Page 28 of The Riley Effect

Jalen’s the captain of one of the top hockey teams in the country who is getting ready for their first game of the season, one with high expectations, and he still made time to watch my game. He’s not even my boyfriend. I don’t even know if we are anything.

Jalen’s been so patient with me. I know Indy has hinted to him why I’m so hesitant to start a relationship, and how my anxiety makes it hard to function some days. I’ll have to talk about it with him soon but when I brought it up this week at the shelter all he said was that he’ll be there to listen when I’m ready to talk. I think we chose which fork in the road we want to take. I’m happy moving at a snail’s pace and thankful Jalen is willing to take it slow.

I read the message one more time before I answer, hoping Jalen sees the message before taking the ice for warm-ups.

Ivy- Thanks, I still can’t believe it’s my last first game. I already promised the girls I’d go with them. Good luck tonight, and see you later.

“What has you smiling like that?” Indy asks as I place my phone back in my locker.

“It’s Jalen,” I say nonchalantly. I don’t want her to think it’s a bigger deal than it is since the whole Byron walking in on me straddling Jalen thing, she’s been planning a double wedding. “He asked me to meet him at Jasper’s when we get home.”

“Things seem to be heating up between you guys.”

There was a shift in our relationship after our shift at the shelter on Tuesday. I’ve been to the hockey house a couple of times this week to help with Mia. The boys shower that girl with love, but they have no idea how to train a puppy. My lips turn up, remembering how Mia peed on Marcus’ hockey bag. I thought he was going to kill Byron, blaming him for bringing Mia home.

I shrug. “I guess… We were already going to the bar. It’s not like I am going for him.”

“Vee, it’s okay to be excited about Jalen,” She sends a smile in my direction. “You deserve to be happy.” She looks at me earnestly and continues. “Behind the hockey playboy facade, Jalen is one of the best guys I know.”

“Yeah, he is pretty great.” My eyes close in frustration, knowing she somehow managed to get exactly what she wanted from me. “Don’t you dare say it?”

“Say what, that I knew you and Jay would be good together or that you having fun this year would lead to good things for me.”

I grab my stuff for the shower, and as I walk away, I flip her my middle finger.

After we landed back in New York, we had a couple of hours before we had to meet the rest of the team at the bar. Indy and Idecided to go home to change and pick up Lola before we left for Jaspers to save a couple of booths.

“I can’t believe Mia peed on you.” Lola barely gets out between her wheezing laughter as we get out of my car–my sister gave me my Mom’s 1960 Mustang for my sixteenth birthday. I love that car.

Marcus texted Indy, asking if she could bring Mia out so she wouldn’t be in her crate until they got home from their game. You can say she was a little excited to see us.

But Indy is a good support and joins in with the laughter. “She literally couldn’t stop. My travel suit was drenched. Coach said she’d get me a new one, thank god.” She wipes away the tears from laughing so hard.

We send Lola to grab the large wrap-around booth at the back of the bar while we grab drinks.

“I still don’t understand why it took you so long to pick out an outfit, it’s not like you need to impress anyone.” Indy’s side-eye tells me she isn’t impressed with my snappy tone.

We got to the bar an hour later than I planned to because of her impromptu fashion show. I wanted to get to the bar early enough to have a few drinks before the guys got here. Now I’ll be lucky if I get one.

“Well, Marcus and I haven’t seen each other all week, and I’m hoping if I look hot enough, he’ll take me in the bathroom and have his way with me.”

Indy’s rebuttal makes me laugh but doesn’t shock me. Even though they’ve been dating for over a year, they still can’t keep their hands off each other.

“Good to know.” I grab the drinks and make my way back towards Lola. The boys must have walked right past Indy and me at the bar because they now take up most of the booth.

My breath hitches, and I nearly spill my drink when I realize Jalen has a gorgeous blonde draped all over him.

I must love torturing myself because I don’t look away as her hand begins to stroke Jalen’s thigh. I think Indy is trying to tell me something, but I can’t get myself to turn in her direction. I only hear white noise. My eyes glued to the man I was stupid enough to believe when he told me I wasn’t like the others.

“I’m sure it’s not what it looks like, Vee. You’re literally all he talks about,” Indy finally breaks through.

When my chest begins to tighten, I know I need to find a space where I can be alone. I look around, trying to find the quickest route to the bathroom. I can’t help but groan when I realize the only path is to pass by Jalen’s table. Not wanting to make a scene, I put my head down and swiftly make my way to a place where I can sort through everything alone. I follow the wood planks like lines on a treasure map, leading me to my escape.

Jalen must have finally peeled himself free of those dainty fingers because his tall frame is acting as my shadow.

“Ivy!” He yells after me.

“What the fuck Jalen,” Indy’s voice cuts through the music. I don’t hear the rest of their conversation, and I don’t need to because Indy is as loyal as they come. Marcus will be the first to tell you that you don’t want to be on the other end of Indy’s wrath.

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