2. Aaron
Chapter two
Aaron
Sweat drips down my face as I head back to the two-story cabin the team rented.
“Cabin” feels like an understatement. I picture a cozy retreat, but this is more like a full house. When I think of a cabin, I envision those little structures dotted along the beach.
There’s nothing rustic about this place.
But we needed a space big enough to hold twenty-two people. Twenty players, our head coach, and the general manager.
I’m not sure why they decided not to bring along their assistants, but it doesn’t matter much.
Having that many men stuck in a single building isn’t my idea of fun, even if the cabin holds it. Five upper bedrooms, each with three sets of bunk beds, and an upstairs bathroom. Then there’s a sitting space in the attic, along with the kitchen, bathroom, and a TV room on the main floor.
I stretch my shoulders and back. It was a good run around the lake. The bright summer sun is a far cry from the hockey rink.
My teammate, Mike, is out front in a hammock. He and I came out here early to make sure things are in order before the rest of the team arrives.
“Got a call from Coach,” Mike says as I approach. He puts his book down. “The bus broke down, and it’ll be a couple days before they can get it repaired. They’re looking into getting an alternative, but it doesn’t look like they’ll get here tonight.”
I roll my eyes. “Figures. Ah, well. Gives us the chance to relax before they get here, right?”
“Gives us the chance to meet some girls,” Mike answers. He gets out of the hammock and gestures for me to take a look at our neighbors.
Two women are in bikinis near the little cabin closest to us, sitting in lounge chairs.
“Ah.” I turn away. “I already know them.”
Mike raises an eyebrow, grinning. “You do?”
“Yeah. It’s my ex-girlfriend, Ellen, and her best friend, Bella,” I say.
“Ex?” Mike grimaces. “That’s a bummer.”
I gesture for him to come into the cabin with me. We head inside, and I open the fridge to grab a soda.
“To be honest, I don’t think they’ll hold it against you,” I tell him. “But you should know Bella is going through a rough time, so I don’t think now is the best time.”
Mike nods slowly. “And you and Ellen?”
“The breakup was… friendly enough,” I admit. “We both agreed that we weren’t right together. She’s great, though. Friendly, warm. We just didn’t work.”
“Right.” Mike cracks open a soda. He drinks deeply, a thoughtful look on his face. “What sort of rough time does this Bella have?”
I shake my head. “Not my place to say.”
Mike smirks. “Then maybe what they need is some distraction. I’m sure we can make them feel better.”
“Hey, now. I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“You said that the breakup was friendly. So why not?” Mike grins at me and grabs a couple more sodas.
“No, I’m serious.” I grab his arm. “We shouldn’t interrupt them.”
Mike shakes me off. “I’m not going to be pushy about it. I’m just going to offer them some sodas on this hot day.”
He’s out of the house before I can protest again. Grimacing, I follow him out.
Bella and Ellen are both sitting up as we approach. Ellen wears a huge floppy hat and pushes it back.
A huge smile spreads over her face as she jumps to her feet.
“OMG! Aaron! I thought that was you. Bella told me you were around, but I didn’t expect you to be our neighbor.” Ellen puts her hand on her hip, jutting it out to the side.
It’s been a while since the last time I saw her, but when we were together, this action would mean she was uncomfortable with the situation.
“Hey,” I say. “This is Mike, he’s on the team.”
Mike holds out a soda. “I thought you might like a cold drink.”
Ellen’s smile brightens as she takes the soda. “Thanks! I’m Ellen, and this is my partner in crime, Bella.”
Bella lifts her hand to accept the soda, but her attention is focused on Ellen. Her gaze is wary.
“I think I might have some ice inside,” Ellen says. “Want to come in and get some?”
Oh.
I rub the back of my neck as Mike follows Ellen into the cabin.
Bella’s expression becomes irritated. She grabs a cover-up and pulls it on as she stands. “And there goes the rest of the day. If she starts scheming to keep us here another night just because you introduced her to some hot hockey player, I might have to stage another dramatic escape!”
She shakes her head.
“I didn’t mean to. I told him to leave you two alone,” I say. “Honestly, I would have stopped him if I could.”
Bella slips on a pair of flip-flops. “I can’t blame you. Ellen noticed him earlier. She kept waving and winking every time he looked over. She was clearly inviting him.”
“Right.” I shake my head slowly. That tracks.
“She was trying to convince me to stay longer already, too,” Bella continues. “It’s hard with Ellen sometimes. But then, you know that.”
Oh, I know that. Ellen isn’t selfish, but she doesn’t always grasp how to handle different perspectives. If she were the one who just experienced Bella’s breakup, Castleton would be the perfect escape for her.
I can imagine that she was just trying to help Bella feel better.
“So do you have a girlfriend these days?” Bella asks. She’s staring at the cabin door, tapping her toes rapidly.
“No. Completely single.” I shrug when she gives me a disbelieving look.
“I would think you’d have women throwing themselves at you all the time. Big hockey star, not to mention looking like… well, a big hockey star.” Her cheeks go pink.
I laugh. “Just because I have offers doesn’t mean I’ve accepted them.”
“Is there a reason?” One of her sculpted brows raises.
“I’m busy with my career right now. I don’t have the time to dedicate to a partner.” I give her a tight smile.
This isn’t exactly how I envisioned my day—making awkward small talk with my ex-girlfriend’s best friend while my ex flirts with one of my teammates. I should've brought popcorn; this is turning into a rom-com, minus the laughs.
Bella’s arms tighten as she glares at the cabin door. “Okay, so like I know you have the bro code or whatever. Doesn’t this break it? Him being all over her like this?”
“I’m pretty sure they’re just getting ice.”
“I’m not talking literally,” she mumbles.
The tension radiating from her is too much. I’m not sure what’s bothering her most, but I need to do something to reassure her.
“If you’re worried about Mike, he’s actually a good guy,” I tell her. “Maybe a little over-eager sometimes, but he’s a good guy. He doesn’t sleep around, and he’s a lot of fun.”
Bella frowns at me. “What?”
“Actually, considering how spontaneous Ellen likes to be, Mike would be a good match for her. He is really good at pivoting last minute. It’s one of the things that makes him such a great teammate.”
Bella chews her lip. “It like you’re trying to convince me that Ellen and Mike would make a good couple.”
I shrug, uncomfortable with this shift. “Honestly? They probably would be.”
“But aren’t you jealous?”
I’m so confused by her line of questioning. “Not at all. Ellen and I broke up years ago.”
Bella lowers her arm, still staring at me as though I’m crazy.
“What? I don’t want anything but good things for Ellen, and Mike is my friend. If they’d be happy together, why should I be jealous? I’m happy with how my life is right now.” I shrug.
“I just… well, I mean…” Bella clears her throat and takes a few steps toward the cabin before she stops. “I guess it’s not surprising when I think about the sort of guy you are. You were always… well, understanding.”
Is that a compliment? Her tone makes it ambiguous.
“Uh, well. If you two are leaving tomorrow it doesn’t make much of a difference,” I say.
“That’s true. I can’t stay here another day.” Bella shudders.
“Do you want me to break up their talk?” I gesture toward the cabin. “I can make up something to drag Mike away.”
Bella folds her arms again. “No. No, we should let them talk to each other. Maybe Ellen will get his number and be busy enough with him that she’ll leave me alone for a few days… or weeks. Just long enough to bury myself in work and pretend like—”
She cuts off, turning her face away.
I open my mouth but close it again. It’s not like I have much to say.
“I just can’t believe you’re not jealous,” she mutters.
I frown at her. “But why would I be jealous?”