Page 10 of Dump and Chase

“Uh, no. No big deal.”

I didn’t want this moment to end. I knew it couldn’t go on forever, but I’d make it last as long as I could. “What are Wolseley and Jill up to?” They’d been her best friends since middle school, and while both liked me, after the breakup, they’d cut me off even on their social media accounts. I was suddenly a plague.

“Jill is working PR for Richardson’s. She’s been there a few years, working her way up the corporate ladder.”

“Holy shit! Good for her. They opened up a massive store in Vancouver last year.”

“She loves the job. It’s a bit stressful, but she thrives under pressure. As for Wolseley, she’s planning to open a new vegan and vegetarian restaurant this fall. It’s been a dream of hers. Until that happens, she’s been doing catering on the side.”

Tangi’s thick, chestnut-colored hair was tousled in the sexiest way, and all I wanted to do was run my hands through it, but I had to keep my cock at bay. “I’m glad they’re doing well. And that you’re doing what you love.” I paused. “You know, I was thinking about your job and some connections I have.” When her face lit up, I pressed on. “I know some of the guys on the Wolves. I can have them put a good word in for you. Getting in with a professional team here would be an amazing job.”

For a split second, the light went away. What had I said? I knew she liked to be independent, so it was possible I’d pissed her off by offering to help.

“I prefer to find my own job. And if the Wolves are ever hiring, I’ll consider it.”

Yup, I’d fucked up. There was a sudden coolness to her voice.

“You seem annoyed,” I said. Not too long ago, I would have let her iciness slide, never knowing what I’d done, but that was before. We didn’t have much time together, so I didn’t want to leave it this way.

“I’m not,” she said, focusing on her burger as if I’d vanished from the room.

“No, we aren’t doing this. Is it because I’m interfering? What is it? I’m just trying to help you out, that’s all. A job with the Wolves would be huge.”

She sighed. “It’s just that … I don’t get it. We had sex, it was fucking fantastic, it’s like we were before, and now you’re trying to isolate me.”

I didn’t get it at first, and when I did, a huge pit formed in my stomach. She thought that we were going to get back together? I guess I hadn’t considered that. And now that it was presented to me, I felt like an idiot.

“Tang, I didn’t realize you thought this meant more than it does.”

Her mouth opened in shock, but she quickly closed it. “I didn’t realize I was just a puck bunny.”

Crap. Now I’d really screwed up. “You’re not. I wasn’t thinking about anything other than the present. I didn’t realize you thought it meant we were going to get back together.”

Now she wagged her finger at me, and I’d really stepped in it.

“No, no. I didn’t think anything specific. I wasn’t envisioning some grand reunion. I simply thought there was possibly a chance, but you’re suggesting I get a job here with the Wolves instead of suggesting a job with the Kodiaks in Vancouver. So it’s crystal clear to me now. This was just goodbye sex. Whatever.”

This was the moment I’d been dreading. She took a few sips of wine as I drew in a deep breath.

“Tang, haven’t we both moved on with our lives?”

“Yes,Ethan,” she said, stressing my name, “we have. But then you fucked me twice, so now I’m a little confused. Unless you’ve spent so much time with other hockey players that you’ve becomethatguy. You know, with a girl in every city. I won’t be your Minnesota girl.”

I scratched my head, feeling like the biggest piece of shit. “I’m assuming you’re dating, that you have a boyfriend.”

“I’ve dated, yes. I don’t have a boyfriend, because if I did, I wouldn’t be here with you right now. I’m not that kind of asshole.” Her expression let me know that Iwasthat kind of asshole.

The pit in my stomach was getting bigger and bigger. I swallowed down the lump in my throat with a gulp of wine. “I just assumed you knew I was seeing someone.”

Her jaw tensed and I knew that wounded her. I hated myself.

“I did, but clearly that didn’t stop you.”

“Her name is Brandi and we’ve been seeing each other for about a year. We’re pretty serious,” I said. “I mean, it hasn’t been perfect, at least not recently …” Shit. I had to stop babbling.

She sipped her wine again, but I could see her hand shake just a bit. This was killing me, so I couldn’t begin to imagine what it was doing to her.

“I’m happy for you.”

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