“Oh my God,” is all that comes through the phone.
I feel my whole body get rigid. “Okay, wait a minute! Do NOT bring Conner into this.”
The driver pulls to a stop in front of the Barons arena. I throw twenty dollars toward him and scramble out before he can give me change. Rose scurries to join me, slipping a little on the icy sidewalk. She’s still got the damn phone in her left hand, with Jessie on the other end, and so she grabs my arm with her right one.
“Callie, he looks at you like you’re his second mother. And Devin looks at you like you’re the love of his life,” Rose says in a low, soft tone. “And I hate to break this to you, big sister, but you look at Devin like…like you’re in love with him.”
I stop dead, fans in Barons shirts bustling by us, and spin to face her so fast my knitted hat flies off my head.
“Rose, you’re completely delusional,” I say in a heated, angry growl. “I’m not kidding. You want to be a romantic fool, fine. I have always supported you and loved you anyway, but don’t you dare try to make me one too. I know better.”
“Callie!” Jessie yells through the phone. “What are you afraid of?”
“Afraid?” I repeat like she’s an idiot, because right now she fucking is. I yank Rose to a less busy part of the area outside the arena. “I’m not afraid. I’m smart. You two think it’s all shits and giggles? Look at Mom. She died alone. The man who was supposed to love her—our dad—left her. And us. Lily was supposed to love us. Excellent grandma she turned out to be, huh? She cared so little she left us alone as soon as she thought she could do it and not get arrested.”
“Luc and Jordan would never do that,” Rose states in a flat, firm voice. She’s completely one hundred percent confident in her boyfriend and Jessie’s future husband.
“They both fucked up,” I remind them heatedly, which I know is harsh, but I’m furious. I’m shaking, raging, furious. “You spent half your life pining after Luc before he figured out he loved you, and Jessie…Jessie spent years with her heart in pieces. I barely got through both your heartbreaks, which is why I don’t want to go through my own. Devin wants this perfect little family, and I’m far from perfect. If Ashleigh couldn’t live up to it, how can I?”
“Devin seems to think you’re pretty perfect,” Rosie comments calmly.
“Shut up!” I bark and take a deep, ragged breath. “I’m going to watch myfriendsplay hockey now. And if either of you bring this up again, I swear to God I will disown you. Bye, Jessie.”
I don’t wait for a response. I just start storming toward the entry gate as my vision blurs with hot, angry tears. I can hear Rose calling my name and it makes me walk faster. Damn them. I’m so upset with my sisters. I feel betrayed. I’ve always had their backs. I’ve always supported what they wanted, even when I didn’t think it was the right thing to want.
“Callie, please!” Rose grabs my arm and forces me to stop walking. She turns me to face her and I snap my eyes shut. My cheeks are damp, and she makes a whimper at the sight of my tears and pulls me into a hug. “We’re sorry.”
“When Jessie was still clearly in love with Jordan after all he did to her, after all those years, I supported her,” I say in a shaky, whispery voice. “I talked to him. I told him he had to go for it. I wanted her to be happy.”
“I know. And we wantyouto be happy,” Rose promises in an earnest voice. “That’s all we want.”
“I am happy. I’m happy not ever putting myself in the position to be heartbroken. I don’t need a guy. I don’t need Devin.”
“But do youwanthim?” Rose asks me in a small voice.
I hesitate. Do I want him? That’s a loaded question and I know it. She hands me a tissue from her bag and I snatch it from her and wipe at my eyes.
“Because he wants you,” Rose states flatly. “I would bet my life on it. And I know you think love is just a way for stupid people to inflict pain on themselves. But it’s also pretty fucking awesome and completely worth the risk.”
“Are you done?” I ask, regaining my composure. “Because I’m done talking about it.”
“One last thing,” she says simply, as she loops her arm through mine and guides me toward the building entrance. “You have always seemed happy with your life. But I have never seen you look or sound happier than you are around Devin these last few months. Thought you should know.”
I give her a hard stare but say nothing. She just smiles and kisses my cheek.
Chapter 40
Devin
We won 4–0. A shutout, so Loops is thrilled. I scored a goal and not only did Luc not score on his own net, he assisted on my goal and got one of his own. Definitely a great debut as a Baron. I was grinning ear to ear when we headed back into the locker room after it was over.
I keep glancing over at him and smiling while I talk to reporters. I can barely see him, as his own wall of microphones and digital recorders surrounds him. When the reporters are finally ushered out, before we even have a chance to shower, Luc and I head into the hall. Rose, Callie, Conner and my parents are there. Everyone looks exactly how I feel—proud, excited and relieved. It couldn’t have been a more perfect game.
Mom and Dad both hug Luc, but his eyes are on Rose the whole time. She’s got tears in her eyes. She wants to be the big girl but she’s so thrilled for him she’s like a kid who got a brand-new bike for Christmas. When my parents stop praising him, Luc and Rose grab each other and hold on for dear life. It’s ridiculously touching and I suddenly long for that kind of deep relationship—again. I want that. My heart aches just a little bit.
“Daddy!” Conner calls, pulling my focus away from Luc.
Callie has scooped him up in her arms and he’s smiling and reaching for me. I walk over and take him. He hugs me for a second and then his face wrinkles up. “Daddy, you stinky!” he proclaims and reaches back for Callie.
