Page 84 of Sidelined Love

Blaise: …

Wilder: Well shit.

Knox: Let’s not make a big deal out of it.

Asher: Exactly. It’s Levi’s business, not ours.

Blaise: Agreed.

Wilder: Alright, alright. Just hope he’s doing good. The state he was in before we left was…

Asher: He's fine. Trust me.

“Did you figure out what you wanted to eat?”

I jump two feet in the air at the question and place my hand on my heart. “Make a little noise, why don't you?”

“Sorry about scaring you,” he says as he sits back down in the barstool he'd abandoned.

“And I'm sorry that I checked your text messages. One of your group chats was going off and making it hard to concentrate on ordering food.”

“Which group chat?”

“One labeled Ice Kings.”

Levi shrugs. “Typical.”

Since I'm clearly on a winning streak, I continue. “Your teammates know I'm here.”

“Is that a concern for you?”

“I'm not sure if I'm being honest.”

Levi places his hand on my knee before he says, “Their opinions don't mean a thing to me. Only you do. Now let's finish ordering food.”

His nonchalant attitude about the whole thing put me at ease and that is all I can ask for at this moment.

And some food.

Definitely some food.

32

HAILEY

Inever thought I would look forward to going to my therapist's office, but I do. It could be because I love our conversations, or it could be because Charlie is here, and I love hanging with him while I wait for Emily to call me back.

“Hey, buddy,” I say as I place my bag into a chair to my left before I drop to my knees.

His soft fur slides through my fingers as I move my hand, giving him plenty of pets. He bumps his nose against my hand in a friendly hello. Just being here with him dials down the chaos in my head. He adjusts his head so that it's resting on his head on my knee like he knows I need this.

“Hailey?”

Emily's voice pulls me from my moment with Charlie. I give him one last pat before standing up and turning to face her. I grab my bag and follow her into the office, leaving Charlie behind.

The moment I sit down across from her, I do feel more calm, and what a pleasant feeling that is.

Emily gives me a bright smile as she settles in the chair across from me. “How's everything going? Are things going well with your dad? You look super happy.”

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