This Love

7

Once I have eaten my breakfast the next morning Lexi and Jill drag me to my room. "Okay we gotta make this a good one" I go to stand but they shove me back onto my bed. "No way Cal, we're choosing this outfit for you" Lexi says with a wink, "this doesn't need to happen, I'm just going there to get my hat" Jill shrugs, "you don't know what else could happen" I roll my eyes but don't object as I lean back onto my hands watching the two dig through my suitcase. "I'm not putting on any makeup though, that's where I draw the line" I add hoping that they don't get any ideas, "fine" Lexi exclaims as she turns to me with some clothes in her hands. "Yes this is THE jacket" I look over at Jill to see her holding up my leather jacket that I only brought in case we decided to have a more formal night out, "this isn't a club, I don't need to get that dressed up" I tell her, she pouts at me, "come on Cal wear it please, you look amazing in it" I stare her down trying to stay strong. After a few seconds I sigh knowing that I won't win this argument with her, "okay I'll wear it" she pumps her fist in the air and Lexi throws the rest of the outfit at me.

I tilt my head looking at myself in the mirror as I hold the edges of my leather jacket. "Wow my friend is a babe" I look over my shoulder at Lexi and Jill, "this seems a bit much for the occasion" I say, "you're right maybe just put some sneakers on instead of the boots" I nod unzipping the knee high boots, switching into my comfier shoes. "Chef's kiss" Lexi tells me, I smile taking one last look in the mirror before taking my purse and walking out of the bedroom, my two friends following along. "Lets go get this man" they exclaim as we walk out of the penthouse making our way down to the underground garage, "you guys are crazy" I mumble, "but you still love us" I roll my eyes but smile.

When Lexi rolls the car to a stop at the venue entrance I take a deep breath my hand clutching the door handle tightly. "Cal" I turn to Jill who places a reassuring hand on my arm, "it's going to be okay, just like you said earlier, you're just getting your hat and that's it" I nod and she lets me go, "wish me luck" I say as I finally get the courage to step out of the car. I bring my phone out going to my Instagram messages, letting Daniel know that I'm here. My gaze stays focused on my feet as I wait, my lip clenched under my teeth.

"Callie?" I look up at the voice pushing my glasses higher up onto my nose, I realize that it's the man that I bumped into the day before. He grins as he approaches me, "Daniel, right?" The dark haired driver nods making me smile shyly. I see my reflection in his sunglasses, making me look down not wanting to see myself being this shy. "So you like ice hockey huh" I snap my head up at his statement, I blush when I see that he has taken off his sunglasses and is grinning at me, "uh yeah, but how did you know?" I ask, "I needed to find the owner of the hat somehow, did my research which led me to your Instagram page" I duck my head, "I'm going to kill her" I say under my breath, a deep laugh makes me look up, "please don't kill anyone" I blush realizing he heard me, "the social media girl must've shared my post" he lifts an eyebrow confused as to why that's bad. "I work for the team that is on my hat, I keep telling the social media people to not share my stuff" he smiles, "but if they listened to that we wouldn't be here right now" I open my mouth to object but realize that he's right, "yeah true" he chuckles, "okay well while this has been a hoot I gotta go" Daniel nods in understanding. He brings out my hat from behind his back, I grin at my familiar hat, "I also added a new one for your collection, hope you don't mind" I bite my lip looking up at him, I shake my head, "not at all, thanks again for getting this back to me" I say while gesturing to my Colts hat, he hands the caps to me our hands brushing making my stomach flutter as our gazes stay locked on each other.

I step back ready to go back to Lexi's car, I end up tripping over my feet slightly, Daniel reaches forward steadying me by my hips, my hands going to his forearms. I blush a dark red, "sorry, I'm a bit clumsy and awkward" I mumble looking away from him, "it's okay Callie, we've all been there" I shrug still not looking at him. I let go of Daniel not wanting to embarrass myself even further, "thanks again, good luck at the next race" I say and quickly turn away from him speed walking to the car where Lexi and Jill are waiting.

——

When I get into the backseat they squeal, I cringe, "oh my god that was so cute" "he's totally into you" "was he nice?" "did you get his number?" My eyes widen at their onslaught of questions, "if you start driving I'll tell you" Lexi nods and starts driving away from the race track back towards the apartment building. "Spill Cal, we want to know EVERYTHING" Jill says with a grin, "he's really sweet, I of course was the most awkward person to grace this planet" I explain while fidgeting with the two hats in my lap, "he didn't seem to care" Lexi chimes in, "how did he even find you?" I look at Jill, "apparently the Colts Insta shared my post on their feed and he researched the team when he found the hat" the two girls laugh, "thank god Kristen shared it even if we all know you hate when she does it" I huff, "you owe her one when you get back to Barrie" I lean my head on the window, "yeah I guess". Lexi stops at the next red light and looks back at me, "so did you get his number?" I shake my head, "nope, I wished him luck and left" she pouts, "aw man Cal, what a missed opportunity" I roll my eyes, "nothing was ever going to happen between us, first off our lives are in two different countries and second our careers are complete opposites" she sighs but thankfully doesn't say anything. I push down the teenage feeling of romantic optimism keeping my thoughts practical as we get closer to our building.