“They’re great, yeah.” He leans forward, both hands around the glass. His smile goes serious. “What about you? Talked to Carrie?” He tries to come off relaxed, but I know him well. We’ve been roommates and teammates for too long. I see right past his calm demeanor. The team is playing well—even better than people expected from us this season, and he’s worried about me and how my breakup with Carrie will impact my time on the ice. He’s captain, so I guess it’s his job to worry.
It isn’t completely unwarranted. There were a few games after we broke up the first time where I was a wreck. I might have been the one to end it, but it isn’t like I stopped caring for her. We were together for so long and I really loved her. But when I made the decision to end things it wasn’t without a lot of thought and soul searching. I know it’s right and as the time has passed, I still feel solid in my decision. I’ve moved on even if she hasn’t.
But, I get where Adam is coming from. We’ve got the record to beat and everyone is gunning for us. It’s going to be a long grind over the next month to get to the Frozen Four.
“Things are good. I promise. Carrie is still calling, but I haven’t spoken to her in a week.”
“That’s gotta take a toll. Why don’t you block her number?”
“Nah,” I say automatically. “You think?”
He shrugs. “I don’t know. Sucky situation all around.”
“Definitely. I think she’ll stop on her own. It’s probably just routine. We spent most of our relationship on the damn phone.” It took me almost two weeks to stop reaching for it the second I woke up every morning.
Our food comes, and we fall quiet as we devour greasy burgers and fries.
“Had any other catastrophic run-ins with the opposite sex I should know about?” Adam tries and fails to keep a straight face.
“No,” I grumble around a mouthful of food.
He leans back in his chair, smiling at my expense. “Don’t worry. I’m sure you have plenty more opportunities in front of you.”
“Not if word gets around that I fall asleep on chicks or give them black eyes.”
Adam chuckles. “You just need a good wingman.” He points at himself.
“What about Reagan?”
“The best wingmen are in relationships. It’s what keeps them from swooping in and stealing the chicks for ourselves. Especially with your weak game.”
“That and knowing Dakota would cut you if you hurt Reagan.”
He nods. “That too. Come on. It’ll be fun. Finish your food, and let’s go to the bar. I recognize a friend of Ginny’s I can introduce you to.”
I’m not really interested in putting on a smile and making small talk, but ten minutes later, I’m following him to the half-circle bar along the back wall of The Hideout.
Adam never looks out of place or uncomfortable. I admire that about him. I don’t know what to say or how to act with girls after being in a relationship for so long. No one expected much from me when I was with Carrie. I was off-limits. That made me more intriguing for some girls, but I just faded into the background for most. I’m good with fading into the background.
“Ava?” Adam approaches a girl with short, black hair at the bar.
She turns in her seat. “Adam, hey!”
She tucks her hair behind her ear and sits a little straighter. She’s clearly surprised we’ve approached her, but Adam being Adam quickly puts her at ease.
“Good to see you. Have you met my buddy, Rhett?”
Her dark gaze slides to me. She smiles politely and raises a hand in a cute, shy wave. “I don’t think so.”
“Nice to meet you, Ava.” I wave back.
“You too.”
Adam shifts closer to me and mutters under his breath, “Ask to buy her a drink.”
I’m pretty sure Ava heard him, but I ask her anyway. “Can I buy you a drink?”
“Umm…” she starts.
“Excuse me,” a deep voice says behind me, and I sidestep to let the guy pass. He goes straight for the empty chair next to Ava and takes a seat. He swivels around so that his knees rest against Ava’s.
Ava looks at her lap. “This is my boyfriend, Trent. He’s visiting for the week.”
Awesome. I’m hitting on girls while their boyfriend is in the shitter now. It’s a new low.
Adam clears his throat, hiding a laugh. “That’s great. Where are you from?”
“I go to school upstate.” He’s eyeing us up, trying to decide if we’re a threat.
“Adam is Ginny’s brother,” Ava tells him, and immediately his expression shifts into something much friendlier.
“Oh, cool. You play hockey, right?” he asks Adam.
“That’s right. We both do.” Adam looks to me, and I nod.
“Really cool.” Trent places a hand on Ava’s thigh.
I get it, buddy. She’s yours. No need to pee on her.
“Well, we were just heading out, but it was good to finally put a face with the name.” He’s super handsy while leading his girl away from us.
Adam slumps into Ava’s empty chair after they exit and hangs his head, laughter spilling from his lips.
“Some wingman you are.” I take the other chair.
“I forgot she had a boyfriend.”
“Convenient.” I lift my near-empty beer bottle when the bartender looks my way, and she grabs me another.
“We’ll find you someone else. It’s early yet.”
The TV grabs my attention again. It’s figure skating, and I think of Sienna. A new skater is taking the ice. She poses, waiting for the music to begin.
“I think I’m good. And besides, I’ve been thinking about asking out Sienna.” Again. Maybe this time without stumbling all over myself.
“The chick you gave a black eye?”
I scratch my nose with my middle finger. “Drink your beer so we can get the hell out of here. I need to study.”
“Whatever you say, lady-killer.”
6
Sienna
I leave my dorm early Friday morning to get on the ice before anyone else.
“Didn’t your coach tell you not to be on the ice by yourself? Also, you really shouldn’t be walking in the dark across campus.” Elias’s brows pinch together on the screen of my phone.
“I cleared it with Coach, and that’s why I’m talking to you.”
“What exactly do you think I’m going to do if someone attacks you? Yell at them to please stop?”
“No, dummy. Hang up and call the police.”
He chuckles. It’s three hours later in Toronto, and Elias is already at the rink where he skates with his pairs partner Taylor.
“So, any plans tonight or are you spending another Friday night watching documentaries on serial killers.” He shivers.
“If you don’t like them, don’t watch them.”
“You misled me. You were all ‘This one isn’t that bad. You’ll be fine. It’s a great date night film’.” He shoots me a glare. “That chick ghosted me after I woke up in the middle of the night screaming bloody murder.”