*Thank you for still reading! I wanted to dedicate this chapter to a special reader whose comments make my day! Be sure to check out footnoteofhappiness !

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Have you ever heard your blood rushing in your ears? That steady swish, swish, swish as the waves roll through in time to your heartbeat?

That's what was happening to me.

"Is it a date?" Amy said calmly as if speaking to an easily startled animal.

I paced back and forth in front of my closet. "No? Yes?" I stopped and faced her, my eyes wide. "I don't know."

"Don't worry. Remember how worked up you were before we went out on your birthday? I thought you were going to pass out, but look how well that turned out."

"Well?" I started pacing again, ticking things off on my fingers "I kissed a stranger. Found out he was my Dad's stepson. Found out he was taking over for my professor. Agreed to go on a date with my only friend because my substitute, stepbrother, first kiss, whatever he is - was talking to another girl." I stopped and held up ten fingers in front of her. Maybe a little dramatically, but hey, I was freaking out here.

"I think your math is a little off, but like I said, see how well that turned out? You've lived more since your birthday, than you have in the entire four months you've been here."

I was still wearing the jeans and talk nerdy to me sweatshirt I'd worn all day and the simple act of picking an outfit for tonight had me spiraling out of control.

I liked Mason. I even really liked Mason. But I had told myself from the third day of the semester when he made me smile and forget my heartache - for even just a couple minutes - that I wasn't going to mess with this friendship.

I won't even bring up the fact that I've never actually been on a date...

"Screw your closet. I'll grab you something from mine." Amy ran out of my room, her purple pony tail swishing behind her.

***

Sarah walked into the room just as Amy was finishing with my makeup. A huge smile on her face. "You didn't tell me you were going out with Mason Hawk, captain of the Golden Knights." I could see her sporty fan girl itching to come out. "You know he's going pro right?"

I nodded. "I've heard people talk about it," I said reluctantly. "It's one of the reasons I've avoided doing anything with him outside of school. He's a big deal. His life's a big deal. And I'm more of a fly under the radar type of girl."

Sarah walked closer and put her hand on my shoulder. "Don't sell yourself short Eve. I know the last ten years were rough - I was there, I saw it - but you're both free now and I think it's time you spread your wings young grasshopper."

"Ok, Mr. Miyagi." I looked at her reflection in the mirror and covered her hand with mine. "Thank you for this... and everything else."

She squeezed my shoulder before letting go. "My pleasure... now, are you going to leave that hot hockey player sitting in our living room or-"

"Hot?" I asked.

"Dude. I'm gay, not blind."

Amy and I laughed so hard, it felt like the iced cage around my heart began to melt... and made me feel like, over time, it might fall away completely.

***

"You look amazing." Mason grinned as he opened the door of his white Toyota 4Runner.

"You too." I slid into the warmed leather seat and he shut the door, jogging to the other side and quickly climbing in.

The interior light faded making the confines of the cabin feel intimate. I wasn't sure what to do with my hands, so I poked the air freshener that hung for the rear view mirror. It was a Batman whose body wobbled from its head.

"I have to keep a few air fresheners in here or the smell of my gear gets overwhelming."

I bobbed my head and put my hands in my lap, rubbing my fingers across the tight black jeans that Amy made me wear with another one of her cropped sweaters, this one the color of wine.

"Are you nervous?" He asked. Concern clear in his face.

"Depends," I said. "Is this a date, or two friends hanging out?"

"Hmm. Do you want the truth, or should I tell you what you want to hear?"

"The truth. I always want the truth."

"Then," He rubbed the back of his neck. "This is a date. One I've been hoping for for a while now."

I chewed on my lip. "Ok. I can live with that."

"Good."

We drove towards the city. Mason keeping up a comforting stream of chatter, seamlessly filling in when my nerves got the better of me, until we turned down a quieter street and slipped into a freshly exited parking spot.

"Where are we going?"

"I thought I'd take you to one of my favorite places. It's an older sports bar on the corner." He shrugged. "It's kind of a dive, but what it lacks in remodeling, it makes up for in history."

We crossed the street and he held the door open for me as we entered. The place was warm and fairly busy. A long bar ran along the right wall and a few pool tables sat in a lowered area on the left. In between were a mixture of tall and short tables filled with a variety of people wearing anything from business suits to jerseys. But what caught my attention was the random assortment of autographed items lining every square inch of the walls.

We made our way to the bar, and sat in the only two open stools. Mason waved to the bar tender. "Hey Mickey."

"How's it going Hawk?" His Irish accent was thick.

"Good, hows business?"

"I can't complain. Who's ur girl?"

Mason smiled. "This is Eve. Eve, this is Mickey - he owns the place." The giant of a man with dark, ruddy hair and a thick beard, threw a towel over his shoulder and put a hand out. I shook it, my hand lost in the sheer size of his.

"All of this -" I motioned around me. " - it's amazing."

He shook his head. "Aye, it is. We've got all the greats up there. Even that one." He pointed to a napkin pinned behind the cash register. I could just make out what it said. Mason Hawk. It's namesake was turning red beside me.

"Alright, alright. That's enough embarrassing me for the evening. How about a Labatt and..." he motioned for me to speak.

"I'll have the same."

"Two Labatt drafts Mickey."

Mickey got our drinks and we thanked him, making our way to the pool tables. "Ever play?" He asked, checking the sticks. Twisting them in his fingers as he stared down the shaft. He had removed his jacket, and my mouth dried up as I glanced his way. Under a fitted white shirt, I could clearly see the lean muscle he used for finesse and speed, and everything about him - from his golden hair to skin seemed to glow.

I took a sip of my beer. "A couple times. My cousin Sarah lived with me for a while back in Denver, and she's a bit of a sports geek. She made us go to the bowling alley about once a week and we always played a game of pool before we left."

I removed my jacket as well, draping it across the back of the chair. Before I could step away the pocket started humming. I reached in and dug out my cell phone.

I opened the text.

Unknown: If you want me to touch you again, make sure he doesn't.

I whipped my head around, scanning the crowd.

"Everything ok?" Mason handed me a cue stick, and I took it while my heart took off and my stomach tightened.

"Yeah," I lied. "I just remembered I have an assignment due tomorrow that I need to finish."

"Do we need to head out?"

"No. Thank you though. I'll finish it later."

Mason smiled and went to stack the balls. I continued glancing around until I finally spotted him, perched at the end of the bar and glaring in my direction. He sipped a dark, amber colored liquid and every time he brought the glass to his lips, the sleeves of his black henley strained around his biceps. We continued starring at each other, my eyes drawn to his chest where the three buttons at the neck were undone, revealing the lotus flower covering his neck.

He lifted his phone, typed, then sat it down in front of him.

My phone buzzed again and I opened it with shaking fingers.

Unknown: Excuse yourself to the restroom. Now.

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I hope the chapter was worth the wait! It's a little rushed, and I see some glaring grammatical issues, but I'll get to those someday :)

As usual, Thank you so much for reading, commenting and voting! The story gets better when you guys help <3 <3 <3

If you love romance novels, think about giving my other book WITHOUT ME a look. I think you'll like it.

Have an amazing day!

xxx Bre

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