Page 33 of Mac Meyers Needs Me

Chase opens his mouth but closes it a second later and shrugs. “Her fic update was hot and we’re into each other.”

“You don’t say.” I glance over at Fee, who’s chatting and laughing with the other girls, making Gage’s and Brody’s dates feel comfortable.

“Why didn’t you ask Enid?” I press Brody.

He side-eyes me. “She started seeing some guy. Besides, that ship sailed back in high school.”

“Has it really though?” I ask.

“She’s got a boyfriend, that answers that question,” Brody mutters.

The bartender stops to take our order, letting Brody off the hook.

Once we have drinks, I introduce Fee to some of my teammates that she hasn’t met before, and my coaches, who are already aware of her Terror affiliation. Fee rolls with it when they ask her questions about her sister.

“Are you a hockey player, too?” Coach Murdock asks.

Fee laughs and threads her arm through mine. “I’m a fan from the other side of the Plexiglas. I grew up watching and cheering for the people I love, who adore the sport like Mac.”

“Fee’s been surrounded by hockey her entire life,” I add. “She really understands the game and the demands.” Our coaches often talk about the pressure of a relationship on top of hockey and courses.

“I know how hard these guys work on and off the ice. It helps when the team really gels, and these guys really show up for each other.” Fee smiles up at me.

“They’re great players, and they know how to work as a team,” Coach replies, chest puffed up with pride.

“That’s so important, isn’t it?” Fee agrees.

“It really is key to a successful team. Look at how well the Terror are doing this season,” Coach says.

“They spend time with each other off the ice, too, just like Mac and his friends,” Fee squeezes my arm.

The conversation with my coaches seems effortless. But she’s surrounded by hockey fanatics wherever she goes, and this event is full of them. I seriously owe her a night out doing her favorite thing after this.

At dinner we’re seated with our friends, and of course, there’s more hockey talk. Brody’s date looks bored, and Gage’s seems more interested in taking selfies than actual conversation. Cammie and Chase are making eyes at each other—which is normal.

I stretch my arm across the back of Fee’s chair while we talk, and she automatically leans in. Is it because she wants to, or because she’s playing the role? I don’t know, and it’s fucking killing me lately.

My mind keeps wandering back to the other night, when we were making popcorn in the kitchen. For a second I thought maybe she wanted me to kiss her, and then it all went sideways. Fee high-fived me. Fee has never high-fived me. Hell, I’ve never seen her high-five anyone. Panic hits. Have I been officially friend-zoned?

“Everything okay?” Fee whispers.

I blink a couple of times and realize I’ve been staring at her profile. “Yeah. Just admiring the view.”

She laughs. “Oh my God, you and your lines.”

“Is it a line if it’s the truth, though?”

She rolls her eyes and sips her drink. “Did I press the turbo flirt mode button again by accident?”

“You want me to dial it back?”

“I’ll let you know when I reach maximum flirt capacity.”

Once dinner, speeches, and awards are over, we hit the dance floor. The music slows eventually, and I turn to Fee. “Dance with me?”

“If you want.” She smooths her hands over her hips.

I settle my hands on her waist and pull her closer. “Thanks for agreeing to being my date, tonight.”