Page 74 of The Quit List
He gestures towards a couple of tall stools at a bar-height table for two in the corner and he even pulls my stool out for me in a semi-joking way. As I hop up onto it, I find myself smiling.
This is actually pretty fun.
“Are Maddie and her husband here tonight?” I ask as I look around the crowd of hockey players.
“Nah,” Aaron says with a shake of his head. “They don’t get out much anymore. Seems to happen to all the guys who partner up and settle down.”
I don’t miss the slightly wistful note in his voice. Sounds like Maddie was right when she said that Aaron was looking for something more than flirtations and partying.
“As fun as clubs can be, nothing beats a wild night at home playing Scrabble in front of the fireplace in your pajamas, am I right?”
“Exactly!” Aaron beams.
I smile back at him before taking another sip of my drink. And yes, I’m aware that I’m fully taking unfair advantage of the fact that I know this man loves Scrabble.
But at that moment, I get a flash back to what Jax said on Stone Mountain… that I try to give people a version of me that I think they’ll like.
It’s literally what I just did. Because I am, myself, pretty indifferent to Scrabble.
I make another resolution—that for the rest of tonight, I won’t do such a thing again. I will be myself. Exactly who I am.
For the next little while, Aaron and I chat easily. I ask him a few questions about hockey, he asks me about my job. I tell him about how I know Jax (leaving out the dating coach part, of course), and he tells me how lovely Jax’s cabin is—how the renovations are almost done and he thinks it’s going to do great.
It’s a nice conversation. Aaron is warm and friendly with a killer smile. But I have to say, the vibe between us seems more friendly than flirtatious. The chemistry simply doesn’t seem to be there.
About halfway through his story about building the deck at Jax’s hideaway, his eyes drift to a point just behind me. Again.
I try to ignore it, figuring he’s probably checking on one of his guys or something. “I can’t wait to get out there and see it for myself. I’ll be going with Jax soon for this big backpacking trip he has planned. And in return, I’ll be taking some pictures for his website.”
I run a finger around the rim of my glass, waiting for Aaron’s response. Maybe a question about the backpacking trip or something.
Instead, he utters a non-committal, “Oh, cool.”
Yup. He definitely sounds distracted, and now, I have to take a look for myself.
I peek over my shoulder and see that someone new has entered the VIP area—a girl with long, copper-colored hair and a silver dress. She’s talking with a group of guys, her hand resting on one of their arms.
“Who’s that?” I ask, curiosity getting the best of me.
Aaron startles a little, and he gives me an apologetic smile. “Olivia Griswold. Jake Griswold’s sister.”
“Is he your teammate?”
“My best friend and teammate.” Aaron nods. “He’s a defenseman.”
This means absolutely nothing to me, but I tilt my head, more curious than bothered by the fact that he’s currently ogling another woman. “So are you and Olivia… a thing? Or were you?”
His dark eyes snap back to meet mine. “Jeez, no. Never. That girl hates my guts.”
“Why?”
He shakes his head. “Long story.”
At that moment, Olivia glances over at us, and she and Aaron share a look that’s loaded with so much tension, you’d need a chainsaw to cut through it.
Jeez. Talk about sparks flying.
But then, Olivia’s eyes narrow, glittering and alight as she flips Aaron the bird and turns away. Aaron, meanwhile, rolls his eyes at her back. But the look in his eyes is undeniable…