Page 34 of Mr. Charming

“Fuck you, Tweetie.” Conor goes back to his goalie warm-ups. “That’s my fucking sister.”

“Get over it. Are you gonna think it’s a miraculous conception when she’s pregnant with Rowan Junior?” I don’t have time for Conor’s brother drama. I’ve got real problems.

I glance to where Tedi and Decker are sitting with Kyleigh. Conor’s dad is talking to Decker while Tedi is throwing popcorn, and Bodhi’s trying to catch it with his mouth.

That’s one thing I always loved about Tedi—she fits in everywhere she goes. I never had to worry when I’d take her into a room full of people she didn’t know. Hell, there were times I wished she’d stayed at my side longer, and by the time the night was over, I missed her so damn much.

“You gotta stop this whole ‘I don’t care’ shit. It’s bullshit and annoying.” Henry gets up and grabs his stick, hitting the puck back and forth.

I follow suit, and so does Rowan.

Henry has no idea what he’s asking me to do. Admit that I still want Tedi and suffer the consequence of rejection? I’m not sure I can do it another time. Three years ago, she broke me. I played like shit, couldn’t get out of my head. I almost retired just so I could retreat to some piece of land off the grid and not have to deal with anything or anyone.

“He has a point,” Rowan says. “Do you think they’re the real deal?” He smiles and nods to Kyleigh when she blows him a kiss.

“I have no clue. I thought it was a joke because he’s her twin brothers’ best friend from childhood. But she’s always touching him.” I watch the two of them laughing and sitting next to one another. She feeds him a pretzel with cheese dripping off the end, and my heart feels as if it’s shrinking with every smile she gives him.

“Why did you invite them to the club then?” Henry asks.

I shrug. “I don’t know. To try to prove I don’t care? Maybe I have some sick disease where I want to torture myself.”

“There’s another reason.” Henry and Rowan chuckle to themselves, then Conor joins in as if I’m the one on the outside. I never like being the one not in on the joke.

“What?”

“You invite him, she comes with,” Henry says. “So you see it as torturing yourself, but in reality, you’re giving yourself what you want the most.”

“Time with her,” Rowan says.

“Even if you say stupid, insensitive shit.” Conor cracks his neck a few times.

“It’s like you’re the little kid being mean to the girl you like.” Henry rests his chin on his gloved hands on top of his stick, giving me a smug look.

“Fuck you.”

“Upset because we figured you out?” Henry raises his eyebrows.

“Just remember, it’s never too late to change it.” Rowan looks over his shoulder. Kyleigh’s crooking her finger at him. “I’ll be right back.”

Conor glances up at the Jumbotron, then looks at me. “Did you at least pay someone to make sure they don’t end up on the Kiss Cam?” He skates away toward the girls, laughing to himself.

“I get it, Tweetie. I do. Sure, Jade wasn’t attached to someone when she came back to town, but she had found someone while we were apart, and it killed me. I was pissed, but I realized something.” Henry waits for me to nod like he does with Bodhi.

I scowl at him. “I’m not your kid.”

He pats me on the shoulder. “I was mad at myself, not the guy, because he wouldn’t have had a shot had I not messed up. Now, I don’t know what happened with you two, but I’m sure fault doesn’t lay just on one side.” His gaze veers to Jade and Bodhi, a smile creasing his lips. Jade’s got Bodhi in her arms and they’re laughing. “It’s not too late. If you want her back… fight for her.”

Henry skates off. I watch my friends, remembering when I was that guy and Tedi was on the other side of the glass. Taking my chances, I look at her and find her looking at me while Decker is on his phone. I’m about to mouth to her that I’m sorry, but she turns her head, staring off at the stands before I’m able.

Does Henry have a point? I’m worried we drifted too far from each other to ever find our way back.

Eighteen

Tedi’s Journal Entry

Eleven years ago

Florida

---