My body feels like it’s on fire as I approach the counter, and I don’t know how to process it. Is it anger? Is it happiness at seeing my oldest friend? Or is it something else entirely?
When I reach the front of the line, I order a large hot chocolate. I need to get ahold of myself because this is just the beginning.
CHAPTER 8
JENSEN
DidLainey Bradfordreallyjust slap me?
I rub my cheek, staring back into the coffee shop as I watch her approach the counter.
“God, what’d you do to her, huh? Another girl in the line of broken hearts, chasing the untouchable Jensen Donnelley.” His voice is condescending and humorous.
“Shut the fuck up, Cam,” I snap, my tone sharper than intended.
He sucks in a breath, the corners of his lips tipping up, enjoying this like it’s his own personal entertainment. “Or”—he drags the word out—“what didshedo toyou?”
A thousand images and memories of the time we’ve spent together flutter through my mind. In those glimpses, she’s smiling and happy, but the girl who just slapped me was angry. Yet there’s still that connection, that tether between us that’s been there since we were kids.
I haven’t seen her in person in forever, at least it feels that way. The last time we came face to face was Christmas at her family’s place four years ago. She brought Cole home that year and it was the last time I left New York for the holidays. It was easier to make excuses to Luca since we weren’t on the sameteams any longer. We had been lucky enough to get to play together in high school and college, but that was where our luck ran out.
Up until that point, we were best friends. I mean, we’re still close, but now we live different lives across the country from one another. We’ll always be friends, just not exactly how we once were, and that’s okay. Maybe one day, we’ll get the opportunity to play together again.
The truth of life is that not everyone who walks into it will stay, and an even harder thing to accept is finding a way to live with it. I’m used to that more than other people probably are because I know grief all too well. I just didn’t think that Lainey would join the list of people that I used to know, not after what we’d been through together.
God, she’s cute when she’s angry though. Her nostrils flaring, eyes bulging, chest up in the air. I marinate in the thought for a moment. She looks good, healthy and toned, those hips of hers still …
“JD?” Cam’s voice echoes in my mind, and I do my best to force thoughts of Lainey away.
“Sorry. What?” I ask, tearing my gaze from her back to Cam’s blue eyes.
His brows are furrowed, genuine concern etched in his features, and my skin sets on fire with discomfort. “What’s going on?”
I force a chuckle and scratch the back of my neck. “Nothing. I’m good. She’s just an … old friend.”
His phone chimes, but he ignores it, humor dancing across his lips. “She seemssuperfriendly.”
“Yeah, well … what were you saying before we walked out?” I ask, desperate to change the subject, even though I know I won’t be able to stop thinking about her.
I didn’t even know she was in the city. I wonder if she finally left that piece of shit. God, he doesn’t deserve her in the slightest. He’s the slimiest trash I’ve ever met.
Cam studies me cautiously for a moment before granting me the reprieve I want. “I was just saying that we’d better get going if we still want to be early for the party.”
“Oh. Yeah.Right.” I pull my phone from my pocket and see the time. The party starts in about an hour and a half, but we wanted to be there early to help if needed. “You already got your gift, right?”
He nods. “Morgan’s got ours. You?”
“Yeah. It’s in my car. You ready to head over there?” I ask, my brain still clouded with images of Lain.
He nods, and I dig my keys out of my pocket as we start walking to our cars parked in a garage nearby.
Silence consumes us during the short trek, and I know it’s because if there’s anyone on this team who can understand my pain, it’s him. Instead of cracking jokes the entire time, he just keeps me company until we reach our vehicles.
“All right, I have to go pick Morgan up from our place, but I’ll see you there. You good?” he asks, hesitating for a second.
“I’m fine.” I don’t leave room for question as I slide into my seat and shut the door behind me.
Cam gets in his vehicle and pulls away first, and I sink into my seat, exhaling loudly now that I’m alone, my head rolling back against the seat.
