Page 72 of Heart Check
As she peruses the merchandise, the music inside getslouder, cheers reaching a fever pitch. She looks up at me with a raised eyebrow. “Big game.”
I nod. “The biggest. I hope Daw— the team’s feeling okay.”
Lindsey’s eyebrow climbs even higher. She doesn’t miss a beat. “Dawson’s barely eaten all week. Won’t even touch the burgers at the diner.”
I gasp. “Not even the bacon ones?”
“Not even the bacon ones.”
We lock eyes, absorbing the gravity of the situation.
Then Lindsey adds, “You know, my brother’s an idiot sometimes. But only when he cares. He kills himself for this team because it’s the most important thing to him. And he hates looking foolish. Putting all that work into something that lets him down in the end.” She pauses meaningfully. “He’s like that with people he cares about, too.”
My cheeks are burning. Are we really talking about my relationship—or whatever it was—with Dawson?
Wait a sec. DidDawsontalk about our relationship—or whatever it was—withLindsey?
“He hates me,” I blurt. “Noah told me. I went to the rink after practice, and—”
“Sorry, back up.” Lindsey frowns. “You listened to somethingNoahtold you? That little turd comes into the diner just to stare at my ass. And he doesn’t even tip!”
I pause. Lindsey makes a point. Why would I take Noah’s word for anything? Even if he took down those reviews—underduress—he’s obviously a bully and a snake. I feel like an idiot, but my embarrassment is washed away by a rising tide of hope.
Maybe I have more of a chance than I thought.
“I miss Dawson,” I say before I can lose my courage. “I’m sorry if this is weird, Lindsey, but oh my God, I really like your brother. I thought he was stuck-up for so long, but that’s not actually him, you know? He can fall under the spell of it all, but he cares about those guys. He cares about his team. The other night he told me the thing he’s most scared of is letting them down. Can you believe that? With all his talent, he’s still trying to justify his spot on the team?” I take a deep breath, my eyes burning, but I can’t even bring myself to be embarrassed at how much I’m spilling to Dawson’ssister—to the woman who’s basically myboss. I’m way past that point. “He gives his all to it, and that’s not stuck-up. And he gets so much back. I’m kind of jealous of that.”
“Well, for what it’s worth, he feels the same way about you,” she says. I flush, trying not to let on how much it means that it wasn’t all in my head. That I haven’t been hoping after nothing. “Seriously. He’s always talking about your work ethic and your morals and your passion. Grumbling, honestly. But he’s said more than once this year that you inspire him to be more committed. To stand behind what you believe in and what you want to put into this world.” Lindsey shrugs. “I broke up with Sara.”
I blink. I’m not at my best today, but I’m pretty sure that non sequitur would throw anyone for a loop. “Sorry?”
Lindsey smirks. “After watching you two. It kinda made me think I deserve better, or whatever. Anyway. This one, please.”
My mouth is hanging open. I half expect someone to reach over to pick it up off the floor. “What?”
“This bracelet.” She points to one of my blue ombre effect ones. “The game’s about to start, so… I should get out there.”
“Oh. Yeah, of course.”
I fumble to wrap up her purchase, blushing furiously as I do, hyperaware of Marissa and Sabrina trying very hard to pretend they’re not eavesdropping on this conversation. Definitely not listening. Not them, no sir.
But when Lindsey heads for the doors, Sabrina clears her throat. “I’m going to go watch. We can close this place up during the first period, come back during the break? Do you two want to come?”
To my eternal shock, Marissa nods. “We’re already here, so. May as well.”
The two of them stand, waiting for me. “Harper?”
For a minute, I perch on the edge of the cold folding chair. I could sit here for the whole game. Focus on selling my bracelets. Ignore the cheers and boos coming from inside the rink. I don’t have to see him.
But I can’t just sit out here and wonder in silence.
Even if I can’t talk to him until after the game, I have to see him play.
I stand. “Well, it would be a shame to let all my newfound hockey knowledge go to waste…”
Marissa smirks, and Sabrina jumps up and down with an excited squeak.
We follow the flow of people inside the rink, clambering up to the top of the bleachers. The nervous chatter of the crowd reverberates through my chest.
