“Yeah. Always exclusive when he was in town. But if he was gone training with other teams or when he was in Europe that one summer before he joined Colorado, we weren’t exclusive.”
“I could murder him,” I grumble.
“I guess it was his excuse to sleep with whoever he wanted.” She smacks herself on the head. “I seriously can’t believe how naïve I was.”
“He knows just what to say to keep you on the hook. Trust me, I always thought he was going to help me become a better skater and he never did.”
She scoffs. “That’s because you’re already a better player.”
“Nice try.”
The truck grows silent as the farmlands around the city pass us by. I wish I was the better player, but I’ve always been in my big brother’s shadow.
Since I started playing in the NHL, I’ve always been compared to him. He had a natural talent that he never had to work at. Me? It was a grind every day to get where I am now. I wish I had that same skill, but I don’t. In high school, I wanted to be just like my big brother. The way he carried himself on the ice and how easily it came to him.
Now? All I want is to stop being compared to him.
“Does it help that you’re a better person?” Chloe pulls me from my thoughts.
“A little.” I hold up my thumb and forefinger a fewcentimeters apart. “Wouldn’t hurt if I could have a cup to show for it.”
“You’ll get one. I know.”
Chloe squeezes my forearm before going back to her notebook. The same notebook that her damn list is in.
My focus this season needs to be on the team and improving where I am to help us actually finish in the playoffs. I don’t need to be worrying about her swearing off all men.
I’ll never have Chloe. I need to accept that. Having her as my best friend is all I’ll ever get.
And that needs to be good enough for me.
Chapter Seven
CHLOE
“Are you sure he’s not here?” I ask again.
“Yes.”
“Positive?”
Pulling up to the security gate, we get buzzed in without question.
“At least the security guards still like you.” Dax laughs.
“Probably more than Duncan.”
Each house is bigger than the last as we drive to the back of the neighborhood. I don’t know why I ever thought I would be happy in a place like this. It’s about as opposite me as the sun and the moon.
All I want is a house with enough rooms for a family—one day—and a space to create.
Dax laughs as the ostentatious house that was once mine comes into view. Well, partially mine. It’s not like there’s much in the way of my things here. When Duncan asked me to move in, I put most of my belongings in storage. Sold off the furniture I had, because why would I need it? My primary focus then became planning our wedding, which didn’t leave time for much else.
“You’re growling,” Dax tells me.
“Ugh. Sorry. Just frustrated that I’m moving into a new apartment and have nothing.”
“Sorry.” Dax pats my knee. I ignore the warmth that spreads through my body at the slight touch. Ever since I got the tiniest peek of his ass at the lake, it’s all I’ve been thinking about.
