Page 117 of Cross-Checked

“We’re about to start the fucking game, and you want a goddamn pep-talk because your sister canceled on girls’ night again?”

“I forgot about the time change,” she says, her voice even smaller and more defeated.

I really don’t want to be here for this conversation. But I need to be in that locker room and he’s standing in my way. I’m just glad that his back is to me and he hasn’t seen me yet.

“Stop feeling sorry for yourself.” He says it as though she disgusts him—the exact opposite of the pep talk it sounds like she was looking for. “I’ve done nothing but try to provide a good life for you, and it’s never enough.”

“You know that’s not it. You’ve provided a great life for me and the kids. It’s just?—”

“I have to go.” He cuts her off. “We’re flying home tonight after the game, so I hope you’re in a better mood when I get back in the morning.”

I don’t know why I’m angry on this woman’s behalf. She knew he was married to me when she started sleeping with him, so I want to believe she got what she deserved. But does anyone really deserve an asshole who love bombs you, only to turn around and treat you like shit once he’s locked you down? Didn’t I fall for the same man? He can be awfully convincing when he’s wooing you.

He steps up to the visiting team’s locker room, and as he reaches out toward the door, I hope that he will enter without realizing that I overheard his phone call. But as luck would have it, he pauses, arm outstretched and hand flat against the door. And then he turns his head, looking down the hall at me.

“How long have you been standing there?” It’s an accusation more than a question.

“Long enough to see that tigers don’t change their stripes.” My mirthless laugh slips out, even though I don’t mean it to.

“Still a superior bitch, I see.” Dropping his arm, he turns toward me.

“I feel bad for your wife,” I tell him. The only thing I truly regret in life are the years I wasted on him. “Maybe one day, she’ll have the courage to divorce you too. Because there’s nothing and no one who can make an unsuccessful narcissist like you happy.”

A nervous energy courses through me as I go to move past him, intent on seeing my team. When he grabs my arm, I’m prepared and easily spin out of his grip, but I wish I hadn’t engaged with him in the first place. I don’t feel safe down here with him. Even though we’re in a public place, there’s no one else around until the teams leave the locker rooms about ten minutes from now.

“I’m not unsuccessful,” he sputters, small pieces of spit flying from his lips.

I cross my arms over my chest, resting my cast on my good arm. “It’s been over seven years since we divorced, and youjustgot back the job you lost then. You’re unhappily married, look about ten years older than you are, and from what I hear,” I say, thinking of the rumors that have been circulating over the last week, “your team hates you. So congrats, you’resupersuccessful.”

“I would be if it weren’t for you!”

“Yeah, I’m the problem. Sure.” I nod at Chet as I see Joey Connelly turn into the hall behind him, probably coming to see his team like I’ve come to see mine. I focus my eyes back on Chet, because I don’t want him to know Joey is there. I’d prefer to let his GM see his true colors.

“You fucking bitch,” Chet seethes. “You think you walk on fucking water, but now that everyone knows you’re just a little slut for your players, let’s see what the rest of your career looks like. At least if you get that award, everyone will know that it’s really for your ‘service.’” He uses a crude hand gesture to indicate that the ‘service’ he’s referring to is something sexual.

I watch Joey’s eyebrows shoot up his forehead when he sees the gesture Chet just made off to his side, but nothing about this interaction phases me. This is exactly how he talked to me when we were married—like an entitled little prick any time things didn’t go his way.

I’m not shocked that he hasn’t changed. It makes me happier than ever that I got out of that marriage when I did, and even more thankful to have found a man who treats me right.

“The thing is, Chet, I never cared about that award in the first place. I only ever cared about leading this team without reproach. And regardless of what you think about my relationship with McCabe, that’s exactly what I’ve done. Whether we win or lose the Cup, and even if I don’t get that award, I’m proud of the work I’ve done in Boston. I’m even more proud of my team, and how they’ve played. And nothing you do or say is going to change that.”

Chet’s scoff is so loud I’d be surprised if they didn’t hear it inside the locker room. “Yeah, sure! Better run along,” he says, nodding toward the door to the Rebels locker room. “There are probably players in there that need blow jobs before the game.”

From behind him, Joey asks, “Is that what you think I plan to do when I go into our locker room?”

Chet’s jaw tightens because he knows he’s just been caught acting incredibly unprofessional. Something that only one person—McCabe—has ever truly seen him doing before. “Connelly,” Chet says, turning halfway so he stands between us. He’s using that schmoozing voice he only uses with other guys, his upper-crust version of bro-talk, I guess. “Didn’t know you were down here.”

“Clearly.” The muttered word is dry and unimpressed. He’s not falling for Chet’s attempts to downplay his behavior. “So? Is that why you think I’m down here? To give our players blow jobs?”

The fact that he utters this question without a hint of embarrassment, amusement, or anger leaves me wondering how he’s feeling about what Chet just said.

“No.” Chet laughs it off, and just the sound of his voice has my stomach turning. “Of course not. Unlike Alessandra here, you’re not involved with your players like that.”

“From what I’ve seen, AJ is in a committed relationship with a man who is nothing but respectful toward her. Unlike your behavior just now.”

“She’s fucking one of her players!” Chet sputters, incensed that Joey isn’t taking his side here.

“What business of yours is that?” he asks, and I could not love his no-nonsense approach toward my ex-husband any more than I do. When Chet doesn’t immediately respond, he says, “Especially since you went sticking your dick elsewhere when you were married to her.”

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