Page 47 of Off The Rush
I follow them out to Luka’s car, my heart pounding in anticipation. JD holds open the passenger side door for me and as I slide into the seat, I catch a whiff of Luka’s cologne, a subtle, woodsy scent that makes me feel strangely at ease. JD hops into the backseat, and we’re off to the restaurant.
As Luka drives, we make small talk, discussing classes and campus life. Eventually, the conversation turns to my new singing partner project.
“Kenny’s just so… intense,” I complain, trying to put my finger on what exactly bothers me about him. “It’s hard to relax around him, you know?”
“I didn’t like him,” Luka sympathizes, his eyes focused on the road. “But I believe in you, Emma. You’ll make it work for the project then avoid him after that.”
“Thanks, Luka,” I reply, touched by his faith in me. In the rearview mirror, I see JD nodding in agreement.
“Hey, sometimes you’ve just gotta roll with the punches, right?” JD chimes in. “We’re all here for you, Emma. Whatever you need.”
Their words of reassurance make me feel warm and appreciated, and I can’t help but let out a small, contented sigh. As we continue to chat and laugh, my earlier nerves dissipate, replaced by excitement for the evening ahead.
We pull up to the restaurant, a cozy little place with a warm, inviting atmosphere. The soft glow of the lights inside spills out onto the sidewalk, and I can’t help but feel a flutter of excitement as Luka parks the car. We all step out, and I take a deep breath, mentally preparing myself for this unconventional date.
“Ready?” Luka asks, offering me his arm with a playful grin.
“Absolutely,” I reply, slipping my arm through his, feeling the strength in his muscles. JD walks beside us, his presence like a comforting blanket as we enter the restaurant.
Inside, the ambiance is intimate and welcoming. Soft jazz music plays in the background and the smell of delicious food wafts through the air. A waitress leads us to our table, her eyes darting between the three of us with a hint of suspicion. But we pay her no mind, too caught up in each other’s company.
Once seated, I can’t help but ask, “Why did you guys want to combine your date?”
They share a look.
“Well, we wanted to see how you felt about the idea of us… all getting to date you. If you like all of us that is,” Luka says carefully.
“Together. At the same time. All three of us,” JD adds.
My eyes dart between the two of them.
“We thought we could see how tonight goes and go from there.” Luka’s expression is shy and so unlike him. He believes in this.
“So, why isn’t Alec here tonight?” I ask
JD and Luka share another look before JD answers, “Well, he wanted his own date with you. Said it was only fair.”
“Ah, I see,” I say, nodding in understanding. “Okay, well the idea of dating all three of you is crazy but I’m willing to give it a try tonight.”
Luka’s smile is blinding while JD’s is more reserved but hopeful.
“Are you sure it wouldn’t be the greatest thing to ever happen to you?” Luka asks.
I smack his arm. “Yes, now don’t be cocky about it.”
With menus in hand, we scan the options as the conversation flows easily between us. Luka tells us about growing up in Sweden, his fondness for hockey is evident as he shares stories of skating on frozen lakes with his siblings before moving to the States.
“Did you always know you wanted to play professionally?” I ask, genuinely curious about their journeys.
“Ever since I was a kid,” Luka replies, his gray eyes twinkling with passion. “Hockey has always been a huge part of my life. It was the one constant when we moved from Sweden to the States.”
JD smiles. “My parents took me to a hockey game when I was five and I was hooked. I tried playing on a local team and I wasn’t anything special until I put on the goalie gear. Then, it came naturally. My mom and dad switched driving me an hour away to the best local team every day.”
“Wow, they must really love you,” I say.
“Yeah, they do. Did you always know you wanted to be a singer?” JD asks.
“I did but I wasn’t sure I would be. My mom,” I swallow around the lump in my throat, “Was an incredible singer, well-known in classical circles. I wanted to be like her more than anything but then when I was ten, she died.”
