Holiday Hockey Tale: Breaking The Ice

Ch 7

Grace, Daisy, and Morris drove back to the dorms. The buzz of the party still lingered in Grace's mind, mixing with the laughter and teasing from earlier. Daisy was recounting a particularly funny exchange she'd had with Tucker, her animated gestures punctuating her words, while Morris chimed in occasionally with his laid-back commentary.

But Grace was quieter than usual, her thoughts elsewhere.

"You okay, Grace?" Daisy asked, her tone softer than usual as they reached a campus.

Grace glanced at her friend and nodded. "Yeah, just... processing, I guess."

Daisy's lips curved into a knowing smile. "Processing Logan, you mean."

Morris chuckled beside them, but Grace groaned. "It's not like that."

"Sure it's not," Daisy said with a grin. "But come on, you can't deny he's into you. The way he looked at you tonight? Please. The guy's practically smitten."

Grace opened her mouth to protest but paused. Logan had been attentive—more than she'd expected. The way he'd cheered her on, leaned closer during their banter, and made her feel like she belonged in a space that still felt a little foreign to her... it was hard to ignore.

"It's just texting and beer pong," Grace said finally, trying to sound nonchalant. "I don't want to read too much into it."

"Texting, beer pong, and very obvious flirting," Daisy corrected, her voice teasing but kind. "Don't overthink it, Grace. Just let it happen."

Morris gave Grace a small smile, his tone easygoing. "For what it's worth, I think he's good for you. Logan's a decent guy. Competitive as hell, but decent."

Grace smiled despite herself, "We'll see."

When they reached their building, Morris gave Daisy a quick kiss goodnight before heading off to his own dorm. Daisy and Grace climbed the stairs to their shared dorm, the quiet of the night settling in around them.

Grace kicked off her shoes the moment they walked through the door, collapsing onto the couch with a sigh. Daisy joined her moments later, tucking her legs beneath her and resting her chin on her hand.

"So," Daisy said, her voice lilting with curiosity, "what did Logan say to you after the game? You two seemed pretty cozy."

Grace rolled her eyes, though her lips twitched with a small smile. "Nothing scandalous, if that's what you're hoping for. He just asked if I'd want to play again or retire undefeated."

"And what did you say?"

"I said we should retire undefeated," Grace replied, leaning her head back against the couch. "Honestly, it was fun. He's easy to talk to."

Daisy grinned. "See? I told you. You're starting to warm up to him."

Grace shrugged, though she couldn't deny the truth in Daisy's words. "I guess. It's just... weird, you know? I didn't expect someone like Logan to even notice me, let alone..."

"Like you?" Daisy finished, her grin softening into a genuine smile. "Grace, you're amazing. Of course he'd notice you. And don't sell yourself short—Logan's got good taste."

Grace sighed, a small smile playing on her lips. "I'll think about it."

"Good," Daisy said, leaning back with a satisfied nod.

The party had wound down, and the house was quiet except for the low hum of voices in the living room where Logan, Garrett, Dean, and Tucker had settled in after everyone else had left. Logan sat slouched in the armchair, absentmindedly tossing a ping-pong ball into one of the leftover cups from earlier. His mind wasn't on the game they'd just played—or the party, really. It was on Grace.

He couldn't shake the image of her laughing, that mix of confidence and kindness that somehow managed to put him off balance.

Dean, sitting on the couch with Allie tucked under his arm, noticed Logan's distracted expression. "Alright, spill it. You've been staring into space for ten minutes."

Logan snapped out of his thoughts, catching the ball before it rolled onto the floor. "What are you talking about?"

"Grace," Garrett chimed in from the other side of the room, leaning back with his arm around Wellsy. "You've been thinking about her all night. Don't deny it."

Logan hesitated, tossing the ball into a cup with a shrug. "She's cool. That's all."

"Right," Tucker said, dragging the word out. He exchanged a glance with Sabrina, who smirked knowingly.

"She is cool," Hannah said, grinning at Logan. "And I like her. She's smart, funny, and not one of those girls who tries too hard to impress anyone. You'd be an i***t not to ask her out."

"It's too soon," Logan said quickly, sitting up straighter. "We've barely talked outside of tonight and a few texts. She's probably not even thinking about me like that."

Allie raised an eyebrow. "She let you be her beer pong partner more than twice in one night. Trust me, Logan, she's at least thinking about you."

Sabrina laughed. "And let's not forget the way she kept smiling at you every time you teased her. If you don't make a move, someone else might."

Logan ran a hand through his hair, letting out a low groan. "I don't want to screw it up. What if she's not interested?"

"Then you keep it casual," Dean suggested. "Ask her to hang out, but don't make it a full-blown date. Something low-pressure, like coffee or studying at the library."

"Library?" Logan asked, skeptical.

"Why not?" Garrett said. "She's a freshman, right? She probably has a ton of classes to juggle. You could offer to help her with something—like notes or studying."

