I turn, drive my shoulder into the seat. “How do you know about that?”
“I’m not as oblivious as people think. I know you combined your jersey number with hers after freshman year.”
No one knows about that. I made up a lie that my number was needed for an incoming freshman as part of a recruiting deal. Not even Coach questioned me when I showed up at his office asking—more like begging—to change my number. I’d been twenty my entire hockey career. Since peewee skating and swimming in polyester.
She’d been sixteen since I can remember.
When Mom called to tell me that Sutton was officially done playing, potentially needing another surgery, I dropped what I was doing to sprint to Coach’s office. I didn’t even think twice about my decision. I’d play for both of us.
Maybe that’s why I want her to come to my games, wear my jersey. Maybe she’ll realize I changed my number. Maybe she’d realize it’s for her, that it’s always been her for me.
“It doesn’t matter.”
“Doesn’t matter?” I try to get out of the car, but he pierces me to the seat with a look. His steel eyes threatening me to move. “All of it matters, Cooper. You’ve been obsessed with her foryears. You’ve never let yourself date, barely hook up with anyone because of Sutton. Both of you act oblivious, but we all see it.” He taps on his phone, changing the song. “At least I do.”
“She’s choosing him! That’s why I agreed to help her,” I snap, not at him, but in half. My heart, the remaining parts she doesn’t have tucked in her back pocket, fissure in half.
“No she’s not! Get your head out of your ass and see that?—”
I get out of the car, not wanting to hear what he has to say.
THIRTY
SUTTON
“Sutton!”Elliot calls for me from her bedroom. “Sutton, come here!” I rush into her bedroom, frantic as she barrels out of her closet. “You have to come. Whatever you have going on, reschedule it.”
Elliot tugs up a pair of teal blue leggings, matching cap-sleeved top. Grabs a brush from her vanity and immediately starts brushing blonde strands into a high ponytail.
“Come to what?”
“I completely forgot,” she groan-screams. “How did I forget about the biggest interview of my life?”
“Hey, hey. Stop moving.” Her hands freeze after finishing bubbling a section of her ponytail. “Deep breaths.” I motion for her to inhale and exhale. “Start from the top. What interview?”
Elliot takes another calming breath. “After my initial interview with that spin company Momentum they asked me to do a live ride with a full class. Some of their team are going to virtually take it.”
“And it’s scheduled for today?”
“Unfortunately. I swore I wrote it down.”
“What can I do to help? Is there a studio available?” She nods. “Okay, text your sorority and see if any of them can come.” I pause. “Here, toss me your phone, I’ll do it.”
I type in her passcode and pull up her pledge class group text. I put out a call for any volunteers. There’s an immediate response, phone pinging with ten that can come.
“We’ve got ten.”
She’s pacing, finishing grabbing her stuff to teach, and heads to the kitchen. I follow after.
“You’ll come, right?” Elliot asks, filling a water bottle up.
“Of course, I wouldn’t miss it.”
I tap my phone that’s plugged in on the counter. I was sending Cooper another text before running to Elliot’s room.
He’s barely responded to me lately. Dropped off his mid-term evaluation, and I had hoped he’d stay, but he left with the guys. The season is wrapping up soon, and they are a few games from clinching the first seed in conference play.
He’s busy, that’s what I tell myself, but I can’t help thinking that I did something wrong.
