Page 48 of One Shot

Chapter twenty-four

Laur

Afew days later, I send Lucas a photo of Nick’s notes for our next opponent, the Lions. I hold off on sending him anything on the Jaws. If I wait, I’ll have an excuse to text him again. I’ve always found it odd that there’s a college hockey team named after a fictional shark. I look down at my wrist where my Wyvern tattoo is. I guess the Wyverns are fictional too. We should push for a Wyverns movie. I laugh to myself, mentally noting to tell Bren. She’ll get a kick out of my stupid joke.

I grab my computer, notebook, and a few other things before heading out the door to meet Bren and Suz in our usual spot.

“Hi,” Bren calls cheerfully from a table at Roast and Revelry.

She’s sitting by herself, which means Suz hasn’t come yet. This could be my chance to ask her about that blonde girl that I’m still thinking about. I can’t get the visual of her hanging all over Lucas from my head. I do have my date in a few weeks so that should help.

“Thanks for the caramel macchiato,” I say sipping on my hot beverage. “Can I ask you something random?”

Bren nods in response.

“Do you know anything about that girl that was with Suz and Lucas the other night after the game at Haee’s?”

“Sorry, Chip, I didn’t see her. I was a little . . . preoccupied.”

I’m sure she was preoccupied with Liam’s face attached to hers. Oh well, it’s better for me to know less.

“I can ask Suz?” Bren asks, trying to be helpful.

“NO,” I say a little too loudly. I still don’t trust her. “No, that’s okay.”

“Ask me what?” Suz pops up from out of nowhere. How does she manage to always be there when I don’t want her to overhear something?

“Oh, nothing important,” I reply.

She rolls her perfectly lined eyes.

“Is this about Lucas? I know you have a crush on him, but honestly you are always with Tyler—”

I cut her off quickly, “No, it’s not. Tyler is one of my closest friends. I grew up with him. He played hockey with my brother. There’s nothing there, don’t start that rumor.”

I quickly turn the conversation away from talking about Lucas.

“But actually, I was wondering why the Jaws aren’t just called the Sharks? Why did they need to have a name with a whole movie about them? Can we have a Wyverns movie?”

I couldn’t stop myself. Bren’s giggles bubble out of her.

“Are you kidding me? What a weird question.” Suz snorts with annoyance.

I just shrug my shoulders. It got the laugh out of Bren I knew it would, so at least it was a funny question too.

“So anyways, this isn’t a movie, but I do have some exciting news. I talked to my contact atUSA Hockey Magazine. I’ve been sending them the articles we have written so far this season. They love them! And Laur”—she turns to me—“they even love your pictures!” Suz shrieks.

“My pictures? Really?”

“Right? Isn’t that amazing! They want an official article written about Liam and Connor!”

She says to Bren, who is beaming with excitement.

“They also want a feature on Lucas and Tyler. Think you can handle it, Laur? They are your assignments, so the opportunities are yours if you want them.”

“I—Really? Thank you so much. Will you proof readit?”

I stumble over my words, dumbfounded. Two articles and my photos will be in a national magazine! This is more than I could have dreamed of.