He takes a long drink. “Poor Lucas.”
There’s a hockey game on TV, which Scottie’s watching as intently as Jake. When the other team scores, they both groan, and she leans forward, like she’s in pain. And an echo of that pain bounces across the table and straight into my chest. Oliver is being so sweet, acting so clearly interested. But I would have sworn Arrow was interested, too.
Just thinking of him makes me feel like my heart is being pinched and twisted. “I wonder if she’s been burnt by a guy before. Maybe she’s tired of hoping and can’t take the disappointment of one more guy not being who she thought he was.”
Oliver squeezes my hand beneath the table. But he doesn’t say anything.
I’m not sure if his silence means he understands. Knows the feeling, even.
Or if he’s one more guy who won’t be who I thought he was.
After dinner, the four of us pile back into Jake’s SUV. The snow is falling thicker now, muffling the world in white. Scottie scrolls through her phone, muttering about how her brothers will never let her live down that fake kiss if they find out. Jake hums tunelessly along with the radio.
Oliver pulls my right leg up onto this lap and holds my calf, like he has every time we’ve been in the car. His shoulder presses into mine in the backseat, warm through layers of winter gear.
“How’s your foot holding up?” he asks.
I give it a wiggle. “Sore, but surprisingly okay.”
“Clara came through, huh?”
I smile, thinking of the selfless woman and her husband. It’s strange to think they made such a huge impact on us, but I’ll likely never see them again. “Yeah. She did.”
I rest my head on the seat and angle my face towards his. “How’s your family? Are they pretty upset?”
“I don’t know,” he says. “I just keep deleting the messages as they come in.” Then he pauses, and his blue eyes bore in on mine. “How’s your family? Is everyone ready for the party tomorrow?”
“Happy release day,” I say, trying to smile. The words feel sticky coming out of my throat. Jake and Scottie are talking in the front seat, so I’m not worried about them overhearing. But this isn’t a topic I want to get into with anyone. Ever. “Yeah, I set everything in motion weeks ago, so my uncle and great aunt are putting the finishing touches on things. They’re fine. My family, I mean. My dad’s family doesn’t do much together, but it’s always nice to see them.”
“I bet your dad’s excited to see you.”
I nod, dropping my gaze, wishing my heart didn’t ache the way it does thinking about him. “Thanks for saying that.”
By the time we reach the hotel near the train station, it’s late. Snowflakes whirl in the glow of the street lamps, sticking toJake’s windshield until the wipers brush it aside. He pulls up to the front doors and throws it into park.
“All right, lovebirds,” he says. “This is you.”
Oliver hops out, grabs my crutches, and helps me down before grabbing our bags. Then Scottie gets out and comes around to my side of the SUV. She gives me a quick hug. “Nice meeting you, Poppy Grace,” she says. “You’re good for him.”
I’m blushing and flustered when she lets go. “Thanks, Scottie Grace.”
“I’ll see you soon,” she says with a strange confidence. Why is she so sure we’ll see each other again?
Oliver holds our bags and nods to Jake. “Thanks. And stay out of trouble, man.”
“Why do you say that?” Jake asks through his open window, clutching his chest like Oliver’s words have wounded him. “You don’t want me getting sent down to the Mudcraps next season?”
Scottie punches Jake’s shoulder for us. “Travel safely tomorrow!” she says.
We wave as Jake rolls up his window. The SUV pulls away, tail lights glowing red before disappearing into the night.
And then it’s just us. The hotel doors slide open with a soft hiss, heat spilling out into the cold. Oliver glances at me, his jaw tight, his eyes unreadable.
“Ready?” he asks, gesturing toward the lobby.
I feel like I’ve been edging near a precipice all day, and this is it. The moment I have to decide: keep waiting for Arrow to be ready, or step forward with Oliver.
Arrow told me he was happy with what we had. When I pressed him, he said he needed time to think. It was such a gentle way to say no, and I think it’s proof that he knows what I’ve just discovered: our connection was powerful, but it was only ever fixed in the present.
