Page 102 of Just One Season
Shit, no, what?I freeze my hand on the stem of the glass. That can’t be true. I shove those three little words into a tiny box to be opened at a much later time. Maybe never.
Because now is not the moment to be questioning if I’ve let myself fall for my hot hockey player fake boyfriend.
“I’ve had a great season so far, Richard, in case you were wondering.” Atticus leans back in his chair. Our father’s jaw clenches. He hates it when Atticus calls him Richard.
They argue back and forth about what defines a great season, and I mostly block them out. Kellen leaves his hand on my thigh, moving it slightly every few minutes.
I turn to Kellen to say something to him—anything—when a movement at the front of the room by the entrance catches my eye.
It’sRon.
Ron’s here. A desperate squeak escapes my throat.
My ex-fiancé walks up to the hostess stand and talks to the woman before looking around.
“Oh my god,” I say. Atticus and Richard stop arguing and everyone looks at me, then follows my gaze.
“Are you fucking kidding me?” Atticus realizes what’s got me spooked. He turns back to our father. “You invitedRonto join us?”
The waiter comes at that moment and distributes plates of appetizers. Then the man pulls another chair to the table and nods at Richard.
“What did you do, Dad?” I whisper.
“Oh, darling. We can all be mature adults, can’t we?” He doesn’t look one bit sorry for this situation.
Ron slowly walks our way, eyes locked with mine, looking just as freaked out as I feel. This is not happening. As much as I wanted to show my father and Ron that I’m fine on my own, I never wanted to look at my ex in person again. I broke up with him, and I meant it. It was over when I walked out. I had no intentions of going there ever again.
Kellen leans his lips close to my ear.
“Hey, I’m right here, okay? Don’t worry. You don’t have to say anything to him if you don’t want to.” Anger tinges his voice, but his warm breath tickles my neck, and I’m comforted by his presence.
“Hello, Lucy,” Ron says, nodding at me. “How are you?” His face is pale, and his voice shaky. He didn’t know I was going to be here with Kellen. Or maybe he didn’t know I’d be here at all.
As angry as I still am at Ron for what he did during our relationship, this situation is all on my father.
I swallow and attempt to speak, but it’s like a whole bag of cotton balls have been shoved down my throat, and I can’t get a word out.
“I’m Kellen Bassey.” Kellen stares hard at Ron. “Lucy’s boyfriend.”
Ron blinks at Kellen, then slides his gaze to me. “You have a boyfriend?”
So wordhadn’tgotten back to Ron that I’m dating Kellen. Dad didn’t tell him. Of course he didn’t. He still wants us to get back together.
Our plan didn’t work perfectly after all.
I nod but still can’t manage to speak.
“Don’t talk to her. After what you did, you don’t get to talk to my girlfriend.” Kellen clearly emphasizes the wordmyandgirlfriend, and my breath catches. “You blew your chance with Lucy.” He takes his hand off my thigh and entwines his fingers with mine, thumping our hands right on the table, a show for Ron.
Atticus literally laughs out loud.
I turn and stare at Kellen’s profile, my heart beating loudly in my chest.
“I was hoping we could talk,” Ron says to me. “But clearly this isn’t the time. Maybe tomorrow?—”
“I’m gonna stop you right there.” Kellen rolls his neck and bones crack. “Lucy’s not going to talk to you, and her dating life is none of your business. If you have something to say, then go ahead right now. But please keep it civil. It’s a holiday. We’re trying to enjoy a meal.”
I press my lips together and suppress a hysterical giggle. Kellen turns to me and winks. Everyone sees it.
