Page 38 of Puck Drop
He scoffs at me. “I can get a date, so you know. But I want more than just a date. I want a relationship, preferably not one that I have to hide.”
I am saved from having to respond to his comment when the bus jerks forward, and we are finally moving. I glance out the window one more time, trying once again to catch a glimpse of Elizabeth.
My heart about stops in my chest when I see her. She is standing on the sidewalk, closer to the building. She looks lonely as she is there by herself, arms crossed over her chest, like she’s hugging herself. There’s also a little bit of sadness marring her features.
Without thinking, I pick up my phone and open the text app. I stare at her name, unsure of what I even want to tell her. Just then, a message from her pops on my screen.
Lizzie: Good luck in DC! I’ll watch the game on TV. I hope you get play time
Me: You’re always a step ahead of me, girl. I was just about to text you when you did. Be good while I’m away
Lizzie: I’m bad only for you, Lo
I grin at seeing those words, their implication obvious.
“You’re a lucky fucker, Mantei,” Sebastian grunts from next to me. My head whips around only to catch him reading my texts over my shoulder. Again.
“What the fuck!” I rest the phone face down on my thigh. “Stop with that shit.”
He snickers but doesn’t say anything again. I want to pick up the phone and text Elizabeth back, but I’m annoyed now. When he elbows me in the ribs, I about punch him in the face.
“Life’s short, dude,” he tells me. “If you like this girl as much as you say…”
“I love her,” I snap at him.
“Then stop pussy footing around it,” he advises. “What if you died tomorrow?”
My eyebrows go up in surprise. “Why do I have to be the dead one?”
He rolls his eyes in amusement. “Okay, what ifshedied tomorrow? Wouldn’t you regret all this unnecessary drama?”
I frown at that as I try to keep the panic at bay. “We had a rough start,” I explain. “We’re both gun shy. Taking it slowly.”
Sebastian shrugs but nods in understanding. “I get it. But just remember that this girl followed you all the way here without you asking. Some might look at it as a bad omen. In fact…” He snorts when he tries to suppress his laughter. “I think I might have implied she’s a crazy stalker.”
“You did.” The tone of my voice is dry.
He chuckles again, shaking his head. “I’ll quit talking about it. For now,” he makes sure to add.
I sigh and rest my head against the back of the seat. The drive to the private airport where the team jet is waiting won’t be a long one. That’s a good thing as it won’t allow for too much time for thinking.
Sebastian’s words are stuck on a loop in my head.
Life’s too short.
TWELVE
Elizabeth
My eyes are gluedto the TV and my breath is stuck in my chest as I watch the Aces on the screen in my living room. We are in the second period and the score is giving me heart palpitations.
“Are you still there?”
I jump when I hear Mona’s voice coming through the speaker on my phone. I am so into the game, I forgot she’d called.
“Yeah, I’m here,” I tell her while keeping an eye on the game.
She huffs like she doesn’t believe me. “So what do you think about what I just told you?”
