Page 13 of Undressed In The Crease

I really didn’t think this through. I’m standing behind her and I have no idea what to say.

“So, is yoga your thing?” I ask, slipping out of the line forming behind me and up next to her.

Stupid.

That is the lamest pick up line ever. It’s not even a pickup line, but I could’ve thought of something better to open up with.

Lenny whips around startled. Her hair is pulled back in a messy bun with strands flying on all sides. Her face is flush from her workout, and small beads of sweat have formed on her skin.

My pulse quickens at the sight of her all sweaty and flushed. It reminds me of the night we were together. Leaving her that night looking just like she does now was hard.

“Hi.” She stutters, startled and out of breath.

I should’ve gone withhiorheyor ahello. Any one of those would have been better. I’m usually not this lame.

“Uh kinda. I guess.” She stammers.

The guy at the counter has her smoothie ready, breaking the awkwardness of our exchange. She tucks a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

For a moment, I had a fleeting thought to touch her like that. I’m staring at her neck and jaw feeling the urge to run my finger along the same spot she just did.

Man, I am losing it. I need to get out of my head and pick this up before I really lose my cool.

“So, the guys and I are throwing a party Saturday night at our house. Technically not a frat party. Since we’re not a frat, but pretty much the same thing.” I remember her telling me she didn’t like frat parties.

Did I ask her to go? It felt like I was asking her, but I don’t remember actually saying the words.

She’s cringing at the thought of going to a party.

I remember our conversation at the diner that night. I asked why she wasn’t at the big end of the year frat party and she cringed just like that as she told me frat parties weren’t her thing.

“Yeah, it’s probably going to be lame, but I’ll be there,” I add, hopeful it will sway her decision.

Nope, still haven’t asked her.

“Will you come?” I finally ask.

I am really losing it. I swear I normally have a good game when it comes to women. Apparently not today.

She looks genuinely surprised. Yeah, why would a girl like her go to our dumb last minute hockey team house party? She probably has plans already. She probably doesn’t even like hockey.

We never talked about that. She seems too smart to be into hockey. She probably has no idea who I am.

“Oh. I don’t know. Can I bring someone?” She asks, not looking happy about the invite at all.

Of course she wants to bring her boyfriend. That much is obvious.

Wow, I’m such a loser.

I’ve never felt more like a loser. Here I am hitting on a girl I slept with once last spring who isn’t even single. She’s not at all interested in me. Probably sees me as some dumb jock.

What the fuck am I doing?

“Yeah. That’s cool. Boyfriends are welcome too.” I say, covering myself.

Smooth, real smooth save.

I can’t fucking save the puck from going into the net or how uncool I’m acting right now.

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