Page 191 of Playing the Pucking Game
I’ve told her about last night, about the state of my apartment and how overwhelmed I felt in the moment. I’ve told her that Linc was there for me when she chastised me about doing it alone.
But I haven’t delved into what really happened.
I haven’t told her about the kiss or how he slipped into my bed and held me all night.
It doesn’t feel right sharing that. It’s been us.
Our little secret.
“Yeah, I’m fine,” I lie.
She glares at me across the table.
“I know this year isn’t what you expected”—I can’t help but scoff at that—“but everything happens for a reason. You need to remember that.”
“And what’s the reason for my apartment? That I needed to rebuy everything and start over?”
She shrugs. “Maybe. I never said it has to make sense. Have you seen anything worth checking out?”
I shake my head. Honestly, I’ve stopped looking at apartments; it’s too depressing.
“Freya is struggling too.”
“How is she?” I ask, a little guilt trickling through my veins that I haven’t reached out.
“She’s so lost. I just wish she could find some kind of purpose. But cooking for her parents and my dad, and then locking herself in her childhood bedroom, isn’t it.”
“She’ll figure it out,” I mutter sadly.
“Yeah, she will. When the time is right.”
We continue talking as we finish our drinks. We attempt to pay, but the second we ask our server for the check, she smiles at us and tells us that it’s already been covered.
“Kodie Rivers,” Casey muses.
“You’re a lucky girl, Case,” I tease as I pull my coat on and hook my purse over my shoulder.
“Yeah,” she says, her eyes practically hearts as she thinks of the man waiting for her. “Did you want to come back? Linc is probably still at our house.”
I almost say yes. The temptation to see him, to be close to him, is strong. But I don’t. I’ve got things I need to sort out at home. We’re heading out for another two road games at the end of the week; I have dull things like laundry to do.
“Maybe another time.”
“Oh, we should totally go out on a double date.”
“Linc and I aren’t dating,” I point out.
“Oh, yeah, I know that. But it would be fun.”
I mumble a response because I’m not sure I agree. It would feel very coupley, and that’s not what Linc and I are. We’re temporary roommates. Friends, kind of.
By the time we get outside, our rideshare is waiting for us.
It drops me off at Linc’s first before carrying on to deliver Casey back to Kodie. I stand on the sidewalk and wave her off, a foolish part of me hoping that she’s wrong and Linc is back.
She isn’t.
With a sigh, I make my way through to my bedroom and kick off my shoes.
