Page 55 of Best Kept Secret
When I get inside, I lock the door, leaning back against it and taking a few deep breaths to calm my hammering heart.
“You’re being an idiot,” I hiss under each breath. “Get a fucking grip, Cullen.”
I close my eyes, doing those stupid breathing exercises that officially do not work for me, and when I realize I’m on the verge of an attack, I pull my phone from the pocket of my jeans, my hands shaking as I tap out a message.
Me: Nutella.
I stare down at the screen, seeing the read receipt appear.
Chewing on my thumbnail, I stare at the device.Please don’t fail me now, Red.
Red: I’ve got you.
I rub at the pain in my chest, unease coursing through me as I walk out of the bathroom and see everyone seated at the table,including Millie. Her eyes meet mine as she takes a bite of pizza, and so subtly even I almost miss it, she nods at me, and my unease dissipates enough so that I can at least breathe normally.
“Hey, Loges, come have some food,” Emily says, waving me over and patting the spot available next to her.
I nod once, moving to the makeshift buffet set up on the island counter and grab a plate. But just as I’m about to start loading it with food I know I won’t eat, Millie groans from behind me. Turning, I watch as she looks at her phone in her hands, shaking her head.
“Everything okay, Sis?” Dallas asks from across the table.
With an exaggerated sigh, Millie stands. “It’s my boss. I just have to go take this.” She mutters something under her breath and walks away from the table, answering the call from the other side of the sprawling great room, her voice kept to a low murmur.
With a slice of pizza and a couple tacos on my plate, I make my way to my designated seat, glancing over at Millie as she stands in the far corner, talking low on her phone.
“What’s up with you lately, Loges?” Dallas asks the second I sit down. “You’ve been a wild cannon out on the ice the last few games.”
All eyes are focused directly on me, and suddenly, all I can hear is my own pulse thudding hard in my ears.
“You know me,” I say with a dismissive shrug and a fake laugh. “I’ve always been a little crazy out there…”
“What did Coach say?” Dallas presses.
“Usual bullshit.” I shrug again, picking up the slice of pizza because if I have to stuff my mouth full of food to avoid talking, I will.
“Speaking ofCoach,” Hannah says, thankfully changing the subject. “It’s his birthday on Sunday, and I really wanted to make it a special occasion.”
“Stripper?” Happy pipes up, eyes wide with excitement.
Hannah glares at him. “No.”
Happy rolls his eyes. “Party pooper.”
“Dad hates parties, so I’m taking him for dinner, but I was thinking it would be so cool to have everyone at his favorite bar and we can stop in for a beer on our way home.” She smiles widely. “I mean, he’ll of course act like he wishes he was anywhere else, but deep down, he’ll be so touched.”
“Aw, how fun!” Emily coos.
“Will you guys all come?” Hannah asks, looking around the table.
“Of course.” Robbie nods, snaking his arm around Fran’s shoulders. “We’ll be there.”
“Any excuse to wear a cute dress.” Fran winks.
“What if I arrange the stripper?” Happy adds. “She’ll be classy, I promise. And you can pretend like you had no idea.”
Hannah looks at him in disgust. “We’re not having a stripper.”
“What a fucking bitch!”
