Chapter 8 #2
Thankfully, a cohort of screaming kids saves us from continuing this conversation. It’s not like I don’t enjoy talking to Matt, but I’m struggling enough on my own to not think of Lainey, and talking about having a family is only making it harder.
Someone knocks into my side, and I turn to find Jack, Laura and Alec’s son, sugar-rushed out of his mind. God, he’s getting so big. He’s gotta be, like, ten now. He’s a damn good hockey player—that’s for sure—with potential of playing pro one day if he keeps up on his training.
“What’s up, man?” I bump knuckles with his outstretched fist.
“Do you want to play tag with us?” he asks, looking back to the group of boys his same age, waiting impatiently behind him.
Chuckling, I widen my stance and cross my arms. “You think you would even have a chance of beating me?”
Challenge darkens his eyes. “Bring it on, old man.”
“Old man?” I laugh and turn to the group, rubbing my hands together. “Who’s it?”
Jack slaps my back, and surprisingly it stings like a bitch. “You are.”
The boys squeal and run in a thousand different directions as I take a step toward them, feeling sharp pain shoot in my knee. But I’m going to ignore that, just for a little while longer. I’ll be softer on it in the meantime, and eventually, it’ll heal back up.
“Oh, you guys are so dead,” I call after a few of them as I chase them around the huge yard, my heart suddenly feeling fuller than before.
Wanting them to think they have an advantage, I let them pull away before digging in and closing the distance.
I pat one of Jack’s friends on the shoulder. “You’re it!”
He groans in annoyance for a second before taking off after his friends, weaving through the adults and other kids in the yard as he tries to track one of them down.
My phone rings in my pocket, and I pull it out, confusion pinching my brows as I read the name on the phone.
Luca Bradford.
I haven’t heard from him in a little while, not since we last played against one another a couple of weeks ago.
As I answer the call, I walk toward the back of the yard and away from the crowd so it’s less loud, resting my arm against the tall fence. “Hello?”
“Hey, JD. What’re you up to?”
“I’m at my teammate’s kid’s party. What about you?” I ask, overanalyzing every breath of his, like I do to people during most conversations I have.
It’s always been a part of my curse—to overthink every single thing someone does or doesn’t do, to try to predict their actions so something doesn’t come across nearly as surprising, especially if it’s going to be bad.
He seems calm, collected, even joyful. “I can let you go if you need. It’s not an emergency.”
I wave his concern away even though he can’t see me. “Don’t worry about it. What’s up?”
“Okay …” He pauses. “I’m calling about Lainey.”
My heart skips a beat at her name, but then I tense up, unsure of where this is going.
“About Lainey?” I ask timidly.
“Yeah, she’s in New York—”
I cut him off without realizing it, my voice low, “I know.”
“You know?” He chuckles. “You saw her?”
Rubbing the back of my neck, I sigh. “Yeah, sort of. Her palm saw my face, real up close and personal.”
Luca bursts out laughing. “She slapped you?”
I scoff, feeling satisfaction that it’s as outlandish to him as it was to me. “I know! Can you believe it?”
He snickers. “I mean … yeah, JD, I can. But you know I’m on your side when it comes to your divorce.”
“We’re not divorced.” I roll my eyes. We’d have had to be together for that to happen.
“You know what I mean. But you did nearly end her boyfriend’s career and showboated after the fact.
” I suck in a breath to argue, but he continues, “Look, fuck that guy. He’s a douchebag and so not good enough for my sister.
I would’ve done the same thing you did if he had said that shit to me.
Granted, he wouldn’t have because he’s trying to join my family, not get kicked out of it. ”
I inhale again to cut in, but Luca keeps rambling. He has always been the biggest yapper in our group. Lainey and I used to have to fight to get a word in with him.
“I’m just saying that she probably slapped you because in her eyes, you targeted the guy she’s dating. She could’ve taken it personally.”
“She should,” I snap, turning away from the party. Anger begins flooding my system as I remember the shit Cole said and the shit he has pulled, stuff that Lainey doesn’t even know about. “I personally hate her boyfriend and would rather see him six feet in the ground than ever touch her again.”
“Does that have anything to do with your feelings for her, or are you speaking as an unbiased friend?” Luca’s tone does little to hide his sarcasm.
It’s not a secret to either of us that I’ve always had feelings for Lain. He’s caught me staring at her more times than I can count. But he’s never called it out so blatantly.
“Shut up.”
“Look, I’m calling because she just moved to New York. She’s about to start working for the Nighthawks as a physical therapist.” Oh. Shit. “I just need you to look out for her. I know it goes without saying, but it’s one of those things I have to do.”
Without thought, I scoff. “You know I’ll watch over her. It doesn’t matter if she hates me right now, I’ve got her.”
“Thanks, man,” Luca exhales.
The question that’s gnawing at my throat finally breaks free. “What about Cole?”
Luca chuckles. “They’re still together, if that’s what you’re asking. They’re just going to do long distance.”
I groan. “We both know what that means.”
He sighs loudly. “Trust me, I know. I’ve tried talking to her about it, but she just refuses to listen. Their breakup is inevitable. Eventually, he won’t be able to gaslight her out of their problems. But if she calls me crying again, I’m going to actually ruin his career on the ice.”
Calls him crying?
Why is she even still fucking with him? I don’t get it. The Lainey I used to know would have kicked him to the curb by now. She certainly wouldn’t try to convince herself that he’s loyal when he’s clearly not.
Maybe I should give him some special attention next time we play. They might have to bench me to stop me from killing him.
“Don’t worry about her being here. I’ll keep her safe,” I promise him, meaning it from the bottom of my heart.
I know it’s been years since we were really close, but she’s still just Lainey at the core, and I’m just Jensen. That has to count for something.
Knowing who Cole is, I’m sure he’s done a hell of a job of making her forget who she is. A badass. A walking ball of sass. The most beautiful woman in the world. He’s made her forget how strong, brave, and incredible she is.
I’ll be sure to remind her.