Page 103 of Behind the Bench

*Hunter changes the group name to: Operation Surprise Ellie THEN Grand Gesture*

Sadie

Ooo good one.

Hunter and I are waiting around the corner at a record store until we get the confirmation text from Sadie. She convinced Ellie to head to the new bookstore downtown to pick up some new romance books that came out today. I stopped listening after she started telling us it’s about a serial killer who falls in love with another serial killer.

I’m pretending to look through a stack of vinyl when I feel Hunter brush against my back. “Dude, could you please back up? We are like the only people in the store, why are you so close to me?”

He takes a step back but continues to try to peer over my shoulder. “Is that a Chris Stapleton record? I’ve been looking for his new one on vinyl but it’s sold out everywhere!”

Pretending not to hear him, I take a few steps to the side so he can look through the stack of vinyl I abandoned. I’m just beginning to get antsy when my phone vibrates in my hand.

Sadie

The eagle has landed.

Hunter snorts at his phone, clearly amused by his “twin flame’s” commentary. They sure are two fucking peas in a pod.

I huff at Hunter to follow and leave the vinyl behind. He starts to protest, and I shoot him a glare I save for the guys on the ice after a bad game. Immediately, he shuts his mouth and follows me out of the store.

The bookstore is only a few stores down and we make it there in under a minute. I push the door open and a bell hanging above it jingles, announcing our entrance. It’s aquaint bookstore, about the size of the entire first floor in my house, so it doesn’t take long for the girls to notice us.

As soon as Ellie sees me from across the room, my heart starts beating like I just got done sprinting a lap around the ice. These two days apart and the questions hanging in the air have me more nervous than I care to admit. Ellie’s body tenses, her eyes widening once she comprehends what’s happening here. She stands frozen, her face void of emotion, instead of softening into a smile like I’d hoped.

Standing there like a fool, Sadie’s voice cuts through the awkward tension.

“Oh my goodness, fancy seeing you guys here! Are you here for the new serial killer romance too?”

Hunter laughs next to me and grabs at the back of his neck. “Uh, I actually already preordered that one. According to my mail app I’ve been stalking all morning, it should be at my house by lunchtime.”

I look at him dumbfounded. “I can’t believe you read romance books.”

“Women love that shit. I’m telling you, you can learn a lot from them. Even some new tricks in the bedroom,” he says with an exaggerated wink.

Shaking my head in disbelief, I scoff. “Uh, I think I’m all set in that department. But…thanks.”

Shrugging his shoulders, Hunter makes his way over to the romance section the girls are perusing. Hesitantly, I join them, but hang back as they chat about one of their favorite authors. Ellie stays quiet, fidgeting with her fingers while the other two chat away.

As planned, Hunter and Sadie casually separate themselves, leaving me alone with Ellie.

Finally.

She continues to browse the books on the shelves, picking up a book that has dragons sprayed on the edges. I couldcomment about how cool they are, or I can grow a pair and talk about what I came here to talk about.

Just do it, you coward.

“So the article went live this morning. I’m assuming you saw it?”

“Mm-hmm.”

Ellie doesn’t take the bait to extend the conversation. I guess I’m going to have to work a little harder. “We should probably figure out what we’re going to say to the team this afternoon.”

The mention of the team finally pulls her attention away from the dragon book in her hands. She sets it back on the shelf and crosses her arms over her chest. “Yeah, we probably should.”

This conversation reminds me way too much of how things used to be. Back when we spent our time hating and picking fights with each other. Back when we weren’t even friends. And I refuse to let us go back to that place. The thought of returning to snarky comments and avoiding each other has me practically begging for her to talk to me.

“Ellie. This isn't us. Standing here, tiptoeing around each other. The fact that we can be so honest and open with each other is why we work so well. Onandoff the ice.”

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