Page 95 of Second Round

I stared out at the game too, but it was blurring before me. There was this hollowness inside me. But more than pain, I felt anger. Would I have found any man good enough for Jackie? Maybe not, but I was pretty good at first impressions, and this guy seemed immature and boring. It was my own fault, I’d taken too long to reach out toJackie.

I debated taking off, but the clock was ticking down and I could congratulate Tris afterwards. He’d like that, even if the evening wasn’t ending up as I’dhoped.

Sid was talking to Jackie about their plans for the evening. “So, there’s been a change of plans. How about if Tristan walks home from the game? Then we can still meet my friends for a drink beforedinner.”

Jackie shook her head. “I don’t want to do that. He’s got all his equipment and besides, he’ll want to talk aboutthegame.”

“He’s a boy. You shouldn’t baby him. It’s only a fewblocks.”

“He’s too young,” she said firmly. I had a feeling that Sid the Auditor hadnokids.

“I could take him home,” I offered. “It’ll only take me a few minutes, and I’ve got some advice for him onhisshot.”

Jackie turned to me, and her eyes widened. “No. No way. I mean, thank you, Leo, but it’s okay. I enjoy takingTristanhome.”

Sid jumped all over my offer. I knew he would, he was one of those bulldozers who are completely oblivious to anyone else’s feelings. “It’s the perfect solution, Jackie. The kid gets to go home with his old coach, even get a few tips. And we can leaverightnow.”

“But I’m not dressed up for going out. And what about Hannah? She’s going to be babysitting tonight, and she doesn’t even know thatLeois—”

He interrupted. “Text her and tell her what’s going on. And don’t worry about your clothes. You look perfect. You always look beautiful. Am Iright,Leo?”

I nodded. “For sure. She wakes uplikethat.”

Jackie glared at me, but he was completely oblivious. Now that I was helping him get his way, I was his good buddy. Still, she seemed to be wavering. What happened to her new self-confidence? Jackie was getting pushed around way too easily, and I worried about what else he might be talking her into. Even as I missed her, I had never imagined her with someone else. But it was easy as a cupcake to imagine this idiot pressuring her sexually.Merde.

It was stupid of me to come to the game. I pretended that I was coming to see Tristan, but it was really about Jackie. I missed her like hell. But I should have come here with a real plan, not a bunch of hopes. I would never have walked into a game sounprepared.

The buzzer sounded, and Sid stood up. “Okay, why don’t we all go down and tell Tristan what’s happening. Then we cantakeoff.”

We followed his leather-jacketed back down the stairs. My eyes met Jackie’s, and again I wondered what she reallywanted.

Tristan was happy to see me. He didn’t mind the switch of chauffeurs at all. Jackie hugged him and congratulated him on his goal. She watched him tromp off into thedressingroom.

“Should I help him?” Iwondered.

“I don’t think so. Maybe it’s because I’m a mom, but he told me that he can do his own equipment this season.” She sounded sadaboutthis.

“Come on, Jackie. Let’s go,” Sid interrupted. She looked up at me. It felt like there was a question in her eyes, but we weren’t in sync anymore. If we were, she would have given this jerk the boot and gone home with me and Tristan. Because that’s what the old Jackie would have done. She put her kids first. But maybe it was me she didn’t want to bealonewith.

“Okay. Thanks again, Leo.” And then theyweregone.

Tristan changed quickly and brought out two of his teammates to meet me. “This is Leo. He’s the pro coach I was telling youabout.”

“Who do youcoach?”

“TheVancouverVice.”

“Oh. They kinda suck,” said theshorterone.

I laughed. “We used to suck. But we made a bunch of changes during the summer, so we’re not going to suck as badly this season. You guys should checkusout.”

They nodded politely. An entire Atom team would fill up some of the gaps in our arena seating nicely, but I wasn’t going to do that without Jackie’s okay. Unlike the idiot she wasdating.

Tristan directed me to a narrow house that was only a five-minute drive away. How hard would it have been for Sid to let Jackie drive her son home, get him settled, get changed, and then feel free to relax allnight?

“You want to come in and see my new room?” His voice was hopeful, so I agreed. All I had waiting for me at home was more work andleftovers.

The new place was a lot smaller than her other house, but it had that same comfortable sense of home. I wasn’t even sure how she did it. Was it the cushions everywhere, the plants, or theartwork?

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