Page 84 of The Play Maker

And I don’t even know what to do with that.

I haven’t liked a girl in—God, maybe ever.

Because I’ve spent years keeping girls at arm’s length. Hookups. Flings. Nothing serious. Nothing that could get close enough to break something. I suck at this shit. Feelings. Being real. Not just… hooking up and pretending none of it matters.

But this? Sitting here with her, heart pounding like it’s trying to tell me something I’m not ready to hear?

I can’t remember the last time I wanted something like this.

I glance down at my phone again.

Cherry’s last message is still sitting there. Waiting for me to say something. Waiting for me to figure it out.

But I can’t.

Not when Maisie’s sitting right here beside me, close enough to feel the warmth of her arm. Close enough that I catch a whiff of her shampoo every time she shifts.

I came out here looking for Cherry.

And now all I can think about is Maisie.

The girl sitting beside me. The one who came to a game she didn’t even like just to be there for me.

Before I can say anything else, a buzzer blares from inside the rink. The crowd erupts into cheers, stomping feet, the unmistakable thud of excitement echoing through the concrete.

Game’s over. I don’t even know who won, but I don’t want to move.

I let out a sigh. “Thanks for keeping me company.”

Maisie stands, brushing off the front of her jeans with her palms. “Well,” she says, adjusting the strap of her bag, “don’t get used to this. It won’t happen again.”

A smile tugs at my mouth. “Not even when I get back on the ice?”

Maisie pauses, twisting her lips. “I’ll think about it.”

I nudge her shoulder gently, grinning. “We both know you’ll say yes.”

She doesn’t answer. Just rolls her eyes and starts walking. That little smile playing on her lips says everything her mouth doesn’t.

I stay seated, watching her go.

And I just sit there.

My heart pounding.

My mind spinning.

All I know is that somewhere in that crowd is a girl I’ve only ever known through a screen.

And walking away from me is a girl who’s changing everything I thought I wanted.

And I don’t know which one I’m supposed to be chasing.

17

AUSTIN

Cherry goes to my school.