Page 61 of The Rival (Looking to Score 2)
Her scowl falls away, replaced with an anxious frown. “And are you sorry for anything else?”
There it is. The doubt. The uncertainty that I’m even half the man she thought I was.
“I didn’t do it,” I say firmly, but she’s quiet. Her icy attitude toward me stings more than I expected it to. “And I need you to believe me, Eden. I wouldn’t harass a woman. You know I’m not that guy.”
She clears her throat. “I’m listening.”
The truth comes out earnest and firm, but Eden’s expression remains unchanged. What if this was the final deal breaker? What if this is the beginning of the end of my hockey career? Just the thought makes my stomach roll with nausea.
“I don’t even care about my reputation right now. Kick me off the team, for all I care. If you need to do that, I would completely understand. But I just need you to know, I need you to believe that I would never—”
“Okay, Alex. Okay.” Eden holds up a freshly manicured hand, silencing me. “Please stop.”
When I do, the room fills with the faint sounds of my unsteady breathing. Another minute passes before she speaks again.
“I know you, okay? I’ve known you for almost seven years . . .” She blinks as if those words surprise her. “I know you would never do anything even remotely—”
The turmoil in my stomach stutters to a halt. “Thank y—”
“No, I’m not done. I do believe in you. But if you make me regret this decision, I will kill you with my bare hands. Do you understand?”
I know Eden as well as she knows me. The woman isn’t bluffing.
“I understand.”
“Good. I’ve been wondering if the team should go through sexual harassment training again this season. This shit show settles it.”
Now I’m confused. “Why? You just said you believe me.”
“Alex.” Eden sighs, closing her eyes as she pinches the bridge of her nose. “Whether you realize it or not, the team looks up to you. Especially the younger guys. I don’t want this one instance of a woman lying getting the bigger issue twisted in their heads. This is not the norm. The vast majority of sexual harassment and assault reports are true.”
I nod, a new understanding dawning on me. Now that the suit is a complete media circus, covered by tabloids, no less, people with the wrong idea could use my lawsuit as an example—hell, as ammunition—to shut down real victims in the future. I make a mental note to emphasize sensitivity toward the broader issue during my next call with Hugh.
Our conversation is far from over, but I feel like I can breathe easier now. Eden believes me. Maybe Aspen will too.
As if my very thought summoned her, Aspen walks through the door. It’s been a month since I’ve seen her in person, a month since I felt that familiar swell in my heart at the sight of her.
Goddamn. In this case, reality is so much better than memories. She’s beautiful.
“Hi, sorry I’m late. My car—” Aspen suddenly snaps her mouth shut, seeing me sitting across from Eden. “Oh . . . uh, hi, Alex.”
“Hey.” I can’t help but stare at her.
The summer tan that once gave Aspen a smattering of freckles across her nose and cheeks has faded. It’s strange seeing her in a button-up and pencil skirt instead of her usual oversize T-shirt and yoga pants. Her lips are painted that same muted rosy color she wore that night to the brewery—that night that felt a lot like a date. It’s too painful to let myself think about, so I push it from my head.
“What’s up with your car?” I hear myself ask.
“Oh.” She scoffs, a nervous energy about her. “It wouldn’t start.”
“Do you need—”
“One of my neighbors helped me jump it.”
Neighbor. Right. She has her own place now, but I have no idea where. I have no idea if it’s in a safe neighborhood, or if she has everything she needs. And with the way our brief time together ended, I may never know.
I nod once and turn my attention back to Eden. She’s glowering at us like we’ve just made out in front of her. I wouldn’t be surprised if she suspects something. And though I’m not ashamed of anything I did with Aspen, I’m a little concerned by the glare Eden is leveling at us right now.
“Have you seen the tabloids today, Aspen?”
Fuck.
Aspen sighs with a tired smile. “Oh God, what is it now?”
She doesn’t know yet. I shoot Eden a pleading look. “Eden—”
“Our boy Alex here is being sued on sexual harassment allegations.”
If I ever had a kind thought about this woman, it’s long gone. Dammit, Eden.
I shake my head in disbelief. Eden just shrugs and turns back to her computer.
“What?” Paler than I’ve ever seen her, Aspen locks her wide eyes on me.
