Page 61 of The Chemistry Coach
On nights they were stuck in hotel rooms, they played the video game Daisy had introduced them to.They had put in the work to get points on the board, but that night he realized Daisy was part of the team, and this was as much her win as theirs.
He turned down the music and said, “Text Daisy to see if she’ll join us.”
Hazy shot off a message that made both Connor and Lover’s phones vibrate.A few seconds later, a second buzz followed.Hazy grimaced.
“She’s out with Roxie and Patrick.”
Connor sighed.He would ride his high for as long as possible, but he wanted answers, so he said, “They can come too.”
Hazy messaged their group chat, but no reply came.
They pulled up at the bar and found parking.Connor showed Hazy and Lover the hidden door, and they entered the moody establishment.This bar was a far cry from the country tavern Daisy had taken them to.It was dark and quiet, and most of the booths sat empty.Connor claimed one and approached the bar, ordering a round for the table.They had barely sat down with their first drinks when their phones buzzed again, this time with no text, but a location.
“What do you think?”Connor asked.
Chapter 23
Daisy
DaisyexpectedGraysonandPatrick to be tired after the game.Losing always took a toll.She offered to call it a night, but it was Patrick’s last night in town and they wouldn’t see him again until summer.He’d made special arrangements to stay overnight instead of flying out with the team so he could have a little extra time with them.
Grayson happily used work as an excuse to bail on the evening.
Patrick, fresh from a shower, ruffled her hair and pulled her to his side.“Not a chance,” he said.“We’re going out.What’s Roxie doing?”
Daisy shrugged.“Probably going over game notes and working on the script for tomorrow’s episode.”
“Tell her she’s coming out with us.”
Roxie agreed to go out with them just as Hazy texted.
Celebrating, join us?
Her heart sank.Spending time with Patrick had to be her number one priority.Tonight, though, she wanted the Connors.Losing a bet and ending a tradition wasn’t enough to dampen her good mood.She needed to tell them how proud she was.
Going out with Patrick and Roxie.Raincheck?
They met Roxie at Patrick’s hotel bar and sat at a high table.Daisy spun on a barstool while she browsed the dinner menu.
Roxie sipped on a bubblegum pink cocktail and asked, “So, you never get to wear that jersey again, huh?”
Daisy looked at the well-loved San Jose sweater she wore.“I can still wear it.Just not to Seattle games.”
Patrick swirled his whiskey around a crystal glass.“It was time anyway.”
“What the hell is that supposed to mean?”Daisy asked.“You love this tradition.”
“I do!I love how supportive you are.You’ve always been my biggest cheerleader.”
Roxie scrunched her face in distaste.“I, for one, am happy to see it go,” she said.“It’s painful to watch you be such a traitor.”
“If anything, supporting the Freeze makes me a traitor.My best friend plays in the NHL, and I don’t root for his team.”
Roxie smirked.“You’ve been obsessed with the Freeze since before Patrick played professionally.He’d be pissed if you abandoned them for one player.Right, Patrick?”
Patrick gave her a rueful smile.“Of course.The Freeze is our team.You don’t have to root for whoever pays the bills.As soon as I retire, I’m hopping on the Seattle train.We’re going to every game.”
Daisy laughed.“I can’t wait.You’ll be at a Seattle game in a Greene jersey, cheering on your rival.”
