Page 127 of In It to Win It

“Yep.”

Then I drop the smart-ass ’tude. “She okay?” I finger a paper napkin on the table.

“No. She’s not.”

My insides spasm painfully and my chest throbs. I keep staring at the napkin.

“Be glad it’s not Everly here, because she wants to do some damage to your lucky charms.”

I choke. “What?”

“Your twigs and berries.”

“Come on!”

“Bits and pieces.”

I scowl.

He laughs. “Big Joe and the twins?”

“Slightly better.”

The waitress brings my beer with a gratifyingly flirty smile.

“Okay, seriously, what’s going on?” I pick up my glass.

“You broke up with Taylor.”

“Yeah.” I take a big gulp.

Last time he and I met here, we confessed some messed-up stuff, feelings we’d had about each other our whole lives that had impacted our relationship. And our relationships with others. So I’m guessing Théo is after more bro talk.

“Why? You don’t care about her?”

It takes me a while to find words. “I do care about her,” I choke out. “Too much. I can’t do that. It fucks up my mind.”

“Hmmm.” He sips his beer. “I’m trying to see things from your point of view, but I can’t stick my head that far up my ass.”

“Asshole.” I drink my own beer.

“Look. You gave me shit when I screwed up with Lacey. I’m here to return the favor.”

I nod. This is what I expected. “Go for it.”

His lips twitch. “Tell me why you really broke up with her.”

I sigh. “Because of that fight with Martinez.”

He looks at me like I’m speaking Cantonese.

“I punched him because he insulted Taylor.”

His expression lightens. “Ah! Okay, now we’re getting somewhere.”

“Don’t you see?” I glare at him. “I’ve been trying so hard to stay out of trouble. To control my emotions on the ice. She’s got me all fucked up and confused, and then I go and lose it because of her. It cost ustwofucking games! Dad and Uncle Mark are pissed at me. Hell, the whole team is pissed at me.” I shake my head bitterly. “I can’t go losing my shit over a woman. I need to stick to my goal. But I keep fucking up.” The words come out rough and scratchy. “I keep dating women I shouldn’t. I keep losing my temper on the ice. I keep doing stupid shit like letting Lacey’s dog piss on the Christmas tree and eat poison. I nearly killed her dog. And I insulted her by implying she’s just like Emma.”

“What—and I can’t stress this enough—thefuck?”

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