Page 24 of Puck Me Twice
Holding my breath, I nod.
Vanessa exhales slowly. “That makes so much more sense.”
“It does?” I don’t want her to think I’m helpless just because sometimes I’m a little awkward in social situations or have difficulty navigating sarcasm and interpersonal relationships.
“Sven,” she says, and my stomach lurches at my name on her lips. “We’re dating now.”
“Okay?”
“That means, we have to talk sometimes.”
“I’ve been in relationships before. I know how this works.”
“Yeah, but you’ve never been in a relationship with me before,” Vanessa says. “I need open communication. When I don’t hear from my partner for forty-eight hours, not even just a ‘hey, I’m alive’ message, I get insecure. I start thinking I care about things more than you do.”
“But we’re only fake dating,” I blurt.
Her face falls. “Oh.”
“What?”
“I thought…” She trails off.
Leaning toward her, I push the water glass into her hand. She needs to be coherent in order for us to have this conversation.
“Hm?”
“I thought you liked me.”
“I do,” I say honestly.
“But—” She frowns. “I’m confused.”
“So am I,” I admit.
“You wanted to ask me out.”
I nod. “But you don’t date hockey players.”
She squints at me. “I am, though. I’m dating you.”
“Because you need me. Not because you like me.” I can’t hide the bitterness in my voice.
To my surprise, Vanessa doesn’t seem put off by it. Her face clears, and she reaches for my hand. “Sven—”
Shaking my head, I pull away. “You don’t have to pretend, not with me. Let’s not make this more than it is.”
“But—”
“Do you need to eat anything? Are you hungry?” When I’m drinking, I like greasy food that’s definitely not part of my regular diet plan.
Vanessa shakes her head. “I should go.”
“It’s late.” Well after midnight, considering I didn’t get home until the clock changed to Sunday morning.
“I know. I’ll get a rideshare.” She brushes her hair out of her face with uncoordinated limbs.
“You’re not getting in a stranger’s car at this time of night,” I declare.
