving off confusing vibes.
I look down at my outfit, the ratty t-shirt and sweatpants, then over at Maren. Most definitely not bar attire. If someone were to describe our style, they would categorize it as "hobo chic". Needless to say, neither of us had anything fun planned on a Saturday night. I turn to Maren, nudging her foot to get her attention.
“Henry just messaged me, he’s at a bar called Longboards with his teammate. Do you wanna go?”
“Oh, Longboards is chill. Sure, why not.” She glances down at the mustard stain on her t-shirt. “Just let me change my outfit.”
Maren and I both make half-assed attempts to look presentable enough to leave the apartment. Maren throws on a shark shirt and calls it good, waiting on the couch for me to get ready. It takes me a bit longer. Deciding between two pairs of similar-looking jeans is tough work. I nearly broke a sweat. Once we both decide it’s as good as it’s going to get, we head out the door. Maren orders an Uber and I send Henry a quick text while we wait in the lobby.
Me:On our way! :)
