I shake my head. “You’ll distract me. I won’t take long.”
The real reason is I don’t have the energy to deal with how Aaron will react if I show up with Nate covered in hickeys.
Thankfully, Aaron is still in bed when I let myself into the apartment. Once I’m in my bedroom, I decide the only appropriate outfit today is something involving a turtleneck. Once my neck monstrosities are suitably covered, I head back down to Nate.
“I wouldn’t be able to concentrate if you were my skating teacher.” Nate reaches over the center console to rest his hand on my thigh, fingers tracing patterns the entire journey to Simone’s. When we finally pull up outside the rink, he turns to me with a hopeful look on his face. “Can I watch you teach?”
“Absolutely not,” I say, hopping out and grabbing my bag. “Thanks for the ride,”
“Stassie,” he yells as I start to close the door. “Can I see you later?”
I reach into my bag and pull out my planner, flicking to October 23. Work, study, gym, dinner. “No, sorry, I’m busy. Bye, Nate.”
“Stas!” he shouts again, stopping me in my tracks. “What about tomorrow?”
My eyes scan over October 24. “Nope, busy. I gotta go, and if you shout at me again, I will kick your car. I can’t be late, bye!”
I’m not even through the entrance doors before my phone buzzes in my pocket.
NATE
NATE: Monday?
STASSIE:Busy.
NATE: Tuesday?
STASSIE:Busy *thumbs down emoji*
NATE: Wednesday? You’re killing me here, Allen.
STASSIE:You have a game in Arizona.
NATE: Fuck’s sake.
NATE: How do you know that?
STASSIE:Brin—the hockey expert—Allali
NATE: Thursday? You have training after us. I’ll wait for you?
STASSIE:I have to go to the mall on Thursday to get a Halloween costume.
NATE: Same.
NATE: Weird coincidence.
NATE: Let’s go together.
STASSIE:*eye roll emoji* Sure.
Weird coincidence, my ass.
The kids seem to be full of extra energy today, so by the time I’m sitting for my lunch break I’m exhausted. I’m trying to decide what to eat when my phone buzzes on the table, and Nate’s name flashes up.
NATE
NATE: Can I pick you up from work?