Page 34 of Don't Look Down

12

Landon

In the locker room, my phone is clenched tightly in my hands. Debating the final text I should send to Sky.

Sky’s the Limit: We’re here ??????

Sky the Limit: So I was thinking... I know we’re going to be sitting together, but you should know who you’re looking for. So here we are in all our glory. I’m the pretty one.

He’s sent me a selfie with Addy. Decked out in hockey merch like I asked.

Sky. Jesus. He’s too fucking beautiful.

I can’t allow myself to look too closely at him, so I change my focus to the smiling woman next to him. Dark curls piled onto her head in a messy bun. Golden skin, brown eyes. Huge smile.

My eyes flit back to Sky.

Fuck it all.

I knew, I fuckingknewhe’d be gorgeous. There’s no way God would have been so cruel to create someone as awesome as Sky and not bless him with looks.

If I didn’t already know that he’s Cuban, this photo would have clued me in immediately. His Hispanic heritage is evident. Golden skin, almost the exact same hue as Addy’s, and warm hazel eyes that shine with happiness. His beautiful spirit glows from the inside out. A short, well-groomed full beard that accentuates luscious, dusky rose lips. Those lips look delicious. Biteable.

Focus, Spence. What is wrong with you right now?

Looking to the ceiling for answers to all my questions, I squeeze my eyes closed.

Sky’s waiting for a response. I have no clue what to tell him.

I should’ve thought this through a little bit better, but here I am. Stuck in another mess I created.

What should I tell him? He doesn’t know it yet, but I won’t be enjoying the game with him and Addy. At least not in the way I’ve led them to expect. Considering they’ll actually be watching me, not watchingwithme.

Time is running out here. I have to figure this out, and fast. We’re about to head onto the ice for warmups. Puck drop is in about thirty minutes. Nerves have me restlessly shifting back and forth in front of my cubby. I can’t sit right now. I’m jittery with a crazy combination of anxiety and excitement.

Sky is out there somewhere.

And now I have a face to match his name and his voice.

Leigh keeps side-eying me. He can tell something’s up, but he’s giving me space to just be. He’d tried to draw me into light conversation, but that failed. I couldn’t string a full sentence together to save my life.

In hindsight, I should have told him. He could have helped me plan this out better.

I love that he cares. He’s a great friend, but I just can’t share this with him yet.

If I try to speak, I might actually expel my nerves in a rush of vomit. That would be fun.

Am I doing the right thing? Maybe I should have told Sky who I am first? Instead of just blindsiding him like this.

Too late.

My choices are already in motion. I guess I’ll just wing it.

Here goes nothing.

Me: So…

I type out message after message after sending that eloquent reply.