“Just a water please.”
“Water?” I shift to face him a bit.
Aiden looks at me. “I took some pain pills for my side.” Then he turns back to the waitress. “But I will have eight buffalo wings, chips and queso, and a bratwurst. You getting anything?”
I shake my head. “No, I’m full from the game.”
“You can snag some chips and queso off my plate like usual.”
“Thanks.”
Jeez, he plays the part of doting boyfriend well. It’s like he’s done this before.
The waitress looks at Jeremy, and he says they’re good but asks for some refills on their drinks.
“Bratwurst, huh?” Jeremy says. “No one makes them like they do in Wisconsin.”
“I know. I’m from there originally.”
Jeremy shuts up then.
“So Saige throws a drink in your face before every game?” Olivia asks.
Aiden glances over and squeezes my thigh even though they can’t see it across the booth. His hand has moved up an inch since he got here. Not that I’m paying attention.
“It’s how we met,” he says. “She thought she could resist me, but turns out I have too much charm.”
“Sure, that’s it.” I laugh.
“Come on. You couldn’t resist me that first night.” He nudges me with his shoulder.
“You’ll never know,” I singsong.
“One day I will.” He locks eyes with me, and I swallow because sometimes I forget how breathtakingly beautiful he is.
“You guys are really in love,” Olivia says, resting her chin on her hand and looking at us dreamily. “The chemistry is wafting off you two. If everyone could have what you guys have.”
“And what we have.” Jeremey tugs her closer to his side.
“That goes without saying.” She gives him a peck on his cheek, but Jeremy is staring at me.
Finally the food arrives and Aiden scarfs it all down except for the few chips and queso I sneak off his plate. Aiden pays the entire bill with his credit card, and we file out of the bar before it gets too late.
We stand on the sidewalk a little awkwardly for a minute before I say, “Bye, guys. I wish you both luck.”
I put my hand out and Olivia shakes it, but when I do the same to Jeremy, he pulls me into a hug.
“You look really good, Saige. Happy.”
“I am,” I respond, lying because this whole thing has been an act, but he doesn’t need to know that. It’s apparent from spending time with Jeremy at the game that he doesn’t follow hockey. He won’t be looking for me at all of Aiden’s games for years to come.
After Aiden wishes them well, I watch them walk down the street hand in hand. It takes me a minute before I hear Aiden telling me there’s a cab waiting. I slide in and still can’t tear my eyes away. Seeing Jeremy with someone else only makes me question myself, because at one time, I thought we were destined to be together.
I’m not sure if my face shows it or not, but Aiden puts his arm around my shoulder and pulls me into his side. I lay my head there and welcome the comfort of a friend.
Looking up at him, I rest my hand on his chest. “I lied earlier.”
“About what?”
“You are my friend.”
The brightest smile I’ve seen from him transforms his face, and I go back to resting my head on his shoulder and let my eyes drift closed. Even if we can never be more than friends, this feels good too.
Chapter Fifteen
Aiden
After a reprieve in Florida, we’re on a flight headed to New York City. It’s three weeks until trade deadlines and my game has never been better. I’ve scored and assisted in every game since Saige started throwing wine on me. This time, since I’m heading into town early to spend some time with my cousin, Frankie, and her daughter, I get to fly with Saige.
We’ve just stepped onto the plane and she situates herself in first class, pulling out a book and buckling her seat belt. She looks so organized and poised, I want to go all animalistic on her and dirty her up. If only she were mine.
Joran’s been MIA lately, saying he’s got a problem client and as long as things are cool with me, he’ll be in touch after the trade deadline to make arrangements for a new contract at the end of the season. The selfish side of me has no issue with him keeping his distance because I’ve been able to see Saige more than ever lately.
She insists on posting more social media content since we’re still in the building phase, as she calls it. I only go along with it because it lets me go places like the zoo with her.
Today I want to get her on the ice. I rented a rink for a couple hours. She doesn’t know it yet, but I’m teaching her how to skate this afternoon.
“I would have been happy in coach,” she says, accepting the glass of mimosa from the flight attendant.
I shake my head. “But first class is better.”
She smiles. “You’ve been spoiling me.”
As the plane taxis away from the gate, the flight attendant comes by and takes our mimosas. Saige gets comfortable with her book and I check out the cover. It’s some self-help book.
“What’s that about?” I ask.
She shuts it with her finger where she left off. “It’s a book on how to love yourself.”
I cock an eyebrow. “You don’t love yourself?”
She puts the bookmark inside the book and places it in her lap, turning her body toward me. “I love myself, but this is teaching me how to keep toxic relationships at bay. Make positive lifestyle changes. Meditation. That sort of thing.”
“Who’s toxic?” I ask.
She tilts her head. “Aren’t we nosy today?”
“I’m just curious. I’m not toxic, am I?”
“The fact that I’m willingly on a plane with you and that you bought me a first class seat and have a hotel room booked for me says you’re not toxic.” She moves to pick up her book, but I like having her attention, so I keep the conversation going.
“Is it Jeremy?” I wanted to ask her about her ex that night in Colorado, but she didn’t seem to feel much like talking, so I walked her to her hotel room and said good night like a gentleman.
She sighs. “I knew you wanted details.”
I shrug. “I find out you were dating a pro football player after you tell me you don’t date athletes. Of course I’m gonna want answers.”
She studies me for a moment then sighs. “It’s not an original story. We were high school sweethearts, ended up at the same college. He got drafted to Florida, and I followed him. He got traded to Wisconsin and told me he didn’t want me to go with him. Apparently he wanted to spread his wings and live a little.”
My brow furrows in irritation. “Why didn’t he tell you that when you were in Idaho?”
“That’s a question you’d have to ask him. So he left me in Florida, knowing no one but Tedi. Oh, and he was cheating on me. Tedi’s the one who told me. We lived in the same apartment complex. So there’s that too.”
Fuck, no wonder she doesn’t trust athletes.
“Well, it sounds like he’s just a douche. You should give other athletes a chance.” Her eyes narrow a bit and I raise my hands. “You know, if you and Joran don’t work out.”