Page 50 of Sidelined Love

Ihave no time to prepare myself for the freak out that I'm going through. It honestly never occurred to me that Levi would be here tonight. Hell, I hadn't even thought much about it. Maybe it's because there are so many other places in and around Crestwood he could go to or maybe I assumed he’d have to do something hockey related this evening.

The only thing I've been doing is lying to myself.

I don't want to look at him, instead choosing to focus on Ben in front of me. However, Jade has no issue giving me an update. “He's walking over here and doesn't look happy.”

I turn my head slightly to look at her and say, “That's not my problem, is it?” My words sound harsh leaving my lips, but I mean every word. There are a million things Levi can be unhappy about and it's not my job to police his feelings.

“It's not, but your night is about to get a whole lot more interesting, if I had to guess,” Jade replies.

I don't like that she's probably right, but I refuse to acknowledge it. I take another sip of my drink and give the man already in front of me a small smile.

“So, Ben, did you already get something to drink?” There, I can also do my darndest to shift the conversation into a different direction.

“I did. It’s at my friend’s table.”

As Ben answers my question, I'm half paying attention to his response. But I'm on edge from the fact that Levi is walking over here, and it is hard to focus on anything else.

Good thing he comes over and is standing between Jade and Ben.

“Hailey, Jade,” he says. “It's good to see you both again.”

The moment Levi's gaze locks with mine, I feel like a deer caught in the headlights. I hate that it takes me several seconds to look away because my body is in flight or fight mode, and I can't turn it off.

I clear my throat, trying to stop the butterflies that are dancing in my stomach.

“Levi,” I manage to say amid my struggle to maintain an aura of indifference. “What are you doing here?”

Levi chuckles, his eyes never leaving mine. “Here with some of my teammates. We thought we'd go out and grab a drink.”

He gestures toward a group of guys that have now settled in a corner of the bar. I look over at them and recognize a couple of faces before Levi sticks his hand out.

“I'm Levi,” he says to Ben, who quickly returns his handshake. Although Levi's words are polite and showcase the golden-boy, hockey-captain image that he has built, there's something lingering under the surface. It's not lost on me that the tone of his voice is different from the one I usually hear him use or that it's directed at the only other guy here.

I try to keep my expression neutral as the two men exchange introductions, but on the inside, my heart is threatening to leave my chest.

Part of me is happy to have Levi here, especially while I continue to explore what I'm feeling as a result of my session with Dr. Shaw. My gut tells me the vibe I'm getting from him is that this is a pissing contest, but I can't tell if I'm overthinking things again.

“Nice to meet you, Levi,” Ben answers, his voice cool and collected. His neutral tone eases the tension slightly, but it's still there. “Great game you guys had a few days ago.”

Who doesn't know Levi at this point?

“Thanks. I can't complain too much,” Levi answers Ben, but his gaze is on me.

We all stand there quietly for a few seconds before Ben clears his throat. “Listen, I should get back to my friends. I'll see you at work, Hailey?”

I give a quick nod. “Yes, I'll see you there.”

I watch as Ben gives a polite nod to Levi and Jade before turning and walking back to his group. And then there were three.

Jade glances between Levi and me, a knowing smile playing on her lips. “Well, this is cozy,” she says.

I shoot her a warning look, telepathically telling her not to say anything weird. As much as I love Jade, her playful meddling is the last thing I need right now.

Levi either doesn't notice the subtle exchange or opts to ignore it. His gaze remains fixed on me. “It's good to see you, Hailey,” he says. “You look beautiful tonight.”

There are butterflies in my stomach again because of the compliment. I smooth my hands over the red dress self-consciously. “Thanks,” I reply, aiming for a casual, indifferent tone and failing miserably.

Jade hides her smile behind her glass as she takes a sip. The silence stretches for a beat too long. I rack my brain for something else to say that won’t be strange.

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