Page 32 of One Shot

“You box?”

“When I need to get the frustration out. I want to be the type of leader that is focused, has his shit together, doesn’t stir up problems, but will still fight for his team. I’ve only gotten into one fight playinghockey. Trust me, the guy deserved it. He checked one of my players so hard he had to get checked by a medic. I was eighteen. I’ll fight for my team. They are my priority,” I explain proudly.

“You sound just like my brother,” Laur whispers.

There are a few moments of silence. She knows now that I’m aware of how huge of a compliment being compared to Nick is, especially in relation to hockey.

She breaks the silence. “Anyways, want to see some of the photos?”

I nod eagerly, thrilled she trusts me enough to see the raw photo. We walk off the ice and sit on the team bench. She starts to scroll through the photos. My jaw drops slightly at what I see—my skates spraying ice artfully, my number 98 blurry while I’m in focus, shirtless in the background, and endless photos of me working out that paint me in a much better light than our gym ever will. Most of all, she somehow captured how I actually feel in my element on the ice—peaceful, determined, at home. She has a real talent.

“You’re incredible with a camera, Lauren.”

“Thank you. It helps to have someone who looks the model part.” She blushes with the realization she complimented me again. “And of course who takes direction very well. Look at this one. Your eyes say so much about who you are.”

She shows me one of the last photos she’s taken.

“What do you mean?”

I’m curious what she sees. She’s right that my eyes look intense, but I’m not sure how they say anything about who I am. All I can see is me looking at her longingly.

“I don't know. Now I feel silly for saying that. I guess your eyes are showing your strong will, your love for hockey, and the protectiveness of your team.”

All I see a guy reluctantly falling for a girl, but I nod anyway.

“Shoot, I’m late to meet Jaylin, my roommate, for dinner. Thank you so much again, Lucas. It means a lot to me that you did this. You’re agood friend.”

The word friend hits me like a freight train. She really doesn’t see anything more than that with me.

She hugs me swiftly then heads out of the rink. I head to the locker room to change and head home.

She left abruptly, but maybe I’m reading too much into it.It was a wild mix of emotions during the mock photoshoot, but I couldn’t be happier Tyler bailed so I could spend time with Laur. Every time I get to know her a little more, my heart aches for her. I don’t know what it is about her, but I want to know everything I can about this girl.

Something in the air feels like it changed. I sound like a damn romance novel or one of those Hallmark movies, but I’ve never felt something like this before. The more time I spend with her, the more obvious it is to me. Laur is always on my mind. I just want to be around her. I want to laugh with her and hold her when she’s crying. I want to share memories of Nick with her. I want to know all of her—the good and the bad.

I think it might be time to admit to myself that I can’t stay away from her. Maybe it’s time to admit it to her too. She can’t just think of me as a friend when it’s obvious the sparks are there between us, can she?

Chapter nineteen

Laur

Today is the day. It’s the real photoshoot for the calendar. My stomach does somersaults as I enter the arena, but the nerves are nothing compared to a few days ago before my practice shoot with Lucas. I felt guilty that I left so fast. I wasn’t lying—I was late to meet Jaylin but I also needed an excuse to leave quickly.

I was starting to feel something for Lucas. We spent the day in close quarters, just the two of us. We shared memories of Nick. I shared memories that I haven’t shared since his death. I felt close to Lucas. I trusted him and wanted to share more with him— which is what scares me. I swore off love and I am sticking to that. My heart won’t be able to handle any damage from the inevitable agony that comes with relationships.

Bren is at the photoshoot to assist me along with Libby, the sophomore that’s helped me with interviews and various tasks. She is easily my favorite of the lowerclassmen on the marketing and PR squad.

Bren gives the team a pep talk and reviews the schedule.

“Alright, team! Do not give Laur attitude today!” Bren’s voice booms with authority.

“She is doing us a huge favor by stepping in when our photographer had to back out last week. If you do not listen or if you mess around, I will personally ensure that when Laur and I are editing, we don’t do you any favors. Don’t forget that we sold thousands of copies last year—even to students at rival schools. You don’t want to look bad for this, boys,” Bren wraps up.

“Thanks, Bren. Alright, full team locker room shot is first. Act like I’m not here and chat to one another until I give you direction to do something different. Libby, give them the baby oil please.”

“Baby oil, you weren’t kidding?” Lucas questions with his perplexed look, one eyebrow raised.

I will never get tired of seeing that perplexed look. If I wasn’t against relationships, I would purposely make him confused just to see that alluring expression more often. How is it possible that someone could look that enticing when making any type of face?

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