*Gabe’s POV*

I followed her for about 15 minutes before she stopped in a small parking lot that I had never seen before. As she got out of her car and grabbed her bag I got out of my SUV and looked around. The parking lot overlooked the lake and there was a single picnic table about 20 feet from us. She headed over to the table and took out her computer as she sat down. As I sat down, I closed the computer and she looked at my confused. “I told you, we need to get to know each other.” I said as I folded my hands in front of me and she blew a piece of hair out of her face. “Alright, ask away.” She said as she put her hands out in front of her on the table.

Over the next few hours I learned that her middle name was Valeria, her birthday was in June, she loved chocolate chip cookies, and she spoke French fluently. I told her that I had started skating before I could walk, I had a dog name Jax, my favorite show was Power Rangers when I was little, and I sucked at history. “Well that doesn't mean good things for our report, now does it?” She asked as she let out a giggle. God she’s adorable. I thought as she tucked a piece of hair behind her ear.

“So… tell me about your brother. I mean I hear a lot about him, good and bad, and I want to hear something from someone who knows who he really is, inside and out.” I said as I looked at her and she had a look of slight panic on her face, but they she got serious. “Well, he was the best friend I ever had. People were amazed we were so close because we were 4 years apart so when he was going into high school I wasn't even in middle school yet, but he always made time for me. He taught me how to tie my shoes, how to hold a hockey stick, how to play good pranks on people. Once I got older he’d let me come to the rink with him and the day of the draft he was a mess… I mean the NHL was his dream, it’s the dream for any hockey player, but he was so worried about you guys and the championship game and that you guys… resented him for the decision he made. When the time finally came for things to begin he was freaking out because everyone was predicting he would go first and Colorado had the number one pick and it was always his favorite team so naturally he flipped his shit when they picked him and so did my whole family… I don’t think I’d ever seen him that happy in my whole entire life. But then he got the call that you guys had lost and when he showed up to school a few days later no one looked at him the same. They snarled and looked disgusted almost. They blamed him for the loss and he took it awfully because he knew it would happen and I’m not gonna lie, he cried a little bit because the team was full of his best friends and Matt was the only person who stuck by him. Now that I think about it, it just makes me pissed because I know damn well any of the other guys on the team would have done what Jake did had they been given the opportunity. They didn't want to admit jealousy and defeat so they blamed it all on my brother. But he is one of the kindest, sweetest, smartest, fun loving, amazing people I know and no matter what anyone at school says, I’m never gonna feel differently about him because I know my big brother and what people say about him, it isn't truth. People believe what they want to believe and hear what they want to hear… no matter who they lose and hurt in the process.” She finished sadly. “Well he sounds like a great guy.” I said processing what she had just said to me. “He really is.” She said smiling. “You miss him, don’t you?” I asked as I saw her start to get upset. “I do… all the time I miss him so much, but this is his dream and I’m so happy for him and that he’s succeeding.” She said as a tear rolled down her cheek, but she still smiled. I reached up and brushed the tear off of her face, letting my finger linger a little longer than was necessary and when I pulled back she looked up at me and was biting her lip. Goddamn it… so sexy I thought. I had always thought it was adorable when girls bit their lip but damn she brought that to a new level.

We stayed there in silence for a few more minutes but then it started to rain like the weather had predicted and we headed for our cars as the rain got harder and harder. As we got to her car I opened her door and she started to talk. “So I was thinking since tomorrow is in service day, we could work on the project?” She asked as I stood there with the rain getting harder by the minute. “I need your number for that so we can plan.” I said finally knowing she had to give it to me and let a triumphant smile appear on my lips. “Check your back pocket.” She said winking as she shut her door and drove away. I was confused as I got in my car and did as she said and there it was- in neat cursive hand writing it had her name and her number written down. I don’t know how she got it in there without me seeing or when she wrote it down, but one thing was for sure…

This girl was good.