Chapter 19
NINETEEN
“Can you believe her?”
I growled as I dug through the fridge, trying to find something to ease the ache in my chest. After coming back from church, I’d tried everything to ease my blood pressure: running, reading, even reality television. Nothing had made a dent, so now, it was time for some caloric therapy.
“Your mother’s been advocating for Todd’s redemption since the moment you left,” Ollie said from the couch. “So while I would love to say no, this seems pretty on-brand for her.”
Finding nothing worth eating, I slammed the fridge closed and slumped on the couch next to Ollie.
“Maybe, but it’s a slap in the face. He cheated on me.
I shouldn’t have to beg my parents to move on.
” I leaned over to the side table and pulled an envelope out of the drawer.
“Not that I’d ever want him back, but he’s getting remarried in less than three months. The ship has sailed. Let it go.”
Ollie eyed the invitation I’d tossed between us. “Why do you still have that?”
“What do you mean?”
She picked it up, reading over the pristine gold lettering. “I mean—why are you holding on to Todd’s wedding invitation?” Her eyes widened. “Please tell me you weren’t serious about going.”
“Of course not.” I scoffed, tugging it back from her hands. “What am I supposed to do with it?”
“Throw it away! Light it on fire!” Ollie answered. “Hell, rip it into a million shreds and fuck your mystery man on top of it. Do something other than hang on to it like a sad reminder of your past life.”
I toyed with the edges, unable to look Ollie in the eye. She was right—I should have tossed it the moment it arrived. But despite the sting, every time I tried, a pang of sadness hit me. Instead, I tucked it into the drawer, leaving it to deal with another day.
Ollie inched closer to me, taking it from my hands. “Okay, let me ask you this—when you saw Todd today, did you want him back?”
“No,” I answered. “Even if Todd hadn’t cheated, our marriage wasn’t working.
And while a small part of me will always wonder what if, it’s not about Todd.
It’s more about the life I left behind.” Running my hands over my face, I sighed.
“Ol, I’m in my thirties, starting over. While everyone else is rushing to the finish line, I’m stuck back at start. It’s hard not to feel like a failure.”
Ollie reached out her arms and tugged my head against her shoulder.
“First—you’re not at start. Sure, you might have had to backtrack, but like you said, your marriage wasn’t working.
I know you, Bri. You weren’t happy. As much as you tried to hide it, everyone knew being with Todd drained you.
” She shifted to face me. “There’s no race, Bri.
No timeline. Just let yourself be happy and fuck the rest.”
“You make it sound so easy.”
“Oh, it’s not,” Ollie answered, her face darkening. “Choosing yourself is never easy, but it’ll be worth it.”
Later that night, I’d planned on curling up in my bed, content to hide from the rest of the world after my run-in with Todd. However, Ollie played her best friend card—again—forcing me out of my self-imposed hibernation to socialize with her.
As we sat in the car on our way to Parker’s house on the outskirts of town, I stared down at the crockpot in my arms, a frown forming on my lips. “Can’t believe you’ve been holding out on me, Oleander.”
My roommate glanced over from the driver’s seat, confusion etched on her features. “What do you mean?”
I shook the pot nestled in my lap. “You can cook like a freaking Michelin star chef, yet the only things I’ve ever seen you make are frozen pizzas and grilled cheese.”
“I do make a bomb grilled cheese,” Ollie said with a smirk.
“Don’t play cute, Ol. You have some serious talent in the kitchen, but you never use it. Why?”
She sighed as she stared ahead, refusing to meet my eyes.
“Parker’s grandmother taught me when I was younger.
She could tell my parents weren’t around much and wanted to make sure I could fend for myself.
” Ollie shrugged. “But I don’t love it like she did.
Now, I only cook if Parker requests something.
No one else has her recipes, and he misses her cooking, so I try to help where I can. ”
So many more questions danced on my tongue, but I swallowed them down.
Ollie and Parker’s friendship seemed like more to me, but who was I to question it?
Besides, whenever someone tried to talk to Ollie about it, she shut them down.
One day, she might see what was right in front of her, but until she was ready, there was nothing any of us could do to help move them along.
Ollie hit the blinker, pulling onto Parker’s street.
God, I loved this neighborhood. Compared to the rest of the guys’ high-rise apartments, Parker’s home seemed much more normal.
The smaller craftsman’s style home matched the other houses in the quiet neighborhood, but his took up the end of the dead-end street.
It seemed like a place meant for a family—a home someone could grow into.
Parker loved it, and that was what mattered most.
I smiled at the thought—at least, I did, until I noticed all the cars lining the street in front of Parker’s home. “Umm, Ollie? I thought you said this was a small dinner party.”
“Did I?” She gave me a knowing smirk. “Nope. Should’ve mentioned tonight’s team dinner. Parker asked for us to join the guys and begged me to make something to eat.”
My throat dried as I watched members of the Hawks leave their cars, heading up the front porch, holding gigantic bowls and serving trays.
After Ollie finished parallel parking, I shot her a lethal glare.
“You did not tell me this was a team dinner. We shouldn’t even be here, Ol, especially me. I have nothing to do with the guys.”
“Relax,” Ollie sighed. “It’s always a huge affair. And it's never just the players—management and friends come too. I already told you, you’re a part of our crew, which means you’re required to attend all the team functions.”
“I don’t remember any of this in our friendship handbook.”
“Sorry, babe. Snuck in an additional clause during negotiations. Besides…” Ollie nodded behind me. “Pretty sure I’m not the only one who wants you here.”
I followed her line of sight and saw Damien climbing out of his car. My eyes roamed over his dark-wash jeans and tight, black, button-down shirt. With his tattoos and dark hair swaying in the wind, he was temptation personified, and my legs instantly clamped together.
As if he sensed my presence, his footsteps slowed, and he looked over his shoulder, meeting my eyes through the car’s windshield.
I gave him a little wave, unsure what else to do.
Damien just shook his head, a smirk at the corner of his lips.
I turned, narrowing my eyes at Ollie. “You knew he was going to be here.”
“Maybe.”
“You are the worst meddler. Remind me again why I love you?”
“Because I’m the best, and you need someone who’s going to push you out of your comfort zone.
Besides, even though you refuse to admit anything, it’s obvious to everyone with eyes that you like him.
So, go. Have fun and try to enjoy tonight.
Don’t worry about what you’re supposed to be doing and just let loose for once. ”
“You’re the worst influence.”
Ollie chuckled as she reached behind me and grabbed a couple of bottles of tequila. “Oh, I am well aware. Now, let’s get inside before the guys start without us.”
It was going to be a very long night.