Page 66 of Cash

"Yes, you are, because it's the truth." She just stood there with her arms crossed looking up at him. "You’re the one so fucking entangled with your ex. You're mad at me for having slept with women months, some even years ago, while you’re out on the patio having a little private moment with your ex-boyfriend. The boyfriend who I had to humiliate myself by playing golf with all day."

"Nothing is going on between us," she said, firmly looking at him.

"I know that. I know that because you told me that and I fucking believe you. Could you please just give me the same courtesy?"

She finally broke the glare she had been giving him and looked down at the sidewalk.

"You're right. I'm sorry," she said softly.

He moved in to hold her, but she stepped back.

"Maybe this whole thing was a bad idea," she mumbled out.

"Evie, please," he moved to hold her again, but she held up her hand and he respected her silent directive not to be touched. Just then a car pulled up beside them.

"My ride's here. I'm going home."

"Let me drive you,” he pleaded.

"No. I can't do this right now. I need to go."

"Please don't walk away from me.” His voice was thick with desperation. He should be embarrassed, but he didn’t care. He needed to make this right.

"I have to go." And just like that she closed the door behind her, and he watched as she disappeared down the road.

What the fuck had just happened?

He couldn’t go back in there. He could not face her friends and family after she just walked out on him like that. Making sure he had his phone and wallet and keys; he took off down the block. He needed to clear his head. As he turned the corner and Westside Pub came into view, drowning his sorrows sounded just as good as clearing his head.

He walked into the crowded bar and ordered a whiskey and headed up to the tables that were reserved for the team. He wasn't sure who would be there because all the players who weren't happily settled down were out of town, but he didn't really seem to care.

He went up and sank into a seat with his whiskey and watched the people below him. His number would be even higher if he had to count the people he had slept with here. The waitresses alone would probably be more than four. He still couldn’t believe she even asked. There is no good answer to that question.

"Hey Cash, do you need anything?" asked a waitress. He held up his glass and she nodded and headed back down the stairs.

He sat there with his head in his hands. He would go home and drown his sorrows there, but with River there it wasn't really an option. He didn't think positive male role models got drunk because their current girlfriend was mad about how many people he had slept with at a bar. Why his sister thought he would be a good influence he didn't know. He wasn't any good for anyone. He was only good at dominating the ice and having random hook ups. That's who he was. He was just kidding himself that he could make someone like Evie happy.

He looked up as the waitress brought him another drink, along with a basket of fries and a tall glass of water. "It looked like you could use this," she said with a friendly smile.

"Thanks," he muttered as he picked up the whiskey. She gave him a smile and a pat on the hand as she turned and headed back down the stairs.

He pulled out his phone and tried to text her.

Cash - Did you make it home okay?

He watched as his text stayed green. Fuck. She blocked him again. He dropped his head in his hands with a groan. Then he felt someone slide in on the other side of the table. He looked up ready to tell whoever it was to get lost, but he gave a sigh of relief when he saw Ethan Yellowtail, their goalie, sitting across from him.

"You're looking rough man," he said as he snatched a fry out of the basket.

"I'm feeling it too. What are you doing out here by yourself? I thought you were headed back to Minnesota for the off season."

"Nope, I decided to stay here for a bit longer, but it's boring with all our teammates finding their love life. I met Kate and Wes for drinks and their happiness makes me want to puke," Ethan grumbled.

"Well, if happiness makes you want to puke, you should buy another round and sit with me," he said darkly.

"That bad, huh? Why don't we just finish these up and I'll take you home?"

Cash wanted to argue, but Ethan was probably right. He couldn't go on a complete bender with a teenager at home.

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