Meant For You

eighteen.

Miles Dempsey

"And we are back to square one," Tate starts his lecture, setting down a glass of whiskey mixed in with Mio. I let out a deep sigh, my elbows resting against my lower thigh as I lean forward, contemplating my life. "Don't judge me, please," I damn near whine. "Oh, I'm judging. Hard," he scoffs. Letting out a pained groan, I run a hand over my face like that'll shield my embarrassment.

It's hard for me to admit my mistakes sometimes but never when it comes to girls. And when worse comes to worst, I know Tate will always be one hundred percent brutally honest with me. "She's got your balls in her hand, man," he adds. I look up at that and shake my head. "No, she doesn't!" There's not much more to say than that because I don't even think I believe in myself.

Tate makes a face like okay sure. "I just need this over. Again. She's been doing too much this time around. You know how many people have been commenting about her on my shit because she's telling people we're... a thing?!" I'm really not trying to be an asshole here but having a girl say we're together when we're not is a big no. Sharing my life on social media isn't something I do. I post about hockey and brand deals I get, that's it.

Even if Allie was my girlfriend, she wouldn't be flaunted on my social media. I would tell her not to put me on hers either. I've got people watching my every single move all the time, on social media or the ice. It's nice to keep some things to myself. People can get ugly and I'd never want my partner to face the wrath of others. I can't control what others have to say but I can prevent it as much as possible.

"Kait and I warned you. So did the damn kid man and he's 18! I get Allie used to be a good time for you but things have changed. She's not the same and you can tell she's trying to claw onto you to keep you with her. You already ended things once, you can do it again," Tate assures, patting my back. "Now, down this shit with me before I rip my hair out one by one."

I look over at him and see annoyance flash through his blue eyes. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to put my situationship stress on you," I apologize, lifting the glass from the coffee table. He shakes his head and cheers my glass. We both down the contents inside the glass, setting them back down. "It's not you, man. It's hockey. And Kait's parents." That last sentence comes out tight.

Furrowing my brows, I sit back and get comfortable. "What's going on with that?" I question, suddenly interested in someone else's misery that's not my own. He runs a hand through his dark brown hair and shakes his head. "We drove up there for the new year and I asked..." Tate eyes me wearily which has my heart thumping in my chest. "What? You can tell me, buddy."

He sighs. "I know. Just... well I haven't told anyone but I want to propose to Kaitlyn after the season ends." My eyes almost bug out of my head at his statement. "Really?" I say loudly. Luckily for us, his girlfriend isn't home. He nods his head. "I want to marry her so fucking bad, Miles. She's my girl for life I'm sure of that but I just want to make it official," he tells me. Completely taken aback, I process his words.

I've always rooted for their relationship since he told me about everything they went through during our freshman year of college. Still, I didn't think they'd ever actually get together. Then a couple of months ago, that changed. He finally put on his big boy pants and made it official. Now he wants to marry her? Personally, it's a little too soon but what the hell? They've known each other for what seems like a lifetime. When you know, you know.

"You talked to her parents about it? I'm assuming it didn't go well?" I ask. He winces, giving me a clipped nod. "They think it's too soon since we just started dating last July. To hell with that! I've known the girl since we were 8 years old. I've been in love with her since I saw her. There shouldn't be time on shit like this. You never know when your last day is, best make the most of them," Tate rants. He looks over at me to see if I disagree.