Cocky Notes - Leesa Bow Page 0,58

did a knee last night. He’s having an MRI today to see if it’s an ACL recon,” Hunter says.

I snap out of Macy’s spell. “Dakota? You’re kidding?”

“Nope. Richardson phoned me this morning. You’re friends with him, right?” I nod. “Might want to call him. He’d be pissed because he was heading for a big one this year.”

Dakota and I spoke at his party, and yeah, we were both hoping for a massive year performance-wise. One day we hoped to play alongside each other. “Man, he’ll be bummed.” I pull out my phone and send him a text, and when I do, there’s a message from Macy.

Can’t you find somewhere else to have coffee?

I smile. And, so it begins.

When my friends leave, I reach for a napkin and decide to make an overall apology light-hearted. One to be continued.

Regretting words I’ve said,

Keeps going around in my head.

My choices I did make,

But only for your sake.

Love only hurts when it is true,

And I hurt every day I’m without you…

I fold the napkin and place it under the table number. I run to catch up with my mates knowing it’s one of the lamest messages I’ve written. No doubt I’ll be counting the minutes until I’ll see her tomorrow.

We don’t normally hang out at Lombardi’s on a Thursday morning as our weights session usually goes overtime. Driving into the city alone, I make it there before lunch and order a coffee to go. She serves me, but not once does she make eye contact. Apart from being denied the pleasure of staring into her coffee-coloured eyes—which is probably why I’m drinking so much of it—I’m starting to think the napkin fell into the wrong hands.

Macy pushes a few napkins my way. “You might need these for the car,” she murmurs and turns to head out back before I can thank her.

It’s not until I’m in the car, do I find the napkin with her hidden message.

One thing I’ve learned is not to regret,

Only to learn from mistakes and if necessary, forget.

I don’t regret what we had,

But I won’t repeat mistakes that make me feel bad.

Even though I wasn’t at fault,

I’m guessing you now know that, so you can get forked.

I chuckle at the last line. Princess, my skin has a new layer of thickness. I’m not going to stop trying even if you tell me to get forked a thousand times.

Friday feels like Groundhog Day—niceties when we enter the restaurant and minimal eye contact. My friends leave, and it gives me seconds to scribble rhythmic words on another napkin. After leaving it in the same place under the table 11 sign, I wait outside near the same light post to watch her reaction. Seconds later, Macy is at our table. She picks up the napkin and unfolds it.

If I were given the chance to change the world

For one person, that person would be you.

Please give us another chance, and together we can see where this will go.

Let me take your hand, guide you, and hold it tight.

Without each other no star shines bright.

She folds the napkin and pushes it into her apron pocket. Her chin dips, and I wish I knew what she was thinking. Damn, I must have wished too hard because she stiffens and turns slowly to meet my gaze. Her beautiful expression changes, and she leans over the table, pulls out a pen from her pocket, and writes something. She walks over to the window and holds the menu against the glass.

YOU SUCK.

STOP WRITING ME NOTES!!

With her signature zig-zag underline.

Suddenly, she spins so her back is to the window and the menu behind her back. A few steps closer, and I see Oliver is speaking to her.

I take it as a cue to save her ass.

I rush through the door and hold out my hand for the menu. “Thanks for the heads up. I need this to add to the pile of training notes.”

Her eyes widen before she catches up. She hands me the note, and I fold it in half so Oliver can’t read her message. “No worries,” she whispers, then she turns back to Oliver.

“Hey, man. Hope you don’t mind us writing on your menus? Our training makes sense over your coffee, and we scribble down notes. Hit us up for the cost to reprint more.” I point the folded menu at him. “Much appreciated.” I turn to Macy before heading out the door. “Catch you next time, Mace.” I don’t look at her because I already know