Page 106 of Across the Boards

My phone rings again—Sarah, as if summoned by my anxious thoughts.

“Did you get a weird text?” she asks immediately. “Tommy just told me that Matthews is bragging that Jason’s been making threats in the Miami locker room.”

“How did you know?” I sink onto my couch, suddenly exhausted.

“Because I know Jason,” she says grimly. “What did he say?”

I read her the texts verbatim, trying to keep my voice steady.

“That manipulative bastard,” she seethes. “He’s trying to scare you, to show he still has power over you. Classic Jason move.”

“It’s working,” I admit. “How does he even know about Seattle?”

“The hockey world is small, Elle.” She pauses. “Are you going to tell Brody?”

“I don’t know,” I say honestly. “He’s already in trouble because of me. If he knew Jason was texting threats...”

“He would want to know,” Sarah says firmly. “Relationship 101: don’t hide important stuff, especially threats from psycho exes.”

“Jason’s not a psycho,” I automatically correct. “Just a narcissist with control issues.”

“Psycho, schmycho. Tell Brody.”

She’s right, I know she’s right, but the prospect of dragging Brody further into my Jason drama makes my stomach churn. We’ve been officially dating for less than a day. This isn’t exactly the baggage most new relationships have to handle.

“I’ll think about it,” I promise, which is as close to agreement as I can manage right now.

“That’s Elliot-speak for ‘I’ll overthink it until I’ve convinced myself not to,’” Sarah says knowingly. “Just remember, hiding stuff from Brody makes you more like Jason, not less.”

That hits home in a way she probably intended. “Low blow, Harrington.”

“Sometimes you need a low blow to get through that stubborn brain of yours.” Her tone softens. “He cares about you, Elle. For real. Don’t push him away because you’re scared.”

After we hang up, I stare at the texts from Jason, debating my options. Block the number? Respond with a firm boundary? Pretend I never received them?

None feels quite right.

In the end, I decide on a different approach.

I’m not playing this game, Jason. No meet-ups, no old times’ sake. Let’s both move on like adults.

I hit send before I can overthink it, then immediately block the number. Whether he’s serious about showing up in Seattle or just trying to rattle me, engaging further won’t help.

The question of whether to tell Brody remains. Sarah’s words echo in my mind:Hiding stuff from Brody makes you more like Jason, not less.

I pick up my phone again, composing a new text.

Are you free for dinner tonight? There’s something I need to talk to you about.

His response comes almost immediately.

For you? Always. My place or yours?

Mine. 7:00?

I’ll be there. Everything okay?

We’ll talk tonight. Nothing to worry about.

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