“I’m sorry.”
She shrugs. “I have to get going. I still have a few more places to check.”
“You eat yet?”
She shakes her head but keeps backing away.
I don’t waste time trying to argue with myself. I roll my window up, get out and lock my doors. We are in downtown Minneapolis. I don’t trust leaving all my hockey gear in the back of an unlocked vehicle.
“What are you doing?
“I was about to go eat so I figured I’d bring you with me. I’ve had a shit day so you can distract me by telling me about all these places you went looking for work.”
“What if I don’t want to?”
“You do,” I assure her before taking her hand and pulling her along with me.
“I’m not good company right now.”
“Neither am I. That’s why I want to hear something besides the same thing on repeat in my head.”
“Honestly…I’m good. I still…”
“Did you eat lunch?”
“No, I didn’t have time between classes and then I had to start the job hunt.”
“Then you’re not good. You’re running on nothing but whatever you had for breakfast which was what by the way?”
“A granola bar.”
“That is next to nothing.” Decision made, I pull her down the street to Bison’s. “This place has good food and we both need to eat.”
She tries to retrieve her hand, but I can be mulishly stubborn according to my mother. I just keep dragging her toward the entrance and then inside. Lincoln, the host, and one of the soccer guys, greets us.
“Hutch, good to see you. Table for two?”
“Yeah. Someplace quiet if you have it. I am not in the mood for signing autographs today.”
“Rough practice?” Lincoln asks as he gathers two menus and leads us toward the back of the restaurant. We’re seated in the farthest booth in the back where the other tables are all but deserted. Perfect.
I just nod and slide into the seat facing the back wall. If people can’t see my face, they might not recognize me. I’m not in the mood to deal with fans. I know they can make or break me in the NHL, but today is not a good day. I don’t want to smile and pretend I’m their best friend. I love my fans, but sometimes a guy just wants to eat a meal in peace and chat with a beautiful woman uninterrupted. Even one he should leave alone.
“Why have you had a shit day?” Daisy asks and opens the menu, not paying me the least bit of attention.
Which is an odd experience for me. Most girls I know want all my attention focused on them and do just about anything to ensure that. Daisy doesn’t care. Hell, if it’s up to her she’d be anywhere but here. My mom will love her.
“I really don’t want to talk about it.”
“Tough.” She looks up, her green eyes snapping fire. “You didn’t give me a choice so you don’t get one either. Spill it buster.”
I laugh. I can’t help myself. After the shit day I’ve had, I needed that laugh more than anything, but I sober when she starts to get up.
“I’m sorry. I’m not laughing at you. I’ve just had a really bad day and I’d rather laugh then sit here feeling like I can’t do anything right. I’ve talked all month with Coach and I’m talked out on the subject.”
“I’m assuming it’s about hockey?”
“Yeah.” I sigh and lean my head back against the booth, looking up at the ceiling. “I…”
