010

𝐁𝐞𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐭𝐭

The sun was already setting when I finished locking up the rink when I checked my phone again. Katherine's text was still sitting there like it had been waiting to annoy me all evening.

‘Don't you dare cancel, seven o'clock. I'll explain everything when you get here.’

I snorted under my breath as I unlocked my car.

Knowing Katherine, "I'll explain later" usually meant she'd already made a decision for everyone involved. It also meant that whatever she'd planned had probably been in motion for days before she even thought to tell me.

Hopefully whatever—or whoever—she wanted me to meet wouldn't end in another disaster.

God knew I'd had enough of those.

I tossed my hockey bag into the backseat before climbing in. The engine rumbled to life, and I pulled out of the parking lot, driving to the location she had sent while my mind wandered somewhere else entirely.

Malakai.

Of course.

My grip tightened slightly around the steering wheel. The kid had been getting under my skin since the first day I met him. Cocky, stubborn and too damn confident for someone his age.

Every conversation somehow turned into an argument, and every argument somehow lingered in my head long after it was over. I replayed what happened after practice, especially that look on his face.

I sighed.

Maybe I'd been too harsh on him.

Maybe not.

He wasn't making things easy either, he kept pushing boundaries, saying things he shouldn't, looking at me like... no.

I shook my head.

Not tonight.

I wasn't about to spend my evening obsessing over one of my players when I was supposed to be meeting Katherine's new boyfriend.

She deserved someone decent.

After the disasters she'd dated before, maybe she'd finally found a good one.

I genuinely hoped so.

The drive wasn't long, by the time I pulled into the restaurant parking lot, I'd somehow managed to prepare myself for the evening especially with what I'll say. So I don't throw her life choices to her face, even with this one that she claims he's better which I hope he was, genuinely.

The restaurant looked expensive.

Warm golden lights glowed behind large windows, soft piano music drifted outside whenever the entrance opened, and couples dressed far nicer than me walked in laughing together.

I looked down at myself, wearing only jeans and a dark sweater.

Good enough.

If Katherine judged me, she could pay for my next wardrobe. The hostess greeted me with a bright smile the moment I stepped inside. "Good evening. Reservation?"

"Under Katherine."

She checked her tablet before smiling again. "Right this way."

I followed her through the restaurant, walking past tables filled with families, couples and people celebrating birthdays. The smell of grilled steak and fresh bread filled the air, making me realize I hadn't eaten since lunch.

She stopped beside a table near the window. "This one."

"Thanks."

She wished me a pleasant evening before walking away as I pulled out my chair and sat down alone, Katherine wasn't here yet even with the nagging about me showing up early.

I checked my watch, seven exactly.

Typical.

She'd probably text me in another ten minutes saying she was "almost there," which usually meant another thirty. I leaned back and grabbed the menu, pretending to read it before setting it aside again.

My attention went toward the window.

People passed outside carrying shopping bags, laughing with friends or holding hands with someone they loved.

I looked away.

Without really thinking, I pulled out my phone. I needed something to keep my hands busy while I waited. Maybe some emails, sports news or a few highlights from another league would keep me entertained but sadly it didn't.

There was nothing interesting.

I kept scrolling until a familiar face suddenly froze my thumb.

Alister.

I frowned, that wasn't possible.

I'd blocked him, I remembered doing it vividly by two in the morning since I couldn't sleep while staring at our old pictures longer than I should have before finally pressing the block button because seeing his name everywhere hurt more than pretending he no longer existed.

Then I noticed the mutual friend who had tagged him, oh that's why he had appeared on my fyp.

I stared at him, in the few weeks he had gotten more handsome, smiling in his perfect suit while down on one knee. A velvet ring box opened in front of him while the woman standing opposite covered her mouth with both hands, tears streaming down her face.

The caption was a simple “She said yes!!” then followed by congratulating comments, with some saying finally, about time and happiness for you two.

I should've turned off my phone, and kept myself occupied with something else but instead I just stared, longer than I meant to.

Two years.

Two fucking whole years.

We'd talked about apartments we'd never rent, vacations we'd never take and futures that apparently only existed inside my head.

He had broken up with me before leaving to further his studies abroad, and didn't even ask if I was going to come with him or anything. Just shut me out like two years of our lives didn't happen, God I was being such a pathetic loser.

"So much for being over you." I laughed quietly to myself.

I locked my phone and placed it face down on the table before reaching for the glass of water the waiter had left. I finished the entire thing in one go, thinking it would help with the unsettleness I felt but it didn't help.

The waiter returned.

"Would you like to order something while you wait?"

For a second I almost asked for whiskey, something strong enough to quiet my thoughts.

Instead I smiled politely. "Just another water for now."

"Of course." He disappeared again.

I leaned back with another sigh.

This evening was already exhausting, and Katherine hadn't even shown up yet. I picked up my phone again and typed a quick message.

“Something came up. Sorry. Rain check?’

I read it once before hitting send and it was delivered immediately.

Good enough.

I stood, slipped one arm into my jacket and reached for my wallet, already deciding I'd rather spend the night alone than sit here drowning in old memories.

"Beckett Rivera?"

I looked up.

A man stood a few feet away, smiling like he'd been expecting me. He was tall, dark-haired, clean-shaven and dressed a little too well for what looked like a casual dinner.

"...Yeah?" I frowned. "Do we know each other?"

He laughed easily before closing the space between us. "Not yet."

He held out his hand. "I'm William Henderson."

I looked at his hand before looking back at him.

"And...?"

His smile only widened. "I'm your blind date."

For a moment I was speechless, trying to process if I had just heard him right. "...My what?"

William chuckled. "I had a feeling you'd say that."

I immediately reached for my phone to ask Katherine what was going on. Sure enough, Katherine had just sent another message.

“Please don't leave, just give him one hour. If you still hate me afterward, I'll buy you dinner next time.”

I closed my eyes and rubbed my forehead. "I'm going to kill her."

William pulled out the chair across from me and sat down anyway. "I'd appreciate it if you waited until after dinner.”