I don’t know how that’s gonna go, seeing Callie without speaking to her on the phone as a buffer first, but it is what it is. If I’m honest, I have some concerns about it. I can’t deal with those right now, though. I’ve got worse things to face. Once I’m ready, I head out. I notice everyone is up, eating and preparing for practice. I check on Burnette, and he is still freaking out. Apparently his parents are going to drive up from Alabama, which is good for him.
I get in my car and head to the rink. My heart picks up in speed when I enter the parking lot. I don’t know why. I’m not playing. Why do I feel the way I did before I’d hit the ice toward the end of my career? What the fuck is going on? Before entering the arena, I send my therapist a message to see if she has any openings for today. I obviously need to get out all that I’m feeling. A good run and an hour with her will be the key. Maybe I can take Callie to dinner tonight. If she’ll even talk to me. It’s all so much, all of it. Between sex, the new baby, and my boys having parties that lead to sexual harassment charges, I’m hanging on by a thread.
Just as I walk in, my phone dings with a message saying she only has an opening tomorrow morning. Okay. It’s fine. Everything is fine. I’ve got this. I regulate my breathing as I head toward the coach’s office. You have to go through the rink to get to Jayden’s office, and I hate that now when I smell the ice, I feel physically sick. Like I could upchuck right this moment, and I wouldn’t be surprised. I swallow back the bile that wants to escape as I jog toward the office.
Jayden is waiting for me, and even I can’t deny that he looks healthier. Gone is all the pressure to come back to the NHL. Now, he’s a dad and a college hockey coach. In his teal shirt, he smiles at me as I enter. “I still remember when you threw your gloves down and tried to fight me.”
I force myself to laugh. “That was Owen.”
He pauses. “My bad. You were the good one.” He takes my hand, and we hug tightly. “Have a seat.” I do as he asks, and when he sits down, he asks, “You okay? You look a bit pale.”
I swallow hard. “I’m fine. I didn’t sleep last night. Shelli had the baby, so I didn’t get back until late, and when I did, I learned of what happened.”
“Ah, I’ll have to send her some flowers,” he says, writing a note. “As for Burnette, I think we have it under control. The coach of the softball team is having a meeting with the team, but from what she’s learning, the young lady was returning his affection but was extremely intoxicated.”
“But he still grabbed her where he shouldn’t,” I say, my breathing a little rushed. “I had a talk with them and told them they can’t just assume everyone wants them or that they’re comfortable. You have to know what you’re getting into.”
“You’re absolutely right, and until we get this all sorted out and both sides can come to a resolution, we’ll have to put Burnette on probation.”
“He deserves it. Nowadays, you can’t put yourself in that position. And I refuse to allow our house to have that kind of reputation.”
“I couldn’t agree more. I’m glad we’re on the same page—though, I figured we would be,” he says fondly. “You’ve always been the level-headed one. Like your mom.”
I clear my throat, nodding. “Thank you.”
“I think it’s bullshit you can’t even leave the house to see your family without these kids throwing a massive shindig. I see loads and loads of laps in their futures.”
“Eh, maybe not loads. They all feel awful and keep apologizing for disappointing me.”
He nods. “They respect you. That’s great.” It is, but I’m still waiting for the ax to fall. “Okay, so the reason I called you in here—”
“That wasn’t the reason? I thought I was getting fired,” I interrupt, my eyes wide.
He laughs. “Not at all. I knew you could handle it. I’m not even mad. We’re gonna take care of everything, and it was a learning experience. It happens. They’re young.”
I swallow hard, trying to calm my breathing.
“But anyway, as I was saying, I talked to the coach of the gymnastics team and told him I needed you for the next week since my bench kid is gone for a family thing. He was sad to give you to me, but I promised the boys would come clean mats and move everything for the meet tomorrow, and he conceded.”
Why can’t I breathe? “Wait? What?”
I can’t see Callie if I’m not there. The team needs me.
“I need you to be my bench trainer for the next week,” he repeats once more, and I don’t know how to tell him I don’t want to. I’m already on thin ice with the whole situation playing out at the house. “You know, pass out sticks, tend to injuries, and it’d be cool if I can get you to warm up our goalies. You’ve got a wicked slap shot like your dad.”
This dark, anxious feeling fuels me to run, but I’m unable to move. I see murky spots as I try to focus on him, but it’s almost as if I have tunnel vision and now I can’t hear him. I feel light-headed, and I feel sweat dripping down my back. My mouth goes dry, and I feel like I might puke.
“Evan? Hey, are you okay?”
I’m not, though, and I can’t say that. I can’t get anything out but, “Call my dad.”
And then everything goes black.
fifteen
Callie
It may be pathetic, but I keep checking my phone for a DM from Evan since he never did get my number.
I refuse to get self-conscious and think I’m being blown off by Evan Adler. I will not think that—or even that he didn’t enjoy himself. I saw his face, and I know when it’s good. And my God, it was fantastic. I didn’t expect to want to drown in his kisses, but I do. His lips are so soft, so sweet. His arms, they swallow me whole. And his hands, Lord…they are magic. No wonder he is known for having quick hands on the ice; they know how to move and how to hold in all the right places. And I won’t even get started on his dick. There aren’t enough words in the English language to cover that gift from God. There needs to be a bigger word than hung.
That’s all I’ve got to say about that.
It may have been quick and we didn’t get to explore each other, but that’s what round two is for. Our round two has been delayed because of phone calls from his family, and I’m okay with that. I’m a family gal, and if my sister were having another baby, I’d postpone sex with him. Not as long as he has postponed me, but maybe he got tied up in something. He’s not a bad dude. He’s good. He’s Nico-good, like Aviva says. I fully believe that. I do not think he is blowing me off.
Okay, maybe a really small part of me does, but I’m ignoring that part.
My classes basically crawl along, and I’m anxious to get out of here and to the gym where I know he is. Or so I expect. When I get there, he isn’t in the office and my stomach starts to turn, but I will not accept the obvious. After I change, I sit down to stretch as Cameron sits beside me on a foam roller, rolling her back.
“He hasn’t called?”
“He doesn’t have my number,” I say sullenly.