Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 83358 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 417(@200wpm)___ 333(@250wpm)___ 278(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83358 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 417(@200wpm)___ 333(@250wpm)___ 278(@300wpm)
Even without his eyes on me, my pulse still thrums, and I can only think, This is such a mistake.
The way he moves, the way people cheer for him, the way he commands every inch of space he inhabits… Lucky Branson is bigger than life and that intimidates me.
The rest of the game is an absolute blur. I’m not sure if it’s the fact I know Lucky or the fast-paced action that holds my attention, but when the final buzzer sounds, I have become a diehard Titans fan. I make plans to get a jersey, maybe a hat, and I will definitely figure out how to watch the games on TV.
Kelsey and I stand in our seats cheering the Titans’ win and I watch as Lucky skates off into the tunnel and disappears. Admittedly, I’m a bit sad, but I push it away to cheer for the MVPs announced.
Then Kelsey and I start the slow journey out of the arena as thousands of fans shuffle along. We’re barely up onto the concourse when my phone buzzes in my pocket.
I pull it out and see it’s a text from Lucky. Any interest in hanging out with me and the team for a bit? Bring your friend.
I stop right in the middle of the stream of fans and grab Kelsey’s wrist, pulling her to the side so we don’t get trampled.
“What is it?” she asks.
I hold out the phone. “Lucky invited us to hang with the team tonight.”
Kelsey’s eyes light up. “Oh, hell yes, we’re doing that. Ask him when and where.”
While her enthusiasm is contagious, and I realize this is probably a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, I dig deep for a gut check. “I need to think about it,” I murmur.
“What’s to think about?” Kelsey exclaims. “We’re talking about hanging out with the Pittsburgh Titans hockey team.”
“I know, I know,” I say, waving my hand to shush her. “Just give me a minute.”
And surprisingly, she does. She crosses her arms and stares at me pointedly like there’s only one possible answer to my dilemma and that I shouldn’t be thinking about this. Eerily, her gaze looks a lot like Buttermilk’s when he’s judging me.
“Come on,” Kelsey whines, having abandoned patience after only five seconds. She squirms and hops around like she has to pee.
“Leave me alone,” I grumble as I close my eyes and press my fingers to the bridge of my nose. “I’m stuck in a spiral of existential doubt.”
“Oh my God… it’s you!” a woman practically shrieks as she grabs my arm and my eyes snap open. “You’re Winnie. From TikTok.”
I stare at her like a deer catching a full face of high beams. My mouth opens but nothing comes out.
Kelsey steps in and nods. “She is. Winnie. TikTok Winnie.”
That was redundant.
“Oh my heavens,” the woman says, eyes wide. “You and Lucky were so cute in that video. Are you guys dating?”
“Not really,” I say with a polite smile. “It was just a date.”
“But he wants to go out with her again,” Kelsey says as she leans in, cutting me a pointed look. “Tonight, as a matter of fact.”
“Oh, that’s wonderful,” the woman gushes. “Well, good luck. I’m rooting for you. You’re the hope of all us average women.”
I internally wince because yes, that is me, but I don’t want to be anybody’s hero, especially not over this dating experiment.
The woman leaves and Kelsey drapes her arm over my shoulders. “You’re basically the Bachelorette now. Hope you brought a rose.”
I laugh, but the tightness in my chest doesn’t ease.
Because this? All of this? It’s exactly why I started this experiment. Because real dating felt impossible. Because it was too easy to fall for a smile or a pair of nice shoulders and lose myself in the idea of something instead of the reality of it.
And the reality is… Lucky is not normal. Not simple. Not safe.
Kelsey looks at me with such hope in those pretty eyes. “Are we going?”
I stare at Lucky’s text and think of all the reasons I should say yes. I then think of the reasons I shouldn’t. Because if I say yes tonight, I might not stop saying yes and this was never designed for me to find a serious relationship.
I shake my head with an apologetic smile at Kelsey. “Not tonight. It doesn’t feel right.”
I type out a quick text while ignoring the heavy look of disappointment I’m getting from my friend. I think I’m going to sit this one out. It’s a little too not-average for me tonight.
Even as I hit send, I wonder if I’ve just ended this experiment with Lucky. It’s a clear message that I’m not all that interested in the total package. My throat tightens because while my brain says I’m doing the right thing, my heart is telling me something different. Part of me is actually sad that this might be it and I already start to mourn what could have been.