Her brows pull together a little.
“It’s not you,” I add. “I’ve just got some things I’m trying to sort through. And I didn’t handle it right.”
I leave it there. I can see the questions swirling in her eyes, but she doesn’t ask them. She just studies me like she’s trying to decide whether I’m being honest.
“Okay,” she says softly.
I nod once. “I meant what I said before. I’m not going anywhere. I need you to trust me on that.”
She holds my gaze a second longer, then looks down. “I understand, Cooper.”
Every instinct in me wants to close the distance between us. To pull her into my arms and fix this. Explain to her what’s going on.
Instead, I step back onto the deck.
She closes the door gently. The lock clicks a second later.
I stand there for a moment, staring at the door, knowing she deserves more than half answers.
And knowing I’m going to have to decide soon what matters more—my hockey career or the girl I never saw coming.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Cooper
Owen’s Jeep is parked in the driveway behind Talon’s truck when I pull up to the hockey house, which means at least two of them are here.
I let myself in and head into the kitchen to find all of them there. Owen stands at the stove, cooking something. Talon is seated at the island, and I’m surprised to see Kade here. His girlfriend, Willow, was supposed to be in town, and they were planning to stay at their family lodge this week.
The two have been doing the long-distance thing. I don’t know how he can do it with only seeing her for short stints at a time, but they’re making it work, and he seems happy with her.
Owen looks up first. “You look rough.”
“It was a long night,” I say, dropping my keys on the counter.
Talon studies me for a second. “What happened?”
“Well, for starters, I was on my way back from the farm, and I ran into Brinley. Her car died. She was pulled over on the side of the road with her hazards on.”
“You ran into her? Didn’t she call you?” Kade asks.
I shake my head. “She was waiting for Caleb to show up and tow her.”
Owen turns around now. “Something happen between the two of you? She seemed upset or in her head at the party last night.”
Wren pads into the kitchen now, joining us, and climbs up onto the stool next to Talon.
“That’s what I wanted to talk to you guys about.” I drag a hand over the back of my neck. “Coach pulled me into his office after the game.”
That seems to get their attention.
“For what?” Kade asks.
“Not my shoulder,” I say. “Not the game either.”
Talon’s eyes sharpen. “Brinley?”
I nod. “He told me to stay away from her. Spewed some bullshit on how he won’t have rumors or attention around his program, how actions have consequences. Then tried to spin it like he’s looking out for my career. Right before he let it slip that he’s been watching her.”
