15. Josie

15

JOSIE

W aiting all week to see Wyatt again was like torture. I don't know how many times I almost said just screw it and went to his apartment. But I had to tell myself to slow down. I couldn't act like some clingy girlfriend after only knowing him a few days.

In past relationships I always fell too fast. I was always the one who developed feelings first. The one in the relationship that gave all of myself and let them in, only for them to leave. I'd learned not to let myself get attached too soon. To not hope for much until I was sure of the other person's feelings.

And that's how it needed to be between me and Wyatt–at least for now. I couldn't let myself hope that whatever passed between us in the elevator could be more. Even if I felt butterflies every time he smiled. I had to be strong and not allow myself to get too invested.

When my alarm went off, I was already awake, too excited about going to the game tonight and seeing Wyatt. I couldn't wait to see him in his element and not just on tv. It felt surreal that I was going to an actual game.

The buzzing of my phone drew my gaze away from the ceiling. Reaching over, I grabbed it only to grin at the name that popped up.

Wyatt: Good morning.

I felt like I was back in high school texting my crush. Just seeing his name made me feel giddy. Why did Wyatt have to be so damn charming?

Josie: Good morning. You're up early today.

Wyatt: Have a small workout before heading to the stadium.

A second passed before he sent another one.

Wyatt: I already have your tickets at roll call. Just have to give them your name.

Josie: Wait, tickets? As in more than one?

Wyatt: Yeah. I figured you'd maybe want to invite a friend to come with you.

My heart fluttered in my chest. I couldn't believe he'd gone to the effort of securing me two tickets just so I couldn't have to sit alone at the game. Who does that?

Josie: Wyatt that's too much.

I'm someone who always feels uncomfortable when people do nice things for me. Not that I'm ungrateful, I've always just felt like there was someone else more deserving than me.

Wyatt: It's nothing. Players get free tickets.

Josie: I have to pay you something for them though.

It didn't feel right not giving him something in return. I had a feeling the seats were front and center. The kind that typically costs an arm and a leg.

Wyatt: Not happening. I won't take your money, Josie.

I shook my head at the phone. One thing I've learned about Wyatt already is that he's stubborn. This wasn't the first conversation we've had about the tickets and every single time he refuses any sort of money in return.

Before I could reply, Wyatt called me. I hesitated for a split second before answering the call and putting him on speaker.

"Hey you," he greeted, sounding a little out of breath.

"Hey."

"Go check your door."

"Check my door?"

"Yeah." His lack of details had me sitting up in bed.

"You didn't put a snake outside my door, did you?" I swung my legs off the side of the bed and got up, smiling at the sound of Wyatt's chuckle in my ear as I padded towards the front door.

"Nah I wouldn't go with a snake. Maybe a spider."

"Wyatt," I warned, hand paused on the door handle.

"I'm kidding. Open the door."

"I swear if there is a spider or snake, I'm hanging up on you," I threatened. Wyatt just laughed.

Swinging open the door I glanced around before spotting a bag sitting on the floor. With a smile, I reached for the pretty blue gift bag.

"What is it?"

"Open it and find out."

Curious as to what he left on my doorstep, I balanced my phone on my knee, before opening the bag. The first thing that caught my eye was the familiar white and blue fabric as I pulled it out.

I gazed at the number 8 jersey, feeling like I was dreaming. As though he could see me, Wyatt started talking.

"I thought maybe you'd want to fit in with the crowd."

I clenched the jersey in my hand trying to will my heart to slow.

"Thank you. I love it," I said softly.

"Plus, I can't have you watch me play wearing someone else's number."

"Of course not," I laughed.

"I know you need to get to work, so I'll let you go. But I'll see you tonight." I was certain I could hear hopefulness in his voice, and I smiled and nodded even though he couldn't see me.

"Good luck tonight." Knowing he needed to get back to his workout and get ready for tonight, I forced myself to say goodbye.

As soon as the call ended, I stared at the jersey. The giddy feeling in my chest grew. I really was about to go to a hockey game wearing the team captain's jersey.

I feel like I'm in a hallmark movie right now.

"So, I have a big question to ask," I said into my phone hours later. I juggled my phone, camera, notebook and purse as I walked down the street. I'd just finished photographing a local brew pub that was going to be featured in Fusion Weekly.

Today reminded me of how much I loved my job. I literally got to spend the better part of today inside the brewery tasting different kinds of beers, along with food. The up-and-coming venue was owned by a younger couple that combined their love for beer and food.

