Page 26 of The Puck Player

“I’m sorry too,” I start, not even sure what I am apologizing for, but feeling like I need to, before pulling away and adding, “Now why don’t we have some coffee and catch up overbreakfast, I think we need it,” I say with a deep exhale and he nods.

“Yes, why don’t you make yourself presentable and I’ll meet you out there,” he replies, dragging his stare over me again before dropping a kiss to my head, walking out leaving me speechless.

I take my time getting ready, taming my hair and putting on a little makeup, exactly like Ben expects, and once I reappear in the kitchen, I find that Jake and Evie have both put on some clothes too, and the latter is sitting on the counter while Jake rests between her thighs. Ben and Malorie are both sitting at the small breakfast bar, and when I enter I pick up on a weird atmosphere that I can’t quite place.

“Sorry about that,” I say by way of greeting, trying to cut some of the tension, and Jake moves to pour me a cup of coffee, and I take it in silent thanks. We’ve spent many mornings together the last few weeks since I got here, and he’s always the first up given his early workouts, which means he’s always pouring coffee for Evie and me on his way out the door. “So, what are we talking about?” I ask, looking between them all, and Malorie quickly looks to Ben before lowering her eyes to her own coffee.

“We were just talking about sleeping arrangements,” Ben snaps, looking annoyed, and I’m slightly confused until I remember that Ben didn’t come alone, which means we didn’t factor in anywhere for Mal to sleep.

“Oh, right, of course,” I say, looking between him and Malorie, and my best friend looks at me with a bright smile.

“I can just sleep with you, B, Ben doesn’t mind taking the sofa, right Ben?” she asks, turning her head to glare at him, but before he can answer, Evie cuts in.

“I have a queen bed, why doesn’t Malorie stay with me, so you and Ben can have some time alone?” Evie suggests, and I’m about to agree when my best friend protests.

“No!” she snaps quickly, and I blink back a little, as she smiles. “I mean no offense,” she starts again looking at Evie. “It’s just I don’t really know you and wouldn’t feel comfortable, and plus B and I have slept together a million times, it just makes sense, right B?” she asks, looking at me brightly, and I feel myself slowly giving in.

“Of course, it will be fun,” I smile, still feeling a little deflated, but she’s right, we haven’t hung out in so long, and Ben and I can still spend time together, it will just be shared with my best friend.

Evie looks as if she wants to say something else, but Jake jumps in and changes the subject. “Babe, I’ve gotta get to practice, Nova will kill me if I’m late again,” he starts, pushing off the counter and moving to rinse out his cup before putting it on the side. “Call me later and we can grab some dinner or something?” he suggests, and Evie nods still looking at Malorie, and for some reason I get a sense that it isn’t in a completely friendly way.

“Sure, sounds good,” she replies distractedly, as he gives her a kiss on the cheek, before he turns to Ben and Malorie, and I almost think he is about to say something to them, but he bites his tongue and focuses on me.

“Catch you later, Bree,” he nods, while still glaring at my boyfriend.

“Yeah, have a good practice, I hope Nova and my dad aren’t too hard on you,” I tease with a laugh, which makes him smile, as he tosses a wave at me over his shoulder, but Ben’s stare on me hardens once more.

We all watch Jake leave, and for some reason the tension in the room seems to rise even more, until Malorie croaks, “Heseems nice.” I know it’s just her attempt at conversation in the awkward silence, but I take it.

“Yeah he is, I keep telling Evie not to let him go,” I laugh, sipping more of my coffee as I move to stand next to my roommate. “But all the guys on the team are surprisingly great,” I add, thinking the conversation will lead us into safer territories, but then Ben is jumping in again.

“So you’ve been spending a lot of time with the players from your dad’s team?” he asks, his accusatory tone not lost on any of us, and I swallow deeply before I answer.

“No, not a lot, but I’ve met most of them at parties and classes and stuff, and plus I’m friends with a few of their girlfriends,” I explain, trying to talk him away from whatever imaginary ledge he is trying to jump off.

“Yeah, apart from Reign she’s barely even talked to any of them,” Evie cuts in, no doubt trying to help, but from the way Ben’s jaw ticks, I know she’s only made it worse.

“The jersey owner?” he girts in question, looking between me and Evie, but her stare comes up blank since she doesn’t even know I have it.

“Yes, he’s in my business class. My professor assigned him as my tutor, so I met with him last week.” I don’t offer any more details than I need to, knowing he will be pissed off either way, and for the first time in months I feel the urge to pray. Please God, don’t let him make more of this than what it is.

“I see,” is all he replies, but I don’t think two words could ever bring me less comfort, because this is not how I imagined our weekend together, and I spin the ring on my finger nervously.

“Well, B, are you giving us a tour of your new town?” Malorie cuts in, coming to my rescue, and when Ben drops my stare, I smile at her in silent thanks.

“Sure, I’ll show you guys around and we can find somewhere nice to have lunch, does that sound good?” I look between thetwo of them and while Malorie seems happy, it takes Ben a few seconds to reluctantly nod.

With plans made and agreed upon, Evie and I excuse ourselves to finish getting dressed for the day, and Malorie follows me into my room, closing the door behind her. “It’s okay that I’m here, right?” she asks, but I’m already nodding my head.

“Of course it is, Mal, I’m sorry if you don’t feel that way, I was just surprised that’s all, but it really is good to see you,” I tell her genuinely with a smile, as she takes a seat on my bed, and I see her eyes dart to the jersey on the floor.

“So, you’ve been spending time with your dad and his team?” she asks, probing a little gentler than what Ben did, and I nod.

“Yeah, I’ve had dinner with my dad a few times, and despite the reason I’m here, it really has been nice getting to see him regularly again.”

My dad and I have always found it hard to connect given the distance that was usually between us, but after losing my mom, we both have found connection in our shared grief.

“Is he still hot?” she dares to ask, her first real smile staining her lips, and I take the sweater I was pulling off and toss it at her.

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