Chapter 15
FIFTEEN
ALEX (ALEXEY)
Ihated Julian having dinner with his ex, but what could I do?
They were friends, just like me and Margot.
I hadn’t wanted to sound like a jealous, controlling asshole, especially when I was swearing him to secrecy.
But fuck, I needed to know if he’d returned home yet.
While sitting on my couch watching sports commentary about the start of the NHL season, I grabbed my phone and texted him.
Alex
Are you home? How was dinner?
Margot stepped up behind me, planting her hands on my shoulder. “I finished the dinner dishes. Who are you texting?” She glanced toward my phone.
“Uh, no one.” With my fingers fumbling, I shut the screen down. Shit, had she seen the text?
“You sure have been secretive about your phone lately.” She rounded the couch and dropped in beside me, plopping her hands on her knees. “It makes me think you might have a woman on the hook.”
“Uh, no, there’s no one on any hooks.” That didn’t come out right. I pushed my lips together. But she was correct. I’d needed to keep a close eye on my phone around her in case Julian texted. My phone buzzed in my hand. Shit.
Her gaze flicked to my phone. “Well? Whoever you’re texting, it sounds like they answered.” She inched closer to me. “Who is it?”
“It’s…” Fuck. I could tell her it was Mason and Jett inviting me to dinner tomorrow night. I’d planned on using that excuse tomorrow, anyway. “It was Jett Jarvis. He invited me to have dinner at his house with Mason.” I eyed her. How would she take it?
“Oh, well, I’m free tomorrow night. I could join you, and then you’d have an even four instead of an awkward three.” She giggled, lifting her shoulders. “I enjoyed meeting them at the charity.”
Shit. How do I handle this? I had to think quickly. “They’re inviting the other forwards tomorrow, too. It’ll be a team-building dinner. Sorry.” I offered a quick grin.
“Oh, that’s too bad.” She edged into my side. “How’s the wrist? Can I get you an ice pack?” She focused on my lips and then hopped off the couch.
“Yes, please.” She treated me like an invalid. But I couldn’t complain too much. She’d cooked me another fantastic meal tonight and I should appreciate it. I peeked at my phone and then tapped on Julian’s reply.
Julian
Yes, I just got home. Dinner was fine.
Well, that was short and cryptic. At least I knew he was no longer out with Ian. I’d like to ask him more or call him even…but Margot. Tipping my head back onto the couch cushion, I stared at the ceiling. Tomorrow, Julian and I would enjoy ourselves.
Margot returned with an ice pack and a compression bandage. “Here, let me square this away, and then how about a movie?” She unfastened my brace and wrapped the ice in the bandage on my wrist.
“Sure. Pick whatever you want.” I sighed. She had me captive. “But remember, I won’t be home for dinner tomorrow night.”
“Of course.” When she finished with my bandage, she picked up the remote and opened my Netflix app. “Let’s turn the lights down.”
I nodded. Great, a movie in the dark with her practically sitting on my lap.
As the movie droned on, I found her shifting closer and closer to me on the couch until she’d smashed me against the armrest and she’d firmly planted her side against mine. She’d gotten up several times to grab drinks and snacks for us, but every time she’d returned, she’d sat nearer to me.
When the movie ended, she set her water glass on the table and slanted toward me, facing me. “Alexey?” She scraped her teeth across her lower lip.
“Yeah.” I huddled into the corner. Why was she looking at me like that?
“Remember when we were together, we could never watch a full movie because we’d…” Her gaze drew to my mouth. “We used to make out?”
“Um, yes.” My brows swept up. Oh, holy fuck. She wasn’t—
Grabbing my cheek and holding me in place, she planted a kiss on my mouth.
I pushed her away as my pulse shot through the roof. This wasn’t happening. It couldn’t. “Margot, stop.”
“What’s wrong, Alexey? Why don’t you like me anymore?” As her eyes glistened in the television’s flickering light, she said, “We’ve had such a good time together. I thought maybe you were feeling it too.”
“Feeling it? Feeling what, exactly?” I had to get the hell out of here, but with her so close, I couldn’t move. “Margot, can you please give me some space? Then we’ll talk, okay?” I gauged her reaction. Would she cry?
