Page 49 of A Little Complicated

She shrugs. “I think all parents do it. They share something that brings them joy, hoping it’ll bring their kids joy too. You know, like pizza and birthday cake and nostalgic movies. It doesn’t mean they won’t accept us if we decide it isn’t our thing, though.”

“You sure?”

She rests her chin in her hands and gives me her full attention. “You really think Finley could care any less about hockey?”

I scoff, thinking of Everett’s sister and how much she despises sports in general. “Good point.”

“Exactly.” Lia laughs. “We share what we love, ya know?”

“I guess so.”

“Why do you ask?” she prods. “Is there something bothering you? Something making you feel like it’s out of your control?”

With a humorless laugh, I shake my head. “Everything’s out of my control, Lia.”

“Such as?”

A hundred different answers rise to the surface, but I push them back, choosing the simplest.

“Such as my Lions contract,” I offer.

“What do you mean?”

“My dad owns the team, Opie.”

“Well, yeah. But your dad isn’t stupid. He isn’t going to sign a bad player.”

“A bad player, no. But an average player?” I run my tongue along the back of my teeth. “Someone who doesn’t deserve—”

“I’m going to stop you right there,” she interrupts. “Because if you finish your sentence by comparing yourself to an average player, I will slap you silly. And do you want to know why?”

Amusement almost beats out my morose thoughts as I reply, “Why?”

“Because I haven’t had a player score on me consistently like you do in I don’t know how long, and I’m one of the best goalies in the female league, so don’t you dare make a fool out of me by saying it isn’t a big deal or you aren’t an amazing player.” She gives me a pointed look, daring me to contradict her.

Instead, I scratch my jaw, feeling lighter. “Thanks, Opie.”

“Of course. Besides, this is the future you’ve been dreaming about, right? You’d better believe I’m not gonna let you shit on it simply because you’re feeling a little down.”

She has no idea.

“Speaking of the future,” I reply. “Is college life everything you dreamed it would be?”

“I mean, technically, the school part hasn’t started yet, but…” She hesitates. “I dunno. I think so? It’s kind of weird. It’s like you said. I’ve been dreaming about it for so long. Actually being here? Experiencing things? It’s…surreal.”

“Good surreal?” I prod.

“Mostly. It’s also different than I expected, so…”

With a slow nod, I glance at her again, this time holding her gaze no matter how much it hurts to see her like this—basking in the moonlight like so many other nights. When things were different. When things were easy. Her warm eyes are darker than usual, but they’re still shining with interest. An innocent interest. A genuine interest. But interest, nonetheless.

And fuck me, it hurts.

“How is LAU different than you expected?” I ask.

I shouldn’t. I already know her answer. She planned to be with me when she moved out here. We both were. Instead, she’s with Archer. Spending her nights with him. Texting him. Talking to him.Beingwith him.

Me? I’m an unpleasant reality who knows how to score against her on the ice.

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