Page 29 of Soulmates and Slapshots
“Anyway, we have to go,” I say. “Team celebration.”
I end the call before either of them can respond. As soon as they’re gone, I let out an overwhelming sigh. It feels like that call just took seconds off my life.
“Thank you, thank you, thank you,” I gush. “I owe you. Let me buy you a drink or something.”
Weston grins slightly. “Well, you did just ask me on a date.”
I purse my lips. “I guess I did.”
“And I could use some food after racing across the ice for three periods,” he adds.
I laugh. “You deserve it. You guys were awesome tonight.”
“Did you enjoy the game?” he asks.
“Yes,” I shout louder that I intend.
He chuckles. “I told you.”
“You were right,” I agree. “So where should we go?”
Honestly, I feel like I’m outside of my body right now. What just happened? My phone is buzzing repeatedly, and I have no doubt it’s Hayley. I think I’ll make her wait for a day or two before I respond. She needs time to reflect, and I need time to come up with a good story as to why I’m going on dates with hockey players instead of going home to New York. Regardless, I know I can’t put off my return much longer. Running away isn’t going to change anything. But tonight…I guess I have a date.
CHAPTER 9
WESTON
It’s been quite an evening—more eventful than I expected it would be. Not only did we kick off the season with a hard-fought win, but afterwards I ended up at The Rustic Slice sharing a pizza with Fiona. Okay, so maybe she didn’t technically ask me out. It was more like a spontaneous favor that turned into a meal. Now I’m sitting across from her, surrounded by the buzz of post-game energy and the scent of garlic. I don’t think I could imagine a better way to end the night.
The place is packed—clearly half the town had the same idea we did. Jerseys and team colors are everywhere, along with laughter and the occasional cheer when someone replays a highlight on their phone.
“Thanks again for going along with me,” Fiona says, pulling my attention back to her.
“You’re welcome,” I reply, meaning it.
She takes a sip of her soda then sets the glass down with a sigh. “You’re probably wondering why I dragged you into my drama.”
I give a casual shrug. “Maybe just a little.”
Fiona glances down at her plate, fiddling with the crust of her pizza. “My friend Hayley called tonight. She ran into my ex-boyfriend Joshua, and somehow he convinced her to get me on the phone. He’s been trying to reach me, but I’ve been dodging his calls.”
I nod, trying to keep my expression neutral. “Ah.”
Part of me wants to ask what kind of ex this guy is. Did he break her heart? And if so, why is he reaching out to her now? Either way, it bothers me that he’s calling her, which is ridiculous because it’s none of my business.
“So, I’m guessing he wants to fix things,” I suggest.
She shrugs, leaning back in her seat. “I don’t know. Maybe. He’s not exactly clear about what he wants. A few months ago he told me he needed a break—out of nowhere. No warning, no real explanation. I was completely blindsided.”
“That sucks,” I exclaim. “I’m sorry.”
“Yeah. Between that situation and everything that was happening with my job, I just knew I needed to hit reset. Get out of New York, clear my head.”
“So that’s when you decided to come here?”
She nods. “Exactly. I guess I was craving fresh air and less chaos. It felt like the right move.”
I glance around the crowded pizzeria, with its worn wooden tables, the handwritten chalkboard menu glowing under twinkle lights.
