AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I bend sideways to pick up the box hidden under the tablecloth, then place it in front of her.
“What’s this?” Sliding her fluted glass across the table, she stares at the white gift box.
“Open it and see.”
Excitedly, she lifts the lid to reveal what’s inside and lets out a shocked gasp. “Tickets to the first pre-season game on Saturday?”
I nod. They are like rocking horse shit; you can’t get them anywhere.
Holding them up, she fans them out. “Three?”
“One for you, your sister, and your dad.”
She looks at me, confused, her brows hunched together. “How did you know I had a sister?”
“I asked Kourtney that too. You’ll be sitting in my family seats alongside my mom and sister.” My mom and sister always sit in the front row of the area dedicated to my father. It’s the only request my mom made when he passed. She bought several seats on the proviso that they would be allocated for our family only. Although, from time to time, she raffles them off for charity. “And I’ve booked The Fair Donald Plaza Hotel for your sister and dad for Saturday night.”
Motionless, she stares at me, then drops her gaze to the tickets. “This is hundreds of dollars’ worth of gifts.” She looks up again as if disorientated. “My dad is a huge hockey fan.” Her voice is barely a whisper.
“Kourtney mentioned it.” I can’t work out if she’s annoyed or happy and I’m seriously wondering if I messed up.
“He’ll pee his pants.” Her mood suddenly buoyant, a small grin widens.
Thank fuck.
Her hand moves to the box again and she gasps. “What’s this?” She pulls out a yellow and blue hockey jersey.
This is where I’m certain I overstepped and I hold my breath as she turns it around.
“Johansson. Eleven,” she says, then peeks around the side of the jersey and smiles.
She scrunches the fabric in her tiny fists and holds it to her chest. “You want me to come to your game on Saturday, wearing your team jersey with your number on the back, and sit beside your family with mine?” She stares at me.
“Yeah.” Having never asked a girl to one of my games before, I flap the neckline of my tee shirt to cool me down. I’m suddenly feeling very hot and nervous. Sitting down for the past half hour, getting to know each other better, and eating the snacks I prepared for us, my body temperature had started to drop however, within a heartbeat, it’s burning hotter than the sun.
I really am shit at this dating nonsense.
“I’m supposed to be going out with Kourtney on Saturday night to the opening of her friend’s nightclub.”
Kourtney said she would worry about that, explaining that Lily hates letting people down. “It’s an early game. You can still go out afterward. Kourtney invited your sister to the nightclub opening too.”
“But what about my dad? I can’t leave him in the city alone.” Her mouth twists unpleasantly at the thought.
“My mom and sister are taking him out for a meal after the game.” I reach out to take her hand and reassure her.
She lays the shirt I gifted her down on the table. “So, they know they are coming to the game?”
“I had Kourtney pull your emergency contact details for your dad off your staff record. I wanted to surprise you. I hope you don’t mind.” Yeah, that may have been a bit far-reaching of me. And her dad actually hung up on me the first time I called, assuming I was playing a prank. I called back, asking if I could video call and confirm I was actually Ash Johansson from the Edmonton Eagles.
To say he looked a little shocked when my face filled the screen, would be an understatement.
“It’s all arranged?” She asks, sounding surprised.
“Too much?” I question, feeling unsure of myself.
Shaking her head, her gaze shifts between the tickets, the shirt, and then me. “It’s perfect.”
Well, thank Jesus-fucking-Christ for that. My shoulders drop with relief and I let out a huge sigh.
