Page 56 of Love Puck

Or a cheater.

But a good number of people did.

Of course, all of this caused a backlash with Stuart. And worst of all—his dad.

So, I had to immediately get onto my social media and make a public statement. Stuart and his dad wanted me to do a live apology. But I knew there was no hope of me holding myself together long enough to do that.

Instead, I wrote up a quick statement. I explained how tired I’d been and that I fell asleep. I said it was a mistake to sit beside Cash—even though we were just friends. And that I was sorry for embarrassing my fiancé—whom I loved very much.

Blah, blah, blah.

You get the idea.

Stuart and his dad were less than pleased at my “lack of effort.” Stuart’s dad said, “You were most unconvincing. You’re going to have to do more to save my son’s reputation.”

I’d wanted to reach through the phone and slap him.

And his son.

I wanted to scream at both of them and tell them to leave me the hell alone.

I also wanted to run away and forget the day I’d ever met Stuart.

Or his dad.

“Let’s go!” I yelled at Walsh as I hit my stick on the ice. She assumed the position and shut up.

Thank goodness.

The ref blew her whistle and dropped the puck.

Which I won.

If there was one thing I was good at—no, freaking great at—it was channeling my anger into my game.

And good grief was I ever angry.

Angry at Stuart.

Angry at his dad.

Angry at the stupid show.

Angry at the world.

I passed the puck directly to Gigi, and she took off down to the other end. I checked two players out of my way as I followed her.

“Shot!” I yelled out to my best friend. And without a second of hesitation, she gave me the puck right back.

With the power of my anger—I attacked. The goalie didn’t see it coming.

Upper right—where she’d left just the perfect amount of space for me to slip the puck into the net. She dropped down to her knees and then began swearing a blue streak when the goal horn went off.

I laughed and glided around the net. Gigi met me there and grabbed me. “Nice goal, Jillybean!” She laughed as Lexi and a few other teammates joined in. They all congratulated me before skating back to the center ice.

When I started following them, Gigi turned around and hit her stick against my leg. “Don’t listen to those idiots.” Her eyes held mine and all hints of celebration had exited her gaze. “They don’t know you. We all know you’d never cheat on your fiancé. So don’t listen to them, okay?”

The joy I’d just felt in my heart suddenly skated away. Along with my pride.

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