And admit everything to him. Lay it all on the table. Shout that I love him.
“It’s a good start. Then do what feels right.”
That I could do.
I loved Cal Holt, and even if he didn’t say it back, he could take my love with him wherever he went. It was about time I took the reins of my own romance story.
CHAPTER
TWENTY-SIX
Cal
Maybe graduating early and heading to the NHL wasn’t the worst idea. The daily workouts and competition would keep me busy enough to not feel this terrible stomachache. It was like the night I’d heard about the accident. An unknown number had called twice, and between that second and third call, my senses went into overdrive. Like my body knew something bad was gonna happen before it did, and it was a miserable place to be.
I ran my fingers over the tattoo, trying not to itch the irritated skin. Seeing symbols that represented my parents comforted me for a bit but then my mind returned to Elle. The hurt look in her eyes. The way she’d left without turning back.
I wasn’t sure what I’d done.
She saw the gifts? But that wouldn’t cause that reaction. I rubbed my chest, wishing the night would end already so I could go watch a YouTube video to numb my brain. Business was slow, and Alex handled all the drink orders. I sat on a stool at the door, occasionally bussing a table when more than four tableswere dirty with glasses. I missed Elle’s laugh at the bar, the coy looks she’d give me across the place. Even if we weren’t talking, knowing she was close reassured me. I could make sure she ate, keep an eye on any fuckers messing with her…
Whywas she ignoring me?
I scrolled through my phone, bored out of my mind, and my heart skipped a beat seeing her email.Elle!
I read it, proud of her trends and the fact she completed the assignment. But her words felt off. Awkward. Nother.I wanted to reply with a million questions, but she hadn’t texted me back. She could be writing, lost in her head, or maybe with Ty? Or ignoring me.
I wasn’t sure what was worse, Ty or intentionally not responding to me. My temples ached, my jaw giving me TMJ. With less shifts at the bar, that meant more free time. More free time meant more time in my head, and I wanted to escape my mind.
The opposite of Elle who lived in hers.
It was barely ten o clock, and we’d start shutting down soon, but it wasn’t like I was bursting to get out. Nothing waited for me. My knee bounced up and down, and a table left. I jumped to pick up the glasses, desperate to give myself something to do. The glasses clinked together as I stacked them in my left hand. I held the tray of nuts and napkins in the other. I’d wash them for Alex and maybe sweep the floor.
My back was to the door when it opened, the bell chiming. It was a dull, low sound, but it was nice to know when someone came in. I set the glasses in the sink, tossed out the trash, and lifted my head to nod to the patron. My breath caught in my goddamn throat at seeing Ellehere.
She had on a Central State Wolves jersey withmynumber on the front. My breath caught in my throat as I eyed the rest of her outfit.
Her white shorts flirted with the tops of her thighs. The material hugged her curves, and she wore matching orange shoes. She was a breath of fresh air, the epitome of joy in a human form. How could Inotsee her every day?
The glasses rocked back and forth on top of the sink, slipping from my grip. “Shit.” I righted them, my face heating. I had to fight the urge to run over to her and hug her, to apologize for whatever had her running from my apartment, to tell her the feelings I had that wouldn’t settle down.
I forced a breath as she padded toward me. Her hair was up in a bun, her face clear of makeup, and her mouth pressed in a firm line. She waved two fingers, her eyes losing some of the warmth. She chewed her cheek and glanced at the ground.
She lookednervous.
She approached the bar and pushed her hair behind her ears. “Hey.”
I smiled at just seeing her, her presence calming me. All day, turmoil had soured my stomach, and it went away with her beingherein front of me. I wanted to kiss her. All the time. Not just for three nights.
I wanted to be the romantic hero she’d dreamed about.
“Could we talk for a second?” she asked, her voice lacking her usual luster. “If you’re not too busy.”
“Yes, yes.” I eagerly came around the bar and sat at one of the tables. Alex met my gaze and nodded, like they knew this conversation was important. Elle joined me, her floral perfume settling my nerves. She didn’t look happy nor sad, and I readied myself to be prepared for whatever she wanted to say.
The nerves worried me a bit, but she was here.
She cracked her knuckles and set the palms of her hands flat on the table. “Cal, thank you for the gifts.”
