Twenty-Two

Fletcher

You know, I hate to admit it, but I’ve never been the biggest hockey fan.” Casey leans forward, allowing me to hear her more clearly. “But after tonight’s game, you might’ve convinced me.”

“It’s pretty wild, huh?” I flash her a smile and then take a drink of my beer.

“I felt like I never knew what was going to happen next. Everything just moves so fast, you know? I grew up in a football household where it’s a lot of stop and go, but hockey is—”

“Basically, all go?”

“Yeah.” Her eyes light up. “Like, it’s crazy to me that players change out while the game is going on. I feel like that’s so risky. It was hard to keep track of everyone.”

“That’s fair.” I laugh. “It’s a fun game to play. I enjoy watching hockey too, but the high I get being on the ice is unbeatable.”

“I don’t think I could ever play hockey,” she replies. “First of all, I have absolutely no coordination. That puck is so small, I feel like I’d always be losing it. And I can’t skate. I’ve tried, but I look like a baby giraffe learning how to walk for the first time.”

“Maybe you just haven’t had a good teacher.”

“Oh yeah?” She grins, scooting in even closer. “You offering to teach me?”

“I don’t know. It could be arranged.”

She leans the rest of the way in and presses her lips against mine.

“It’s a date,” she whispers.

“Hey, Fletch.” Jeremy drops a hand onto my shoulder. “I’m going to get us another round. Do you want anything?”

“I think what he wants is to go get that round!” Brooks yells over his shoulder. “I’ve paid, Cam’s paid, your turn, Fletchy boy.”

“You better go get us another round.” Casey winks. “Before your friends lose their minds.”

“No, I got it, man.” Jeremy pats my back. “Don’t want to pull you away from your date.”

“Even though we’re supposed to be celebrating!” Brooks adds.

“Coming from the guy who ditches us the second his girlfriend calls.” I roll my eyes.

“Oh, so you got a girlfriend now?” Brooks jumps off his bar stool.

“Go.” Casey mouths.

“I’ll be right back.” I gently squeeze her forearm and then walk toward the bar. The crowd has grown exponentially since we arrived, so the poor bartenders are running around trying to attend to everyone.

I raise my hand to grab the attention of one of the bartenders, and as they notice me, I see Tate across the bar.

She’s chatting with a guy I’ve never seen before, but I’m pretty sure he’s one of the MSU hockey players because he looks familiar, but I’m not sure from over here.

What I am sure of is that Tate has had more drinks than she needs.

Maybe it’s the only thing that’s helping her survive the crowd. She can’t stand parties on campus, and she knows the majority of the people who attend them.

Only about one percent of the people in this bar, Tate knows.

“What can I get for you?” The bartender asks, tossing a towel over their shoulder.

I lift the beer in my hand, “Could I get five more of these and a vodka soda, please?”

“Sure thing.”

I doubt Tate came here by herself; Brinley is probably somewhere around here. She’s probably the person who found this bar in the first place.

But I don’t see Brinley. Or Maia.

Maybe Maia ditched once we showed up so she wouldn’t run into Cam. But I don’t know where Brinley would’ve gotten off to.

The bartender gets distracted by one of his coworkers, so I take this time to head over and talk to Tate.

I don’t know how to even start this conversation because I know for a fact she won’t be thrilled with me being the one to cut her off. She’s usually really good about not drinking too much, but tonight, she’s definitely gone way over her limit.

My theory proves right because the second she sees me, the light in her eyes seems to disappear.

“Hey.”

“Hey.” She forces a smile and then takes another sip of the drink sitting in front of her. The one she doesn’t need.

“You know this guy?” The guy sitting next to her sizes me up. Like, I’m the threatening one when he’s being a little too touchy with someone who has obviously had too much to drink.

“I do. What do you need, Fletch?”

“I think it’s time you cut yourself off, Tate. I appreciate you celebrating our win—”

“Ah, you’re a Rockford player. I thought you looked familiar. I’m Robby.”

“You play for MSU?” It’s posed as a question, but I already know the answer.

“I’m the goalie.”

“Did a pretty shitty job at your position tonight. Let quite a few weak shots through.”

“Fletch.” Tate rolls her eyes, but Robby doesn’t seem to mind the jab.

“Maybe. I was somewhat distracted by the beautiful girl sitting in the stands. She may go to your school, but it looks like she was rooting for the opposing team tonight.”

That’s when I notice Tate’s jersey. It’s an MSU jersey.

“Where did you even get that?” I lean forward, resting against the bar.

“Doesn’t matter. Pretty sure you’ve got a date to get back to.” Tate polishes off her drink. “And Robby and I were just getting ready to head out of here.”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea, Tate. Where’s Brin? Maybe you should go home with her.”

“I’m a big girl, Fletch. I don’t need you to look out for me. I’ve done just fine on my own.”

She wobbles slightly as she jumps down from the bar stool.

“Tate.” I reach for her, but she straightens her body out.

“Seriously, I’m fine. Go back to Casey; she’s probably wondering where you are.” My face falls slightly.

I guess it makes sense that she saw Casey here. There are a lot of people, but the bar isn’t crazy big. That’s not the part that’s getting me, honestly. The part that’s getting me is that she seems bothered by it.

Like the reason she’s acting the way she is right now is because she’s jealous of Casey, which is ridiculous.

“H-wh—” I don’t know where to go with my thoughts, and I don’t get time to decide because all of a sudden, I hear the bartender grabbing my attention from behind me.

“Sorry it took so long, man; here are those drinks.”

When I turn around, Tate is gone. So is Robby.

It takes everything in me not to leave the drinks on the bar and follow them out.

Try to find her… protect her.

But like she said, she’s done just fine on her own… she doesn’t need me to look out for her.

So, I don’t.

I grab the drinks off the bar and head back to our celebration.