Hannah nodded. "It's a good way to spend time with her without putting her on the spot."

Logan considered this, his mind racing with possibilities. "Alright, maybe you're onto something. But how do I ask her without it sounding like a date?"

Tucker grinned. "Simple. 'Hey, Grace, I was wondering if you wanted to grab coffee or hit the library sometime. No pressure.'"

Logan rolled his eyes, but a small smile tugged at his lips. "Yeah, because that sounds so natural coming from me."

"You've got this," Allie said. "She's already comfortable around you, Logan. Just be yourself."

Logan leaned back in his chair, feeling a mix of nerves and determination. He grabbed his phone, staring at Grace's contact for a moment before typing a message.

Logan: Hey, Grace. Hope you got home okay. I was thinking—if you're ever at the library or need a study buddy, let me know. I'm not saying I'm the best at academics, but I could help with hockey stats or, you know, moral support.

He hovered over the send button, debating.

"You're overthinking it," Dean said, watching him. "Just hit send."

Logan exhaled, pressing the button before he could second-guess himself. The message delivered, and he tossed his phone onto the coffee table, leaning back again.

"Now what?" Logan asked.

"Now," Garrett said, smirking, "you wait. And stop acting like you just sent a life-or-death text."

Logan chuckled, though his heart raced. He didn't know what Grace's response would be, but he hoped this was the first step toward figuring out whatever this thing was between them.

Grace sat cross-legged on her bed in the small dorm room she shared with Daisy, running a hand through her slightly damp hair after her quick shower. Daisy was across the room, rummaging through her drawer for pajamas, humming to herself.

"I'm officially dead," Daisy said dramatically, flopping onto her bed. "If I don't sleep for at least ten hours, don't bother waking me."

Grace laughed softly, pulling her blanket over her lap. "You're so dramatic. We didn't even stay that late."

"Speak for yourself," Daisy muttered, already burrowing into her pillow.

Grace smiled, leaning back against her headboard, her phone resting on her lap. She had just been about to plug it into the charger when the screen lit up with a notification.

Logan: Hey, Grace. Hope you got home okay. I was thinking—if you're ever at the library or need a study buddy, let me know. I'm not saying I'm the best at academics, but I could help with hockey stats or, you know, moral support.

Her stomach did a little flip as she read the message. She bit her lip, reading it over again. It was casual enough not to be intimidating, but it still felt... intentional. Like he'd gone out of his way to think about her.

"Who's texting you at this hour?" Daisy asked, her voice muffled from the pillow.

Grace hesitated, debating whether to mention it. Finally, she said, "Logan."

Daisy shot up, instantly awake. "Logan? As in hockey star, beer pong partner, and constant flirt Logan?"

Grace rolled her eyes but couldn't suppress her smile. "Yes, that Logan."

Daisy grinned. "What did he say? Did he ask you out?"

"No," Grace said quickly, holding up her phone. "He just said if I ever need a study buddy or someone to help me at the library, I should let him know."

Daisy raised an eyebrow. "Uh, that's not just a casual offer. He's interested, Grace."

"You don't know that," Grace argued, though her cheeks felt warm.

"Oh, I do. And you know it too." Daisy leaned forward eagerly. "So, are you going to respond?"

Grace hesitated, staring at the message. "I don't know... What if he's just being nice? I mean, we only just met. Maybe I'm reading into it."

Daisy shook her head firmly. "You're not. Guys don't send late-night texts like this unless they're interested. Besides, it's not like he asked you to marry him. He's offering to hang out and study. It's low pressure."

Grace sighed, her fingers hovering over the keyboard. "But what do I even say?"

"Anything! Be casual, but don't overthink it," Daisy said. "Just let him know you're open to it."

Taking a deep breath, Grace finally started typing.

Grace: Hey, Logan. I got home fine, thanks for asking. A study buddy might actually come in handy at some point—especially for moral support.

She paused, rereading it. "What do you think?" she asked Daisy.

Daisy gave her a thumbs up. "Perfect. Now send it before you chicken out."

Grace hit send, her heart racing slightly as the message was delivered. She set her phone down quickly, as if looking at it too long would make it explode.

"Well, that's done," she muttered, pulling her blanket tighter.

Daisy smirked, lying back down. "You'll thank me later. Just wait—he's going to love that you replied."

Grace wasn't sure if Daisy was right, but she couldn't deny the small, warm feeling in her chest as she closed her eyes for the night.

Logan was sprawled out on the couch in the living room, his phone resting on his chest while Dean and Tucker argued about which movie to put on. Garrett had already nodded off in the recliner, his empty soda can balanced precariously on the armrest.

When his phone buzzed, Logan's heart skipped a beat. He grabbed it quickly, sitting up as he saw Grace's name on the screen.

Grace: Hey, Logan. I got home fine, thanks for asking. A study buddy might actually come in handy at some point—especially for moral support.

