“You gonna be okay?” Ashlyn prods, exchanging a concerned look with Colt.
“Shit,” he mutters. “I forgot Shorty plays––”
“It’ll be fine,” I announce. “I’ll keep a wide berth from him. Not a big deal.”
Him.
I can’t even say his name.
The realization only makes my anxiety skyrocket further, turning my blood to ice. I find a knot in the wood floor a few feet in front of me and stare at it, attempting to keep my expression blank. I’m going to Shorty’s stomping ground. I’m going to be in his arena. I’m going to see him again. I’m going to look him in the eye. I’m going to feel his gaze.
I’m going to be sick.
“Stick close to us,” Colt tells me. “We’ll make sure Shorty doesn’t come near you.”
“Thanks,” I reply, tearing my attention from the knot of wood and pasting the same facade of confidence I’m used to wearing. “But seriously, I’ll be fine.”
“What if Jaxon and I come too?” Ashlyn suggests. “Eleanor asked me to watch him this weekend, and Colt’s been begging us to tag along for a few away games. What do you think? We can all hang out.”
Eleanor is Jaxon’s birth mom. She hooked up with Colt and became pregnant before Colt transferred to LAU and met Ashlyn. It was quite the surprise when she popped up with a baby a few months ago. Despite being a bumpy ride for a while, Ashlyn has latched onto her role as Mama Number Two like a champ, and Colt is the best daddy on the planet.
“Great idea,” Blakely adds, but Kate frowns.
“I have to stay back for a doctor’s appointment, but it’s totally fine. Like I said, I can watch Nala while you’re away. You guys should go. Have fun.”
“I don’t need any babysitters,” I argue.
“You’re right. You don’t. But we’d love to come and hang out, anyway. What do you say?” Ashlyn asks. “It could be fun.”
“Fiiiine,” I mutter.
“Yay!” She pulls me into a hug, squealing when Nala pounces on her foot out of nowhere, scaring the crap out of her. Another laugh escapes me, but even it can’t erase the impending doom I feel from the reminder I’ll be seeing Shorty soon, and there’s nothing I can do about it.
Nothing.
And the reminder of Shorty only confirms what I’d been dreading all along. Whatever’s going on with Henry is a bad idea. And I need to fix it. But only after I get through this next week.
41
HENRY
Tuesday
Me
Hey, how was the house party at Theo’s? You didn’t call me on Sunday.
Mia
It was good. Thanks for being understanding about not attending. And I’m sorry I didn’t call. Nala’s been a handful.
Me
No problem. Glad you had fun. If you need help with Nala, I’m happy to help.
Mia
I’m okay. Thanks, though.
Me
I missed you at today’s game. Where were you?
Mia
I had to leave a few minutes early to let Nala out. Sorry. Next time, I’ll let you know.
Me
Not a problem. I just noticed you left.
Mia
Yeah, sorry. Being a dog mom is quite the adjustment.
Me
Like I said, I’m happy to help. Especially since I kind of threw the title on you.
Mia
I’m a big girl. I can handle it.
Wednesday
Me
Hey. The furniture is supposed to be delivered today around 4. Does that work for you?
Mia
I’ll be home.
Me
Okay. Do you want me to come over and help set things up?
Mia
I’m okay.
Thanks, though.
Thursday
Me
How’s Nala doing?
Mia
Good, thanks. We’re working on kennel training.
Me
Sounds exciting. How are you?
Mia
I’m okay. Trying to make sure I have everything packed for tomorrow.
Me
Want me to come help?
Mia
Pretty sure you’d only distract me. Thanks, though. I’ll see you tomorrow.
I reread the cold messages again and slide my phone into my pocket. I replayed our day shopping a hundred times, but nothing stood out to me regarding her aloofness. It doesn’t make sense. None of it does. I want to ask if she’s upset with my disappointment over not being invited to the party, but I felt like we ended on good terms, even if I did hint about wanting more from her. I want to ask if she’s upset I bought Nala in the first place, but I saw the way her face lit up. I want to ask if she’s upset with me for taking her shopping, but I saw the way she gushed while buying dog treats and a fluffy bed for the beast. Besides, I’ve seen the way she walks Nala in the grass outside our building. The way she beams and coos Nala’s name.
It can’t be the dog.
And I swear it wasn’t the shopping.
Meaning her distance must have been triggered at the house party. Asking Mia is out of the question since she’s avoiding me. Asking any of her friends feels like it’s out of the question, too, since Mia seems hell-bent on keeping us apart.
I don’t want to break Mia’s trust. I don’t want to mess with what we have before she gives me a chance to prove I’m the real deal. But doing nothing feels like shit, and her silence is eating me alive.
My eyes zero in on Mia as she steps into Ohio’s arena. She’s chatting with Ashlyn and Blakely and hasn’t spotted me yet. She looks distracted. Uncomfortable almost. Her eyes keep bouncing around the arena as if she’s scared something might pop out and grab her at any second.
“Mia,” I call out.
Her attention darts to me. She gives me a fake-ass smile but rushes into the women’s restroom with her friends, avoiding me entirely.
Fuck it.
I stride down to the visitor’s locker room and search the space for Colt or Theo. When I find them in their pads and jerseys, I growl, “Follow me.”
Their heads snap in my direction.
“Buchanan?” Theo questions.
“Now.”