Page 37 of Crazy Pucking Love
“Apparently it’s more one-sided than I hoped.” I scooped up my red purse, the one Beckett told me I should get rid of because the bright color basically begged someone to steal it. Tonight, feeling strong and invincible was more important than his silly warning. “So, no. Dane’s not going with me.”
Vanessa jumped off the bed and opened her closet. “Then hold up, because I am.”
…
“That was awesome,” Vanessa said as we came out of the improv theater. “I wanted to stay back at the dorm and sulk, but I didn’t at the same time, you know?”
I dug my gloves out of my coat pocket and slipped them on. “I do. It’s why I was desperate enough to go out alone if I had to.”
“I’m glad that I came along for the ride.” She glanced back at the theater with the glowing sign again. “I think I want to be an actress now. Or maybe I’ll go full comedienne. Except I’m not really on-the-spot funny. So, yeah, let’s stick with actress.”
“What are you studying? I feel like a horrible roommate for not knowing that yet.”
“Undeclared right now, actually, with a minor in trying-not-to-freak-out-about-it.”
I laughed. “Well, I think you’d make an awesome actress. You’re certainly pretty enough.”
“Aww, thanks.” Vanessa tightened her coat against the chilly air. “What about you?”
“Math—I’m not sure which field I’ll concentrate in yet, but there are a lot of engineering options that look really fun.”
Vanessa looked at me like I had a few screws loose. “Fun? I knew there was something I didn’t quite trust about you.”
I gave her a playful shove and she laughed, white puffs of air forming in front of her face.
“Seriously, though, I was kind of a jerk when you first moved in. Ciara and I were friends, and I hated to see her go—I actually thought she’d change her mind, which obviously she didn’t. So I didn’t give you a fair shake, sure I’d never like you as much, and determined not to make friends with anyone who might up and leave. And then you were so cool tonight when I really needed a friend.”
“Admittedly, I’ve had enough mean-girl interactions that I don’t fully trust girls in general. But after hanging out tonight, I think I’ve been missing out not trying to get to know you better.”
“Word. We’re going to fix that. Clearly Justin’s out as a friend, and I need someone with more personality than a pet rock—seriously, just you saying that makes me feel better about how things went down.”
“You know, it could be just because Valentine’s Day is coming up, and he’s lacking the balls to go with the, um, big package you mentioned.” Maybe this wouldn’t make her feel any better, either, but it was another article I’d come across in my search of sucky statistics about relationships. “Apparently right before V-Day is one of the most likely times to breakup. That way the other person doesn’t have to feel guilty about not making reservations or buying a present. They figure dumping is better than disappointing their no-longer-significant-other on what’s supposed to be one of the most romantic holidays.”
“Well, the holiday and Justin can both kiss my ass.” Vanessa tugged me toward a noisy pub. “Come on. Let’s grab some food.”
Since I’d been too busy feeling sorry for myself earlier and ended up skipping lunch and dinner, my stomach grumbled at the mention of food.
We found a table in the corner, and there were certainly a lot of cute guys our age crammed into the place tonight. A quick glance at the TV, and I had a guess as to why. The Bruins were playing.
One of the guys in yellow and black faked, passed to his teammate, and his teammate took the open shot. I cheered right along with the rest of the crowd as the puck soared across the goal line, adding a loud two-finger whistle, and a few of the guys who’d had their attention trained on the TV screen turned our way.
“Mmm.” Vanessa checked out the guys seated on the stools along the bar. “Looks like I need to become a hockey fan.”
I sighed. “Dane plays hockey for BC. And so does my brother,” I quickly added when Vanessa raised an eyebrow. “I go to their games all the time—at least the home games. Yesterday’s was at UMass and I didn’t feel like driving almost two hours.”Not for someone who can’t even bother to return a text.
I could’ve hopped in the car with Lyla and Whitney and gone to support my brother I supposed, but he’d understand me missing a few games, especially when he had his girlfriend in the stands to cheer him on. “Anyway,” I said, getting back around to the point I’d meant to make, “if you ever want to go with, just let me know.”
“I’ll seriously consider it.”
Within a few minutes, a trio of guys came over and offered to buy us drinks. Vanessa told them she’d rather have a burger, and just like that, she and I had our meals paid for.
We watched the game with the guys, and when I yelled at the ref for a crap call, I found several surprised expressions aimed my way.
“Sorry, I get kind of into the game,” I said.
“Don’t apologize,” Stuart, the guy nearest me, said. “It’s hot.”
Hot?Looks like he checks off one of my desired qualities.Well, I hadn’t added attracted to me, but still. Plus, shared interest definitely fit, and maybe a little more conversation would extend that to interests.
