Page 60 of Snap

The walk back took longer than the one to the corner. It felt like a walk of shame.

I didn't want to be around anyone right now. No one except for Ollie. I wanted to look back over my shoulder, but if I did, he'd see the tears in my eyes. He'd see one slide down my cold cheek.

Maybe it was what I deserve for being a spoiled brat. Ollie was way too good for me. The Rapids were way too good for me. That was one reason I didn’t want to take over the team. I wasn't up to it.

What was I good for? Taking photos of myself so a bunch of strangers could look at my empty, vacuous life.

I stopped near the door to the bar. The sounds from inside were joyful. Laughter. Singing. Talking. Enjoyment.

I didn't want to deal with any of that right now. I'd only bring everyone down with my long face. Besides, if I went in there I'd probably tear Dad a new one for telling Ollie about the bet. I'd let him enjoy his night. Tomorrow, I'd growl at him.

I tucked my hands into my pockets, ducked my head down and walked past the door, toward my hotel.

CHAPTER 19

OLLIE

I stood still while the makeup artist checked my hair and brushed a bit of it back into place.

The downside to making it to the biggest game of the year, was a constant round of media interviews, photo opportunities and all of that crap. If we thought we were being followed around before, that was nothing to now. I felt like I had a camera in my face half the day. Even at training, we were watched, filmed, photographed. Every now and again they'd want us to stop so they could ask us a question.

The coach already had a short temper. After a couple of days, he was about ready to snap. Same with some of the players.

Guys like Bam, they loved all the attention. He thrived on it.

He could have all of mine. Every time any reporter asked about Madisin, the woman at the gala, one of the Rapids staff would divert the conversation, or tell them I was too busy.

Thankfully, Madisin hadn't come out to tell her side of the story to the world. Presumably because it hadn't gone well for her.

"Okay, you'll do." Brianna, the makeup artist, dabbed little powder on my nose, then stepped back. She looked at me like I was a painting and she wasn't sure if I was finished.

I raised my eyebrows at her. "Are you sure?" I teased.

"Well, you could do with a haircut," she said.

"That's what my mum says." I grinned. It was refreshing to have someone criticise my looks, rather than being ridiculous like usual.

"Always listen to your mum." She waggled a finger at me. "Not enough guys do that."

"Some of us around here are actually adults," Bam said.

Brianna turned her face toward him. "I hope you’re not referring to yourself," she said jokingly.

"Oh, hell no." Bam grinned. "I don't intend to grow up anytime soon. Where's the fun in that?"

Brianna shook her head and moved on to another one of the guys. I suspected he'd get a lecture about his hair too. I was definitely going to file that in the 'not my problem' basket.

"So, how's things with you and Rubie?" Bam asked. "Neither of you came back to the celebration the other night. I assume you snuck off to get it on."

"She didn't go back?" I hadn’t known that. I assumed she went and had a great time without my sulky ass.

He frowned at me. "You didn't know? Weren't you two together?"

"No. We had a…" Couldn't quite call it an argument. "Disagreement." I shrugged one shoulder.

"What are you fighting about now?" Bam asked.

"We are not—" I might as well give up that line of conversation. It didn't really matter what he called it. "She bet against us."

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