Page 21 of Guarded Love

Knox: Selene has some questions about the creative writing class you’re taking. Isla said some things and she wants to compare.

"Wow, perfect timing," Ari says, reading over my shoulder. "The universe works in mysterious ways."

"The universe can mind its own business," I mutter, typing a quick response to Knox.I didn’t really mean that. Forgive me, universe.

Me: Sure, I can talk to her. When?

"I'm going to use this as an excuse to set up the interviews," I tell Ari, already formulating my plan. "Two birds, one stone."

"Look at you, being all efficient and proactive," Ari says, nudging my shoulder. "And they say avoidance isn't a productive coping mechanism."

"It's not avoidance if I'm literally seeking them out for interviews," I counter, though my stomach flips at the thought of facing Blaise. My phone buzzes again.

Knox: Tomorrow? Our place around 7? I can get some of the guys together after practice if you need to talk to them for that article you're probably going to write about Senior Night.

I stare at my phone. How does he know about the article already? Either the hockey team grapevine is working overtime, or my brother has developed psychic abilities. Neither option is comforting.

"Is he psychic now?" I ask Ari, showing her the message.

She shrugs. "Kate probably mentioned it to someone who mentioned it to someone else who told the team. You know how this campus works. They also probably needed to clear it with their coach and the administration."

"Great. So they're all expecting me. That makes this so much better."

Me: How did you know about the article?

Three dots appear immediately.

Knox: Kate emailed Coach this morning asking for access. Coach told us to "be cooperative and don't say anything stupid." Direct quote.

Me: Fine. Tomorrow at 7 works. I'll be there.

I add a thumbs-up emoji to seem casual, then immediately regret it. Nothing says "I'm totally fine with interviewing my brother's best friend who I drunkenly kissed two years ago and have been avoiding ever since" like a forced thumbs-up.

Knox: Bringing pizza. Don't be late or Wilder will eat your share.

"Well, that's settled," I say, tossing my phone onto my desk where it lands and knocks into my pen. "Tomorrow night I get to start interviewing hockey players. Yay. Go me.”

“You know how many people would kill to be in your position?”

“And they’re welcome to swap places with me.”

"At least there'll be pizza," Ari offers. "And other people around. Safety in numbers."

"I'd rather eat glass than sit through an hour of hockey talk surrounded by sweaty dudes who think they're gods on ice," I say and let out a big sigh. "But you're right. Pizza is a silver lining."

"And you'll have Selene there," Ari reminds me, pulling her laptop closer.

I smile despite myself. Selene is pretty great. After getting to know her more since she’s been with my brother and when we traveled to Abue’s birthday party, I’ve realized she’s smart, down-to-earth, and somehow manages to keep my brother in check. A minor miracle, if you ask me.

"True. And she actually wanted my advice about something, which is a nice change." I start organizing my scattered notes into something resembling order. "Maybe I'll just focus on her and pretend the rest of them are potted plants."

"Decorative benches," Ari corrects with a smirk.

"I hate you."

"No, you don't." She takes a sip from her water bottle. "So what's your angle for the article? Please tell me you're not going in guns blazing with the 'toxic masculinity in sports culture' approach."

I gasp in mock offense. "I would never be so predictable." Then I pause, reconsidering. "Okay, maybe I had a few thoughts along those lines."

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