12. It sucks that we can’t control our hearts.
12
"It sucks that we can’t control our hearts."
Marissa Martin
When I arrive at Rise & Grind the next morning, I’m surprised to see the lights already on. I was supposed to open again today.
“Hey! Why are you already here?” I ask Beth, closing the door behind me. “I thought—”
Beth pops up from behind the counter. Her blonde hair is messy, her eyes bloodshot.
“Oh no. What’s wrong?” I drop my bag and rush toward her. “He’s an idiot. Come here.”
I wrap her in a hug, and she sobs in my arms. My heart breaks for her. There’s nothing worse than being in love with a guy who treats you like crap.
“I'm sorry. You want to talk about it?” I ask, drying her tears.
“He’s a jerk,” she hiccups.
I nod, twisting my mouth to the side. “He is.”
I hurry to the front door, flip the sign to Closed, and listen to my friend’s heartache. It’s more of the same, but I don’t judge, because I know how hard it can be to fight unwanted feelings. It sucks that we can’t control our hearts.
“Do you want to go out tonight?” I ask when she’s feeling a little better. “We could go out for drinks or stay in and have a movie marathon.”
She shakes her head. “Don’t be silly. There’s a game tonight. You should go.”
“I've been to plenty of games, and I'll go to millions more. If you need me tonight, I'm your gal. No questions asked.” And I mean it. As much as I love hockey, I love my friend even more.
A small smile breaks onto her lips. “I’m lucky to have you, Marissa.”
“So, is that a yes? What are we doing?” I clap my hands, ready to dive into planning mode.
“No.” She shakes her head. “Go to the game. I need to be alone and think about everything.”
I bite my lip but reluctantly nod. “Yeah. Okay. But let me know if you change your mind. Even if it’s halfway through the game.”
Her smile widens. “I will.”
We start working, and with every customer who comes in, Beth’s smile stretches a little more. I’m glad she’s able to put her troubles aside, even for a bit.
Two large figures approach the front window as I’m cleaning one of the tables, and I’d recognize them anywhere. Well, one in particular.
“Hey!” Aaron smiles, waving his glittery tumbler. “How are you guys?”
I give him a hug, and I’m instantly transported to Planet Aaron, where there’s a cedar wood ambient scent, strong arms that make you feel secure, and killer smiles all around. Coming back down to earth always sucks.
“Morning, ladies,” James croons, opening the zipper of his coat.
“Hey,” Beth says. “What can we get you? The usual?”
They nod, and I take Aaron’s cup to fill it up while James leans on the counter.
“It’s a shame you didn’t bi d on me at the auction, Elizabeth. I would have shown you what a date with a real man looks like.”
Aaron puffs out a laugh, and I press my lips to repress mine.
“I thought it wasn’t that kind of date?” Beth asks weakly, not bothering to turn around to look at him.
“For you, I would have made an exception. Lord knows you need it after dating a Shark for so long.”
Beth’s lips quiver, and she slams the to-go cup down so strongly she shrinks it. With a shaky breath, she scurries to the back.
I turn on my heel and lean on the counter. “They had a fight. Please, don’t mention him again.”
James frowns, then looks down. “Yeah, okay. I’m sorry.”
I’m surprised—and grateful—that he doesn’t take the opportunity to push it. I join Beth in the back as she’s drying her tears.
“I’m sorry,” I say, wrapping her in another hug. “This sucks. But you’ll be fine. You know that, right? We’re here for you.”
She nods, a small smile peeking through. She straightens her shoulders and takes a deep breath. “Okay, I’m good. Thank you.”
I pat her shoulder as we step bac k into the shop, where Aaron is on his phone and James is signing merch.
“Here,” he says, putting the pen down. “Signed a bunch of it. And just a bit bigger than Miles.”
We all laugh.
“Thanks, James,” I say as I return to filling Aaron’s tumbler.
“Are you coming to the game tonight, Elizabeth? Hockey is always a great distraction.”
“Nope.” She places his coffee in front of him, not even gracing him with a look.
