Chapter 32
Chapter
Thirty-Two
Jayne
Seeing Bodi get hurt nearly gave me a heart attack.
The blood dripping on the ice was the worst part, but then he sat down on the bench and they fixed him up right there.
It was hard to see from where we were sitting, but Billie squeezed my arm tightly as we watched.
And part of me swooned a little on the inside at how strong and tough he is.
I don’t know if we’ll have the opportunity tonight, but he’ll get some extra attention from me the next time we’re alone.
Now she and I are heading down to the family lounge with Lourdes and Lindy a few feet ahead of us, so I do my best to act casual.
Billie was really good at introducing herself to everyone and Lindy talked non-stop, which kept Lourdes distracted. Not that she pays much attention to me but I still want to be cautious.
The lounge is packed, filled with friends and family, and I’m suddenly overwhelmed. I’m one of them—both as Coach Morrison’s daughter and Bodi’s significant other—but I feel like nothing but someone’s dirty little secret instead.
It’s not his fault, so I’m not mad at him, but I’m frustrated with myself. My father. My whole freakin’ life. I’m even slightly annoyed with my mother for abandoning me, as irrational as that is.
They’re all fleeting thoughts that go almost as quickly as they come, but it leaves me unsettled.
“It’s going to be okay,” Billie says softly. “Breathe and act normal.”
“I feel…dirty,” I admit under my breath. “Like I’m doing something wrong.”
She shakes her head. “You’re not. You know that. You have a plan, and before you know it you’ll be able to do whatever you want.”
“But he’ll still be Bodi’s coach,” I say sadly. “With far too much control of his career.”
She looks thoughtful but before she can respond, a few of the guys come in and Bodi is one of them.
“Hey!” Billie immediately rushes over to him, and he picks her up and spins her around. They share a quiet moment where he nods and then those gorgeous blue eyes of his find mine.
There’s a bandage on his cheek and I desperately want to reach out, run my fingers over it, comfort him.
But I can’t.
So, I just stand there feeling awkward and small.
“Wasn’t the game awesome?” Lindy asks, coming over and taking my hand.
“It was,” I say fondly. “Did you have fun?”
“So much fun!” She’s practically buzzing with excitement.
“The game was great,” Billie chirps, smiling happily as she and Bodi approach us. “I’m glad you guys won but a little sad for Rome.”
Bodi studies me for a beat but then nods and turns to his sister. “You guys are coming over to the house, right?”
“Yeah. They’re not flying to Nashville until morning.”
“Great.” He glances at me again, as if trying to figure out if I’m okay, but I avert my gaze, concentrating on Billie. Lindy is incredibly observant for someone so young, so the last thing I need is her to make a comment about us making googly eyes at each other or something.
This is so damn hard.
As much as I’m falling in love with him, doubt is beginning to creep in.
How long can we keep this up? And when it blows up—because eventually it has to, we can’t hide our relationship forever—who’s going to crumble under the fallout?
Bodi, me, or both of us. That’s what scares me.
I can find a way on my own, but dragging Bodi down with me doesn’t feel like something you do to someone you love.
“Hey, Jayne.” West approaches me with a casual smile.
“Hi, West.”
“I hear that you’re anxious to learn how to drive.”
I blink, a little confused. I’m guessing Bodi mentioned it to him but I’m not sure why. Or what his point is, especially here in a room full of people who might be listening.
“I am,” I say cautiously. “I was going to find a local driving school, I just haven’t had a chance yet.”
“Well, my dad always told me, if you learn to drive on a stick, you’ll be able to drive anything.”
I have no idea why he’s telling me this but I still want to be polite. “I don’t… think I know anyone who owns a car with a manual transmission.”
“But you do.” He smiles. “I happen to have a five-speed classic Ferrari. And I’d be happy to let you drive it.”
My mouth falls open.
He’ll let me learn to drive on his Ferrari?
I’m so flabbergasted I can’t even respond for a few seconds.
“You don’t know how to drive?” Blaze has the audacity to join us, laughing. “Aren’t you, like, twenty-five?”
“Twenty-three, but I went to college in Manhattan,” I respond dryly. “So there was no opportunity. And Dad’s always been too busy to teach me.”
“I’ve been driving since I was fourteen!” Blaze says, a condescending tone to his voice.
“My mom died when I was fourteen,” I say testily. “Driving was the last thing on my mind during that time.”
He has the grace to flush. “Oh, uh, wow. I, uh, didn’t know that. Sorry.” He turns when someone calls his name and takes off without a backward glance.
“Ignore him,” West says. “Anyway, if you want me to help you learn to drive, I’m happy to teach you. With the Ferrari, with my SUV, whatever.”
“That’s…are you sure?” I ask cautiously. “That’s a really expensive car. I wouldn’t want to ruin it or something.”
He waves a hand. “It’s just a car. And I’ll be with you.” He lowers his voice to a whisper. “And so will Bodi.”
Despite the circumstances, I have the world’s best boyfriend.
“That’s a really sweet offer. Thank you. I’d love it.”
“Give me your number, and we’ll figure out when.” He pulls out his phone.
Just as we’re exchanging information, Lourdes approaches us.
“Your father and I are going out to eat with the team,” she says, frowning slightly. “Would you Uber home with Lindy and get her to bed?”
I open my mouth to protest, but there’s no point.
“Aw, you should bring Lindy,” West says. “I bet she loves pizza!”
Lourdes wrinkles her nose. “It’s past her bedtime as it is. And Jayne prefers her books and journals to socializing anyway, right?”
“Usually,” I murmur, my cheeks burning.
“Anyway, say goodbye to your dad and then get going. Lindy really needs to go to bed.”
I’m totally annoyed at this turn of events but there’s nothing I can do so I just nod and walk over to where my father is holding court with a group of what appear to be parents of the players.
“Great game, Dad. Congratulations,” I say when there’s a lull in the conversation.
“Thanks, sweetheart.” He actually sounds like he gives a shit about me. “This is my older daughter, Jayne. She’s a librarian.”
“Nice to meet everyone,” I respond politely. “Anyway, Dad, I’m going to take Lindy home. Lourdes said you’re all going out.”
He nods. “Excellent. You’re a good girl, always helping out with your sister. Thanks for coming even though I know hockey isn’t really your thing.”
I bite back a snarky retort and smile politely since I don’t want to contradict him in front of strangers. “I’m learning to love it.”
“Good, good.” He’s already dismissed me, turning to talk to someone I don’t know.
What a clusterfuck.
I glance across the room and catch Bodi watching me.
There’s nothing I can say right now so I give him a tiny nod before going over to Lindy.
“Time to go home, kiddo.”
Her face falls. “But I want to go have pizza.”
“It’s late, sweetie. We’ll go another time, when there’s a day game. I promise.”
She looks upset but slides her hand into mine again, as if she’s just as resigned to her fate as I am to mine.