Page 14 of Defensive Zone

His tongue peeks out, licking over his trembling bottom lip. “I don’t want you to go, Reid,” he says again.

A sigh shudders out of me just as my phone vibrates in my pocket, letting me know my rideshare is outside. Carter looks at the door, then back to me.

“I could’ve taken you to the airport.” This time his voice breaks and a tear spills down his cheek.

Instead of answering, I bring him in for another hug and kiss the side of his head. “See you in a few months.”

When I step back, I look over to Raegan. “Look after him, yeah?”

“Of course.” She darts around the couch and wraps her slender arms around my waist. “Take care of yourself.”

With a lump thick in my throat, I pick up my luggage and head to the door. I know he’ll be hurting right now, but it’s for the best. For both of us. If he’s serious that Raegan might be theone, then it’s unfair for me to be invading on their time together. He’ll understand. Eventually.

Glancing over my shoulder, I manage a small smile as I say goodbye, then close the door behind me. The moment the door clicks shut, my heart shatters in my chest, and I finally allow the tears to come to the surface.

It’s for the best, I remind myself, but my heart doesn’t feel too sure.

Chapter Five

October

Carter

“You’ve got this,” I mumble under my breath as Zach successfully intercepts the puck from Minnesota’s forward.

It’s only preseason, but my nerves are still shot to shit for him. They are playing really well in these exhibition games. The new guys have gelled in perfectly, and the lines Coach Harris has put together are looking strong. Elliot is rock solid in the crease, too. He’s had an incredible start to the season, getting three shutouts in the first four games they’ve played so far, and I know the media are eating up the team’s early success. But again, itisonly preseason, and a lot can happen between now and the end of regular season.

It doesn’t stop me from hoping that this is the Thunder’s year to bring the cup back to Chicago, especially after getting so close to the finals last time.

“Carter, we need to talk,” Raegan announces, rounding the couch and taking a seat on the other end of it.

We’ve been dating since Zach and I returned from Hawaii a few months ago. She’s a great woman. Incredibly intelligent, insanely beautiful, and she actually gives a shit about my best friend.

She’s everything I thought I wanted, but the last few months have been… difficult. Since that day Zach left to go back to Chicago, there’s been an underlying tension between us. Things haven’t been as easy as they once were. It’s like we’re trying to force two puzzle pieces together, regardless of the fact they clearly aren’t a match.

Those four words, along with the resigned tone of her voice, tell me that maybe she’s also feeling that things aren’t as good as they were before.

My eyes bounce between her and the TV as Zach jumps over the boards for his next shift.

“Sure, what’s up?” I ask.

She takes in a deep, steadying breath before she begins to speak. “Look, Carter… I think you’re a great guy, and these last few months have been great, but I think we’re on two different paths. Which, don’t get me wrong, isn’t a bad thing, but it would be bad for us to stay together when I don’t think we’re right for each?—”

My attention snags to the TV as one of Minnesota’s defensemen slams Zach hard into the boards, despite not even having possession of the puck. “Fuck! Where’s the boarding call, ref? It’s fucking preseason, why so aggressive?”

“Carter,” she repeats, her voice stern. “I need you to listen to me, please.”

Shit.She was in the middle of telling me something.

I turn to face her again, and this time my gaze lands on where her overnight bag sits on the cushion beside her.

Frowning, I ask, “I’m sorry. What were you saying?”

She sighs. “I think we should break up.”

My mouth drops open, eyes widening in surprise. Well, okay, I wasn’t expecting that.

“Oh.”

---