“Oh, I don’t know. Maybe because she lives with me now, and she doesn’t want some hockey player fumbling around trying to make a good impression.” I tug on my hair. “Not to mention, I just don’t think I’m ready for that shit. I’m not . . . I’m not the same person,” I say softly.And that shuts every mouth.No more sarcasm. No more ridiculous talk. Thank fuck.
“You’re not,” Pacey says. “And that’s okay. We all change during our journey through this crazy world, but you can also veer from today’s version of you. And I think I can speak for all of us when I say we don’t want to see you alone. We want you to have someone you can talk to at night and share this life with. If any one of us deserves it, it’s you.”
“He’s right,” Silas says. “It’s okay to recognize you’re not the man you were a few years ago. Losing your brother...of course that will change you. But it’s not good for you to just hole up in your room and not experience life outside of hockey. This is the first girl you’ve shown any remote interest in, in God knows how long. Don’t let it slip by because you feel who you are now won’t appeal to her.”
“I know I’m new to this,” OC says. “But I agree with them. My sister was very guarded, especially when she first met Banner, but he slowly eased his way into her life, and now she’s the happiest I’ve ever seen. I think if you just . . . ease your way in, you’d at least see if there’s something between you two.”
“I agree,” Posey says. “At least give it a shot. You’ll regret it if you don’t.”
I sigh heavily, knowing they’re right.
I’m not the same person since I lost Holden. He was...he was my other half. I won’teverbe the same person, but I’m wasting away a life he could have had. I miss him. I can’t fathom being happy with him gone. But if he saw me now, he’d be pissed. I know he would. He’d tell me to get my head out of my ass and stop letting the past haunt me—easier said than done.
I might be uncomfortable with the thought of easing myself in, but I know for a fact I’ll regret not doing anything.
“Okay, what should I do?”
A large smile stretches across Posey’s face. “First things first, you no longer wear a shirt around the apartment.”
Oh hell . . .
Chapter Six
BLAKELY
“Yes, put the drinks right there, perfect,” I say to one of the waitstaff manning the Cane suite tonight. “Can we please check with the chef on the food? I want to ensure everything is hot and the timing aligns with the game.”
“Yes, of course,” she says before taking off through the staff door.
I glance around the room, satisfied with how it’s been put together. I’ve spent extra time on the suite, more time than the others I’m manning today, but you know, the man offered me a job today, so I feel like I have to live up to expectations.
I glance down at my new phone—actually loving the case Halsey picked out—and see that Huxley is supposed to arrive any moment. The boys are already out on the ice, warming up.
When I turn around to check the hallway for them, I see Huxley open the door for who I’m going to assume is his wife. Beautiful long brown hair, curvaceous body, and a babystrapped to her chest, she’s positively gorgeous and exactly who I’d have pictured for Huxley’s wife.
And Huxley, casually wearing a pair of black jeans and a black polo, is throwing me off from his regular business suit apparel—but look at those arms . . . my God.
“Miss White,” he says with a smile. “So glad to see you.”
“You too,” I say, walking up to him. “You were able to find the suite okay?”
“Just fine,” he says. “I want to introduce my wife. This is Lottie Cane.”
“Lottie, it’s so nice to meet you.”
She offers me a warm smile. “You as well. I’ve heard a lot about you, Blakely. Seems like you’ve made a good impression on my husband.” There’s nothing malicious about her comment. It’s very complimentary.
“Just doing my job,” I answer.
“And doing it well,” another man says, walking into the suite.
From the floppy yet sexy haircut to the same jawline and body, I can only assume this is one of Huxley’s brothers.
His eyes land on mine, and that stir of intimidation from his gorgeous looks makes me feel slightly out of place. “JP Cane, it’s so nice to meet you, Blakely. This is my wife, Kelsey.”
Kelsey is also wrapped up with a baby, and I wonder just how far apart they were in their pregnancies.
“It’s so nice to meet you. You have the best suite available. For the little ones, if you stay in this portion of the suite, with the doors to the arena closed, the crowd won’t be loud at all, so the babies won’t be disturbed.”
