Page 81 of Mr. Heartbreaker

“You know how hard trust is when you’re in this profession. I was a fool.”

“I wouldn’t say that.”

I look at him. The bags under his eyes show how little sleep he got. I probably shouldn’t have come here, but I didn’t want to be alone with my thoughts. “I’ve never opened myself up like that. I told her things I don’t tell anyone. I?—”

“Let her in?” He arches an eyebrow.

I nod and collapse into a chair. “And she took all that with her lie and tossed it in the garbage.”

“Mehhh…” he says.

“She did.”

“I think she got caught up. I think you both did.”

I lean back in the chair and rest my ankle on my opposite knee. “That’s no excuse for lying.”

“No, it’s not.”

Jesus, could the guy give me more than just a few words, maybe offer me some advice?

“How about we have a conversation?”

He chuckles. “We are.”

“No, I’m spilling my guts, and you’re just giving me one-word answers. Tell me what I should do.”

“And what good would that do?” he asks. “It’s been what…four hours. You think you’re ready to be done with this? Make a decision? Have you even talked to her?”

I shake my head. “Conor took her home.” I nibble on my bottom lip. “I couldn’t talk to her after I found out. I’m angry, and I don’t like to talk to people when I’m pissed. I like to be by myself.”

Another practice I picked up because of my father, just like the not drinking thing.

“Makes sense.”

I point at him. “See, shit like that. Say something else.”

“What do you want me to say?”

I grow more irritated. “You’re smart. You clearly have a good head on your shoulders. You adopted Bodhi. Have somehow figured out how to be a great single dad and play hockey professionally.”

“Aww, thanks. You think I’m a good dad?” He smiles.

I pick up a stuffed elephant in the bin next to me and toss it at him. “I’m serious. This is why I don’t get this deep. I hate feeling all this shit stirring inside me.”

“Feelings? Yeah, they can suck.” He clucks his tongue.

I grab a stuffed turtle and chuck it at him. He catches it. Asshole.

“I should just break it off, right? I mean, it’s going to fuck up the locker room dynamic. Conor’s and?—”

“Why are you thinking about Conor?”

I give him a duh look. “He’s her brother.”

“But you said that didn’t matter to you. It was the fact she lied. Conor isn’t a factor in your decision.”

He’s got to be on something. Took a sleeping pill after the fire and is still out of it even if he looks all right.

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