I’ve never resented hockey before.
The reminder alarm goes off on my phone and I groan. “Fuck, baby. I have to shower and get ready to head to the arena for the game. Are you sure you and Reed don’t want to go?”
“I promised I’d take him shopping so he can get a gift for Eddie and let him shop for me, otherwise we would. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be sorry. That’s important too. I just hate that we haven’t been able to spend time together.”
“I know.”
Then I find myself saying something I never expected to say. “I wish you two were spending Christmas with me.”
Blair is quiet for a moment, nothing but our ragged breathing filling the silence between us as we both come down from our orgasms. She’s quiet when she answers. “Yeah, I know. But I think this is what’s best for Reed. We need to start developing some new family traditions here.”
“Of course.” My chest squeezes, even though I’m not sure why. “Family traditions are important.”
Or so I’d assume. I wouldn’t really know.
“Listen, I gotta go. Can I call you after the game?”
Her voice is soft. “Of course. Good luck, Logan. Don’t break a leg.”
I force out a chuckle, not sure why it’s so hard to do.
“Thanks.”
forty-three
BLAIR
The next fewweeks fly by in a blur. Between the holidays, celebrating Lexi and Ryder’s engagement, massive projects at work, Reed’s football stuff, and Logan’s game schedule, I barely have a moment to breathe.
It’s all fun chaos, but it’s chaos, nonetheless.
At least it means I don’t have much time to dwell on my worries about mine and Logan’s relationship.
That doesn’t mean others aren’t dwelling on it, unfortunately.
“Do you know there are photos of you and your boyfriend all over the internet?” Bryson asks as we dig into our salads at lunch. “Adrienne came across a couple, and we ended up going down a rabbit hole. There are a lot of people talking about you two.”
Groaning, I chew slowly, trying to gather my thoughts. “Hopefully, they’re not all saying horrible things.”
Bryse wiggles his head from side to side. “Eh, no, most of them aren’t. I mean, people on the internet suck, that’s not news, but I have to say, there are a few women out there who arenotfans of yours. At least, I’m assuming they’re women. I suppose they don’t have to be.”
“Yeah, well, I’m not surprised. Logan’s a high-profile athlete, so he’s bound to have some superfans with boundary issues.”
“True. But a couple of those fans were a little unhinged. Just be careful, okay?”
“What does Blair need to be careful of?” Tess asks, her black bob bouncing as she pops her head in at just the wrong time.
My whole body locks up. I’ve known this moment was coming. Keeping our relationship a secret when Logan is such a popular athlete was only going to last so long. I just hoped I’d have a bit more time.
Bryson glances sideways at me, and when it’s clear I’m lost in thought and incapable of speech, he speaks for me. “Blair has been seeing someone new.”
Tess frowns. “You broke up with Logan?”
Time stops, the lettuce in my mouth turning to ash.
She knows?
