Chapter 35 #2
"Complicated how? He’s not married, is he?" Issy asks.
“No!”
“Just checking. I know you wouldn’t do that, but when you said complicated, my mind went there …” she stills. “Oh …” I think she’s just fingered it out. “You mean complicated like ... he's on the team." No one says anything. Issy looks around the table. “Do you all know?”
Harper shakes her head. “Not officially, but I have my suspicions.”
Shit.
“I’m pleading the fifth,” Collette adds.
Issy looks back at me, and then her eyes widen. “Please don’t tell me the mystery guy is Emmett Black?” Wait. What? How did she figure that out so quickly? Harper smirks, and Collette looks stunned. “I thought I noticed something, but then I convinced myself I was seeing things.”
I finish the rest of my glass of champagne.
“I think you need another,” Harper says, pouring me another glass. She’s not wrong.
“Jo, you can trust us. Whatever you tell us, I know Harper and I would never tell your brothers.”
Collette reaches under the table and squeezes my hand, reassuring me.
“You cannot tell my brothers,” I plead with them as tears well in my eyes.”
“Hey. No. Promise,” Issy adds.
“It’s locked in the vault,” Harper states.
“I’m seeing Emmett.”
"I knew it," Harper says excitedly. "I fucking knew something was going on. The way he looks at you during games. The way you both disappear at the same time. I thought I was imagining it, but …"
"Wait," Issy interrupts. "How long has this been going on?"
"A while," I say quietly.
“It’s a little more complicated than what Jo is saying,” Collette adds.
“How can it be more complicated than dating the captain?” Issy asks.
“Maybe that’s the wrong word. This started long before she ever joined The Mavericks,” Collette explains.
“How?” Harper asks.
Collette turns and looks over at me. “We met in London. Had a one-night stand as I had to fly out to Italy. Never swapped numbers or last names, and the next time I saw him was in my apartment at my welcome party.”
Harper and Issy gasps.
“No, fucking way.” Harper bursts out laughing. “That’s kind of iconic.”
“It was a shock,” I say.
“So, the two of you have been seeing each other for months?” Issy asks.
I shake my head. “Technically, seeing each other is weeks, but we’ve been, I don’t know, trying not to cross lines since the welcome party.”
“She did try not to fall for him,” Collette adds.
“You really like him?” Harper asks.
“I do.”
“Then why all the secrecy if this isn’t a fling?” Issy asks.
“You have met our brothers, haven’t you?” Collette states.
“They would understand, especially with Harper and I on your side,” Issy assures me.
“But what about his team? They wouldn’t trust Emmett anymore. I can’t be the reason they lose their chance to win the cup. It would change the entire dynamic of the team.”
“Jo’s right. It would. And as much as I think the boys would come around, there’s still a chance they might not. So I get it,” Harper adds.
“They are all hanging out now, together,” Issy says, shaking her head. “Don’t you think they are going to be pissed about being lied to for so long.”
“Once the season is over, we are going to come clean,” I tell her.
“Is, come on, you know how this all works,” Collette tells her.
“I do. And I get it. Trust me. I just worry that things might be worse if you tell them down the track compared to now,” Issy explains.
“I can’t destroy other people’s dreams chasing mine.”
“Shit. You’ve fallen for him,” Harper states.
“I have. I’ve never met anyone who makes me feel like this,” I confess.
“Don’t forget you and Pierre dated in secret.” Harper smirks at Issy.
“That was different.”
“Was it though?” Harper teases Issy.
“Fine. No, it wasn’t. But I’m just looking out for you, Jo. I’m not raining on your parade. You deserve to be happy. I am worried about what will happen if this blows up.” She stresses. I get what she is saying.
"We know the risks, that’s why it took us so long to get together," I say quietly.
“They fought it, they really tried,” Collette adds.
"We've talked about it. A lot. But we also know what we have is worth protecting. Even if it means waiting."
"And you're both okay with that?" Harper asks. "The sneaking around? The lying?"
"No. We hate it." I drain my champagne glass. "But it's temporary. Just until the playoffs are over. Then we tell everyone."
"Including Pierre and Felix," Harper says. It's not a question.
"Especially Pierre and Felix." I look at them both. "Which is why you can't tell them. Please. I know they're your partners and I know this puts you in a terrible position, but …"
"We won't say anything," Issy says, cutting me off. She reaches across the table and squeezes my hand. "I don't love it. I think you're playing with fire. But I also understand why you're doing it."
"Really?"
"Really." She smiles softly. "You're right. The team dynamics would change. And your brothers ... they'd lose their minds."
"Probably literally." Harper chuckles.
"Exactly. So, we have to wait until after the season, when the stakes aren't so high.
"And you're happy?" Issy asks. "Really happy?"
I think about Emmett, the way he looks at me, the way he touches me, the way he makes me feel like the only person in the world that matters.
"Yeah," I whisper. "I really am."
"Then that's all that matters," Harper says firmly. "The rest is just logistics."
"Complicated logistics." Issy giggles. "But you two will figure it out." She grins.
"And in the meantime, we get to watch you sneak around at the Christmas party. This is going to be so entertaining," Harper teases.
"Harper …"
"I'm serious, Jo. We've got your back. All of us." She raises her glass. "To secrets and sisters."
We all clink our glasses together.
"Now," Harper says, leaning forward with a mischievous smile. "Tell us everything. And I mean everything. Is he as good as he looks like he'd be?"
"Harper!" Issy laughs.
"What? We’re sisters now, plus that man is gorgeous. All brooding grumpiness."
I feel my cheeks heat. "I'm not discussing that."
"Oh, come on …"
"I’m very satisfied, and that is all you need to know.”
The girls all squeal with delight.
“I bet you are.” Harper winks. “Hockey players have great stamina.”
“Ewwww. You are dating our brother, you know.” Collette grimaces.
“Sorry. Yeah. Well, you should be proud of your brother, he earns a gold star every single time,” Harper states.
Collette pretends to hurl and I’m not far from her.
We dissolve into laughter for the first time in weeks.