Page 18 of My One & Goalie
No sense throwing Jackson under the bus.
Xander: How’s the SUV?
Rachel: Good. Is this your follow-up survey? Lol
Xander: Ha, yes it is. Please rate my service on a scale of 1-5, with 5 being extremely satisfied
Rachel: 10+
I can’t help but grin down at my cell. I feel better than I do after a block—I’ve been off the ice too long for sure.
Xander: Great. So happy to hear you received excellent service. As thanks for responding to this survey, I’d like to take you out for drinks. Or dinner. Whatever works for you
I probably sound desperate, but I can’t help it. I need to see her again, like I need to eat, sleep, breathe, and play hockey.
Rachel: Call me
Puck’s back to me. With a deep breath, I dial her number and wait, ignoring the roar of blood rushing through my ears.
“Hello?” Rachel picks up on the first ring, her voice soft and breathy.
“Hey. It’s Xander. Obviously.”
She giggles as I wonder how I lost my game so fast.
“I’ve been thinking about you all day, Rachel. I shouldn’t have let you walk away this morning. Not without pleading my case. I like you. I understand you have a life with responsibilities and things are complicated. But that’s okay. I like complicated.”
“You do?”
“Eh, okay, that’s kind of a half-truth. I’m a simple guy, but I can deal with complicated. I understand complicated, I’ve lived it.” I run a hand through my hair and pray she’ll at least consider my offer.
“Exactly. Why would you want to take that on?”
“For you.”
She sucks in a breath and I regret not video calling her. I want to see her, read the expression dancing across her face. I swipe my palm on the mesh fabric of my shorts and wait.
“Xander, are you sure? Because it’s not just me anymore. I’m a package deal. And Jett’s always going to be my number one priority.”
“I get it. And I know and understand. We can take things as slow as you want. Or as fast—I’m good with that too,” I joke and she laughs. “I just need to see you again.”
“Okay.”
“Okay?” A smile tugs at the corner of my mouth and my chest lightens for the first time since I watched Rachel pull out of the mechanic’s lot this morning.
“Yes. I’d love to go out with you.”
I beam at the phone, happiness rushing through me. “Fantastic. What’s your schedule like? When are you free?”
“Tomorrow night. Charles has Jett this weekend. He’s picking him up from practice.”
Oh joy.Can’t wait to see that jackass again.
“Okay. I’ll swing by and pick you up after practice then.”
“Sounds good. See you then.”
“See you.”