Page 72 of Mac Meyers Needs Me

I finish getting dressed and shrug into my coat.

“You guys want to grab something to eat?” Chase asks.

“I can always eat,” Gage replies.

“I have class in half an hour, and it’s on the other side of campus.” Brody shoulders his backpack.

“You want a ride over?” Chase flips his car keys around his finger.

“I wouldn’t say no. It’s balls cold out today.”

They look to me. “You in?”

“I’m heading to the art studio to see Fee.” She invited me, and I feel like it’s a special privilege to see her creation space.

“You two are pretty serious, huh?” Gage observes.

“I’m really into her.” I've never been this connected to anyone before. It’s a little scary, but I like it.

“I can drive you in that direction if you want.”

“Sure, yeah, that’d be great.”

The four of us pile into Chase’s car. He drops Brody off, then me. I duck into the café across from the art building first. Enid is working the cash register, her long, red hair pulled up in a ponytail and tucked into a baseball cap with a Blaze Café logo.

She greets me with a smile. “Hey, Mac, how’s it going?”

“Good. How about you?”

“Oh, you know, hopped up on too much caffeine because the coffee is free, otherwise good. What can I get for you?”

“I’ll take a regular latte and a caramel one for Fee.”

Her smile widens. “You’re stopping by the studio?”

“Yeah. Has she been in recently?” I don’t want to over-caffeinate my girlfriend.

“Like three hours ago. She has a big project for her fine arts class that’s due at the end of the week.”

“Yeah, she said she was planning to spend the day working on it. I figure I could bring her something to drink. Food might be a good idea, too.”

“She’s a huge fan of the prosciutto, brie, and blueberry sandwich,” Enid informs me.

“I’ll get her one of those, and a butter tart.” She loves those, too.

“Perfect. Anything for you?”

I order a BLT, pay for everything, and wait for my order.

A girl I’ve talked to at some of the hockey parties takes the spot beside me. “Hey, Mac.”

She asked about the hockey gala and I told her, like so many others, that I’d keep her in mind. I feel bad about that now, especially since I had no intention of ever asking her to go. “Hey, Kerri. How’s it going?”

“Good. Busy. Second semester is kicking my butt.”

“It can be a lot,” I agree.

“Especially when you’re playing competitive hockey and juggling a full load of class. You still dating the Terror assistant coach’s sister?”