“That’s not true! First-degree murder comes with a 25-year sentence, and I wouldn’t last a day in prison,” I protest, schooling the smile on my face as I watch Nicole’s fill with irritation. “Alright fine. I admit things may have come together a bit unexpectedly but…it just felt right. Like something clicked into place, and I knew I wanted us to be more.”
Nicole’s apprehension fades. “He did win major points taking care of you when you were sick.”
“So you approve?” There were very few people’s opinions I cared about, and Nicole’s was one of them. While my people-pleasing tendencies had a history of misleading me, Nicole was always there to steer me straight when someone was taking advantage of me.
“I do. I can tell he really cares about you and wants you to be happy. That’s all that matters to me.” She gives my shoulder a squeeze. “I did have a feeling you two would get together ever since you told me Jake bought you groceries.”
“Right?! Who could resist that?”
Returning back to the living room, night bag in tow, I see Jake scrolling through my calendar on his phone. “Ellie has two participant visits next Friday, and I have a game on Saturday. Maybe the three of us could do something on Sunday?”
“Have you had Dim Sum before? I know the perfect spot in Chinatown. We could aim for 11?”Nicole offers.
“That works great. Do you want me to drive?”
Nicole shakes her head. “Probably best to take the T. Parking is going to be a nightmare.”
“Works for me.”
“Great. See Ellie, I told you I would use my shared access to your calendar for good.” Jake winks at me, Nicole snorts, and I roll my eyes. I could get used to this.
Chapter 32
Jake
For a building that housed ten members of Westchester’s Hockey team, Hockey House was oddly quiet today. With the exception of Ollie, most of my roommates were out, taking a rare day off of practice as an opportunity to explore the city.
“Are you our new Mommy?” Ollie extends his arms out to Eliana for a hug, eyes wide like a golden retriever. I tap the back of his head, but he reacts as if I’d smacked him hard. “Ow! Dammit, what the hell was that for?”
“Don’t be so dramatic. I barely touched you. Plus, her being your mommy implies that I’m your daddy, and that’s something I wouldn’t even wish on my worst enemy,” I tease.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Ollie huffs in mock offense.
“Just the fact that you’re super weird. Which, like, you do you man. Let that freak flag fly. But not everyone appreciates your…charms.”
Ollie rolls his eyes. “I’m a goalie. We’re naturally wired to be weird and often inappropriate. It comes with the territory.Plus, with how attached at the hip you two are, Ellie’s on her way to becoming an unofficial member of the team. So she needs to get used to it. I was just trying to break the ice.”
“It’s fine Jake. I adapt quickly.” I watch as Eliana walks over to Ollie and places her hands on his shoulders. “I’m not here to be your mom, but I am more than happy to connect you with my therapist if you want to work through some of your unresolved issues,” she snickers.
“You just met me and you already want to fix me? I can’t tell if I’m offended or attracted,” Ollie teases, flirtatiously moving his eyebrows. “You already fixed up Keeley, you wanna take a stab at me too, Ellie?”
“There was nothing about Jake that needed fixing.” Eliana corrected him immediately, and in doing so, I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding. “He just needed some help with one of his classes. And there’s nothing wrong with asking for some help. That’s what he’s taught me.” She takes my hand into hers and gives it a squeeze.
“You two are so sweet it actually makes me nauseous.” Ollie gags, rolling his eyes.
“Don’t be jealous Oliver. You’ll find someone to match your own energy one day…probably.”
“Wow, such a huge vote of confidence from one of my captains. You really know how to build a guy up.”
“Well if half of your goalie skills translate into relationship skills, I’m sure you have nothing to worry about. Better?” I offer.
“Much. My bruised ego is now healed. So what are you two up to today?” Ollie heads towards the kitchen, likely digging through the fridge for whatever leftover meal prep I made earlier this week.
“I’ll probably watch some of Bolton’s game tape while Ellie gets some work done. I don’t want any surprises when we facethem in a couple of weeks.” Over a century's worth of rivalry between our two schools meant there was no love lost between us. Every game against Bolton felt like a championship faceoff, with how rabid the crowd was. They’d beaten us both times last year when we faced off, but now that their star seniors, Chase Matthews and Shepard Carlson, graduated, I liked our odds.
“Have you talked to Coach yet about whether you’ll be playing that night?” Ollie lowers his voice in case any of the other boys are around. Adam and Ollie were the only two teammates who knew how close I’d gotten to being cut because of my grades.
“We’re meeting with Mason and my TA next week to talk about it. Eliana said I shouldn’t have anything to worry about given the grade I just got on my exam.” She crunched the numbers three times to ensure her estimates were correct. I was in the green — we just needed to update Mason and Coach Jameson.
