Probably because I’ve never been in love before.
My throat aches as I swallow. Fuck. I love her so much. I love her, but she’s not sure if she see a future with me. She doesn’t even want to try…
I exhale sharply. There’s nothing I can do to change things.
The only thing that has helped me cope with being away from her is hockey. I’ve been going balls to the wall at practice and during my sessions with my trainers.
They’ve all been raving about my performance. I guess that’s one good thing to come out of getting my heart broken. I have a physical outlet for my feelings.
I undress, grab a towel, and head for the showers. When I finish washing up, I change into my street clothes without talking to my teammates, grab my gear bag, and head out.
I walk through the entrance of the arena and into the parking lot.
“Hey, Liam.”
I look up and see my brother standing a dozen feet away.
“What are you doing here?” I ask when he walks over to me.
“I came to check on you.”
I frown. “Why?”
“Because you’ve been acting weird.” He studies me for a second, concern in his eyes. “Thought maybe you’d want to grab a beer and talk about whatever is bothering you.”
“How do you know something is bothering me?”
Aidan flashes his are-you-fucking-kidding-me expression. “Seriously? You canceled our last two workouts. You never, ever miss. And when we had dinner at Mom’s the other night, you hardly said a word. You’re usually joking around and giving meshit. You barely said hello. Every time she asked you something, you gave her one-word answers. Did you really think I wouldn’t notice?”
I tug a hand through my hair, not wanting to pour my heart out to my brother while standing in front of the arena where I practice and play.
“Let’s grab a beer,” he says.
He’s not gonna let this go. “Fine.”
Twenty-minutes later, we’re at a nearby sports pub nursing drinks at the bar.
I gaze down at my beer. “Kendall asked for a break. I’m pretty sure she’s going to end things with me.”
Out of the corner of my eye, I see Aidan turn to look at me. “Seriously?”
I nod.
“Huh. I guess that explains it.”
I look at him. “Explains what?”
“I went into her office the other day and she was crying,” he says. “When I asked her what was wrong, she didn’t say. But now I know why she’s been so sad these past few days.”
I’m quiet as I think about Kendall crying.
“What happened?” Aidan asks.
I take a long sip of my drink. “I told her that I wanted to make things official between us. That I wanted a future with her.” I clear my throat. “I said that I wanted to move in with her. And that I wanted her aunt to move in with us too.”
“Damn, really?”
I nod. I take in the mystified look on my brother’s face.
