Page 91 of In My Hockey Era

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Bennett:We need to talk.

I stop breathing.

No denial.Nothis is bullshit, don’t believe a word of it.

Just a simple, heavywe need to talk.

Me:Talk now.I need to know if this is real.

Bennett:In person, Quinn.Please.

The way he sayspleasemakes something twist deep inside my chest.

I squeeze my eyes shut.

So it is true.

I force a breath, my throat tight, my heart still begging me to believe there’s another explanation.

Me:Fine.When?

Bennett:Come over.

I stare at the message, my stomach free-falling.

Two nights ago, I was in his bed, curled up against his chest, believing I was finally letting my walls down.

Now?

Now, nothing between us will ever be the same again.

He wants to do this in person.

But it doesn’t matter.

Because it’s already too late.He lied to me.And no matter what he says, this is still a betrayal.I shouldn’t have had to find out like this.

I swallow against the lump in my throat, my chest tight, my thoughts a mess.I can stillfeelthe emotions of the night I spent at his place, the way he looked at me, the way I let myself believe.

And now?

I’m not even sure he’s not the man I thought he was.What else has he lied about?

My thumbs move before I can second-guess myself.

Me:It’s too late.I have an early shift.

There’s a beat before his response comes through.

Bennett:Quinn, please.We need to talk about this.

I close my eyes.Yeah, no shit.

Me:We will.Tomorrow.After my shift.

I regret it the second I hit send.

Because now I have to get through an entire day knowing that the minute my shift ends, I have to face him.

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