Page 122 of Just One Season
“Oh, no, not married. I don’t do marriage.” Stella laughs lightly. “But when you move here?—”
“If I move here,” I correct.
“Ifyou move here, my partner’s got plenty of hot rugby player friends I can introduce you to.”
“Well, we’ll see, I guess?”
I arrived in London last night after taking the train back from Winchester. The interview with Winchester FC went smoothly. I met with the head of HR, then the vice president of marketing and public relations—who would be my boss—and finally the club president. It’s a big job, and that makes me both nervous and excited.
I know I can do it. Any of that job performance insecurity I had during my DC FC years is gone. My father had been intentionally holding me back, but that’s over now.
But there’s a stabbing in my gut when I think about walking away from the Blizzard. It’s been so fun to work for Lina and with the team—and not just the Kellen part.
Too bad it’s not even an option. And I can’t imagine rejecting a job offer from WinchesterFC. If I get one.
“She’s definitely getting the job,” January says to Stella, who nods in instant agreement.
Earlier today, we walked around north London, where January rents a flat. It’s cold and wet and gets dark at four o’clock here, but she tells me that in the summer, it’s light until well after ten at night.
And it’s not like D.C. is nice this time of year either. Cold and wet and dark as well.
Fort Collins, though… there’s something gorgeous about the snowcapped mountains and the feel of Colorado in the winter. Something magical. Maybe I can go back and visit Atticus next year. Soccer will always be my first love, but I’ve really fallen for hockey. The constant movement and excitement of the dozen players on the ice. The intensity of the crowd in the enclosed arena. The raw power of the sport.
But will I ever be able to separate my feelings about Fort Collins and hockey with the man who has dominated my time and thoughts since I arrived there?
“You’ll love living in England. Oh, and I have a sister, Reese, who lives in Scotland with her Scottish husband, and another sister, Maddie, who lives in Ireland with her Irish husband. I’m trying to convince January to take a trip with me this summer to visit one or both of them.” Stella sips her wine.
“I might join you, Stella.” January shrugs. “But you know I have a hard time committing that far in advance. But Lucy—” January turns to me. “London is a short flight away from so many amazing places. It’s incredible.”
“Sounds like it,” I say. I picture a whole new life here, one that January and Stella are doing an impressive job of painting for me.
“You’ll be here by then. You can totally join us in Scotland and Ireland. If I go.” January reaches over and touches my hand, but I’m in another world and hardly hear her.
“Oh, and both my sisters’ husbands used to play for Winchester FC. I can’t believe I didn’t open with that.”
“Wow, that’s crazy. Wait—all three of you are with ex pro athletes?” My jaw drops slightly open.
“Um, yes.” Stella sips her wine casually. “Why, is that weird?”
“I guess not.” I shake my head. But I don’t have interest in soccer players or rugby players.
Just a certain hockey player.
Kellen and I haven’t talked since New Year’s Eve. What was I thinking in that bathroom? I wasn’t. When he wiped my chest with that tissue, I became desperate for him. It was animal instinct. Like if we hooked up again, maybe things would be different. He was looking at me with that intense stare of his. My neck heats just remembering.
As soon as it was over, I knew it had been a mistake. For my heart.
I’m so in love with that man.
My gut twists. I’m gonna beat that feeling down, stomp on it, ignore it, and fight it until it disappears for good.
But I can’t get the words he said to me on New Year’s Eve out of my head:I’ve never wanted anything more. I always want you, Lucy. I’m not sure I’ve ever?—
Did I dream that moment? I had been tipsy, sure. But I heard those words. What was he about to say? I kissed him to stop him from finishing. It wouldn’t do anyone any good to say things we can’t take back.
“Stop thinking about your hot hockey player.”
I scream in shock when January’s voice cuts through my thoughts. She huffs a laugh and Stella giggles with delight.
