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“Are you sure? I know it’s early.”
“Absolutely. I have a coffee date tomorrow morning.”
“Coffee date?” I ask as we all perk up. “With who?”
“Just some guy I met online. I need a date for this thing in the summer, so I’m starting on the mission early.” Hemi shrugs into her jacket.
“Summer? But that’s months away,” Rix says.
“Ash’s cousin could be a good option,” Shilpa offers.
“I love you, and I love the offer, but I’m a lot of woman, and I don’t want that kind of awkwardness if he decides I’m not his type.” Hemi hugs Shilpa’s arm.
“I think you’re the perfect amount of woman, but I also understand.” Shilpa’s gaze shifts across the room to where Ash and Dallas are chatting.
“I need a good head start. Online dating is a nightmare,” Hemi says. “Zero out of ten, don’t recommend.”
“I tried it once. Epic fail.” Rix also grabs her jacket. “Speaking of potential nightmares…Tristan has been boring a hole in the side of my head for the past half hour. I should probably get him home before he drags me into the bathroom.”
“Would he really do that?” Tally asks as we slide out of the booth.
“I’d like to think he wouldn’t, but I can never be sure.”
Tristan, who was on the other side of the bar three seconds ago, is suddenly at Rix’s side. “We’re going home, baby?”
She pats his chest. “Yes, we’re going home.”
“Thank fuck.” He kisses her cheek then helps her into her jacket. “Ladies, have a nice night. Tell the guys I said bye.” He takes Rix’s hand before she can go in for good-bye hugs and drags her out the door.
“I want someone to want me that much.” Tally has a dreamy, faraway look on her face.
“We all want that.” Hemi pats her on the back.
“I have that, and it is glorious,” Shilpa declares.
We say our good-byes, and Hemi’s about to offer to drive me, but my dad is on his way out, too. Apparently, Hollis left a while ago. Before BDF, he would always stop to say good night to all of us before he took off. But like everything else, I guess that’s changed.
I’m tipsy as I follow my dad to the elevator back at home—not so bad that I can’t walk a straight line, but my brain is sloshy, and all I can think about is Hollis and that kiss.
“You’ll keep an eye on Hollis this week?” Dad asks.
“Yeah, of course.” The team leaves in the morning for the away series.
“Thanks, honey. He’s doing better, but I think he’s hurting more than he’s letting on.” We wait for the elevator to arrive. “I don’t want him alone and stewing all week.”
I swallow the sudden wave of guilt and wonder how much worse it must be for Hollis. He kissed me. I wanted it to happen more than I wanted my next breath. But the fallout isn’t anything I planned for. Or how awful it feels to keep this secret from my dad. I force a smile, but it feels heavy. “He really wants to finish this season.”
Last year was hard on him. My heart hurts thinking of the dark places his mind may go this time.
Dad nods, his expression softening, maybe misreading my guilt for empathy. “He might be able to get back on the ice if we make it to the playoffs.”
“We can cross our fingers.” I switch the subject. “Do you need me to tackle anything besides groceries and laundry while you’re away? And did you leave me a list?”
“The list is on the counter.”
“Should I pull out your spring wardrobe?”
“I know you’ve got a lot on your plate with school and everything else.”
