Page 56 of Hockey Wife

He sucked in a breath. “Georgia.”

“And I think I went a little crazy. I wanted something for myself. Something to ease the pain.” She placed a hand on his chest. “So you’re right. It wasn’t an accident because of too much alcohol or Nevada’s ridiculously easy access to marriage licenses and wedding celebrants, though that didn’t help. I was not in the right headspace to make such a big decision.” At his parted lips, she held up her hand to stop him. “I know you weren’t happy with how I handled the paperwork—both times. I’m sorry I was a coward. We should have discussed it, but it doesn’t change the fundamentals. Neither of us fought for this. I set the annulment in motion, and you accepted it. This was a mistake, and once we’ve both allowed sufficient time to pass, we can get back to our separate lives.”

For the second time that day, she walked out of the kitchen.

18

They qualified for the playoffs.

Even better they qualified at home. They could begin the celebrations early without having to worry about being hungover on the plane ride back to Chicago.

O’Malley sidled up to Banks at the bar in the Empty Net, a big, stupid smile on his face.

“What gives?”

“We made it, man! The playoffs.”

“You’ve made the playoffs before. We did it two years ago in Nashville.”

“Yeah, but it’s different this time.” Meaning, Dex was different this time. He was in love and apparently, that made the air smell sweeter, food taste better, and the standard qualification for a knock-out contest where half the teams made par feel like he’d already won the Cup.

“How are your girls?” As well as a new girlfriend, O’Malley had landed a stepdad-in-all-but-name gig to Ashley’s butterfly-obsessed daughter.

“Awesome. Ashley should be stopping by soon and Willa just sent me this photo.” He showed his screen with a sweet photo of a kid wearing O’Malley’s jersey and a huge grin that made Banks’s teeth ache.

“Nice.” He meant it, though he didn’t especially enjoy that twinge in his chest. Banks didn’t want O’Malley’s life. He had plenty of people reaching out to wish him well—family, friends, former teammates. He wasn’t alone.

O’Malley looked like he wanted to say something. Banks remained silent, hoping that was enough of a damper to the kid’s efforts at bonding. Alas, no such luck.

“Where’s Georgia?”

At home, not thinking about the kiss I laid on her.

Pity it was all Banks could think about. That was the problem with having a woman like Georgia in his life. She didn’t make that life easier, and that’s what he needed for the next two weeks and hopefully six weeks after that.

“We’re not joined at the hip.”

In truth, he’d been avoiding her, which should have been easy. The house was big, and she spent a lot of time out of it. His leaving early and coming home late, except for the odd check-in during the day, was working gangbusters to maintain the distance he needed for his game and his sanity.

Except there were whispers of her presence everywhere. Her stuff in the fridge, her scent in the foyer, and those damn affirmations on the mirrors. I believe in myself and I am capable and the most telling one of all: I learn from my mistakes.

Each day this week, he had come across a different message of encouragement on the fridge door, aimed at him, he supposed. You can do this! or Today’s Your Day! or Pressure is a Privilege! (Sure thing, Billie Jean King.) If all he had to do was recite a bunch of dumb mantras, he’d have won the fucking Cup by now.

O’Malley tapped a finger on the bar. “Maybe you should call her and ask her to join us? If anyone knows how to celebrate, it’s Georgia.”

True, the party girl would really dig this. Her husband? Not so much. The last thing he needed was to watch his wife whooping it up with this lot.

Banks stared him down and O’Malley dropped his gaze, except he wasn’t looking away because Banks intimidated him but because Ashley had just walked in.

“Better hop to it, Dexter. Your owner’s here.”

O’Malley laughed. “Wearing the badge with pride, brother. Later.” Off he went, like a Golden Retriever looking for a nice and vigorous pet down. Before he reached her and no doubt greeted his woman with a kiss, Banks turned away.

He sure as hell did not need to be reminded of what he didn’t have, not when he was too hung up on what was in his shaky possession.

A wife in name only.

A marriage with no benefits.

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