I shake my head. “I don’t think I can. What if he comes back for them?”
“Who cares? He’s the one who left you. Did he care about you when he sent you that text message saying that you guys were over? Did he care when he denied you the dignity of an adult conversation?”
I shake my head. Thinking about Brendon only makes me realize how much I screwed things up with Jack.
Madison waves the scissors in front of my face. “And are you really going to wear your ex-boyfriend’s old shirts?”
“Fuck no. Hand me those scissors.”
“Yay! That’s my girl!” She hands me the scissors.
My first order of business is the old brewery shirt.
“This was the first gift I ever bought him,” I say.
“Go on, then,” Madison says. “Cut him out.”
Without hesitating a moment longer, I cut into the shirt. Once I start, I can’t stop. The scissors slide through the fabric with ease. I cut all the shirts into long strips until they’re unrecognizable.
“Oh my god,” I say as I look at the damage I’ve done. “My heart is racing!”
“Feels good, doesn’t it?”
“It’s finally over.” I breathe out as if I’ve been holding my breath. “He can never know about this.”
“Who cares?” Madison grabs the small bin and holds it out for me. “His feelings are no longer your concern. You’ve cut him out of your life—literally and figuratively. Here.”
As I throw all the extra fabric into the bin, I feel a weight lift off my shoulders. I suddenly feel light and unburdened.
“I feel better already,” I say.
“Good. Maybe now you can ask Jack out.”
I bite my lip. “If he even wants me.”
“I think we both know the obvious answer to that.” Placing the bin back in its place, she bumps against my dresser and loses her balance. “Oop—”
In an attempt to regain her footing, she knocks my deck of tarot cards off the dresser. The cards tumble over and spill all over the floor.
“Oh my god, I’m so sorry!” She instantly gets to her knees and starts gathering the cards.
“It’s fine.” I get down and join her.
All the cards are face down. All of them except for one. The image sucks the breath out of my lungs.
There they are. The Lovers. Naked and lovestruck with lazy smiles on their faces.
Turning the card face down again, I look back at Madison who is too preoccupied with the mess of cards to notice. I toss the card in with the rest of the deck, hoping to erase the memory of it, but the image of those smiling lovers is imprinted in my mind.
Damn you, universe.
I try to ignore it as Madison gathers the rest of the cards and starts shuffling the deck.
“Do you want to go get something to eat?” She asks as she finishes shuffling and holds the cards tight in her hands. “I can go for an early dinner right about now.”
“I can’t. I already have dinner plans.” I look at the time. “I should start getting ready.”
She raises her eyebrow suspiciously. “Dinner?”
“It’s a work thing.”
“Fine.” She hands me the tarot deck. “I guess I’ll head back to the shop. Maddox never knows how to shut down the payment system anyway. Text me if you decide to reach out to Jack. I want to know the details.”
I give her a tight-lipped smirk. “It’s not gonna happen. He made it clear that we’re keeping things professional.”
“He doesn’t mean it though.” She smiles as she shoves the tarot deck into my hands and leaves the room. “See you tomorrow?”
“Sure.”
She pulls away and I watch her disappear down the stairs. “Bye!”
Waving at her one last time, I turn and tap nervously on the deck of cards. I’m about to place them on the dresser in their designated spot when I instinctively look at the bottom of the deck as I always do before putting them away. The card at the bottom of the deck is like an exclamation point at the end of each reading. As I flip the deck over, I have a feeling I know exactly what I’m going to see.
And I’m right.
The Lovers smile lazily at me.
Feeling like I’ve just seen a ghost, I open my underwear drawer and push the cards into the very back corner before shutting the drawer tight.
JACK
After two games against the Portland Wolves and two games against the San Francisco Whips, I’m glad to be back in Seattle with three days off ahead of me.
With the pre-season over and the regular season about to start, it’s the perfect time for a bit of rest and relaxation.
Taking a well-deserved night off, I get dressed to go out for dinner at Logan’s place. He wants to have the rookies over for dinner and I’m more than happy to have a night away from Connor. With Daisy still gone, Connor is starting to get a bit too clingy.
After a shower and shave, I pull on some black slacks, a crisp white shirt, and a blue cashmere sweater that I know looks good on me. After a spritz of cedar cologne, I run a dollop of gel through my hair and make my way upstairs.
The sun is about an hour from setting and golden light is filtering in through the kitchen window. Connor is in the dining room setting up a table for two. He’s lighting candles and everything.
“Oh.” I scratch the back of my neck. “This is very romantic but I’m going out for dinner with the guys.”
Connor chuckles. “It’s for Daisy. Her professor has appendicitis and is in emergency surgery. Isn’t that great?”
“Umm… I guess?”
“I mean, her Wednesday class is canceled. She’s coming back for two days! Oh, I can’t wait to see her. She should be here any minute now.”
“Sweet. But it’s only been like three weeks since she left,” I say, perplexed.
“Feels like three months.” Connor lights the last candle. “There! Won’t she love that?”
“I guess.”
The door opens and Daisy drops her suitcase.
“Connor!” She runs down the hall at full speed.
Running straight past me, she rushes toward Connor with such force that she knocks him over as she attacks him with kisses.