With a choked huff, she shifted backward. “I feel like an absolute fool right now.”
“Why?” Had I given her signs that I was interested? I didn’t think so. I placed a hand on her shoulder.
“Why do you think? You rejected me. I should know better.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “I saw the text. It was from Julian and not Jett. Why are you lying to me?” Her lips flattened.
“I…” Shit, I was in for it. “I don’t know, but I am having dinner with the team tomorrow night. I didn’t lie about that.” Except I had. This wasn’t like me. I didn’t lie to people. But I wasn’t sure how she’d take it if I told her about me and Julian. Especially now.
“Then why lie about texting Julian?” Her forehead wrinkled.
I had to make something up again. With a shrug, I said, “There’s some trouble with the team. They’re finalizing the roster, and Julian was at dinner with the coaches. I wanted to get some information. That’s all.” God, I was in it. Who knew I could lie so well when cornered?
“Oh.” She lowered her arms to her lap. “I’m sorry, Alex.
I thought…” She glared across the room and then refocused on me.
“I thought we were reconnecting. I’ve started feeling closer to you since we’ve been living together.
” She locked her gaze on mine. “Haven’t you felt us getting closer while I’ve been here? ”
“I, I, I…” Jesus fuck, what do I say? Yes, and risk her getting more emotionally attached, or no, and risk hurting her? “I don’t know.” Hanging my head, I huffed a sigh. I was a damned coward.
A spark lit in her eyes. “So, you’re saying there’s a chance.” She shimmied closer to me. “If you’re unsure, then that means—”
“No, it means I don’t know, Margot.” Giving her a stern look, I said, “I’m pretty sure my feelings for you are the same. I value our friendship and I don’t want to throw it away.” There, I’d found some semblance of my spine.
“Oh.” She pinched her lips. “I, uh, I may go out with Stephanie from your PR department on Friday night then.”
“What?” Where had that come from? I knew they’d hit it off at the charity but didn’t know they’d become friends. I guessed I hadn’t paid attention. “Where are you going?” Now I sounded as if I had developed deeper feelings for her. I clenched my jaw.
“We’ve been talking and since she was born and raised here, she said she’d show me around some of the better bars in Old Town Scottsdale.” She huffed. “She thinks I should get out more and mingle. I might be out late.” She lifted her chin. “Really late.”
“Okay.” Was that supposed to make me jealous? It didn’t. Hell, it meant I could have Julian over for dinner and hopefully more. “I hope you have a great time.”
Between my aching wrist and Margot’s sudden affection, I hadn’t slept well last night. I didn’t like hurting people, and I hoped it hadn’t ruined our friendship. Having her move in with me had been a terrible decision. But how could I have said no?
I’d spent my morning with our trainer and had worked on speed drills in the rink, but holding a stick and hitting a puck were still out of the question.
Early in the evening, I’d parked my SUV in the multi-level garage next to Scottsdale Fashion Square mall and had found Julian’s complex.
As I stood at the door to his building, I looked up.
It was at least ten stories tall and styled in the Tuscan architecture Julian had complained about.
The street bustled with people, and on the bottom floors were high-end stores and restaurants.
I pushed the code he’d given me into the door lock, and it clicked.
After entering a massive lobby with heavy, ornate furniture in leather and rich woods, I found the elevator.
Julian was on the eleventh floor. I pushed the call button and waited.
I had to inform him about last night. Would it upset him?
But I’d turned her down. I had done nothing wrong.
The elevator dinged, and I stepped inside. Still, Julian already had problems with Margot living with me. If I shared it, he might be even more insecure about it.
After reaching the eleventh floor, I stepped off the elevator and strolled down the hallway to Julian’s door. I had to tell him, right? I’d agreed not to omit any information from him. I knocked.
Footsteps clomped beyond the door, and it swung open.
“Alex.” Stepping into the hallway, he threw his arms around my shoulders and hugged me.
“God, I missed you. It feels like forever since we’ve been together.
” Freeing me while sliding his hands to my shoulders, he planted a hard kiss on my lips.
“Come inside.” His curls hung down either side of his face.