Still, it didn’t sit right with me to let go of something that had been in our family for several generations, but Nana said it was time, and that was the end of the discussion. Like I said before, I get the part about her meeting someone and wanting to enjoy the remaining years of her life traveling and doing things she didn’t get to do when she was younger. And I’m pretty sure her refusal to consider any other alternative is her way of ensuring my sisters and I don’t sacrifice our dreams to fulfill some sense of duty.
But what if there’s something more going on? What if she’s sick and not telling us? Or is it about money? I don’t make the big bucks like the NHL players, but I could tighten my budget,rent a cheaper place with a roommate, and delegate some of my income to help.
But would it be enough?
I can’t find out for myself, though. Not yet, anyway. Our schedule is too tight until Christmas. Next week is Thanksgiving, but we have a game the day before and after, so there’s no time to go home. Nana said she didn’t plan to move forward until after the holidays, but waiting until Christmas to figure this out is almost torture.
“Is there something you’re not telling us, Wade?” Luke’s use of my first name grabs my attention.
Might as well get it all out in one go. “Nana—my grandmother—wants to sell our ranch.”
A series of noisy breaths and low whistles fills the air.
Except for Luke. He grunts. “That’s rough, man.”
“Thank you for stating the obvious,” I snap back.
His shoulders rise, and his jaw tightens.
I’m pushing his patience. Might as well say what’s been banging around in my head like a ping-pong machine. “I may have to choose.”
That’s as much as I can say out loud, but judging by their faces, they know exactly what I mean. Even Mason gets it. And something in his expression makes me think he’s dealt with a tough choice like this one in his past.
Pay-man hands me the darts. “Keep playing. Keep talking. We’re going to help you figure this out, mate.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
BREE
Somehow, I managed to avoid Wade at work today. After I went down to shoot some footage of the guys at practice, I zipped back to my office before they headed into the locker room for weight training. Except for the goofy video I filmed of Zayne loosening the tops of the water bottles at the players’ bench, I made sure I stayed in the shadows so Wade didn’t see me.
But if I don’t talk to someone about what happened last night—not to mention Chase blackmailing me—I’m going to spiral down like I did after I found he was cheating on me.
Not that kissing Wade compared to my cheating ex—Chase never held me like that. Not by a long shot. Wade kissed me like a man suffocating, and I was the air his lungs desperately needed. A shiver runs through me just thinking about it.
I just wish I knew what it meant, if anything. OrwhyI kissed him. What was I thinking? I know the threat from Chase has me reeling, but anytime I’ve needed comfort from Wade, a hug has sufficed. But in that crazy moment, I wanted more—needed more. And what really scares me? I still do.
Before I left his place last night, we talked about hanging out again tonight, but I think that was his way of reassuring me that we were fine, back to normal, even.
When Wade sent me a text earlier, telling me that he planned to go out with his teammates instead—that it was mandatory, whatever that means—I felt a little disappointed but also relieved. Until I can figure things out, figuremeout, I don’t know how to act around him.
We left things in a good place last night, mostly thanks to him. But I kind of hoped he’d bring it up, perhaps tell me he couldn’t stop thinking about our kiss, too—in a good way because I can’t stop thinking about it. About him. And I might as well confess that my thoughts don’t resemble best-friend behavior.
Maybe he’s avoiding me, too. I can’t blame him, since I’m the one who practically threw myself at him. Did he kiss me back just to be nice? A pity kiss?
I can totally imagine him doing that, but then wouldn’t the kiss have felt forced or stiff? If anything, it felt natural…inevitable. Like we’d kissed each other a thousand times before, yet new and exciting at the same time.
Not to mention hot. I had no idea he could kiss so passionately. Why would I? I never thought of him in that light except for a brief time in high school. It was fleeting, no big deal. I made myself get over it then, and I can do it again.
I’ll rein in all these overwhelming emotions and return to my blissful state of thinking of Wade as only my best friend. Not a hot hockey player whose kiss set my world on fire.
That’s why I need to talk to someone about ‘the incident.’
I could text the girls. They added me to their group chat, The Puck Babes, despite my argument that I’m not in a relationship with a hockey player. Sophie argued that technically I was, since Wade and I are—were?—best friends, and Mia said I didn’t havea choice because she liked the name too much to change it. Lily rolled her eyes at that one.
Trying not to overthink, I pick up my phone and open the chat, noting their tiny images sitting next to previous messages. They’re amazing women, all of them. Strong and determined, yet compassionate and authentic. Even though I haven’t known them that long, I feel like I can trust them to keep it between us.
But how do I text-splain I kissed Wade without them turning it into a thing? I put the phone down again. Maybe itisa big deal? Or maybe it just feels that way to me?
