Page 112 of Just One Season
I open my mouth to respond, but my throat tightens, and my eyes suddenly sting. These words are the last ones I want to be saying. I don’t have to use my acting skills to appear like I’m getting over a breakup.
I’m really doing it.
“Actually, I wanted to see if one of the sponsors was going to watch the game, but it looks like they’re not here.” I make a show of looking around, and I hope she doesn’t suggest I stay and wait for them to arrive. “And Kellen and I aren’t together anymore.”
Savannah’s eyebrows shoot up. “Really? Oh no.” She sounds genuinely sorry. “I thought you two were looking cozy at the coffee shop a few days ago?”
I shrug. One day last week we’d met up at Deep Roots Cafe for a coffee before work. It was kind of a bookend to the first public appearance we made back inearly October.
“You okay? You just got really pale.” Savannah reaches out and touches my arm gently, her face creased with concern.
“Yeah, of course. Things end. It’s okay. I’m only doing a mat leave cover here anyway, so it wasn’t going to last forever.” My voice hitches on the word forever.
“What a shame.” Savannah looks at me intensely, her gaze flitting from eye to eye. “Need anything? Girls night out? I’m meeting up with Lina for drinks right before Christmas.”
I blink. “Um, I’m okay, really.”
Actually, that sounds fantastic. I could use more women friends here in Fort Collins. I have Raleigh and January, but we’re always scattered all over the place.
“Oh. Well, good.” She drops her hand from my arm. “Glad you’re okay.”
“Savannah?” Paul calls from across the suite, then raises a hand to me.
“Enjoy the game.” And with that, Savannah walks away from me, returning to Paul’s side. The suited man he was talking to turns to her.
I stand for a few more minutes, pretending to wait for the fake corporate sponsor I mentioned to Savannah and watching the start of the game. My eyes find Kellen on the ice, and I watch him race around the rink with my brother and their teammates. I think about the disastrous but charming skating lesson Kellen gave me and regret we won’t get to try again.
Why do I feel like my heart just got ripped out?
After the first period is halfway over, I slip out of the suite. I pause outside the door and lean against the wall, willing my heart to slow down, pushing away feelings of devastation mixed with relief.
That’s it? That’s the whole breakup?
Of course it is. What did I expect? A full-blown investigation? Savannah doesn’t really care about me, or who Kellen dates. Neither does Paul.
I’ll send one more text to Kellen. He won’t get it until after the game.
Me
I guess now you’re my fake ex-boyfriend
Me
It’s been fun hanging out with you these last few months
Me
Hope you win today!
Hope you win today?Real smooth. I slip my phone into my back pocket.
That’s it. No more texting. It’ll only hurt. It already hurts. Hurts that I won’t get to tell him all the random nothings of my day. No more stolen kisses. No more hanging out with Ava—oh, I’ll miss that little girl. No more stupid food and animal pet names.
No moreus.
I walk out of the arena, stopping by my office to grab my purse, and head to Atticus’s apartment.
It’s only when I’m almost home do I realize that Savannah might tell Paul how upset I looked, and Paul might tell my father, and my father might tell Ron?—
