Page 41 of The Play Maker

I swallow hard. “Fuck, I want to be out there so bad.”

Isabella bumps me lightly with her elbow. “Then don’t screw things up with your tutor.”

I thought I didn’t need a tutor, that asking for help would make me seem weak.

But maybe I need her more than I want to admit.

Because if I want to get back on that ice, I need to pass. And if I want to pass, I need her.

“Yeah,” I say, blowing out a harsh breath. “I’ll try not to.”

She stands up and heads back to her spot beside her dad. She watches the guys on the ice, jotting stuff down every once in a while.

I pull off my gloves with a long sigh. My hands shake just a little from the chill as I reach for my phone in my pocket.

I know I shouldn’t, but I’m weak, and I need a hit of serotonin. So, I swipe my phone open, and the second I see her name pop up, my lips twitch into a smile.

Just seeing her message there makes the freeze in my chest thaw a little.

It’s a stupid little thing, really, but right now it’s exactly what I need.

Cherry:

Confession: I waved at someone who wasn’t waving at me and now I can never walk past the science building again.

Her text pops up, and I blink, trying to make sense of the jumble of letters.

I bite down a laugh before typing back.

Me:

Confession: I think I’d still wave back at you. Even if it wasn’t meant for me.

Cherry:

Flirting with me already?

Me:

I work quick. I dunno who’s gonna snap you up. I don’t want to lose my shot.

Cherry:

You’re so dramatic.

Me:

You love it.

Cherry:

I tolerate it. Barely.

Me:

You wound me, Cherry. I thought we had something special.

Cherry: