What. The. Fuck.
Oh, Lindy.
She’s so sweet and kind—always throws herself under the bus so I don’t get in trouble—but she has a rebellious streak. I understand it, because her mother is a nightmare, but ninety percent of the time, it’s her gettingmeinto trouble.
All I can do is laugh as I go into the bathroom. I peel off my wet clothes, dry myself, and then scrub the remnants of the now smeared makeup I’d taken such care to apply. My hair is a disaster, so that’s going back into my usual ponytail, and I dig out another pair of shorts, another T-shirt, and decide to go barefoot. I don’t really care what Lourdes thinks at this point.
The only thing on my mind beyond getting cleaned up is talking to Bodi.
Now that I know who he is, there is no way we can continue to see each other. My father would lose his mind, and to be honest, it’s not worth the aggravation to me. Dating one of his players isn’t something I can get away with—not again. The last time it happened was a disaster and Dad said it would happen again over his dead body. His reaction was probably a bit of an overreaction but it’s just better if I don’t.
As much as I like Bodi, it’s a headache I can’t afford.
A year from now, when I’m hopefully working and living on my own, we could potentially see what there is to see. But I’m not stupid. Bodi’s way too hot, and going to be way too popular, to stay single for another year.
Dammit.
Well, at least I still have my internet buddy Broderick.
He’s probably some unemployed guy living in his mom’s basement, but having someone to talk to will make the next eight months until I graduate bearable.
Once I’m ready, I pad back downstairs, forcing myself to relax and act like falling into the pool was no big deal.
Ugh.
It’s bad enough that my father and Lourdes consider me some kind of embarrassing ugly duckling, and taking a tumble into the pool probably won’t help my reputation.
“You okay, Jayne?” Bodi’s warm voice is the first thing that greets me when I step outside. He’s dried off some, is barefoot and wearing another shirt, but he’s not soaked anymore.
“I’m fine.” I smile. “Once again, you broke my fall.”
“We seem to do a lot of that.”
We’re both smiling but I see the same resignation I feel reflected in his expression.
“My dad talked to you?” I ask under my breath.
He nods. “Oh, yeah.”
“I’m sorry. I had no idea who you were…” I sigh and look away.
“I know. I hate…” He trails off too, as if there’s nothing else to say.
“You don’t have to say it. It’s okay.” I force myself to smile brightly. “I’m busy with school anyway, and you’re going to have more women than you know what to do with as soon as the season starts.”
He looks conflicted. “I don’t know if that’s my scene anymore. I did a lot of that in L.A. and before that in Phoenix. I want to focus on hockey now. We never had a chance to talk about this stuff but last season was rough for me. This is my fresh start so I don’t want to repeat past bad behavior.”
“I’ll be cheering you on,” I say softly. “From afar, but I’ll be in your corner.”
His blue eyes meet mine regretfully. “I really appreciate that, Jayne. I wish there was something else we can?—”
“There you are!” Lourdes comes over with a saccharine-sweet smile on her face. “I hope you apologized to Bodi.”
“Of course,” I reply automatically.
“There was no apology necessary,” he says, frowning at Lourdes. “We were both trying to keep Lindy from falling. No one should apologize for doing the right thing.”
“Well, I suppose there’s that.” Her lips thin. “Anyway, Bodi, there are steaks coming off the grill. If you’re hungry, I can make you a plate.”
