Chapter 24
CHAPTER
TWENTY-FOUR
FARRAH
The evening after Bruce’s unexpected visit to my apartment, all the girls come over to Amber and Remy’s house to watch the game. The guys traveled to New York for the final game in round one. And Bruce is on fire tonight.
The other team has thirty-four shots on goal—which means shots saved by the goalie—in the final period, but only two goals. The Eagles are ahead by four. A little flip dances through my stomach every time I wonder if Bruce is playing better because he got to see me. Is it cocky to believe his performance during the game has anything to do with me? Probably.
Amber is somber tonight; I can tell something is bothering her. Maybe it’s the fact that Remy has been in the penalty box twice tonight, and my big brother never gets penalties.
She stands and heads into the kitchen to grab some popcorn.
When she comes back, she sits beside me again, and I lean over so we’re close. “Are you okay?” I keep my voice soft, but not soft enough for the ever-nosey Andie not to overhear.
“Yeah, are you okay?” Andie repeats. “You seem down, Ambs.”
Noel and Mel lean forward from their end of the couch to listen.
“I’m okay,” she says with a sigh. “Remy just hasn’t been himself lately. And he’s not playing well tonight…which means he’s going to be mad at himself, which means next time he calls he’s going to be moody.”
Andie pouts. “Sounds like Mitch.”
Amber blows out a breath, then adjusts her red Remington jersey. All the girls wore their husband’s jerseys tonight so they could get a photo. It made me wish I had a McBride jersey, but it’s a little soon for that. Jerseys feel like a girlfriend thing. And right now, Bruce and I are only making out like teenagers and watching horrible movies that make me feel like peeing my pants.
“How do you deal with Mitch when he gets like that?” Amber asks, leaning forward to grab her fruity cocktail, then taking a sip.
Andie sighs dreamily. “Well, when he’s home, it’s quite fun to cheer him up.” She winks. “But the away games are harder. Hearing his frustration and disappointment through the phone honestly sucks.” Andie toys with the little pink umbrella of her drink. “Something I’ve learned is not to bullshit him. He knows he played poorly, so don’t try to sugar coat it. Just add some encouragement, like you’ll do better during the next game .”
Amber nods. “Okay, that’s good advice. Remy would hate if I tried to make it sound like he played great when he didn’t.”
Noel huffs a laugh. “Can they give Colby some of that humility? That man thinks he plays amazing every game.”
We all laugh; then our attention turns back to the TV. since the Eagles are in another power play kill. Colby, Mitch and West are all working defensively to keep the Patriots from scoring on Bruce. One of their forwards slaps the puck with his stick toward the upper left corner and Bruce catches it swiftly in his glove. The camera zooms in on him and a wide grin spreads across his face. Then he notices the camera and winks, sending a swirl through my stomach. The wink was just for me.
The girls crack up, as do I. Bruce is such a big kid sometimes.
The game continues and the other team doesn’t score during their power play. The Eagles manage to score one more time before the end of the game, and they officially move on to round two of the playoffs.
Andie sighs and turns off the TV. “I’m so relieved! The guys would’ve been distraught if they’d lost tonight.”
Noel nods. “For sure. Even Colby seemed nervous about this game. It’s so important to keep up their confidence and not let the pressure get to them.”
Amber slumps back in her seat. “I hope Remy goes back to his normal, calm self soon. He’s been so tense and irritable.”
Mel grimaces. “I think tensions have been high during practices, as well.”
Amber’s eyebrows jump up at this. “Really? What are the guys saying?”
Mel’s eyes flit briefly to me, then back to Amber. “I don’t want to stir the pot, but it seems like Remy is giving Bruce the cold shoulder.”
My heart stops, then feels like it falls from my chest to my belly and gets lodged there.
“Oh no!” Amber seems genuinely worried about this and looks over at me. Whatever is written across my face is clearly readable, because Amber slings an arm around my shoulders and hugs me close. “This is not your fault, Farrah. You didn’t even do anything. And neither did Bruce.”
She squeezes me, and it just makes me feel worse. Little does she know I was harboring the burly goalie in my room last night and savoring his lips. I’m not as innocent here as she thinks. And neither is Bruce.
