Page 75 of Boarded Hearts

“I’m confused,” I say, turning to face him fully. “How exactly are you benefitting from this deal?”

Jack’s eyebrows pinch together like I should know exactly what he’s alluding to. “With all the technical pointers he’s been giving me, stick handling, checking. He’s even helped me up my speed across the ice.”

I hold up a hand and shake my head. “What?”

He chuckles. “You mean you didn’t know?”

I continue to shake my head and blow out a semi-exasperated breath. “Know what?”

“For the last few weeks, he’s been coming to help the team with some coaching. After all, we are the local division one side. He’s been paying special attention to my training needs though, walking me through plays, etc.” Jack stares off in awe. “Playing with him is something else; it’s like the stick is an extension of his arm or something.”

“That’s, um, that’s really good of him,” I squeak out, totally dumbfounded by what I’ve just heard.

Jon has been traveling to Seattle University to help my son improve his game and pursue his dream. My mind travels back to that evening at his apartment, when I was sitting at his kitchen counter as he made me a Cosmo, something he’d gone out and got the ingredients especially for. He listened to me talk about Jack’s hockey career and how his stickhandling was behind his skating and footwork. He listened, took it all in, and then he acted on it, taking it upon himself to help. He wasn’t looking for praise or recognition; he just went about helping Jack be the best player he can be.

Emotion threatens to overwhelm me, and I turn to stare out of the window as we take off and head into the night sky. All I want to do is get off this plane, race to Jon’s apartment, and tell him how incredible he really is, even if I know he’ll never believe it.

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

JON

Me

Merry Christmas, Angel. Just woke up, so I’m guessing it’s like three p.m. there.

It’s a lie, I haven’t just woken up. I’ve barely slept all night, my palms cold and sweaty, my heart pounding in my throat as I try to keep my breaths steady and relaxed. I haven’t had an anxiety attack in months, but the thought of Felicity in that house with him. It’s triggered me, and my mind has been spiraling for hours as I struggle to decipher what could be realistic concerns about what Elliott is capable of versus what my brain is catastrophizing. As Ben has always said to me, don’t act on emotion; try to regulate them first. But if she doesn’t reply to my text in the next minute, I’m likely to do something rash.

Thirty seconds later I’m scrolling through my contacts to find Jack’s name. We exchanged numbers when I started turning up at his college to help him with technical drills, and just in case he wanted to ask me anything.

But thankfully my phone pings with a notification.

Angel

Merry Christmas. Yeah, we just had lunch and I’m clearing up. Why is Christmas so messy? Off to your parents shortly?

Jealousy races through me. Oh, so he’s playing house with her now. She’s not your fucking wife anymore, you prick. She’s mine. We should be clearing up the kitchen together. I imagine her slaving over the stove and then clearing up after his sorry ass all while he sits doing nothing or worse still, talking to his finance buddies.

Breathe Jon, breathe.

My fingers fly over my phone’s keyboard as I try to type out an indifferent response.

It's chaos at my parents every year. I’ll be heading over for lunch at about twelve and I’m going to stay over. They’re having some family and friends over for an evening buffet, which is what they do every year.

Yeah, your mum mentioned she was putting that on—I helped her prepare and freeze the sausage rolls when I was over the other week.

Thoughts of my mom and Felicity in the kitchen preparing food together flush me with warmth, taking the edge off the crippling anxiety, if only momentarily.

I’ve got to go, but I’ll call you later, okay? Have an amazing day, baby! I hope you get spoiled, and I’ll be back really soon.

Fuck, I really don’t like this, not one fucking bit. The only modicum of comfort I have is knowing Jack and Darcy are there with them, but I’m not foolish enough to think Darcy won’t head over to Liam’s at some stage and Jack will likely go out since he’s a social guy.

We’ll definitely speak later. I’ll have my phone on me all day, just call if you need anything. I miss you so much.

I miss you too.

It’s seven-thirty and I’ve got four and a half hours to kill before I need to be at my parents’. So, I throw on some navy athletic shorts, foregoing a shirt, grab a Gatorade from the fridge, and make my way to the gym. I need to burn away the nausea.

FELICITY

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