Page 47 of One Shot

“Thanks for the warning,” I mutter softly.

Lucas grabs my shoulders and gives me a squeeze.

“You looked like you could use a Bud Light. I know you made a face drinking that IPA that Tyler likes.”

Lucas hands me a beer. That was thoughtful, but this beer is ice cold, there is no way this is the same beer he bought twenty minutes ago.

“Thanks,” I grumble.

“Tyler, what’s our good luck charm been whispering in your ear? Did she give you any tips on how we can win this season aside from having her at every game?” Lucas takes a sip of his drink nonchalantly.

“Sadly, no. Laur, give me some of this luck please so I can impress the lady fans and entice scouts to keep an eye on me next year.”

“Hey, hey—don’t steal my luck, Barret.”

Lucas puts his arm around my shoulder. Possessive? Maybe a little, but I don’t mind it. I start to settle into him cozily, shifting my feet to be closer to him. It’s too easy to relax around him now. Where did the girl who was anti-Lucas Donato go? I look up, and Tyler gives me a “you’re doing this to yourself” look. I shrug off Lucas' arm, playing it off as excitement remembering Nick's notebook.

“Actually! I do have something to share with you both. I know I already told you, Lucas, but I found a notebook that Nick had. He wrote about all the different teams over the years, different players from opposing teams, and some other things. He wrote about number 72on the Comets being brutal on the right side against the boards. I think you guys, Liam, and Connor should take a look at it. I’ll text you pictures of the pages.”

“Why not just let us have the notebook?” Cold sadness creeps in as I wrap my arms around myself. “Because . . . it’s one of the only things I have left of Nick.”

Blinking back tears, I look down into my drink avoiding meeting anyone’s gaze. I don’t need to tell Lucas it has pages of each of the players on his own team in it too. There isn’t anything negative, some tips here and there they actually might learn from. Maybe I should give them it. I’ll decide later.

“I’ll think about it, but in the meantime, I’ll send you both a picture of the notes from the next two teams we play. It’s not cheating right?”

“Not at all. Nick is part of this team. Plus, it’s just his thoughts. It’s just like if Tyler shared his thoughts with me from playing with some other guys before he transferred,” Lucas says unruffled.

Tension leaves my body with his reassurance. I want the Wyverns to win, but I want us to do it the right way.

“I’ve got to get going, but, Laur, text me about that thing I mentioned.”

That thing he mentioned? Oh. Right. Tyler means going on a date with his friend.

“So ominous with the secrets between you and your boy Ty.”

Lucas rolls his eyes. Is he jealous of Tyler again? He’s at least not acting like a deranged asshole today. I ignore his comment and instead decide to make a bold move.

“Who’s your new friend?”

I hope I don’t regret this. What if he says it’s his new fling or an ex or something? I shouldn’t have said anything, but I can’t help it.

“Huh?” Lucas’ brows furrow, genuinely seeming unsure of who I’m asking about.

“The girl that was with you and Suz.”

“Oh, no idea. She seemed nice though,” he says back.

I’m sure there’s more to it than he’s admitting. He talked to her for at least twenty minutes. If he doesn’t want to tell me, that’s on him.

“Need a ride home?” Lucas asks.

“No, I’ll head back with Bren. See ya.” A hint of woefulness lingers underneath my curt reply.

I turn to go find Bren without hugging Lucas goodbye or giving him a moment to respond. Disappointment fills me from how our conversation went to tonight and even though I keep denying it to myself, I would have loved for him to kiss me goodnight while riding shotgun in his truck. Instead, I’m in the backseat of Bren’s SUV. I pull out my phone to text Tyler.

Me: I’m in. Set me up, matchmaker.

Me: You can give him my number.

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