Chapter 18 #2
When it’s time for Alexander’s interview, I almost feel like running out of the room, but I stay seated with my eyes fixed on the TV.
He’s overwhelming, even through the screen.
Like the other guys, he’s clearly frustrated with their game and the outcome. And if the media was tough on the others, it’s nothing compared to the hard-hitting questions they’re asking him.
Alexander answers every single one without losing his temper, even though some are really trying to push him over the edge.
That’s why he’s the perfect captain.
A lot of players would lose their heads in a situation like this, where they’re basically blaming him alone for their loss.
Alexander stays calm and collected, and even though I can tell he’s irritated, he handles the situation beautifully.
“I’m not sure he’s the right man to lead the team,” Dad says from beside me, making my temper rise.
“What? What makes you think that? Alexander is a great captain. Did you not just see him and how he handled the media? Most guys would flip out 5 seconds into that interview,” I say as I gesture to the TV.
When I turn my head toward my dad, he’s smiling in a way I’ve never seen before.
Shit.
Was I too apparent in my defence?
I can’t let anyone speak badly of his character and leadership when he’s the perfect captain for this team; he just needs to figure out what they need.
“Hmm. Interesting,” he says, shrugging his shoulders, looking way too smug for his age.
“What?” I ask, not sure if I even want to know what he’s thinking.
“I just knew there was something between the two of you, and the way you just jumped to defend him—well, you don’t do that for just anyone, Sarah.”
I feel like a small girl again, having her dad lecture her about boys and trouble.
But instead of the whole “You should stay away from him” lecture, my dad relaxes back into the sofa and looks at the TV.
“That’s it? Are you not going to tell me to stay away from him? He is a hockey player, you know?” I ask him, recalling how many times he’s warned me about those specific men.
My dad looks at me with a gentle smile.
“Sarah, you’re a grown woman. It’s not like you’re going to listen to what your old man is telling you, but I’ve met McGregor, and the way he looks at you, well, it reminded me a lot of myself and how I used to look at your mom.”
Cue the tears again.
I really need to get a hold of myself and these emotions.
Tomorrow will be a better day.
I’m speechless at my father’s words. My dad was head over heels in love with my mom, and he just compared Alexander to him.
My dad soon wanders off to bed, and I take the chance to call Jessica, hoping I’ll catch her at a decent time. The time differences can be tricky.
She answers after a few rings.
“Hi Jess,” I say, noticing her moving around in the dark.
“Hold on, I’ll just step out of the room.”
Shit, I probably woke her up.
When she returns, it looks like she’s sitting in a bathroom.
“Jess, did I wake you up? It’s not important,” I tell her, feeling guilty.
“No worries, Sarah. I always have time for my bestie, and honestly, I was up not that long ago,” she says with a small smile on her lips.
When I ask her the time, she says it’s three in the morning.
“Jessica Edwards, were you having sex before I called you?” I ask her, making her blush.
When she travelled back, she worked some things out with her man, and now, she’s back to radiating happiness.
“Well, not right before, but yeah, the sex is just so good, Sarah,” she sighs, making me chuckle.
My best friend is freshly fucked and in love.
“You’re glowing, babe. I’m happy for you,” I tell her.
“Speaking of guys, how is everything with McGregor?” I sit back on the sofa, spilling my guts to her about Thursday night and my excellent proposal.
His anger at the proposal makes Jessica fan herself.
“Christ, he sounds just like the guys in those books you read,” she says, wiggling her eyebrows.
She’s not wrong.
Even though I was a little disappointed he didn’t want to take me up on the offer of a strictly sexual relationship, it’s also exciting to realize he wants more.
When I tell her about the beautiful flowers, Jessica gets teary-eyed as well, understanding how hard this day is for my dad and me.
“Shit, Sarah. I might just have turned into Team McGregor here. That was really thoughtful of him.”
The feelings are flooding again; the whole day has been a rollercoaster of emotions.
The flowers, the card, talking with my mom, spending the day with my dad, and him essentially approving of Alexander.
And now, my traitor best friend is also taking his side.
“You’re supposed to be on my side here,” I tell her, wiping at my eyes.
“I’m always on your side, Sarah. I think he’s making good points, too. I know you’re scared, but just because it’s scary doesn’t mean it’s not worth a shot.”
I’ve already reached the same conclusion, but having my best friend’s support makes me more confident in my decision.
“Yeah, I think so too.”
We say our goodbyes, and I feel dizzy from the whole day, especially after my dad approves of Alexander even before we’re officially together.
One thing’s for sure: I really look forward to seeing him on Monday.
～
On Sunday morning, I’m lying in bed, scrolling through my phone. When I see an article with a huge picture of Alexander with a beautiful woman and the headline “The only bad game McGregor has is out on the ice,” I sit up in bed.
Feeling my heart pounding in my chest, I try not to jump to conclusions as I open the article.
I probably shouldn’t read this; it’s a disaster waiting to happen.
But my curiosity gets the best of me.
I read through the article and scan the pictures of them.
It states that they went out for dinner late in the evening after his game and were photographed together entering his hotel.
I feel a knot in my stomach.
Shit, that happened fast.
I turn him down, and not even 48 hours later, he’s seen with a new woman, probably taking her up on the offer of some no-strings sex.
I can’t believe him.
He told me he wanted more, sent me flowers, and then turned around and brought another girl back to his hotel.
I feel so damn stupid.
Stupid to think I could actually trust him or our connection.
He sure replaced me quickly.
The pictures seem innocent enough, but Alexander isn’t the biggest fan of public affection; he’s told me so himself.
God, how could I be so freaking stupid?
Ready to dive into this with him, only for him to make me look like a fool.
When I’ve calmed down, I try to be reasonable here.
Maybe I’m reading too much into this.
Maybe it’s not what it looks like.
I should hear him out.
I know how the media can be.
According to them, the players have new girlfriends every week. But then there is the fact that after we met, Alexander hasn’t been photographed with any women, as far as I know at least.
I turn him down, and then on the first possibility, he’s spotted with a beautiful woman.
Can that really be a coincidence?
One hell of a coincidence in that case.
I groan into the pillow, feeling lost and confused all over again, wondering if I’ll ever really understand how men work.