“Daisy, I missed you so much.”
“Me too, honey.”
They continue their very public display of affection.
Averting my gaze, I feign an interest in the cutlery on the table. I wait for them to stop but they just keep going.
Pulling Connor to his feet, Daisy guides him to the stairs as she starts unbuttoning her jacket. They continue kissing as they make their way upstairs.
“Umm. Okay, then,” I call out. “Nice to see you too, Daisy.”
Without looking up from their makeout session, she gives me a quick wave from the stairs. “Hi Jack, bye Jack!”
“I’ll blow out the candles for you guys,” I call out.
“Thank you!” They both say from the top of the stairs.
Leaning over the table, I blow out the candles, allowing a trail of black smoke to curl through the air.
The bed upstairs starts to creak.
“Great,” I mumble to myself. “A preview of the next few days.”
Grabbing my phone and keys, I leave before they start getting too loud.
Fifteen minutes later, I’m standing with Austin inside the small lobby area of Logan’s two-unit condo. I can already tell that Logan dropped a lot of dough on this place.
“Is it just us?” I ask.
“I think so,” Austin says. He’s in a plaid flannel shirt, jeans, and cowboy boots, making me feel slightly overdressed in my nice clothes. “Logan said he wanted the new crew here. I assume that’s us rookies.”
“And Johnny?”
“On bed rest for that sprained ankle.”
“Alright, then. Just us.” I push the button for the elevator which opens instantly. We step inside.
“Imagine owning a place like this?” Austin asks.
Th
e elevator stops seconds later and opens up into Logan’s penthouse condo. Logan is standing inside waiting for us.
“Welcome,” Logan says. He’s wearing dark jeans and a crisp black button-down, making me feel a bit better about my clothing choice. He has a fresh haircut which makes him look even sharper.
“What?” Austin looks around in shock. “The elevator opens up right into your apartment? Dang, that’s cool!”
That is pretty cool, I think to myself as I step into his living room. The room has a wall of trophies, the biggest TV I’ve ever seen, and a windowed wall that looks out onto the sparkling city and the bay in the distance.
“Logan.” I shake his hand. He shakes back with a satisfying grip. “Thanks for having us, man.”
“I’m glad to have you guys.”
“What’s cooking?” Austin sniffs the air. “It smells delicious!”
“Lasagna’s in the oven,” he says. “My secret recipe. It’s insanely good. Just wait until you try it.”
“Man, this place sweet.” Austin walks around. He looks completely out of place in his country plaid and jeans.
As we make our way into the living room, I see the attached kitchen. Riley, Logan’s fiancée, is standing behind the counter preparing a salad.
“Hi guys,” she says. She’s dressed in a blue blouse with a big bow around her neck, looking a bit like an airline attendant.
“I’m so used to seeing you in a Blades polo, I almost didn’t recognize you,” I say.
She smiles. “It’s a dinner party. I wanted to look good for our guests.”
“You always look good,” Logan says suggestively.
She gives him a flirty smile, which he returns.
Austin and I look away. I clear my throat loudly, trying to distract them. I don’t need a repeat of Daisy and Connor’s display from earlier.
Riley pushes away from Logan. “Please ignore the boxes in the corner.”
I notice a few stacked boxes.
“Are you guys moving?” Austin asks.
“Our plan was to live here together for a while but apparently we need a bit more room,” she says.
“We’re hoping to sign a place for New Year’s,” Logan says. “That way I can carry my bride through the front door of our home.” He nudges her in the ribs. She smiles and playfully squirms against him.
“He’s so cheesy,” she says.
“Why do I feel like I’m watching my parents kiss?” Austin asks. His large frame blocks out the overhead light.
Unapologetic about his flirtiness, Logan ignores Austin and smirks.
“I’m looking forward to a bigger place,” Logan says. “A bigger place means I can have all the guys over without all of us filling the room.” Logan makes his way across the living room to the liquor cabinet where he sets out three crystal tumblers.
He’s right that three professional athletes don’t leave a lot of empty space in his modestly sized living room.
“Amazing view, though,” Austin says, walking up to the window.
“There’s no point in living out here if you can’t see the bay.” Logan starts uncorking a bottle of amber liquid.
“I can see the water from my room at Connor’s place,” I say. “Great view but I’d love to get out of the basement and have my own place.”
“One day you’ll afford a place like this. Or better.” Logan passes us the glasses of amber liquid. “Whiskey on the rocks. It’s a tasting whiskey so go slow.”
I take a sip, feeling the ice cubes and warm spicy liquid against my lips.
“Smooth,” I say.
“Real smooth,” Logan says. “I bought that bottle last time I was in Vegas.”
He looks up at Riley and they smile again.
While Austin is busy looking at the wall of trophies, I’m watching the way Logan stares at his fiancée.
“What’s that?” I ask. I can’t help myself.
“What?” Logan asks.
“That secret smile you guys just gave each other.”
They look at me as if shocked they were flirting so obviously once again.
“Oh, nothing,” Riley says.
“Not nothing.” Logan looks at her with a romantic smirk. “We got engaged in Vegas.”
