“So are you as big a mess on the inside as you look on the outside?” I venture quietly as I mix the granola with the yogurt.
“Pretty much,” he responds, hands still over his face. “I’m not any better than Ashleigh now.”
“Yeah, that’s a load of shit,” I argue swiftly and slide the fruit from the cutting board into the bowl. “Ashleigh betrayed a trust and violated a marriage contract.”
“So did I.”
“It was already decimated,” I correct him firmly and then I lighten my tone. “And besides, do you have feelings for the lucky lady from last night?”
His hands drop from his face. “No.”
“Then you are not even close to the same as your ex-wife,” I tell him resolutely. “You stuck your dick in a girl after your wife ruined your marriage. Big fucking deal. Ashleigh shared her heart with someone, not just an orgasm, while she was committed to you. Now eat.”
“This is for me?” He looks down at the bowl I just made.
“Yes. I get meals on set,” I explain and hop back off the chair. “I’ll see you tonight?”
“Conner will be here,” he says, still more glum than I would like.
“I’ll make something yummy for dinner,” I announce and move to leave.
He reaches out and grabs my hand. His grip is firm but gentle, and when our eyes connect, that ripple of desire turns into a tidal wave. I suddenly want to ask him if he was satisfied last night and if he wasn’t, I volunteer as tribute.
He leans a little closer and suddenly I wonder if desire is contagious, because he’s looking at me like I assume I’m looking at him. “Thanks.”
“Of course.” I smile. He lets go of my hand and I hurry out the door.
Chapter 13
Devin
Loops is watching me carefully as I get dressed back into my street clothes after practice. He’s been staring at me through most of practice and I’m done waiting for him to spit it out.
“I’m in a slump,” I say as I pull my shirt over my head. “Happens to everyone.”
“Dev, come on,” Loops says quietly, his eyes darting around to make sure the last few guys left in the locker room aren’t listening. “It’s more than that and I know you know it.”
“It’s not.”
“You’ve had slumps before. This is an all-out free fall,” Loops tells me. “And I’m not just talking about on the ice.”
I turn and stare at him but say nothing. He looks concerned and it makes me angry.
“I’ve been trying to give you space after that whole thing with Luc showing up at my house in the middle of the night but…” He swallows and searches for the right words. “I think maybe you should talk about it.”
“Nothing to talk about,” I reply curtly and grab my baseball cap out of my locker. “I have to go. I have Conner tonight.”
“Devin.”
“Look, Loops.” I turn and face him and try to contain my anger. “Talking to you isn’t going to help. You’re happily married with a perfect family and you couldn’t possibly relate.”
He opens his mouth to say something but nothing comes out.
“And the coach spent an hour riding my ass this morning, so trust me, I know I have to get my shit together,” I tell him flatly. My cell starts buzzing in my pocket. I pull it out and see HOME on the call display. I hold it up. “Now excuse me while I deal with my cheating wife.”
I storm out of the locker room and head down the hall.
“Is Conner okay?” I say into the phone without so much as a hello.
