Before I can deny him one more time, my cell begins buzzing on my bed. With the hotel phone tucked under my cheek, I reach across the mattress to find Indy’s name on the caller ID. I haven’t heard from her in days, and she’s never once called me.
“Ethan, I’ve got to go. Indy is calling me.”
He laughs without humor. “Oh, so you’ll answer your phone for her but not for me.”
“Yeah, well, she’s a lot cuter than you. Talk to you later.”
Simultaneously, I swipe to answer my cell while hanging up the hotel phone.
“Indy?” There’s too much excitement in my voice, so I clear my throat and settle myself. “Is everything okay?”
“Yes. Hi. Sorry. Are you busy? Am I bothering you?”
A chuckle escapes me. “No. But why are you being so formal?”
“I don’t know.” She hesitates. “I guess I’m nervous.”
Taking a seat on my bed, I lean against the headboard. “Why would you be nervous?”
“It’s just… I haven’t heard from you in a few days.”
There’s a small smile sliding across my lips from the unsure tone in my confident roommate’s voice. Nervous Indy is endearing.
“I haven’t heard from you either, Ind. I was giving you some space. Putting the ball in your court after I offered to help you come. After I did make you come.”
“Ryan!”
“What? Don’t tell me that finally having an orgasm has made you shy. It’s just sex, remember?”
She whispers, indicating she’s in public. “I’m not…shy when it comes to sex, but I thought you might be.”
“Just because I’m celibate doesn’t mean the subject makes me uncomfortable.”
There’s a pause on her end of the line, so I continue for her.
“So, you called. What’s going on?”
Her voice brightens and I can almost imagine her squaring her shoulders in excitement. “I’m working on my bucket list, and I thought you should know.”
“Oh yeah? Which one?”
“I’m at the grocery store and I’m buying whatever I want. My cart is halfway full already. I’m getting three different coffee creamers I want to try. One is Fruity Pebbles flavored. Did you know that was a thing? I hope there’s room in the fridge. Do you think there’s room in the fridge for them all?”
I can’t help but smile at the overwhelming joy coming through the line. “We’ll make room. What else are you getting?”
“My favorite dessert are these raspberry turnovers in the frozen aisle. Alex liked the apple ones better so I always bought those, but today I’m getting the raspberry ones.”
“Mmm. Yeah. Those do sound better.”
“I’ll save you a couple. Maybe one. I’ll try to save you one. Actually, do you need anything while I’m here? I can get some things to make dinner when you’re back. Anything you’re in the mood for?”
“Indy,” I sigh. “That’s the opposite of what’s on the bucket list. You’re only allowed to buy what you want. And I can cook for myself. Breakfast is different because it’s…well it’s…”
It’s special.
“It’s our thing,” she says for me.
“Yes. It’s our thing and we trade off, but the whole point of this bucket list is for you to be selfish for once.”
“I know, but I’m not paying rent anymore. Shouldn’t I contribute in some way? I can feed you. If you need help with laundry—”
“Absolutely not,” I scoff. “You’re not my mother.”
“I’m just used to taking care of someone.”
“Trust me, Ind. I know, and you’re still taking care of someone. Only now the person you’re taking care of is you.”
“You’re right.” She sighs into the phone. “Make your own goddamn dinner, Shay.”
A content laugh rumbles in my chest. “There’s my girl.”
What the fuck did I say?
My eyes are wide with regret as I listen intently, sitting in uncomfortable silence.
“I mean—”
“So, what are you doing tonight?” Indy shifts. Thank God.
“I’m in my hotel room. Watching game film.”
“Why? Don’t you have the night off? Go hang with Ethan or something.”
“He’s headed to the hotel bar with the team.”
“You should go! It’s the perfect opportunity to spend time with the team outside of practice.”
“I swear you and Ethan have a text thread going about me because he said the exact same thing to me five minutes ago.”
“I should’ve added this to your bucket list.” Her tone changes, as if she were writing it down. “Become friends with your teammates.”
“Except that has nothing to do with becoming one of your book boyfriends before the wedding, which is the point of the bucket list.”
“No, but it has everything to do with becoming a good captain.”
I flip over, burying my face into the pillow, and mumbling into the fabric. “Fuuuuck.”
“Don’t you just love when I’m right?”
“No,” I quickly answer. “But fine, you win. I’ll go down for one drink.”
“Send me a picture when you get there. For evidence.”
“Well, speaking of the bucket lists, I have one I’m ready to knock off.”
“Oh yeah? Which one?”
“There’s a party I need a date for next Saturday night. You’re home. I checked the Raptors’ schedule, and I’m fairly certain there will be some dancing involved. I’m confident we can get a slow dance in.”
The truth is, I didn’t need to check the Raptors’ schedule because Zanders purposefully planned this party on a night he and I are both off work and in town.
“This sounds fun. And intriguing. What’s the party for?”
“I can’t say just yet, but I think you should buy yourself a new dress.”
“How fancy are we talking here?”
Knowing Zanders, fancy as fuck.
Her pink satin dress floods my memory. How soft the fabric felt under my touch. How fucking stunning she was in it. “Something similar to what you wore at the fall banquet would be perfect.”
“I’ll just wear that dress again.”
I’ve taken Stevie shopping multiple times but making sure my sister is all dressed up would be less suspicious if her best friend took her with the same goal in mind. Not to mention, Indy won’t say it, but I know my girly roommate is dying for a new dress.
“I think you should buy a new one. There’s a credit card stored in the top drawer of the entryway table. Take Stevie and make a day of it.”
“Ryan—”
“Don’t pull that ‘I can’t spend your money’ bullshit. We both know you want to go, and you told me you were an expensive girlfriend, so prove it.”
“You’re sure?”
I laugh. “Stop acting like you’re not excited to spend my money. Yes, I’m sure. And pay for Stevie’s too, please. For this party, I want to be the one to buy her dress.”