Page 60 of Second Shot

Trust him, my heart criesout.

He’s going to destroy you, my headwarns.

There’s a constant battle between thetwo.

I pull out a blank canvas and prepare my paints, then sit down to sketch the images that pop into my head. And I paint, using all my pent-up emotions to push through the self-doubt andinsecurities.

I get lost in the work, only breaking when Noah wakes up from hisnap.

But still, Kane isn’t back. And when I check my phone, there’s no message fromhim.

He has a practice today, which means he’ll be going to the arena soon, if he’s not alreadythere.

My phone buzzes, with Felix’s name popping up on thescreen.

He’s called twice in the past couple of days, and I haven’t answered, which makes me a really shitty friend, Iknow.

“Hello?”

“I was starting to wonder if you were ignoring me.” There’s an edge of hurt to his tone, despite his attempt athumor.

“Just really busy. Trying to finish a piece for the exhibit. I can’t believe howquickly-’

“Aboutthat…”

The lump in my throat drops to mystomach.

“You were supposed to have your pieces delivered to the studio two days ago. That’s why I’ve beencalling.”

“Shit.” I pinch the bridge of my nose. I’ve never been good with deadlines, but I could have sworn I had another week. “I can have a courier pick them up thisafternoon-”

“They cancelled your spot,Brynne.”

“What? But I can getthem-”

“It’s too late. I asked Lynne to hold off, but she already gave itaway.”

I sit down on my stool. “Can we re-book? There’s another one in a few months,right?”

“I can talk to her,but…”

“But what? You know how much I wanted this. I’ll doanything-”

“Why don’t you come over for dinner next week? Bring Noah. And we can talk aboutit.”

An uneasy feeling settles in mygut.

“Nothing has changed,Felix.”

“So, now that you’re living with Mr. Hotshot Hockey Player, you can’t have dinner with a friend? Unless…” He snorts on the other end. “Unless you’re already sleeping withhim.”

“It’s not likethat.”

“Right,” he sayssarcastically.

“Felix,I-”

“Listen. I didn’t want to be the one to have to tell you this, but your boyfriend isn’t as golden as everyone seems to think heis.”

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