Page 93 of Practice Makes Perfect
I hadn’t considered that. “I guess… but it’s probably just because I’m a good listener.”
Lea snorts. “Right. He definitely showed up at our apartment at night totalk.”
“We did talk!”
“Before or after he had his hands all over you?”
My cheeks heat up. “Before. And during. And…” I trail off. “Anyway, the point is, he took off right after. Like, practically ran out the door.”
“What, no cuddling?” Lea sounds genuinely surprised.
“None. Zero.” I kick a pebble down the sidewalk. “One minute he was… you know… and the next he was gone. Said he had an early practice.”
“On a Saturday night?”
“Exactly.” I sigh, slumping slightly. “What if I’m the only one catching feelings, Lea? What if this is still just an arrangement to him? A convenient hookup?”
“Em, guys don’t show up at your door when they’re having a bad day if they just want a convenient hookup.” Lea stops walking and turns to face me. “They text at 2 a.m. asking if you’re ‘up.’ They don’t come over to watch movies and talk about their problems.”
I hadn’t thought about it that way.
“And let’s not forget how he looked at you during the game,” she continues. “Like you were the only person in that entire arena. Even Mike noticed.”
“Mike noticed?” I squeak. “Oh God, this is a disaster.”
“Call it whatever you want,” Lea says, rolling her eyes. “But I think you’re both on the same page without realizing it. Or maybe you’re both afraid to admit it.”
We’ve reached our building now, and I pause outside the door, considering Lea’s words. Even the possibility sets my mind racing at a million miles an hour, but I keep circling back to the same two questions: Could she be right? Could Linc be feeling the same confusion and longing that I am?
“Even if you’re right, do I just blurt out?” I say finally. “Hey, I know we agreed no feelings, but surprise! I’ve caught them anyway. Hope that’s cool with you!”
Lea laughs. “Maybe try for something with a little more finesse than that, but essentially, yes.”
“I’ll think about it,” I promise, fishing my keys from my pocket.
“Think fast, because we’re going to Declan’s party in a few hours, and Linc will definitely be there,” Lea says as I open the door and we both head inside. “Now let’s find you something to wear that’ll make him forget his own name and want to fuck you silly.”
“Lea!” I protest.
The inside of Declan’s apartment is pulsing—a combination of bass-heavy music, excitable hockey players, and that distinct party scent of spilled beer and too many bodies in one space. I’d normally be fine with this level of energy, but tonight, I’m anxious and clutching my purse strap as we enter.
“You look like you’re about to take the SATs,” Lea says, as if reading my mind. “Relax.”
“I am relaxed,” I lie, smoothing my hands down the black dress I finally settled on after trying on literally every piece of clothing I own.
Lea gives me a look that says she’s not buying it. “You spent an hour changing outfits, which I’ve never seen you do, given you’re annoyingly hot in whatever you wear. And now you’re doing that thing where you look like you’re smiling but you’re actually just showing your teeth.”
I immediately stop said grimace. “I’m just… not myself tonight.”
“Because a certain hockey player will be here?”
“Because I’m dehydrated,” I counter, though there’s no conviction in my voice.
She laughs. “To the kitchen then!”
The path to Declan’s kitchen requires tactical maneuvering through clusters of athletes, sorority girls, and various hangers-on—including several of the girls I heard gossiping about Linc outside the locker room. Thankfully, there’s an army of hockey players for them to feast on.
Already, Rook is telling what appears to be an extremely embellished story to three wide-eyed freshmen girls. Mike gives Lea and me a wave as he spots us, and actually smiles for once, before returning to his conversation with Declan. While, for his part, Maine is busy making sure everyone has a drink.
