Page 62 of Back On Ice

“The first way that you can help me is by staying away from my man.” Her voice turns venomous as she looks me up and down with a critical eye. Her words hit me like a punch in the gut.

“I’m sorry, what did you say?” I’ve seen plenty of movies with mean girls to recognize what’s happening, but I didn’t think conversations like this actually happened in real life.

I can’t believe my ears. She’s showing up at my flower shop because she feels threatened? Looking at her, I don’t see how she can feel threatened by anyone. I mean, I’ve never felt self-conscious about my appearance, but Nicole looks and is dressed like she just stepped off a runway. Tall, thin body, designer clothes, perfectly styled blond hair…

“I’msaying, you’re temporary. Carter always comes back to me. You’re nothing but a bed warmer,” she sneers, looking me up and down. “Carter and I have been together since college. You know, love at first sight.” A dreamy look takes the place of her sneer for a moment before it returns. “You’ll never be more than a hookup because he has the perfect package right here.”

The blatant aggression and disdain in this woman's eyes is appalling. She legitimately hates me. She might think she has a good reason, but… if she really has been with him all this time, why would she put up with him sleeping with someone else to begin with? But then again, how can she be this possessive over him if there’s nothing going on?

My mind turns in circles as Nicole stares me down, and I know one thing for sure. I don’t deserve any of the hatred she’s spitting at me and this woman needs to get the hell out of my store.

I finally find my voice. “Listen, Noelle, right?” Her eyes narrow at me and I continue. “Carter can make his own choices, and in the meantime, I am under no obligation to sit by idly while you spew this nonsense. If you don’t mind, please get the fuck out of my shop.”

With a huff, she turns and storms out.

What the hell just happened?

My hands are almost shaking as I stare at the door Nicole just left through.

Seeing the selfie she sent him, and then seeing her in person, I can’t help but think of the night of graduation. I had been so upset by the pictures of him with Nicole and trying to reach him. I hadn’t even noticed Tom and Sarah weren’t in the stands with my parents until after the ceremony.

“Where’s Tom and Sarah?” I ask my parents, worry turning in my gut. Tom would have never missed my graduation on purpose.

Mom, holding Jordan, shifts him on her hip as she checks her phone. “They didn’t make it, but we haven't heard from them either, not even a text.”

Dad puts an arm around me. “We’re so proud of you, kiddo. I’m sure that whatever happened with Tom and Sarah couldn’t be helped. They would never choose to miss your graduation.”

I know he’s right, but it still stings. On the ride home, Mom asks me what I want for dinner. I dangle a toy in front of Jordan while he sits in his car seat. Dad says Tom and Sarah will probably just meet us at the house when they’re done.

When we finally arrive home, a police officer parked out front has Mom’s face draining of all color.

“Mr. and Mrs. Hartford?” The officer asks when we’re out of the car. Then everything happens so fast. The next thing I know, we’re back in the car, heading to the hospital because Sarah and Tom were in an accident.

The car is silent until we reach the ER, my parents rushing ahead to talk to the nurses while I push Jordan’s stroller.

Carter should be here. It’s not right that he’s so far away while our lives are being turned upside down. Wheeling Jordan to an empty corner of the waiting room, my fingers tremble as I call Carter. Despite the betrayal I feel at the sight of thepictures, I need him. I need him to be here for me, but more importantly, for Tom. It goes to voicemail.

“Carter… Tom and Sarah were in a car accident. We don’t…” My voice chokes as I hold back a sob. “We don’t know how bad it is yet, but please come home. We need you. I need you Carter… Tom needs you. If you don’t come for me… please come for him.”

He never called me back.

That was the night everything changed. The night I knew I had lost him for good. When I woke up that morning, we were still together. Twelve hours later, not only did I know he had cheated on me, but he couldn’t even be bothered to answer a message telling him Tom was in the hospital.

Kerry brings back lunch, and I pick at it until I leave for the rinks, never really finishing.

By the time I’ve gone to the rinks, finished practice with my girls, and closed up the rec center, my stomach is roiling. I don’t know if it’s from hunger or anxiety.

“Sophie.” The sound of my name has my head whipping around, my eyes landing straight on Carter. He’s wearing a button up shirt and tie, the tie loosened and the sleeves rolled up. “I’ve been trying to get a hold of you?—”

“Why? So you can feed me more lies?” The words explode out of me, all the anger and frustration pouring into my voice.

“I haven’t lied?—”

“I fucking saw the texts, Carter! I saw the texts from Nicole, saying that she misses you and will see you soon, and that selfie she sent! She’s the same fucking girl you cheated on me with all those years ago!” Tears sting my eyes at Carter’s dumbstruck expression. “She came to my work. She said you guys have been together since college. That means that the night of Tom’s accident when I needed you, you were with her. You left me forher.After youjustlied to my face, telling me that it was somekind of misunderstanding with those photos.” I can’t keep the hurt from my voice. “How am I supposed to trust anything you say right now?”

It’s a question I desperately hope he has the answer to. I want to trust him, to believe that everything he told me wasn’t a lie. But I don’t see how that’s possible.

“Sophie, I swear on my life, I didn’t even realize it was the same girl until now!” His voice is desperate as he takes a step toward me. “She’s a puck bunny—fucking crazy. Nicole has been following me around for years now, convinced that we’re something that we’re not.” I swear on my life, Sophie, I amnotwith her.”

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