It may have been an assignment for the magazine but it sure didn't feel like one. Not with how sweet the owners were. They answered all my questions and gladly let me take photo after photo of the place. I knew for a fact as soon as word got out about the place it would be overflowing with patrons.

"Are you asking for my hand in marriage? You know the answer is already yes, babe."

I snorted at my best friend, Tasha's response. "One day."

The funny thing was, if the two of us did go off and get married, I doubted anyone would be surprised. We'd been inseparable for years. Are you really best friends if there hasn't been rumors at some stage linking you together romantically? Despite the fact we weren't blood-related, Tasha was my sister in every sense of the word.

"I got tickets for tonight's hockey game. Do you want to come with me?"

"How did you get tickets for the game?" I could hear her tapping away on her computer.

"Um…" I wasn't entirely sure how to tell her about Wyatt. Till now, I'd kept our relationship close to the chest. Not because I'm ashamed or trying to hide him. I wanted to keep Wyatt to myself until I was sure he wasn't going to run off. He still could, which is the scary part.

Plus, every time you bring up a guy to your friends it jinxed it—at least in my experience. Within days you're ghosted. I didn't want to risk that happening by telling Tasha or Lydia. Although I couldn't see any way around that now that I'd invited Tasha to the game.

"Jo?" Tasha prompted. She knew me like the back of her hand, and I could never hide anything from her. Knowing I was about to endure a lot of questions I decided to rip it off like a Band-Aid.

"One of the players on the team gave me tickets," I said it so fast the words jumbled together.

"Wait, what?"

"I met a guy who plays for the team, and he gave me tickets," I said it slower this time. Forcing myself to take a deep breath, I pulled the phone away from my ear in preparation as I silently counted down. 3… 2… 1…

"You met someone! A hockey player! Josie Scott!

Glancing around, I made sure no one had heard Tasha's screeching through the phone, but it was safer holding it at a distance—I was too young to have hearing loss. I could see my office building up ahead as I continued down the street.

"Done freaking out yet?" I asked after a moment.

"When did this happen?" she demanded.

"The two of us got stuck in the elevator together last week."

"Wait, what? How could you keep that from me? And he lives in your building! How did I not know this?"

"I didn't even know myself until the elevator," I confessed.

Admittedly, I wasn't the best at paying attention to my surroundings. There were probably countless times I'd seen Wyatt within the building and never even knew. But then again, Wyatt had the ability to capture everyone's attention as soon as he walked into a room, so it was hard to believe I hadn't noticed before.

"And he gave you tickets to make up for the elevator?" Tasha asked, but I knew what she was doing. She never outright asked. As a professional counselor, she knew how to slowly ease the information out of you. Tasha's basically a conversational wizard.

"Not exactly…I returned the jersey he lent me, and we ended up going out to eat. We've been talking all week."

"We have so much to discuss when I see you tonight."

"So, you'll go with me?"

"Like I would miss the chance to see a game and meet this hockey player," Tasha scoffed through the phone. Not that I'd expected her to say no. She was the type of friend you could call at midnight and ask to go for a drive, and she'd immediately say yes—no questions asked.

"The game starts at six, so we'll want to be there around five-ish to get through security."

"Sounds good. Want me to come pick you up?"

"Might as well. Save money on parking."

"I'll swing by later," Tasha said. "Oh! One more question!"

"Yeah?"

"Is he super-hot?"

"I'm disappointed I can't tag along tonight. I want to see this man in the flesh," Lydia commented as she leaned back in her desk chair. I'd invited her to join us, but she apparently had an evening meeting for the magazine.

"No doubt Tasha will keep you updated."

The three of us had a group chat, and all day it consisted of nothing but Tasha and Lydia messaging back and forth about Wyatt and me.

I couldn't blame them, and it was sweet that they were excited for me. It's been a long time since I'd dated anyone. Even with my last relationship a year ago, I wasn't fully invested. I'd gone through the motions, thinking I needed to be in a relationship.

Having such a shitty dating past made me hesitant to date again. But I couldn't deny the attraction I felt towards Wyatt.

"Go and have fun though, okay."

Though she smiled, she had the inquisitive look in her eyes that made me feel like she could read my mind.

"You deserve to be happy, you know."

"I know," I said quietly.

"Josie, look at me," she said softly. "You've had a rough year. A rough few, if I'm being honest—and for some reason you believe you can't be happy. But you deserve to be. You need to go out and have a little bit of fun. And who knows? Maybe this guy will be everything you didn't know you needed."

My chest ached at her words. It had been a rough year, but maybe she was right. I needed to let go a little tonight and enjoy it.