Mel stands and comes to sit on my other side, placing a hand on my knee. “Oh, sweetie. You look so worried! Like the Stanley Cup rests on your shoulders.” She chuckles, and the other girls join her. “Everything will be okay.”
I force a laugh, hoping it doesn’t sound unnatural.
“It will!” Andie says. “Mitch used to despise West, they even got into a few fights. But now they’re close friends. So, trust me, the guys have been through plenty of crap before. And they always get over it.”
Amber nods. “Remy has got to move on. Not only for his own sake, but for the team. I don’t even understand why he’s still so bothered by Bruce helping you.”
Noel arches an eyebrow. “I don’t think that’s it,” she says slowly, shooting me a sympathetic glance. “I think it’s the way Bruce looks at Farrah. Everyone can tell he has a massive crush on you.” She looks at me when she says the last part. “And, maybe it’s just me, but you sort of…kind of, look at him the same way.” She rolls her lips inside her mouth, almost as if she regrets speaking her thoughts out loud.
The girls nod in agreement. It sends a small thrill through me that they think Bruce looks at me in some type of way, but it’s quickly followed by dread that they see I’m looking at him the same way.
I shrug out of Amber’s arm, still settled across my shoulders, and lean forward on the couch. “Of course, I notice Bruce. Have you seen him? He’s huge, like pick you up and press you against a wall huge. And he’s handsome…like really handsome. And he’s always flirting, and smirking. How am I supposed to ignore someone like that?” I sit up straight, throwing my hands in the air. “Do you know how long it’s been since a handsome man flirted with me? It’s addictive.”
I know Bruce is more than a flirtatious, hot hockey player. I know he’s kind, and helpful, and considerate. I know he goes out of his way to help Jackson. I know he’s an amazing person. But I’m only admitting to surface level knowledge, not wanting to say too much. Not wanting them to know I have any feelings for the goalie besides a passing crush.
Maybe after Bruce and I get to know each other, we’ll want to go public, or whatever the kids are calling it these days. But this high-stress playoff season is not the time to add this new, fragile thing. Especially when my brother is so butt-hurt about it.
I don’t even get it. Bruce is one of his best friends, his teammates, his comrade. Why wouldn’t he want us to be together? Is he really that worried about it?
“Oh, Farrah.” Mel brings a hand to my back. “No one faults you for noticing Bruce. You’re right, he’s great. And who could blame him for staring at you? You’re gorgeous.”
“So gorgeous,” Noel agrees. “I’d kill for your hair.”
Andie gasps. “Oh my gosh, same. It’s so shiny.”
Amber nods. “You are stunning, Farrah. Bruce would be crazy not to notice you.”
I shake my head, unable to hide my smile. “Stop, I’m going to get a big head.” I do a dramatic hair flip, and we all laugh.
“I think you and Bruce would be amazing together. Bruce and Remy just need to fight this out,” Andie says. “These dummies have to punch each other to express their feelings.”
Noel snorts an undignified laugh. “Andie’s not wrong.”
Amber looks horrified. “That’s awful! Remy would never punch someone.”
Andie shoots her a knowing glance. “He might if he thinks Bruce will break his little sister’s heart.”
Amber seems to weigh these words, then grimaces. “Okay, you have a point.”
My phone vibrates from the sofa cushion, and I’m so relieved it’s facing downward, because when I check it, I have a text from Bruce right on the screen in clear view.
Bruce
I already miss you, Yeux bleus. Can we Facetime?
My heart flutters rapidly.
I place my phone down like there’s nothing important on it, then stretch my hands over my head and yawn. “Wow. I’m exhausted. I think I’m going to head to bed, ladies.”
“Aw, already?” Mel asks, but then follows her question with a yawn of her own. “Ugh. I guess I’m tired too. This baby is already wearing me out and it’s still in utero.”
Amber chuckles. “Pregnancy wears you out.” She stands up. “Sleep sounds amazing actually. Nella has been a force lately.”
I wrinkle my nose but nod my head in agreement. “That red-head temper has been coming out for sure.”
The girls and I hug and say our goodbyes; then I’m practically running up to my apartment to text Bruce back.