“Yet here I am, still on the ice to ensure you’re in misery,” I call out.
Finally getting a chance to breathe and shake off that outburst, I notice movement in the corner of my eye, then fully examine the scene before me.
Isla’s walking down the stairs to go sit with Hadley who is right behind the boards. The rink cam showed Hadley a few times on the screen. It’s marketing gold. Isla has no idea I’m staring at her. But she’s here, which means she’s watching the game, wearing her brother’s jersey number… can’t fault her for that.
As much as I want to attract her attention, I have a game to win.
Maybe after the game, I’ll be able to subtly say hi.
5
ISLA
“What did I miss? I heard booing,” I ask as I slide back onto the seat next to Hadley.
“You picked the worst moment to go to the bathroom, which by the way, are you okay? You do that a lot lately.” She sounds frustrated with the game.
“Feisty. Sorry if nature calls,” I defend.
It’s been a few weeks since I found out about my pregnancy, and I still haven’t told my friend. Part of me isn’t ready, because it leads to questions, and I know that the baby will become a central topic for every coffee date. It makes it all even more real.
Hadley’s dad, who was sitting next to her, excuses himself with the cover of finding snacks. I get the feeling he is giving us a moment alone so we can talk, even though he has no clue that my news will require a full-on play-by-play.
My nerves are rocketing because Vaughn is here. I’m thankful for the helmet which blocks me from staring at his smoldering eyes. It will also hurt less, because seeing him is like a knife to my body. It’s clear he is in a relationship with someone and wants to keep to our word and forget our night.
The thought of this situation causes me to feel a little tight.
“What’s up with you?” Hadley wonders. She must be picking up on my somber mood.
“Nothing,” I lie but also sigh.
Hadley seems to be studying me as I stare aimlessly at a patch of ice.
“Nothing to do with who is on the ice?” Her eyes go bold.
It’s a struggle, however I manage to shake my head.
She touches my arm. “Spill it.”
An overwhelming feeling takes over me, and it just rolls off my tongue. “You know how I had that conference in Tampa a while ago?”
“Yeah, the one where you got stuck there because of a hurricane.”
I nod. “I wasn’t exactly alone when I safely rode out the storm in a hotel.”
She seems invested in this gossip. “You were riding someone during the storm, weren’t you?”
I bite my bottom lip. “It’s not ideal,” I admit.
“Why not? It’s great. You are allowed to have fun. Who was it?” She’s far too curious.
I nervously scoff a laugh, very well aware that I shouldn’t give her clues to who this baby’s father is, the baby that nobody knows I’m having. “The guy who just put your husband in the penalty box.”
Hadley’s jaw drops. “Vaughn Madden?”
I scrub a hand across my cheek. “Nobody can know. Especially since my brother isn’t a fan. It was a one-time kind of thing.”
“Really? I mean, he’s not bad on the eyes. Long-distance isn’t ideal, but it’s no different than if he played here in Lake Spark and has to travel for the season.” This is probably why I didn’t tell her; she’s excited for a probability that will never happen.
