Page 42 of Breakaway Heart
“Well, you know, sometimes you hear the truth in the words that aren’t said. And from what I know from listening to Randy, whether he knows it or not, I think that’s what he’s feeling. Randy hasn’t experienced a lot of that in his life. It makes him nervous. He’d rather shut the door in your face than let anyone in.”
Then he gave me a look that made me want to groan out loud, like he was a proud parent or something. “Youmight just be the exception.”
“You’re assuming I want to knock on that door.”
Hayden just smiled back at me. An annoying knowing smile that made me feel mad.
“You don’t even know me!”
“I’m starting to see why he likes you, though,” he chuckled back at my flustered face.
“Like me! I don’t think he even gives a damn about me, but thanks for your concern.”
“I’m just telling you that, if it’s what you want, perhaps you should go for it.”
“Sure, because it’s good for the team.”
“No. Because it’s good for Randy.”
“Well, thanks for the team talk,captain.”
I crossed my arms again and scowled at him, feeling like an angry field mouse negotiating with the hawk that was about to eat it.
Hayden reached into the glove that was nestled under his arm and pulled out a laminated pass.
“This is a pass for the players’ area. Randy’s usually last to leave, so if youdidwant to catch him, you’ll find him in the tunnel in about an hour. Up to you.”
He stretched out his hand, and I reluctantly took the pass with a swipe, feeling like I had little choice in it. Not that Iwouldbe hanging around waiting for Randy like some fan-girl.
Hayden shrugged and turned away, “Sometimes, just taking the shot is better than waiting for the right moment.”
Great. Even my mantle as “Love Guru” had now been taken by some hockey-playing monster who thought he was Cupid.
“What was that about?” Hannah whispered in my ear as I went back and sat with her and Drool.
I showed her the pass and rolled my eyes, “I guess you’re not the only person who thinks it’s a good idea for me to see Randall.”
“Oh, alright! We can finally find out what the heck happened with that chump. Thatwasthe point of coming here, right?”
19
TRAPPED BY PENISES
Against my better judgment, and encouraged by mysupposedbest friend,I hung awkwardly around the tunnel, avoiding eye contact with the players as they walked past, while wondering what the hell I was even doing there. Hanging out here like some groupie, waiting to catch a glimpse of a hockey player I’d spent a night with before he ran out on me. It was beyond embarrassing.
After a few minutes, I changed my mind and decided to leave. Perhaps I could even make it home in time for ‘Bride Or Die’, my latest dating show obsession. I’d just begun to make strides toward the exit sign when a familiar voice made me freeze.
“Hey, wait, is that Lucy, theLove Guru?”
The familiar voice stopped me in my tracks. I closed my eyes in agony, wishing I’d been just a little quicker in my escape. Slowly, I turned around, and there was Randy. Stood in his sweats, his hair still wet, a hockey bag slung over one shoulder, he looked annoyingly good.
“Hey, Randall,” I tried to say as coolly as I could.
“Lucy? What are you doing here?”
“Just. Um, thought I’d say hi. See how you were doing.”
Randall’s eyebrows moved higher up his forehead, and a coy smile spread across his lips.
