Page 44 of Bad Teammate
The girls spun around to face me, shooting daggers with their eyes. Who was I, thinking I could taketheirman away? Their eyes swept up and down my body, harshly judging me. The verdict came in an instant—they found me inferior, and their lips curled with disgust.
Derek let out a sigh. “Yeah, alright.”
I’d won, but it sure didn’t feel like it.
Maybe it was the way he reluctantly pushed off the counter when he joined me.
Maybe it was the shame in knowing that I’d just sunk to those girls’ level, and jealously overplayed my hand.
Whatever it was, a self-loathing filled me as I led Derek down the hall to the bedroom.
Wow,I thought.What am I even doing?
I wasn’t sure. I didn’t have a plan. All I knew was that I had to get him away from those girls. I figured, once I had him alone, he’d do exactly what he’d done last night.
Derek stopped in the hall, outside the open bedroom door. I gestured him in and, after a moment’s hesitation, he joined me. He didn’t shut the door behind himself, so I had to. I sat on the bed, hoping he’d pounce on me like he did last night, when he’d found me so irresistible.
But no.
Derek didn’t pounce; instead, he kept a safe distance. And he kept his gaze trained everywhere but me—at his shoes, the door, the wall. Like he couldn’t stand the sight of me.
“So … what did you want to talk about?” he asked, his voice lifeless and flat.
“I wanted to thank you for throwing the party. I’ve had such a good time.”
“Sure.” He buried his hands in his trouser pockets. “Don’t mention it.”
“But I really am so thankful. I talked to Emma and Austen for hours and it was a blast. I feel like I made two new best friends. They’re great.”
“They really are,” he said. “Jack and Dane are two lucky guys.”
“So, while I was talking with the ladies, I checked the Dallas Symphony schedule and Anna Fedorova is in town, and she’s playing one of my favorite pieces—Rachmaninov’s Second.”
“Who’s that?”
“Anna Fedorova? A Ukranian piano player. She’s wonderful.”
“Oh … I see.”
“Anyway, we all made plans to go to the symphony together later this week. I was wondering if you’d like to be my date? I already asked Sasha, but he said no.”
“I don’t know, Katerina.” He swallowed. He looked pained. “It’s probably for the best if I don’t.”
I clasped my hands together and gave him my eyes. “Please? It will be so much fun. Dane and Jack will be coming along, too.”
His eyes widened. “They’ll be there, too?” Frantically, he shook his head. “No. I definitely shouldn’t.”
“Well … would you rather us go alone …?” I knew it was a long shot, I knew I reeked of desperation, but Ihadto say it.
He sighed. “I don’t think so, Katerina. It’s just not a good idea.”
“Oh.” I nodded. “Yeah. You’re right.”
A silence came over us. With each passing second, I felt more stupid. What had I been thinking? Did I really think we had a chance? I talked to a few hockey wives, and suddenly I was convinced Derek and I were meant to be? What the heck had gotten into me?
“So … is that all you wanted to talk to me about?” he asked, after a long and awkward pause.
“Yes. That’s all,” I said. I turned away from him; I couldn’t look him in the eye. I felt so embarrassed and ashamed my skin crawled. “Anyway, I don’t want to keep you. You should get back to your girls. I’m sure they’re waiting for you.”
