Page 55 of Lucky
“Great.So I’m killing it on all fronts.”
Before she can respond, the server brings our food.I watch as Winnie snaps her fingers at me, an order to hand over my plate.She cuts a third of the steak and places it on her plate and heaps pasta onto mine before passing it back.
While we eat, I notice two girls at the bar staring at me and pointing—and not with much stealth.I hope to God they don’t come over here because while I normally don’t mind getting interrupted by fans, I don’t want to share tonight with anyone else.More importantly, I don’t want Winnie to get spooked.Gushing fans are not the norm for most people and something tells me Winnie’s going to have a hard time with that aspect of my life.
Luckily, the women stay put and we finish dinner without interruption.By the time dessert comes—one shared crème brûlée and two spoons—her leg is tucked casually against mine beneath the table, like it’s always been natural for us to touch.
It’s getting close to ten p.m.when we step outside into the crisp night air.I know Winnie has to work tomorrow and I’ve got another home game.After that, I have one free day and then I’m on a road trip that will take me away for another four days.I’m slightly frustrated that my career is an obstacle to having time to go on dates with Winnie, but we’re managing to navigate it.
I hesitate.“You want to go somewhere else?”
She glances up at me.“Like where?”
Before I can answer, the door to the restaurant swings open and the two women who were at the bar come walking out, their eyes locked on me.I know without a doubt they followed us.
“Lucky.”This from a woman with dark red hair spilling down her back, a sexy black dress and insanely high heels.“Hi… um… we’re big fans.”
I cringe at her breathy tone, something that would have had me grinning like a Cheshire Cat just a few weeks ago.
Here we go.
I nod, polite but not overly welcoming.“Thank you.Always nice to hear that.”
She lights up because I replied to her and her companion, a woman with dark brown hair and hazel eyes nowhere near as pretty as Winnie’s, steps forward.“I love your TikToks.And your passes.You’re, like, my boyfriend’s man crush.Think I can get a photograph?He’ll die.”
“Glad I could help your relationship,” I say with a chuckle, but my eyes cut to Winnie.I don’t know how to describe her expression other than it’s a little too blank for my comfort.There’s no overt dislike of the situation but no understanding smile either.I look back to the woman.
Just wide green-gold eyes taking in the perception of fame.
“I love your TikToks too,” the redhead says.“I’d love a photograph too.”
“Of course,” I say and take a minute to pose with each of them individually while the other woman snaps photos with their phones.I pull a Keanu Reeves, not wrapping my arm around either as we pose, instead holding it out and away from them.It doesn’t stop either one from practically snuggling into me.
“Okay, ladies… I’m going to get back to my date now,” I say, extricating myself.“Appreciate your support of me and the Titans.”
“Thank you,” the brunette gushes, her eyes playful and mischievous.“I just love how you’re doing this whole average-girl experiment—it’s so real of you.”
Another cringe at the backhanded slap about Winnie.This isn’t my experiment into average, it’s hers.But what they don’t know is that Winnie is anything but.
I move to Winnie, take her hand and look back to the women.“If you’re saying she’s average, then you’re clearly not paying attention.”
Their jaws drop, mouths sagging, and Winnie makes a strangled sound low in her throat.
The redhead recovers first and stammers a defense of her friend, “I’m sure that’s not what she meant.”
“She meant it,” I say, but I’m already turning me and Winnie toward my Tahoe.My hand squeezes hers and I look down at her.“Sorry about that.The whole fame thing isn’t what I wanted to be a part of our evening, but what that woman said was just mean.”
To my surprise, Winnie smiles back, and it’s as bright as any other smile she’s bestowed upon me.“It’s part of your life.I get it.But I definitely need to figure it out.It’s a little jarring.”
“But what she said—”
Winnie shakes her head.“That’s the price of putting yourself out there.I see the negative comments and I know there will be more.”
“That’s fair,” I say, keeping my voice low.“But I’ll always try to protect our space.Even if that space includes fangirls who think jockstraps are personality traits.”
Her mouth twitches.“I’m still working through the Cheetos visual.Don’t throw too much at me.”
I throw my head back and laugh.We reach the Tahoe and I open her door.“You are the most un-average woman I’ve ever met.Please don’t ever aspire to normality with me.”
