The Best Kind of Forever (Riverside Reapers, #1)(43)
HAYES: Confident, are we?
AERIS: Very.
HAYES: And why’s that?
AERIS: Because you’ll be the one falling for me.
October 10th, Friday, 5:55 p.m.
AERIS: Does underwear go bad? Like, is it bad if I still wear the underwear I had in high school? I wash them and everything. Underwear’s just so expensive.
HAYES: If you wanted me to buy you panties, you should’ve just asked.
AERIS: THAT WAS FOR LILA. Please erase that message right now.
HAYES: Hmm, I think I’ll keep it. I mean, it’s a solid question. I can ask the guys if they know the answer?
AERIS: YOU WOULDN’T DARE.
HAYES: I won’t if you tell me what color lace you want.
AERIS: I prefer granny panties.
HAYES: You joke, but you wouldn’t look half bad in those.
AERIS: Do you have some granny kink I don’t know about?
HAYES: So what if I did? Don’t kink shame me.
AERIS: You’re not buying me underwear.
HAYES: Oh, good thinking. Don’t want to waste money when they’re just gonna come off anyways.
AERIS: HAYES!
October 15th, Wednesday, 11:05 a.m.
HAYES: I miss you.
AERIS: I miss you too.
HAYES: Do you realize we’re three thousand miles away from each other?
AERIS: It’s an away game. You’ll live.
HAYES: Why must you hurt me, Stacks?
AERIS: Aw, do you need me to kiss it better?
HAYES: Wait, I didn’t know that was on the table. Yes, please.
AERIS:
AERIS:
HAYES: Hello?
AERIS: Sorry, I was trying to get a feather out of Crunch’s mouth.
HAYES: I told you to stop buying her feather toys.
AERIS: But she loves them!
HAYES: Yeah, and that must’ve been why she barfed in my shoes.
AERIS: LMAO. Yeah, that was…sorry.
HAYES: I know one way you can make it up to me.
AERIS: If you say phone sex, I’ll castrate you.
HAYES: Zoom sex?
AERIS:
HAYES: Just over the clothes stuff?
AERIS: Gooodbyeee, Hayes. Good luck on your game. winky face emoji
October 20th, Monday, 9:46 a.m.
HAYES: I’m here to cash in on my prize.
AERIS: What prize?
HAYES: screenshot attached
AERIS: I was very drunk when I said that.
HAYES: And I won that game of darts fair and square.
AERIS: You almost hit me in the eye.
HAYES: You were standing in my way!
AERIS: I WAS NEXT TO YOU?
HAYES: My depth perception isn’t that great.
AERIS: You play hockey for a living.
HAYES: Just give me my prize, woman.
AERIS: I’m not getting your jersey number tattooed on my ass.
HAYES: It would be so hot, though.
AERIS: Maybe for you. Not when I’m old and wrinkly.
HAYES: On the contrary, you’ll look even more beautiful when you’re old and wrinkly.
AERIS: Kiss ass, much?
HAYES: I do love kissing your ass.
AERIS: You’re disgusting.
HAYES: And you’re incorrigible.
AERIS: What can I say? It’s a part of my charm.
HAYES: Your charm is distracting me, and I’m at practice.
AERIS: Oh, I’m sorry. Afraid you’ll ruin your boxers?
HAYES: Actually, yes.
AERIS: You’re the one who brought up my ass in the first place.
HAYES: Can you blame me? You have a great ass-et.
AERIS: You’re a pun away from being blocked.
HAYES: Jokes on you, that was the only pun I had.
AERIS: You’re lucky you’re cute.
HAYES: I am, aren’t I?
22
ALL SPONSORS, PLEASE STAND UP
AERIS
The team has a sponsorship party today, and Hayes asked me if I would join him. I’m not really one for huge social events, but I wanted to be there to support him.
The restaurant that the guys rented for the night is stunning. The whole hockey team is here, along with a hundred odd faces I don’t recognize.
I’ve gone for a little black dress with strappy heels. Simple, and dare I say, sophisticated. This is Hayes’ and my first public outing as a couple, so when we showed up to the venue, all eyes were on us, and there were cameras blinding my retinas everywhere we turned. I’ve seen the fan cams, the speculative posts, even the strongly worded opinions of some exceptionally bitter people. I’m just glad that the majority of the fans seem to be accepting of our relationship.
It was daunting at first, but when we got into the meat of things…it was still daunting as hell. I never realized how big of a deal Hayes was. People haven’t stopped showering him with praise, and I’m thankful they barely acknowledged me because I haven’t been media trained like the team has. I just know I would’ve said something embarrassing.
Lila also accompanied me tonight, mostly because I begged her to be my getaway from all things hockey, and also because she’s apparently been talking to someone on the team. She still refuses to tell me who, claiming that “it’ll jinx things” if she reveals his identity. I have a feeling I won’t know until they’re either breaking up or getting married.