“Ah, such a shame. You’ll miss all my great shots.” He winks.
We all laugh again, and I’ve never been more grateful for James and his goofy personality. Always there to lighten the mood.
“Are you coming with me tonight, then?” Aaron asks me as I hand him his tumbler.
“Yeah. I’ll be there early.” Whenever Beth doesn’t come, I always go to the arena with Aaron. I like hanging out there before the game, soaking up the team’s energy. I either watch my dad work, eat with the guys, or just sit in the stands as the arena transforms from empty and silent to packed and roaring wild.
Once we say goodbye to the guys, I turn to Beth. “Are you sure you don’t want to come? You know we always have fun.”
She shakes her head. “No. I want to stay far away from hockey right now.”
“Yeah.” I wince. Honestly, that’s another reason why I don’t date hockey players—even if I could. I keep the thought to myself, though, not wanting to twist the knife in the wound. But it’s true. I love the game too much to risk having a guy spoil it for me.
When I get home, I hear arguing in the living room, followed by a string of curses. I sigh as I take my coat and shoes off.
“Hey, guys,” I say without even looking. I already know who’s there with Aaron.
No answer.
I swear, when those two are gaming, it’s like they’re inside the actual game. A real war could break out, and they wouldn’t notice, too enthralled by the fake one they’re in. Adler lives a few floors above us, so he comes over pretty often.
“Pass, pass!” Aaron calls in a frustrated tone. “Dude!”
I guess I was wrong. They’re pr obably playing NHL 10,000, or whatever number they’re at now.
“Ugh. We’re done,” James groans, putting the controller down as I enter the living room.
Aaron snorts. “Whose fault is that?” He cranes his neck back to see me. “Oh, hey. You’re back.”
“Mm-hm. I’ve been here for the past hour, at least. Cleaned the kitchen from top to bottom.”
“Haha,” Aaron says, stowing the controllers.
“No nap today?” I ask, arching an eyebrow. I know how important it is for them to catch a few winks before a game.
“We weren’t tired,” James says, shrugging. “But don’t worry. We’re still going to kick butt tonight.”
They high five, and I just shake my head.
“I’d better go,” James says, glancing at his watch. “I need to get ready. See you guys at the arena.”
I wave as he leaves.
“Hope you play better with your body than with your hands,” Aaron calls, and I turn to James just in time to see him flipping the bird.
“I’m going to get ready too,” I tell Aaron. “I need to take a quick shower.”
“Yep. Me too.” He hauls himself off the couch.
Aaron’s apartment is so fancy, we each have our own ensuite complete with a whirlpool tub and a shower that doubles as a steam room. Pretty cool , right? Why do you think I’m still living here?
I take a shower and get dressed in my usual hockey fan gear, then bring my long hair into a ponytail and apply a bit of makeup. I’m excited for tonight. The boys lost the last game against the Chicago Cavaliers, so they’ll be eager to get revenge. I have a feeling they’ll put up a good fight.
We’re also meeting Angela—the girl from the auction—at Rise & Grind. And I’m not going to lie, it stings a little. Okay, a lot. But they’re surprising her little brother, and that’s just the kind of guy Aaron is. Which makes it even harder to get over him. Although, going to a game with Angela and her brother might finally do the trick. Aaron hasn’t mentioned wanting to date her, but all signs point in that direction.
Once we’re ready, we hop in the car and park at the end of Warlington Lane. Angela is already waiting at the coffee shop when we arrive, and she’s even more beautiful than the last time I saw her. Perfect makeup, sleek black hair. And the Raptors jersey she’s wearing doesn’t hide her curves—the right ones, unlike mine—but instead, somehow highlights them.
My jaw drops. She’s wearing Number 4, Aaron’s jersey. At first, I’m furious that she would dare don his jersey when she barely knows him, but then it hits me. They went on a date—well, kind of. And now, they’re seeing each other a second time. Maybe I’m the one who shouldn’t be wearing Aaron’s jersey.
I look down and swallow hard. I need to change.