15. Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Fifteen
Millie
As soon as I leave the coffee shop, I call Jade. She picks up on the second ring. “Hey, just left boxing class,” she says, a bit breathless. “What’s up?”
“Can we meet for coffee? I have half an hour before I need to be at work.”
“Uh oh, you haven’t had a coffee or a hot chocolate in weeks. What’s wrong?”
“I think I just ran into my ex,” I say, my voice shaking a little.
“Ryan?” she asks, sounding confused.
“No, Finn.”
She pauses. “The hockey god that you fucked in his car?”
I blush at the memory. “Yes.”
“He’s not an ex, Millie,” she says to me.
I sigh and pinch the bridge of my nose. “Close enough! I’ve never been able to stop thinking about him.”
“True. Okay, see you in five!”
I wait at the café, trying to calm my racing heart. Jade arrives in record time, still in her workout gear: black leggings, a sports bra, and a cropped hoodie. Her hair is pulled up in a messy bun and she’s got that post-workout glow.
We order our hot chocolates and sit down. Jade wastes no time. “Spill everything.”
I take a deep breath and tell her everything: seeing Finn, the awkward conversation, how he looked. Jade listens intently.
“Was he mad?” she asks when I finish.
“No, just shocked. And also very sexy,” I admit, making her squeal in excitement. “Don’t be excited for me. I’m really stressed.”
“Let me live vicariously through you. I’m going through the worst dry spell ever,” she says dramatically. “And you have all these men just prancing around for you to sample.”
I laugh. “You know what the worst part is? I think I’m still attracted to Finn more than the others.”
“What about Chase?” Jade asks.
“I like Chase too. And worse still, add my boss to the mix,” I confess.
Jade yelps. “Sounds like you’re building a fun little harem.”
“There’s nothing fun about it. I’m having a mini panic attack,” I say, shaking my head.
“Well, before you succumb to that, respectfully, please entertain me with all your details,” Jade says, making me laugh again. She looks at me seriously. “But for real, are you okay?”
I nod. “Yeah, I think so. It’s just…confusing.”
“Okay, I have some advice for you,” she says, leaning in.
“Lay it on me.”
“Since Finn, Declan, and Chase all live in the same building, you should at least tell Chase about Finn.”
“You think so?” I ask, doubtful.
“I know so. There’s nothing worse than being blindsided. Trust me, babe.”
Her alarm goes off, and she groans. “I still need to see the puppy, but I’ve got to run to class.”
“I need to run to the grocery store to get some tampons,” I say, standing up.
We walk out together, hug and then head in different directions. Just one conversation with my best friend and I already feel like I have everything under control.
As I walk to the store, I replay our conversation in my head. Seeing Finn again was a shock, but maybe it’s a sign. A sign to face my past, clear up the mess and figure out what I really want.
I’m at the grocery store, browsing the tampons aisle, trying to choose between brands, when I hear someone call my name. Startled, I look up and see the last person I want to run into. Ryan. His brown eyes, the same ones I’ve been trying to escape on billboards and on social media, stare right at me. What the hell, universe?
“Fancy seeing you here,” he says, looking a little disheveled like he hasn’t slept in days.
I nod and turn away, hoping to avoid this confrontation. But he tugs at my arm, stopping me. “So, is your plan to ignore me on the phone and in real life too?”
“You broke up with me, remember?” I reply, trying to keep my voice steady.
“I’ve been texting you,” he says, shoving his phone in my face. The screen shows a bunch of messages I’ve never seen. “You’re ignoring me because you’re riding some loser’s cock?”
I almost slap him. “Who I date is none of your business, Ryan.”
“It is my business. I refuse to be accused of dating a puck bunny.”
“What are you talking about?” I ask, my voice trembling with anger.
“I saw you on that pathetic video with the Chicago Icebreakers,” he sneers.
“It’s not like that,” I start to explain, but he grabs my arm, pulling me close. The fury in his eyes scares me.
“Let me go,” I say, trying to pull away, but his grip tightens.
“You heard her,” a voice behind me says. I recognize it immediately. Declan.
Ryan turns to face him. “Stay out of this.”
Declan steps closer, pushing Ryan away from me and pulling me to his side. He’s bigger, taller and more muscular than Ryan, but he doesn’t seem to care. Ryan still looks like he wants a fight.
“Back off, Ryan,” Declan warns.
“This is between me and my ex,” Ryan snaps back.
“She already said she wasn’t interested in talking to you. Read the room, idiot,” Declan growls.
“Shut up!” Ryan says.
“I’m not arguing with a fool,” Declan says, then he pulls me into his side with one strong arm, making my heart race. “It’s okay Millie. You’re okay. I’m here. You’re fine.”
I’m trembling, the fear mixing with relief.