A grin spread across Logan's face as he read the message. It wasn't overly enthusiastic, but it wasn't dismissive either. It was just... her. Cool, kind, and a little funny.

"Well?" Dean asked, noticing Logan's reaction. "Did she respond?"

Logan nodded, tossing his phone lightly onto the coffee table but keeping the screen in view. "Yeah. She said a study buddy might come in handy. Especially for moral support."

Tucker smirked. "That's a good sign. She's not blowing you off."

"Not at all," Logan said, leaning back and letting out a quiet sigh of relief. "But now I have to wait and see when—or if—she actually wants me to help her. What if she doesn't follow up?"

Dean shrugged. "Then you follow up. But give it time. You don't want to come on too strong."

Garrett stirred in his chair, blinking awake. "What's going on?"

"Logan's overthinking Grace's text," Tucker said, throwing a chip at him.

Logan rolled his eyes. "I'm not overthinking it. I'm just saying I don't want to push her. She's a freshman, and I don't want her to think I'm... I don't know, trying too hard."

Garrett chuckled, rubbing his eyes. "She doesn't seem like the type to scare easy, man. Just play it cool. She likes you enough to respond. That's a win."

Dean leaned forward, pointing at Logan. "And when she does want to meet up, don't screw it up by trying to impress her. Just be yourself."

Tucker grinned. "Yeah, 'cause clearly the Logan charm is working on this one."

Logan shook his head, but he couldn't hide his smile. "You guys are the worst."

"Maybe," Dean said, leaning back, "but we're also right. Just let her come to you for now. When she's ready, she'll let you know."

Logan nodded, feeling a little more at ease. He glanced at his phone one more time, reading Grace's message again before locking the screen.

"Alright," he said, standing up and stretching. "Guess I'll have to wait and see."

As his friends continued their banter, Logan couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation. Grace had replied, and that was enough for now. He just hoped he wouldn't have to wait too long to see her again—and maybe this time, it wouldn't take a party or a game of beer pong to make it happen.

Two weeks.

Logan had been patient—well, as patient as he could manage. But every time his phone buzzed and it wasn't Grace, he felt a twinge of disappointment. She had responded to his texts here and there, and they'd kept up a casual rhythm of chatting, but the topic of studying or meeting up hadn't come up again.

Now, sitting in the campus coffee shop with Garrett, Dean, and Tucker, Logan tapped his phone against the edge of the table, staring at Grace's name in his messages. He wasn't desperate—at least, that's what he kept telling himself. But if he waited any longer, he might explode.

"I can't believe it's been two weeks," he muttered, more to himself than anyone else.

Dean looked up from his coffee. "You're still stuck on this?"

"Yes," Logan said, setting his phone down with a sigh. "She hasn't brought up the library thing, and I don't want to keep waiting. I need an excuse to see her again."

Garrett smirked. "You don't need an excuse. Just text her and ask her out already."

"It's not that simple," Logan argued. "She's a freshman, remember? I don't want to come off as pushy."

"Then don't make it a date," Tucker said. "Keep it casual. Something like, 'Hey, I was thinking of hitting the library later. You in?'"

Logan frowned, considering it. "What if she says no?"

"Then she says no," Dean said with a shrug. "But at least you'll know. You're not going to scare her off, Logan. She likes you—you've said it yourself. She just might need a little nudge."

Logan sighed, picking up his phone again. He hesitated, typing out a few different versions of the message before finally settling on something simple.

Logan: Hey, Grace. I was thinking of heading to the library this afternoon. Need a study buddy?

He stared at the message, his thumb hovering over the send button.

"Just send it," Garrett said, rolling his eyes.

Logan took a deep breath and hit send, immediately setting the phone face down on the table. "Okay. It's done. Now I wait."

Tucker laughed. "Dude, you're acting like you just asked her to prom. Relax."

Logan tried to play it cool, but every second that ticked by felt like an eternity. Finally, after what felt like forever, his phone buzzed.

He snatched it up, his heart pounding as he read her reply.

Grace: Hey, Logan! That sounds good. I've been meaning to study anyway. What time were you thinking?

A grin spread across Logan's face, and his friends immediately noticed.

"She said yes, didn't she?" Dean asked, smirking.

"Yeah," Logan said, still grinning. "She wants to know what time."

"Then tell her," Garrett said, nudging him. "And for the love of hockey, don't overthink it this time."

Logan typed back quickly.

Logan: How about 3? I'll grab us some coffee on the way.

Her response came almost immediately.

Grace: Perfect. See you then.

Logan leaned back in his chair, relief washing over him. He couldn't believe how nervous he'd been, but now that it was set, he felt more confident.

"Alright," he said, standing up. "Guess I have to brush up on my study skills."

"Or just charm her," Tucker said with a wink.

Logan rolled his eyes, but he couldn't hide his excitement. He finally had his chance to see Grace again—on his terms this time. And he wasn't about to waste it.