Page 98 of In My Hockey Era
I’ve been avoiding that truth since the second I walked away from him.
Because admitting it?It makes everything hurt even more.
Connor sighs.“Look, I was skeptical at first.I wasn’t sure about him, wasn’t sure if he was worth it.But you want to know what I do know?”
I swallow.“What?”
“That you’ve never sounded like this over a guy before.”His voice is gentle, but certain.“So maybe that means something.”
A tear slips down my cheek.
Yeah.It means something.
I drag in a shaky breath.“I don’t know what to do.”
Connor lets out a low chuckle.“Well, step one is probably getting some sleep, because you sound like hell.”
I huff a tired laugh, swiping at my face.“Wow, thanks.”
“Anytime.”His voice turns teasing, but there’s warmth beneath it.“Love you, sis.”
I sniff again, my throat tight.“Love you too.”
• • •
The wail of the siren fades as Ethan and I push the stretcher into the ER, moving in sync like we’ve done a hundred times before.It’s a simple transport—elderly woman, dehydration, nothing life-threatening.The kind of call we’re relieved to get after a week of chaos.
“Vitals are stable,” I tell the triage nurse as we shift our patient to the hospital bed.Ethan helps adjust her blankets while I hand off the paperwork.A few minutes later, we’re back in the rig, the hum of the engine filling the silence as we sit in the bay, waiting for our next call.
I press my head against the seat and exhale, willing the ache in my chest to disappear.
It doesn’t.
I feel Ethan’s eyes on me before he even says a word.
“So,” he starts, stretching out the word.“You gonna tell me what the hell is going on with you, or do I need to start assuming you have a terminal illness?”
I snort, rubbing a hand over my face.“What?”
“Come on, Quinn.You look like death warmed over, and you’ve been moping around like a kicked puppy for days.Either you’re dying, or—” He pauses, narrowing his eyes.“Oh shit.It’s a guy, isn’t it?”
I stiffen.
Ethan’s mouth curves into a smug grin.“Itisa guy.Jeez, I didn’t think you even had feelings, let alone ones strong enough to make you this miserable.”
I shoot him a look.“Do you want me to kick your ass?”
“You could try, but you’re weak from heartbreak.”
I groan, tipping my head back against the seat.“Ethan.Drop it.”
“Yeah, see, Iwould, except you’ve been acting weird forweeks.And I don’t like it.You don’t talk about personal stuff, I get that, but whatever this is?It’s eating you alive, Quinn.”
I close my eyes.
Icouldbrush him off.Ishould.But the weight in my chest is so damn heavy, and Connor’s words from last night are still ringing in my head.
Maybe I need to talk about it.