She leans on the counter and smiles back at him. “We almost got married there too.”
“In Vegas?” I ask.
Logan takes a sip of his whiskey. “We made it as far as the chapel when we decided that there were too many people we wanted to share that moment with.”
“My friend Jane would have killed me if I didn’t let her be a part of my big day. And of course, there’s my parents and Logan’s family.”
“And I want all the guys there, obviously,” Logan says. “Including you guys.”
“Really?” Austin turns away from the trophies.
“Of course! You’re a part of the Blades. That’s why I wanted you guys over for dinner tonight—as a welcome to the Blades family. Before you guys, I was the most recent addition. So I wanted to be the one to pass the torch and welcome you guys to this crazy team.”
“Thanks, man,” I say. “That means a lot.”
“And considering the pre-season is now over and we’re officially entering the regular season, I think that deserves a toast.” He raises his glass. “To a good year.”
Austin and I do the same.
“To a good year.”
We all drink. The whiskey is barely down before someone’s phone starts ringing.
“Oh, that’s me,” Austin says, holding up his phone. “Excuse me.”
He takes his whiskey and his phone into another room for some privacy.
“Just me and the love birds,” I say, looking back at Riley and Logan.
Riley gives me a calculating gaze as she leans her elbow on the counter, resting her chin on her fist.
“And what about you?” She narrows her eyes. “Are you a love bird?”
“Whoa, whoa. I thought you were engaged.” I joke as I put a hand up in faux-protest.
She laughs. “That’s not what I’m asking. I just wanted to know if you have a girlfriend back home or what.”
“Is this an interrogation?” Logan asks as he slowly makes his way back over to Riley’s side.
“What? I’m curious.” She grabs her glass of red wine and swirls it before taking a slow sip.
“It’s fine,” I say. “I’m single and focusing on hockey.”
“Mmhmm, I see.” Riley is hanging onto every word. “Honestly, I’m asking because I saw you talking to Jemma the other day. The yoga teacher.”
Oh boy, here we go.
“We have a history together.” I take another sip of the spiced liquid, feeling the burn as it trickles down my throat. “But nothing’s going on between us.”
“Strange.” Riley takes a sip of red wine. “Because she seems really fond of you.”
I perk up. “She told you that?”
She leans back against the counter, wine glass in hand.
“I know I probably shouldn’t say anything but—”
“Riley,” Logan says in a warning tone.
“What?” She looks at him.
“Stop meddling.”
I don’t care if she’s meddling. She has my attention.
“What did Jemma say?” I ask.
Riley’s gray eyes grow wide as she leans into me, blocking Logan out of the conversation.
“Well, I didn’t hear the details but she spent a good ten minutes talking about her feelings for you to her friend at the hockey game she went to. She’s enchanted with you.”
I smirk. “I tend to have that effect on women.”
“Uh-oh,” Riley says as she pulls back. “You’re not a womanizer, are you?”
“Don’t worry,” Logan says, unimpressed with the topic of conversation. “I told him all about the dangers of being naked around a smartphone.”
I chuckle. “I’m not a womanizer. And Jemma wouldn’t take nude photos of me.”
&n
bsp; Riley nods approvingly.
She’d rather kick me out while I’m naked, I think to myself.
Bored with our conversation, Logan grabs some matches and walks to the dining area, lighting the candles on the dinner table. I’m momentarily reminded of Connor’s similar romantic setup earlier.
“So, are you going to ask her out?” Riley leans in, her light gray eyes wide with curiosity.
“Riley!” Logan chastises.
“What?” She backs off and takes another sip of her wine. “I want to know.”
“You’re being nosy.” He’s back in the kitchen putting the matches in the drawer.
“Whatever! They’re my co-workers now. What if they’re meant for each other and they don’t know it?”
“Because it’s none of your business,” he says. “Stop trying to play matchmaker.”
I interject. “Does it count as matchmaking if we already hooked up?”
Riley points at me excitedly. “I knew it!”
The candlelight reflects in her wide eyes.
I laugh and take another sip of my whiskey. The ice cubes are cool against my lips.
“I don’t think we’re meant for each other,” I say. I can feel the warmth of the whiskey as it flows to my belly. “We’ve decided to keep things professional between us.”
“I see.” Riley stares at me with a hesitant look.
“That’s enough, Ms. Jamieson.” Logan walks back over to the kitchen and grabs the open bottle of wine and corks it.
“Oh, you’re no fun.” She pouts.
“I don’t want to scare the rookies away before the regular season even starts.” He taps her nose in a cute but intimate gesture.
“Fine.” She looks across the counter at me. “Sorry.”
“It’s fine,” I say. “Although… having someone manage my love life wouldn’t be that bad of an idea.”
“Don’t give her any more ideas,” Logan says.
“Yeah, because it might be too late,” she adds.
Logan and I both look at her in confusion.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” I ask.
The doorbell rings.
Riley leans over and pushes a button on the kitchen wall.
“Come on up!” She calls out.
Seconds later I hear the elevator moving.
Logan looks at her. “Did you…?”
Jack: An Enemies To Lovers Sports Romance (Bad Boys of Hockey Book 2) Page 14