Ryan’s eyes flash with anger as he directs his gaze from Declan to me. “I knew it, you slut!” he shouts.
Declan moves to punch him, but I grab his arm. “Please, Declan. I don’t want a scene.”
Declan glares at Ryan, then turns to me. “Let’s go.” He leads me outside, his hand on my back, keeping me close.
We step into the cool evening air and I finally exhale, realizing I’ve been holding my breath. “Thank you,” I say, my voice shaky.
“Are you okay?” he asks, his eyes searching mine.
“Yeah, just...shaken up,” I admit, leaning against him.
He wraps his arms around me, holding me tight. “You don’t have to deal with him alone, Millie.”
“I know. I just didn’t expect to see him,” I say, trying to steady my breathing.
“Let’s get you home,” Declan says, guiding me to his car. The drive is silent, but his presence is comforting.
Once we’re back at the apartments, he walks me to the door of Chase’s apartment. I know Chase won’t be home for a while.
“Do you want me to stay?” he asks softly.
I nod. “Yeah, I’d like that.”
He follows me inside and I feel a sense of safety I haven’t felt in a long time. We sit on the couch and he pulls me into his arms again.
“You’re not alone, Millie,” he whispers. “Not anymore.”
I close my eyes, letting his words sink in. Maybe, just maybe, things will be okay.
I ask Declan where Lily is.
“She’s with Finn,” he says. “I was rushing to the store to grab some pre-workout before he saw us.”
I feel a wave of embarrassment wash over me. “I’m so embarrassed you saw me like that.”
His eyes drop to my lips for a second before he schools his features. “You have nothing to be embarrassed about Millie. Nothing that happened at that store today was your fault. Do you understand that?”
I nod grateful for his words.
“Was Ryan always like that?”
“No,” I say, shaking my head. “This is the first time I’ve seen him since he dumped me.”
“Fuck, I’m sorry. He’s an idiot,” Declan says.
“Agreed. But why are you sorry?”
“Because only a fool would let go of someone like you.”
His words make me feel warm inside and I can’t help but smile. “He left me for the head of PR for his team and he still has the audacity to call me a puck bunny slut.”
I feel Declan stiffen beside me. “Do you think puck bunnies are sluts?”
“Of course not,” I say firmly. “Emma Watson once said, ‘Feminism is about giving women choice. What a woman deserves to do with her body is no one’s business but her own’. I totally agree with her. Even if I slept with half of your team, or heck, half of Chicago, he still shouldn’t care. My body, my choice.’”
He relaxes a bit and nods. “Can I tell you something?”
I nod, curious.
“Lily’s mother was a puck bunny,” he says, and I blink in surprise. “Although I kind of hate that term, honestly.”
“Really? What happened?”
He sighs, running a hand through his hair. “Her name was Sarah. She was fun, wild, living life in the fast lane. We hooked up, it was supposed to be a fling, but then she got pregnant. She didn’t want the responsibility, so she left. I decided to raise Lily on my own. And as hard as it’s been, I don’t regret it. If I hadn’t slept with Sarah, Lily wouldn’t exist and I can’t imagine a world where my daughter doesn’t exist.”
“She’s lucky to have you.”
“Thanks, Millie.”
“I don’t know if I’m in the position to say this, but you’re doing a great job.”
“Really?” he asks, looking a bit surprised.
I nod. “I was raised by a single father too, so I understand the sacrifices single dads make.”
“I had no idea.”
We share a moment of understanding, the air between us thick with tension. We lean in, our faces inches apart and I can feel his breath on my lips. My heart races and I’m almost sure he’s going to kiss me when my phone rings.
I jump, breaking the moment and glance at the screen. “It’s Chase,” I say, feeling a mix of relief and frustration.
Declan steps back, giving me space. “You should take it.”
I nod, answering the call. “Hey, Chase.”
As I talk to Chase, I can’t help but steal glances at Declan. He’s standing there, looking a bit lost, and I feel a pang of guilt. When the call ends, I sigh, pocketing my phone.
“Everything okay?” Declan asks.
“Yeah, he’s just running late at work,” I say, trying to sound casual.
He nods, but I can see the disappointment in his eyes. “I should probably get back to Lily.”
“Yeah, of course,” I say, forcing a smile.
He hesitates for a moment before leaning in and kissing my forehead gently. “I’ll hang with Finn and Lily at his place for a little bit.”
“You don’t have to leave, this is your house.” He said quietly.
“I know, but I also know that after everything that has happened since yesterday, you need a minute to yourself. Take care, Millie.”
“You too, Declan,” I reply, watching as he walks away.
I close the door behind him, leaning against it. My mind is a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions. Ryan’s outburst, Declan’s confession, the almost-kiss...it’s all too much. I need to clear my head, but all I can think about is how close I was to kissing Declan and how much I wanted to.