Page 40 of Breakaway Hearts

“Not yet…you have enough late additions that it’s safer to wait until the last minute, but…” She eyes Madison like she doesn’t believe we’re friends.

“This is Hargraves’ best friend. I forgot to tell him he has to put his guest’s name down, but I know you always make magic happen when I have an issue, so I promised I’d see what we could do.”

Nancy looks at us like she doesn’t like it, but after a few reluctant clicks, she hands me a printed ticket.

“Thank you so much, Nancy.”

“Anything for you, Owen.” She shakes her head as she smiles, like this is something I always do, when really, I put names in the second I know someone’s coming, and often pick up the tickets myself. Most of my sweet-talking is used when more than one of my siblings surprise me on the same night.

I walk outside, very aware Madison is following, but I’ve made no effort to hand over the ticket.

“You’re still planning on buying a general admission ticket at six,” I call her on it when she tries to walk off.

“Why do you care?”

“Home openers sell out weeks in advance, so unless you want to miss the game, this is your best option. And if you want Jason to know you’re there, the players’ seats are the place to be. He’ll flip.”

“I don’t want to be a distraction,” she argues. I’m about to remind her she says they’re just friends, but a shadow crosses her face, so I keep it to myself.

“Will it make you feel better if you’ll distract me just as much, if not more than him?”

“Goodbye, Brooks.” She turns to leave again.

“Wait, wait, I’m sorry. You should take the ticket because Jason will be happy to see you and those seats are way comfier than the others.”

“That doesn’t sound fair.” She hasn’t agreed, but she stopped walking away.

“Do you not want him to know?” I ask, and she hesitates. “Why don’t you take the ticket, I won’t say a thing to Jason, and you can decide where to sit tonight.”

“Why are you being nice? Helpful, even.”

“I’m that kind of guy.”

“So you say.”

“Only because you did,” I remind her. I’m fishing through my toolbox for pickup lines as if I’ve never flirted before. She doesn’t care about me being captain, or really good at what I do, or the fact that I know all the people who work at the arena. I think she’d be more interested in the shelter, but I would never use that to get a girl. Then it hits me. “The other ticket is for my sister.”

“What?”

“This one’s yours,” I assure her, handing it over, containing my smile when our fingers brush. “But the other one under my name is for my sister, who’s a freshman and very supportive for someone who hates being cold…I’m still single, in case you were wondering.”

“I wasn’t.”

“Of course not.”

“Don’t you have practice?”

“You know my schedule?” I pretend to be touched.

“You’re insufferable.”

“See you later, Mad.”

I barely make it a step when she stops me.

“What did you call me?”

I smile to myself before turning to face her.