Page 84 of The Import Slot
“Well, I said yes, but now I’m thinking—I mean, he’ll be on the road a lot.”
“Jen. Things have a way of working themselves out. If you guys are meant to be, it’ll happen.”
There’s a familiar snicker from behind us, and I turn to see Nathan glaring at me, another new, bored-looking girlfriend by his side.
“Can I help you?” I yell across a few empty rows.
“You’re honestly that desperate for a shag that you’re moving continents, Jen?” His smirk is enough to push me over the edge of rage. I can’t believe I used to kiss him. I used to also, well—.
“Go fuck yourself, Nathan.” It’s all I can think of saying, and a few people gasp. Not Vicky, though.
The guys skate out for warm-ups, and we stand up and applaud them. There’s about half a block full of our fans, and we join in the cheers, but I can feel Nathan watching me.
“Can we stand down by the glass?” I ask Vicky.
She grabs her bag and leads the way.
“I think you need to tell Liam how you feel. I know I’m meddling, but Ryan is convinced Liam is still in love with you, and he’s never loved anyone else. Apart from their mom.”
“I believe him,” she says. “My life is here now, though, Jenna.” I nod and keep my eyes forward, watching Ryan glide across the ice.
My life is here too, but it also feels like it’d be empty without him. How did things escalate this quickly?
My phone buzzes in my pocket, and I pull it out to see a text from Becca.
Becca:Send me a picture of the warm-up, please!
I know she’s really asking for a photo of Danny, so I snap a picture, zooming in on Danny. He’s not smiling. In fact, he looks miserable, and I hardly heard him on the coach. Usually, he’s cracking jokes and making fun of Bettsy.
Becca:Thanks.
Jen:You need to tell him.
Becca:Tell him what?
Jen:That you love him!
Becca:Shh.
Christ, all this secret love-ness is stressing me out. Becca loves Danny, Vicky loves Liam, and I, well.
Chapter 23
Ryan
Assoonasthefinal buzzer sounds, Johnny is off the ice.
He snaps his stick over his knee, then tosses the pieces aside.
His helmet is the next subject of his wrath. He throws it against the nearest wall before he struts to the dressing room.
I’d wager that Johnny is pissed.
He was sloppy, and his attitude bled into everyone else. He’s usually always the model captain, offering words of encouragement and guidance, but tonight, he’s hardly spoken.
As the rest of us file into the dressing room, he withholds eye contact, and luckily, no one tries to engage him.
We all undress in silence, the air frosty, and everyone braces themselves when Coach Adams barges in through the door.
