Page 52 of Don't Leave
He wouldn’t do something like that, would he?
“Hmmm.” Brooklyn doesn’t say anything more than that.
And really, what else is there to say?
Knocking into her arm, I pull her distracted attention back to the ice by pointing to the players who are now moving through passing and shooting drills. With a glance at the clock, it’s a reliefto see that the game will start in less than five minutes. I just want to get this over with.
What sucks is that before the library incident, I’d been looking forward to watching Cole play tonight. Now, I have no idea where Cole and I even stand. After he dropped me off, I couldn’t help but feel as if there’d been so much left unsaid between us and not enough time to sort it out.
My gaze drifts back to Cole’s mother and stepfather. A thick jolt slices through me when I realize that Jackie is scrutinizing me in much the same way I’d been staring at her a handful of minutes ago.
Brooklyn nudges my shoulder to reclaim my attention. “Someone sure knows who you are.”
A soft puff of air escapes from me as I continue to hold Jackie’s gaze. “She introduced herself at the party on Halloween and pulled me aside for a conversation.”
Her head swivels toward mine so fast that I’m surprised she doesn’t get whiplash. The shocked expression on her face would be comical if there was anything remotely funny about this situation.
“Seriously?”
I jerk my shoulders into a tight shrug, not really wanting to delve into that story right now. Especially with Jackie watching. “Cole never told me what happened between them, and she was kind enough to fill in all the blanks.”
“Oh, I just bet she did,” Brooklyn grumbles with narrowed eyes and pursed lips.
My voice drops as everything she said circles viciously through my brain again. “Yup.”
“Did she also admit to wanting him back?”
Breaking eye contact with Jackie, my head snaps towards Brooklyn in surprise. “How do you know that?”
She rolls her eyes before snorting. “Why else would she be here? Plus, every time she stares at the ice, she gets this sad look on her face.”
For some reason, that only makes me feel worse about the situation. Plus, Jackie has Cole’s parents on her side, rooting her on.
My bestie slings her arm around my shoulders before tugging me close just as the game is set to start. “You should have told me. Jeez, Cassidy. I always feel like you’re keeping me in the dark about what’s happening in your life.”
She’s not wrong.
Maybe I am a bad friend after all.
I force a small laugh. “I feel the same way, Ms. friends-with-benefits.”
A chuckle escapes from her as she shrugs. “What can I say? I was embarrassed.”
As the puck is dropped at center ice, I send up a little prayer of thanks that Brooklyn and I have reconnected this year and become even better friends. I don’t know what I’d do without her humor and support.
“Liking someone and having feelings for them shouldn’t embarrass you,” I tell her.
Instead of responding to that comment, she remains silent as we watch the Wolves steal the puck from the other team before racing to their opponent’s net. That’s one of the things I love about watching and playing hockey—it’s fast paced action from start to finish. There’s never a dull moment.
Even though it turns out to be a great game, it’s hard to find any enjoyment or pleasure in watching it. My mind is too wrapped up in all the problems that have cropped up in our relationship.
“I really thought the hard part would be telling Cole about my past. Unfortunately, what we’re now dealing with doesn’t feel any easier,” I admit.
Attention focused on the game, Brooklyn says, “It’s just an ex-girlfriend, Cass. You need to remember that Cole lovesyou. Not her. There’s nothing to deal with.”
I really wish that was the only thing standing in our way.
It feels as if there’s a yawning chasm that separates us, and I have no idea how to bridge the growing distance. For the rest of the game, Brooklyn and I munch on popcorn while watching the guys dominate on the ice. Even though Cole is having a good game, I can tell something isn’t right.
