Page 117 of Just One Season
January turns her dark blue eyes to me and tosses her long, almost-black hair over her shoulder. She’s basically a goddess.
“Where is Atticus, anyway?” Raleigh sets her glass down on the counter and spins it slowly.
I shrug. “With some of the guys. I’m sure the usual suspects: Kellen and Lachlan and Harley.”
“You’ve been super interested in Atticus’s whereabouts since we got here.” January makes a face at Raleigh. “What’s up with that?”
“Nothing’s up with that. Just curious.”
“Talked to your ex over the holidays?”
Raleigh scoffs. “No. I’m glad he didn’t call. I’m especially glad I didn’t have to spend Christmas with his family. What a relief.”
“Why don’t we try not getting married to the next man you date?” January downs her drink.
“I won’t. I’m never getting married again.”
“Weren’t you on that new dating app earlier today?” January tilts her head.
“I’m just curious!” Raleigh throws her head back and sighs. “I’m not actually going to date anyone. Not anytime soon, anyway.”
“I’ll believe that when I see it.”
“Hey!”
They banter back and forth, and I smile and quietly sip my drink, scratching MBM’s head with one hand.
These are my people. January and Raleigh. My brother. My mom. I’m just here in Colorado for one season. If everything works out with Winchester FC, then I’ll move to England. And if it doesn’t, I need another plan.
Colorado will not be part of that plan.
The ballroom of the hotel in central Fort Collins is magically decorated for the holidays. Miles of white fairy lights line every door frame, table, and holiday decoration. Men in suits and tuxedos talk in groups, some older and some younger.
It’s a holiday wonderland in here, but I’m having a hard time keeping my eyes off Kellen. Even the side view of him across the room is mouthwatering. He’s wearing a black suit snugly fitted to his body, the jacket hugging his broad shoulders and perfectly tapering to his waist. No tie, but the top button of his white shirt is undone, adding a casual feel. He looks like he walked out of an advertisement.
Joy explodes inside me at the sight of him. This is the man I’min love with. But then the joy fades as I remember we broke up, and I can’t have him.
Uniformed servers walk around with hors d’oeuvres and glasses of champagne. One passes in front of us and January waves at him to stop, gesturing for each of us to grab a glass of bubbly. Then she leads us to the center of the room like she owns the place.
“Let’s have a toast.” She lifts her champagne flute. “To Raleigh, for officially getting rid of that dead weight of an ex-husband. Congrats on your second divorce, babes.”
Raleigh moans but there’s a smile behind the grimace.
“And to Lucy.” January turns to me. “For getting railed by a hot hockey player.”
“January! Hush!” I glance around the room. “You’re practically shouting.”
“Lulu, you were publicly dating him.”
“Publicly fake dating.”
“I’m betting more than one person in this room knows it went a bit beyond that. Certainly the entire Kellcy Fake Dating Planning Committee, which included like half the team by the end.” January shakes her head. “Anyway! Not the point here.”
“Hey.” Raleigh grabs my hand. “You were so brave quitting DC FC, leaving everything behind to come here, and going for that job in England. You’re an inspiration.”
“Thanks, Raleigh.” I squeeze her hand and swallow down the sudden lump in my throat.
We all clink and drink. Even though earlier I suggested we don’t get trashed, what else do we have to do tomorrow besides sleep? I sneak a glance at the boys, who are now waiting in line for drinks, and Kellen’s eyes lock with mine.
