Chapter 23
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
EVERETT
I t’s been a weird week. After the last game night, things between Raine and me are different, but…not. And it sucks because I can’t figure out if I’m literally hallucinating or if the only thing that’s changed is my perception of Raine Anders.
I wasn’t kidding when I apologized for being a dick to her when we first met. I assumed so many things, made her feel like shit, and for what? For assumptions so far off base, they’re now laughable? It still doesn’t change anything. Doesn’t change my obligation to her or her obligation to follow through with this bullshit lie on the off-chance Drake is only lying low after our run-in.
Fuck, I don’t even know anymore.
My playing is shit, too. I’ve been so caught up in my own head I haven’t really shown up on the ice. I tried keeping it in check, but anytime I’m away from Raine, the possibilities of Drake finding her and hurting her rise to the surface, making me a fucking wreck. Add in tonight’s date with whatever-her-name-is, and I’m ready to tap out and surrender.
The fact Raine and I have barely said two words to each other today doesn’t help, either. She knows I’m going out with someone else tonight, even though we haven’t talked about it. I don’t know why I feel guilty. Why I feel like I’m betraying her when it couldn’t be further from the truth.
So why do I feel like shit?
I’m even missing a game for this. Reeves seriously owes me.
As I roughly tug at the tie around my neck, a shadow catches my attention from the bathroom doorway. I look over my shoulder, but she’s gone.
“Raine,” I call out to her.
Raine reappears at the entrance, giving me a shy smile. “Yes?”
“I have a…thing tonight.”
“The wedding, right?”
Fuck, what I wouldn’t give to be able to read her mind. To hear her thoughts. To have a glimpse of what’s going on behind those forest-green eyes. Instead, all I see is restraint. Indifference. Unease.
I nod. “Yeah, the wedding.”
“Yup, I remember.”
She walks away again, but I repeat, “Raine.”
Stepping back into view, she folds her arms and leans against the doorjamb, giving me her full attention. “Yes?”
“You’re staying in, right?” I ask as I start to redo the knot around my neck, which feels a hell of a lot like a noose.
Her gaze stays locked on the silk in my hands. “Not sure where else I would go.”
“I’ll probably be late,” I add, tugging at the fabric again so I can start over.
Stepping toward me, she removes the tie from my hands. “Here.” Her movements are slow but methodical as she wraps one end around the other, then slips the end into the gap, creating the perfect knot. Her hands find my chest, smoothing the tie down. “There.”
When she starts to move away, I grab her wrist to hold her in place. “Where’d you learn to tie a tie?”
She swallows and tears her attention from my face, staring at my hand wrapped around her wrist instead. “Drake’s dad wasn’t around much. He would get frustrated anytime he had to wear a suit or whatever, so I learned how to tie one for him.”
I nod slowly and let her go. “Well. Thanks.”
“No problem.” Her tongue darts between her lips, and she clears her throat as she steps back. “Are you…excited for tonight?”
I scoff. “Not the word I would use to describe how I feel about this.”
“And what word would you use?”
“Obligated.” It slips out of me before I can stop it, and her eyes widen. She recovers quickly, though. Part of me wonders if it’s a defense mechanism. If it’s something she’s had since childhood or only a learned behavior after spending time with Drake.
“I’d say you should take it as a compliment,” she replies. “Being so reliable, Reeves doesn’t even have to question whether or not you’ll bail him out when he asks.”
She’s right. Reeves and I might not always see eye to eye on shit, but I’d do anything for him. For any of my family. My friends.
“I have a feeling you do it a lot,” she notes. “Bail people out.”
“I don’t mind,” I murmur.
“That’s because you’re a good guy, Everett. I’m sure your date for the evening will think the same thing.”
When she starts to turn away, I stop her. Again. It’s like I can’t help it. “Raine… ”
“Have a good night, and don’t worry,” she adds. “I’ll be here.”
Then she walks away, and I stand here doing nothing but watching her leave.
A few minutes later, I enter the family room. She isn’t there. Not that I thought she would be. Still. I feel like shit. And even though I try convincing myself it’s because I’m missing a game for this, I’m not an idiot. I know the real reason, and she’s hiding in her room, unwilling to watch me leave the house under the pretense of going on a date with someone who isn’t her.
But if this isn’t real, why does she care?
And why do I?