Page 124 of Ice Mechanic

“He was innocent,” Rebel says, as if I need the reminder. “I can’t vouch for him on any other night, butthattime, he did what a guy who respects and cares for his girlfriend is supposed to do.”

“I know,” I say quietly, setting the popsicle down on the open wrapper.

“Then why are you being like this?” Rebel wrinkles her nose. “From that short phone call, I could tell that Chance is losing his mind not talking to you. And you don’t look that great not talking to him either. It’s obvious you both like each other and so far, he hasn’t shown himself to be a cheating scumbag like Evan. So what gives?”

“I… I don’t know how to explain it.”

She crosses her arms over her chest and sasses, “Tryme.”

The words in my head rush too fast and I’m not sure how to present them in a way that she’ll understand. Rebel hasalwaysbeen beautiful and confident around men. On their part, men have always been attracted to her.

Every time I mention my insecurities around her, she scolds me or tells me to have more confidence. As if I can just shimmy on down to the confidence store and buy another bottle of good ole’ self-esteem.

“Is there some other piece of information that I’m not aware of?” Rebel insists. “Did you catch Chance flirting with girls while he was with you? Did he make eyes at a waitress in front of you? Did he hide his phone when you walked in the room? Has he shown you any red flags?”

I dig my dirty nail into the loose thread of the coaster. “No.”

Rebel’s eyes narrow to slits. She leans forward, waiting for more.

“Idobelieve Chance is a good guy. I believe he was telling the truth when he said he hasn’t spoken to Fina. And the fact that I trust himthatmuch after Evan is already such a giant surprise.”

“Then what’s the problem?” Rebel throws her hands high, an empty popsicle stick in hand.

“Right now, we’re just pretend. But the closer we become…” I trail off. “Dating Chance McLanely comes with the price of sharing him with the world,” I admit quietly. “I can’t do that again. Unknowingly sharing my ex-boyfriend with my hairdresser was hard enough. I don’t want to share Chance with all the crazy, possessive fans chasing him around at every game. I don’t want to date someone who’ll constantly get nasty messages and late-night invitations from models and socialites. I know who I am and I know that it would drive me insane no matter how much I like him.”

Rebel sighs. “I guess I can see that.”

“Chance is a great guy. And maybe… if things were different…”

Her eyes fill with compassion. “Different how?”

“If he were a normal guy who moved to town, just another farmer or coal miner or cowboy…” I shrug because it’s a foolish exercise. Chance is thefarthestthing from a normal Joe. “The problem isn’t him, Rebel. It’s me. I’m too broken to handle everything that comes with his fame and hockey career.”

A cool hand covers mine and Rebel says, “That’s what you decided?”

I hesitate to nod. “It’s a choice I wish I could make.”

“What does that mean?” she asks softly.

“I thought all the feelings would go away.” My heart thumps harder in my chest. “It didn’t. Despite telling myself it won’t work and that I’m only setting myself up for pain, something’schanged. The more I tell myself all the reasons I can’t have him…” Tears shimmer in my eyes as I admit, “the more I want him anyway.”

Rebel chuckles through her own tears. “Is this why women date bad boys weknowaren’t good for us? Do we all suffer from the same temporary insanity?”

I smile despite all the rolling emotions in my gut.

Just then, I hear May’s voice and the cheerfulbbbbrrriing!of her bike bell. Stones and sand scatter as my little sister skates her bike to a stop in front of the open garage door. She hops off and runs to me, her chest heaving.

“May?” I jump to my feet. “What’s wrong?”

“Chance,” she heaves for breath, “viral video…” Another gasp. “Online.”

“What?” Rebel bends her head to hear May better.

I leap forward, already imagining the worst. “What happened to Chance?”

“Just. Watch!” May shoves her phone at me and then collapses into an exhausted heap on the floor.

CHAPTER

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