Page 71 of One Timer With A Wingman

“It’s nothing.” I’m about to sidestep my way around him when his hand lands on my shoulder.

“It doesn’t look like nothing,” he replies.

“A couple of girls in line at Cup of Java just accused me of getting pregnant on purpose. Like locking Aaron down because he’s headed to the NHL.”

“Oh,” he says. I see that look in his eyes. The same look the girls had, like he thinks that may be the case.

“Are you kidding me?” I say, feeling like I’ve been slapped.

“Sorry.” He winces. “The thought crossed my mind. I’m only human.”

I mutter a string of expletives and walk away from Luc. So Aaron’s best friend thinks I planned this too.

I can’t go to class since I am probably all red from crying. I also don’t want to go back to the hockey house if that’s how everyone thinks of me.

I head to the library to get some work done, knowing full well I should go to class and not miss out on lectures.

By 4:00 p.m. I get a text from Annie.

Annie:What’s up?

Me:I’m at the library.

Annie:Me too. Which one?

Me:Business Building, third floor.

I don’t hear from her again. I figure she was just asking for no reason, but twenty minutes later she finds me.

“Briar?” I hear my name and my eyes pop open. I must have fallen asleep on the table.

“Huh?” I pick up my head and see Annie.

“Luc called Cade and told him he screwed up, and Aaron was going to kick his ass,” Annie explains.

“Did he happen to tell Cade what he told me?” I ask.

She nods. “I don’t think that, Briar. Neither does Cade, and I am sure Aaron doesn’t think that either.”

“All the girls at school think it. Luc is one of Aaron’s best friends, and he feels that way too.” The tears return with a vengeance.

“Oh, Briar.” She hugs me. “It doesn’t matter what other people think. You know the truth.”

“You had to see how those girls were looking at me. They asked me for advice,” I tell her.

Annie bursts into laughter. “Do you know how absurd that sounds?”

I laugh too. “It’s completely insane.”

A weight leaves my body as I laugh with Annie. “I didn’t go to classes all afternoon. I can’t seem to focus.”

“Things will get better. You shouldn’t care about a bunch of puck bunnies. You’re better than that.”

“I know you’re right,” I say to her.

“I hear a but,” Annie says.

“It’s hard to let that kind of judgment roll off my back. I kept to myself for so long. All I wanted was a little fun and, well. . .”

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