“Take care, Victoria.”
This time when our eyes meet there’s a flicker of emotion in his. Regret, maybe, coupled with resignation. Probably a mirror image of what he sees in mine, because I have so many regrets. And a fuck-ton of resignation.
“I guess this is it,” I whisper, suddenly emotional.
He doesn’t respond, just watches me as I slip out of the SUV, sling my backpack over my shoulder, and head for the building.
I pause after I’ve taken a few steps and turn back to look at him.
He’s still sitting there, watching me.
Dammit, why is this so hard?
But unless I tell him I’ve changed my mind about seeing him again, what’s the point? The problem is that I have no way to get in touch with him if I do change my mind, but giving him my number feels manipulative.
I don’t want to go out with you, but I want to stay in touch.
Then he takes the decision out of my hands by putting the SUV in drive and pulling forward. He goes to the end of the street, turns right at the stop sign, and then disappears from sight.
Well, that’s that.
Time to think about international finance and a bunch of other boring stuff.
I’m better off without the headache of Jordan Palmer being back in my life.
If only I understood why it feels so wrong.
Chapter 7
Jordan
Driving away from Victoria that morning last week was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done, and I don’t know why. It should have been easy. Not just because of our history but also because she fundamentally turned me down when I asked her out.
And yet, it’s been a week, and I’m still thinking about it. About her.
It’s March, so I should be thinking about nothing but hockey. Maybe making some plans for summer, although that’s still a ways away. The last thing I need is to continue pining for my ex. I barely pined for her when we were freshly broken up, so it makes no sense that I’m so preoccupied with her now.
The worst part is, I can’t really talk to anyone about it. I told Jude and Chloe a simplified version of our meeting, about the miscommunication and how we were essentially lied to and manipulated by everyone around us, but not about the end. Where I asked her out and she said no but then didn’t seem to want to get out of the SUV.
I’m kind of confused about that. I know damn well she wanted to say yes but I guess her father still controls her, just like he did before. It’s better for me that we don’t see each other again, I know that, but I’m still frustrated by the whole thing.
Tonight’s home game is against Nashville and it’s bobblehead night at the arena. Mine. They made me a freakin’ bobblehead, which is both cool as fuck and ridiculous. My mom made me promise to get her one, so I have one stashed in my locker, but it feels a little surreal to have this much attention on me. Of course, I’m having a hell of a season, and I’ve become a fan favorite of late, so the marketing department decided I was the perfect player for this special event.
The first five thousand people to arrive at the arena get it for free and last we heard, people started lining up at noon. It’s kind of crazy considering it’s like a ten-dollar item, but anything that gets our fans excited is a good thing.
“You ready, bobblehead?” Milo asks with a laugh.
I lift my middle finger in response.
He just grins as he moves past me and into the tunnel. We’re about to start warmups, and for some reason I’m a little nervous. I don’t get stage fright or anything, but it feels like tonight is all about me, and it’s weird.
I move down the tunnel, trying to stay focused, and the rush of cold air from the arena hits me at the same time someone calls my name.
It’s a woman’s voice.
One I instantly recognize.
And against my better judgment, I look up.
