Chapter 18

THE DREAM TEAM

Nathan

Hey. Good news about Blake. His new attorney dug up some ring cam footage that places him in the car the entire time his friends were inside the house. It's not a guarantee, but he thinks he can get the charges dropped.

Eli

That's great news. Is that what you and Summer were talking about last night?

Nathan

Yeah. The attorney called.

Van

You mean at the party I wasn't invited to simply because I'm single?

Alec

For real. We could have brought dates.

Eli

But then we would have had too many people for Catan.

Felix

Speaking of Catan. Nathan has some explaining to do.

Felix

Happy about Blake, man.

Alec

Catan? Like the board game?

Logan

Yes. Nathan is stupidly good.

Felix

We know you didn't just get lucky, man.

Nathan

Think whatever you want. A magician never reveals his secrets.

Felix

Hey. I don't want to make things awkward. But do you need help with attorney fees?

Van

We can all chip in.

Logan

I'd help, for sure.

Alec

Me too.

Eli

Yep. Whatever you need.

Nathan

Thanks for offering. I would have been able to handle it, but Summer's friend took the case pro bono, so it's not an issue at all. Hopefully it'll all be over soon.

Alec

Cause you're making the big bucks now. #GoAppies

Logan

#ThanksParker

Alec

Word.

Logan

Keep us updated?

Nathan

I will.

Felix

And tell Blake to find better friends.

Nathan

I'll do that too.

NATHAN AND SUMMER

Nathan

Hi. Texting as a friend.

Since we do that kind of thing.

It has occurred to me that I did not say actual words to thank you for reaching out to Franklin. It means a lot that you did.

Summer

I took your hug as a very sincere thank you. But thanks for the words. I'll take those too.

Are you going up to Boston?

Also. Important question: do friends share fancy expensive coffee? Because I can't stop thinking about your coffee.

Nathan

I'm planning on going.

Summer

I'm glad. I'm sure Blake would love having you there.

Nathan

Are you at work yet?

Summer

Just walking in. Why?

Nathan

Check your desk.

Friends DO share fancy expensive coffee.

Summer

You are the best fake boyfriend I've ever had.

And not a bad FRIEND either.

Summer

Know what I still haven't done?

Nathan

What's that?

Summer

I still haven't found the perfect joke.

Nathan

I've noticed. Was just thinking I might not ever smile again.

Summer

I've been watching for a smile, hoping I'll catch it on the sly, but you guard those things closely. Makes me wonder what made you smile the first time.

Nathan

You know what made me smile.

Summer

Do I though?

Nathan

You were there.

Summer

Yes. But why? Why then? I mean, I know some of it you were playing up for the crowd. The glove on the glass—classic move, by the way. But the smile felt real.

Nathan

It was real.

Summer

Okay. So…why?

Nathan

Maybe just that I've never had someone at a game who was there just for me.

Besides my mom. And that's not the same thing.

I know we were pretending. But it still felt good.

Also. You looked beautiful.

Saying that as a friend.

Summer

Right. Understood. Thanks for explaining.

You have a really great smile.

Saying that as a friend.

And I WON'T stop hunting for the perfect joke.

Nathan

Can I ask you a question?

Summer

Sure. But I might have to charge you for the answer.

Sorry. Bad lawyer humor. (FYI. That was NOT the perfect joke.) Of course you can.

Nathan

Too bad you aren't here to see it, because that joke actually DID make me smile.

Summer

Picture or it didn't happen.

Nathan

picture of Nathan frowning sternly>

Summer

NATHAN. Did you just do that on purpose? Because your NOT SMILING photo looks like you should be on a book cover featuring some kind of dastardly duke.

Nathan

A what?

Summer

Seriously. I totally understand why your broody photos took over the internet.

Nathan

I still don't get it.

Summer

LOOK AT YOU. The expression on your face looks like you're angry at the whole entire world but also like you want to kiss someone.

I can't look away.

Nathan

It just looks like my face.

Summer

EXACTLY. Just give me a second while I make this picture my home screen…

#KiddingNotKidding

Nathan

picture of Nathan smiling>

Summer

STOP IT. WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO ME?

Nathan

You owe me two photos, Callahan. I'm keeping score.

Summer

picture of Summer sticking out her tongue>

That's the most you're getting.

Didn't you say you have a question for me?

Nathan

It might feel like a downer now…

Summer

I can handle it. What is it?

Nathan

Will you tell me what happened with your old boss?

Summer

Ugh. That's definitely a downer. But yes. I totally can.

Brace yourself though. Because my boss was a first-class jerk.

He was also the district attorney for several rural counties. He was young, charming, and everyone loved him. But he made my life a living hell. He asked me out right after he hired me, and I said no, and I don't think he liked the rejection. So then he just started insulting me. Constantly. Little jabs about my appearance. Jokes about my nonexistent sex life. It was demeaning and awful and I hated it.

Nathan

Could you not quit?

Summer

I told myself that quitting would be letting him win. I also wasn't the only woman in the office. I think I thought that by staying, I was somehow protecting the law clerks and assistants he might target if I wasn't around.

Nathan

Weirdly noble?

Summer

I know. It wasn't good logic. Eventually, I snapped and quit and reported him.

Nathan

Which didn't go well. I remember you telling Franklin.

Summer

It was hard to prove when it was his word against mine.

Nathan

That's not fair. I'm sorry that happened to you.

Makes me wish I could run into the guy. I'd let him know exactly how I feel about how he treated you.

Summer

Okay, Bruiser.

Nathan

Better Bruiser than Killer. I know how to fight clean.

Summer

Ha! That's true.

I've actually wondered if he's seen anything online about the two of us being together.

A petty part of me hopes he has.

Nathan

That's not petty.

Summer

It's a little petty.

Might be slightly less petty if we were dating for real.

Nathan

But we're friends for real. And that's enough that I would kick his ass if he showed his face anywhere near you.

Summer

That's sweet.

Nathan

It's nothing. It's what friends are for.

Summer

HEY. I heard about the exhibition game against the Yellow Jackets. That's amazing.

Nathan

Yeah. I just hope we don't embarrass ourselves.

Summer

You totally won't. I even have proof. Hang on…

Okay, this is a direct quote: "With an exceptional first line and a defensive pairing in Sheridan and Sanders that rivals what we're only used to seeing in the NHL, the Appies are playing a level of hockey that far surpasses anything the AHL has seen before."

Nathan

Who said that?

Summer

ESPN said that.

Nathan

Usually they just call us that team on TikTok.

Summer

Not anymore! You're getting noticed! What do you think will happen if you actually beat an NHL team?

Nathan

Nothing, probably. Just give us bragging rights.

Summer

Hmm. And make it interesting when it's time to renew contracts.

Nathan

Maybe.

Summer

Well, I'm proud of you either way. Even if the game is just for charity. It'll still be fun to watch.

Nathan

Will you be there?

Summer

Of course I'll be there.

I can't leave you to fight off your adoring female fans ALONE. Not at a game this big.

Nathan

What would I do without you?

Summer

Probably play terrible hockey.

Nathan

Probably.

Summer

And never smile.

Nathan

Definitely not.