Page 56 of Your Second Chance
“Telling me what to do,” he shot back, his tone a mix of exasperation and something softer, something almost pleading.
“I’m not?—”
“You are. You’re deciding for me, Nova. Deciding what I can handle, what I want, what I feel. You don’t get to do that.”
I crossed my arms defensively. “I’m being realistic.”
“No. You’re building walls so high you think I’ll give up trying to climb them. But if you build them to the sky, I’ll find a way to get over them.”
His words held weight, a gravity I wasn’t sure I was ready to confront.
“I’m not trying to?—”
“Yes, you are.” His gaze locked onto mine. “And that’s fine. I get it. I get that you’re scared. But don’t for one second think you can dictate how I feel or what I want. That’s my choice, Nova.Mine.”
I swallowed hard, unable to respond as his words sank in. He wasn’t wrong, and that terrified me more than I could admit.
Suddenly, some guy with a massive camera came bustling toward us, his lens already pointed in our direction.
“Coach Stone. Can I grab a quick shot of you and your... ?” He darted his eyes toward me, clearly fishing for a title.
Before I could say anything, Ollie stepped in front of me, blocking me from view like a damn human wall. “Not today, mate,” he said firmly, his tone leaving no room for argument.
The guy didn’t get the memo, though. The camera clicked anyway.
“Fuck,” Ollie muttered as the photographer scurried off, clearly pleased with himself. “That hasn’t happened since the Cotswolds.”
When it had happened, I’d looked on the internet, scouring to see if that photo had gone anywhere. It ended up on some blog about “hot rugby coaches” but otherwise went nowhere. It was one small article, thankfully.
I sighed. “This won’t be anything. Not like we’re a big deal.”
Ollie didn’t look convinced. His eyes searched mine, a question forming before he even asked. “You think your ex will see it?”
I hesitated, the weight of the situation pressing on me. “I don’t know. I have no idea where he even is.”
Concern flickered across his face. “You okay?”
I nodded, but the truth was gnawing at me. I couldn’t keep dodging it. “I’ll call him this week,” I said quietly, looking down at the cobblestone street. “I don’t want to ruin the date any further.”
“You’re not ruining anything.”
He reached out, brushing his fingers against mine.
“Let’s enjoy the rest of the day.” I forced a small smile.
“If another camera shows up, I’m tackling someone.”
I laughed, the sound easing some of the pressure in my chest.
21
ollie
I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t curious about her ex. She hadn’t given me much—just that he was an alcoholic and someone she used to be with. From the way her voice had gone flat when she mentioned Chicago, and how she’d paused when the subject of team staff came up, I had a pretty good guess. They probably worked together, maybe back when she was with the hockey team there.
I didn’t follow hockey much—it wasn’t exactly a big thing here—but I knew I could probably find out everything with a quick internet search. That idea sat wrong. It felt like I’d be sneaking around her truth instead of hearing it from her.
It was ironic, really. We’d spent the entire day together at Camden Market, talking about everything from favorite songs to childhood stories, but I couldn’t bring myself to ask the one thing that nagged at me. Was her ex someone I’d recognize? Did he have a place in her life, even just a shadow of one? I told myself it didn’t matter, but deep down, it did.
