Page 61 of Netting the Goalie

Shrugging, CJ waved.“Okay.See you at home.”

CJ disappeared and I hung my head, letting the water pound against the suddenly tense muscles of my back.

It’d been three days since she’d told me she didn’t want to see me again.Three days since I’d let her go without a fight.

Because she’d been right.

Our relationship had been going nowhere.

“Fuck.”

“Uh, you okay?”

Justin shut off his shower and rubbed a towel over himself, carefully not looking me in the eyes.

I let out a big sigh.“Yeah.I’m fine.Good game tonight.”

“Thanks.You, too.It’s good to be here.”

I didn’t want to be a dick but I had no interest in conversation.No, I was much more interested in what was going on in the hall.

“Glad to have you.”

Luckily, the new guy didn’t say anything else and walked away a second later.Leaving me alone in the showers.

I told myself I wasn’t standing here just so I could avoid her.I was soaking my tight muscles.

Yeah, right.

With a muttered curse, I shut off the water, toweled off and headed back to the locker room.

I glanced at the clock, figuring I’d give Jake another five minutes to say goodbye to Mike and Bliss.

And give myself another five minutes to tell myself I really didn’t want to see her.

Bliss

“Do you mind, Lissy?”

I smiled and shook my head.“Of course, I don’t mind.Have fun.”

Jake touched me on the shoulder.“We’re just going to get something to eat at the West Reading Diner.We won’t be out late.We have a game tomorrow.If you guys can make it, I’ll make sure you’ve got tickets.”

Mike’s smile widened and I knew I couldn’t say no.It was almost like they were ganging up on me.But I couldn’t deny the friendship that had developed between Mike and Jake.I’d be suspicious of Jake’s motives if I hadn’t seen the way he treated Mike.There was no way I was going to throw up roadblocks to their friendship.

“I can get the bus in if you don’t want to come tomorrow, Lis.”

Because I was weak, I said, “No, I’ve got nothing going on.I can bring you.”

Jake nodded, his expression serious but I could’ve sworn he was hiding a smile.

And then my brain fuzzed over.Because Shane walked out of the locker room.

Damn it.I’d wanted to be gone before he got out.He was typically one of the last guys to leave.

And my heart hurt to look at him because… Oh my god, the man took my breath away.

Tall and broad, dressed in the gray suit that fit him like a glove and the blue shirt that matched his eyes.He hadn’t bothered with his tie, which I was sure he had rolled up in his pocket.

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