Chapter 28
twenty-eight
. . .
Nick
present day
We narrowly beat Tampa, 3–2, but for the first time in a year, I didn’t fight Luke Henry. He even gives me a handshake after the game. I’m sure the TV commentators picked up on it, since we don’t do handshake lines mid-season, but I don’t care.
He doesn’t have a chance with my girl. Not anymore.
Maybe he never did. What happened in the past doesn’t matter; all that’s important is what happens going forward.
A text from Bex lights up my screen.
Dream Girl
Saying goodbye to Luke, and then I’ll meet you at your car.
Whereas before I’d feel jealous or frustrated that she’s choosing to spend her time with another man, after this morning, I’m confident I’ll have her undivided attention soon enough.
We get so little time with our friends during the season; we have to make the most of it.
I’d feel the same if it were Elsy in town.
Fuck. Elsy.
What do I tell her? Do we say anything to her at all?
As I walk to my car, I pull out my phone, scrolling through my text chain with my best friend. She’s asked me twice about Bex, and I’ve deflected both times. She’s also asked how I’m doing, and I’ve deflected that, too.
I can’t lie to her, and I can’t keep avoiding her. I have to come clean.
Settling in my car, I turn on the engine to connect to the Bluetooth. My finger taps her contact, and the line rings once, twice, three times. The tone echoes in the cabin, my heart racing. Am I really doing this? Is it too soon?
And then it connects.
“Hey, Mitch,” Elsy says. “How was your game? Did you get into a fight with Luke?”
I force a chuckle. “I’m offended you didn’t watch.”
“Only because I’m at Wyatt’s game. I saw you scored a goal in the second period, but not the details.”
Now that she mentions it, I can hear the background noise of the arena. She likes to sit in the stands, right in the middle of the action, rather than in the suite with the rest of the WAGs.
Relaxing back into my seat, I think about the goal. “It was a beauty. Top shelf. Felt good.”
“Good. I’m glad. You’re always happier when you’re scoring.”
About that… I clear my throat. “I slept with Bex.”
Elsy chokes. “What?”
“Three years ago. And then again today.”
She’s silent for a moment. I almost think she’s hung up on me, but no, the line’s still connected.
“What does this mean?” she finally croaks.
“Well, you can’t tell Whitney.”
I can practically see her scowl. “You can’t ask me to keep a secret from my husband.”
“Not a secret, per se. Just… none of his business. Not until she and I figure out what’s going on. When there’s something to tell, I’ll tell him myself.”
I don’t need his permission to date his sister, but I do want his blessing. After everything that’s gone down between us, he deserves that amount of respect. If he breaks my nose… well, I can still play hockey with a broken nose. And it would be entirely justified on his part.
“But something is going on?”
“Yeah. I’ve had feelings for her for a while. I thought it would never happen, and then Henry…” I shake my head. “Never mind. The point is, I’m crazy about her, and I might be crazy for pursuing her, but I’m doing it anyway.”
Elsy’s quiet for a long moment. “This is what you want?”
“Definitely.”
“Then I hope it works out for you. My two best friends.” But she doesn’t sound happy. “Mitch… I need you to promise me something.”
“Anything.”
She’s been there for me through the worst days of my life; I’d move heaven and earth for her. If she asks me to stay away from Bex, though… I don’t know that I can do that. Even for Elsy.
My best friend’s voice comes quietly through the line. “Don’t hurt her.”
“I’d never.” Frankly, I’m offended she thinks I’d ever do that.
“And don’t let her hurt you,” she continues. “Bex lashes out when she thinks someone’s about to do the same to her. She hurts people before they can hurt her.”
“I’ve noticed,” I say dryly. “That’s half our battle. It’s why three years ago…”
She gasps suddenly. “Ohio.”
“What?” I’m so confused.
“You’re the man she met in Ohio.”
Just what did Bex share? Has Elsy known all this time?
“I didn’t know she’d told you about that.”
“Not specifics. No names. Just that she’d met someone, and it didn’t work out.” She pauses. “So why now?”
“It’s complicated.” I don’t want to get into it, not any further.
“But this is real?”
A knock taps on my car window, and I jolt, finding Bex standing there, hand tucked into her coat pockets. She’s in her pencil skirt and blouse, her coat unbuttoned, a laptop bag draped over her shoulder. I hit the unlock button, and she opens the door.
“It’s real,” I tell Elsy.
Bex’s mouth tips into a smile. “So we’re telling people?”
“I’m game if you are.”
She reaches for me over the console, and I let her manhandle me, tugging me close until her lips brush over mine. The kiss is heady, drugging, and she pulls away all too soon.
“You’re terrible,” Elsy says, and this time, I know she’s not talking to me. She doesn’t sound mad, though. “How could you not have told me he was the guy from Ohio?”
“It’s complicated,” Bex says, echoing my previous words. “I was going to call you tomorrow.”
“Oh? Something happening tonight?” The smile in Elsy’s voice is audible. “Wait, no. I don’t want details. This is Mitch we’re talking about. He’s practically my brother.”
“Now imagine how I feel, considering you’re married to my actual brother,” Bex sasses back.
“Okay, valid point.”
“I’m going to hang up now,” I announce.
“Have fun! Use protection!” Elsy shouts.
With a chuckle, I stab the console screen to end the call, then turn to Bex.
“Nice game,” she says with a grin. “I liked the goal.”
“Did it just for you.” My voice comes out rough and husky, and I clear my throat.
“Showing off?”
“Just a bit. Can you blame me?”
Her hand fists in my tie, yanking me toward her. “It was hot as fuck.”
Our breath intermingles, and when her mouth finally meets mine, I fucking melt into the kiss. Her hands thread into my hair, carding through the damp strands.
“Where are you taking me?” she murmurs against my lips.
Is my apartment too forward?
“Where do you want to go?”
“As long as I’m with you? Anywhere.”
I know just the place.
Shifting the car into gear, I pull out of my parking space and navigate through the garage and out onto Causeway Street.
Most of the post-game traffic has died down, but there’s still a fair bit of congestion on the road.
Once we’re free of the concrete garage, Bex turns on the radio, smooth jazz filling the car.
Her hand falls to my thigh, and the simple domesticity of it warms me through.
Miss Edna’s ice cream shop in Charlestown is in the complete opposite direction of where we both live, but as I pull into the uneven gravel parking lot, I feel as nervous as I did on my very first date here when I was fifteen.
My palms are sweaty, and I discreetly wipe them on my suit pants before turning off the car.
“Ice cream?” Her red-tinted smile is teasing, but it can’t hide the nerves in her eyes.
Same as mine. Maybe for different reasons.
“This is where I grew up.” The faded white-and-red curtains in the window are exactly the same. “I lived a few blocks from here. I don’t come back often, not since my mom died. But Miss Edna’s… This is home.”
Bex takes my hand. “Show me. I want to know everything.”