Page 83 of Mac Meyers Needs Me

“Yeah. Big huge thank you coming your way later.” I pull out of my spot and head for the diner.

“Roman thinks you have a great shot at being called up,” Fee says. “And he wouldn’t say that if he didn’t believe it.”

“I definitely feel a lot better about my on-ice performance over the past few weeks, and I have you to thank for that,” I reply. I want to talk to her about us, but not while I’m driving. That’s a conversation for when we’re alone, and my focus is completely on her.

“You put in the work, Mac, and it shows.”

“I’m lucky to have you.” I squeeze her hand.

“I feel the same way.”

A few minutes later we arrive at a hole-in-the-wall diner. It looks like something straight out of the fifties with a server named Rainbow.

Hollis Hendrix, another former Terror player, Roman’s daughter Peggy, and Fee’s sister Callie join us, as well as Connor’s wife, Dred.

“You look like you’re feeling a million times better than when I last saw you,” I say to Callie.

Callie blushes. “That was definitely a two thumbs-down day. I’m sorry I didn’t get to see you on the ice today, but I was at practice.”

“Kicking ass and taking names,” Dred adds with a wink.

“Did you have another shutout practice?” Roman asks as Ariel tries to climb out of her chair and into his lap.

“Yup!”

Roman fist-bumps her across the table. “That’s my girl.”

Fee is tucked into my side, wearing a soft smile, and I hope that whatever happens after graduation, she'll still be mine.

Because I feel myself falling for her.

CHAPTER 29

FEE

“How would you feel about getting the blueberry brie sandwich, and I’ll get the coronation chicken wrap or the multigrain BLT so we can go halfsies?” Mac asks as we approach the campus café.

I hug his arm. “It’s like we share a brain.”

He leans down to kiss me. “What else are we thinking?”

“That we should also get a slice of their German chocolate cake for dessert.”

“But if they’ve already run out⁠—”

“—because it happens often⁠—”

“—we can get the death by chocolate mousse cake,” we say at the same time.

I make half a heart with my fingers and Mac mirrors the movement and we touch them to each other while laughing.

“We’re so extra.” Past me would have rolled my eyes at us, but I love how close Mac and I have become since we made this real.

“We’re giving Cammie and Chase a run for their money.” Mac’s dopey smile mirrors my own.

I’ve never been in a relationship with someone who feels like my best friend. We finish each other’s sentences. He knows what I’m about to say or ask before I even ask it. I’m definitely in deep with Mac and it’s both scary and elating. We’ve been dancing around the topic of his future plans after graduation, skirting the edge and then shying away. I don’t want to bury my head, but I also don’t want to ruin the flow.

Mac holds the door open and ushers me in ahead of him. Enid is working the cash register and waves at us. We’re ahead of the lunch rush, so we don’t have to wait long to order.