Page 69 of Lucky
She settles on the edge of the bed, her face scrunched as she stares at her phone.“I, um… I posted a TikTok while we were at Jerry’s tonight, sort of giving a confessional… you know, how vulnerable I was feeling.I tagged you.”
Her gaze rises to meet mine.I hadn’t seen it yet, but I could guess how it went.A self-deprecating admission she was feeling out of her league.“Yeah… that’s your schtick, right?And meeting the team for the first time, I imagine it was appropriate.”
“Right,” she says in a low voice.“It’s just… the comments are more nasty than supportive.”
There’s something about the tone in her voice that puts me on edge.Winnie and I have talked plenty about the dark side of putting yourself out there, how things aren’t always sunshine, lollipops and rainbows.Because people can be brutal.
“Let me see,” I say, not really asking but taking her phone from her hands.I hadn’t seen the TikTok yet, so I pause to watch it.
She’s in the bar’s bathroom, looking beautiful and confounded.I love that look on her.
“Okay… real talk from the women’s room…”
The words reach me, but I watch her expression, that mixture of vulnerability and resolve.She tells it like she sees it, wondering if she’s where she belongs.
“But I do belong here with him.”
That’s the part I focus on, because that’s all that matters.As long as she can see the good down the line, I know Winnie is strong enough to withstand the negativity.
Still, I’m dreading the comments, and my stomach tightens as I read through them.
@truthhurtsalways:You do realize this pity party doesn’t make you relatable—it makes you desperate.
@glam4days:Girl, if you can’t handle the heat, maybe don’t date someone famous for clout.
@realonesonly:Okay but why is she acting like a victim?You’re literally dating a millionaire hockey player.
@brutalhonesty101:This is what happens when average girls think they’re main character material.
@facecarddeclined:No offense, but you look rough.Maybe stick to private breakdowns next time.
I can’t read anymore, fury sweeping through me.My eyes rise to meet Winnie’s, who stares back at me with a curious expression.“I’m sorry… there are some absolute douches in this world.”
She lifts a shoulder.“I know this is part of it.I know what you and I signed up for with this, and it’s not all bad.It’s just… a little hard to read sometimes.I think I might stop looking at the comments.”
“We can stop posting about this dating experiment, Winnie.Neither of us has to prove anything to anyone.”
Her smile lights up her eyes.“I know and thank you for that.And it’s a good option, but I’d like to see it through.My followers—the ones who support me—love this content.I don’t want to let them down.”
I nod, handing her phone back.She plugs it into the bedside charger and I lift the covers to beckon her in.She doesn’t blink at my nakedness and I think it’s adorable she’s wearing pajamas.She yawns as she scoots into me and I pull her halfway onto my body so her head rests on my chest.
One arm around her, I give her a squeeze.“What do you want to do for our third date tomorrow?”
We’d agreed to do something since I’m leaving on the road trip the next day.
“I’m open to anything,” she replies.I hear the fatigue in her voice and she has to get up early tomorrow.Maybe I shouldn’t keep her awake all night with sex.
“How about you invite me over to dinner to meet your parents?I know you normally have dinner on Sundays, but since I’ll be gone, maybe tomorrow?”
Her head lifts and she’s clearly surprised.“You want to meet my parents?”
“I mean… isn’t that what people do when they’re dating?”
“Yeah… at some point.But like… are you sure?”
“Oh, I’m sure.I’ve got two more dates to wow you with my complete normality.Meeting the parents is a classic.”
Winnie shakes her head, chuckles and then settles back against me.“Okay… I’ll call my mom tomorrow and see if they’re available.”
