Pucking Pretending (UNI Lions #9)[COMPLETED]

Saf

I keep expecting Cayden to reach out. On Wednesday, I still haven't heard from him. I thought he would text me again, or even call me.

He never said why he wanted to meet up on Monday. Unless he know Willow was going to be there and that was the plan all along. But I think he would have mentioned that to me.

It's become almost a tradition now that I go to the home games. So on Wednesday, I wait outside of the Den for Daisy.

She shows up wearing Pan's jersey as usual, and for a brief moment I wonder if I should wear Cayden's. But it feels too personal. Like it means something. And, to be honest, I've never seen myself as the kind of woman who would do that.

It also feels like a lie. Whether or not I like it, I've grown up with the belief that hockey is serious. That it's important. To my dad, it's his life. And it would almost feel disrespectful to wear the jersey since all of this is fake.

"Did your parents agree to come to the party?" I ask when we're in our seats, waiting for the game to start.

Daisy nods. "I still don't know how this is going to go. But yes. They agreed to meet Pan's parents. I think Pan's mom called them."

"That was nice of her."

"Yeah. I like her." Daisy sighs. "Pan and his family are so nice. I feel bad that he has to put up with my parents."

"I don't think he minds," I say with a smile. "He knew pretty early on what they're like."

I remember when her dad came to UNI to convince her to drop out and move back home. Maybe I overstepped that time, but when I heard him yelling, it kind of scared me. So I called Pan, and he hurried right over and refused to leave her side.

Daisy's parents are... complicated. I'd like to say they're assholes. But Daisy loves them, so there has to be some good there.

"I'm glad his parents like you," I say.

"Me too. It's so nice to see how they all get along. And his sister is so nice."

Daisy deserves to have good people in her life. People that look out for her and want her best. And from everything she's told me about her new in-laws, they're willing to be there for her. Even when her own parents aren't.

The game starts and I find myself caught up in the excitement. Cayden is as aggressive as usual, but somehow manages to avoid the penalty box. It's mesmerizing watching him play. He's good at what he does and there's a strange warm feeling in my chest when he does well. Almost as if I'm proud of him.

After an intense game, where both teams made sure to even the score after each goal, Pan saves the last shot and the Lions finally win.

The crowd is deafening and I'm clapping and cheering just as loudly as anyone else in the arena.

Daisy is ecstatic because of the save Pan made. And when Daisy is happy, it's hard not to be happy right alongside her. We're both in a great mood as we make our way to the players' entrance to wait for the guys.

"You're coming to Lucky's, right?" Daisy asks as we're waiting.

Since I haven't heard anything from Cayden, I'm not sure what his plans are. But Daisy and Pan will be celebrating tonight, and I'd like to be there with them.

"Sure." I think Cayden will come along. After all, the point of the relationship is to convince others that we're a couple. Even if part of me wants to be alone with Cayden, that's not what this is about.