“But you’re confident he will?”
He shrugs. “He kicked ass, Sutton. That was some of the best playing he’s done.”
“He enjoyed it?”
“You want me to say no,” he says quietly.
That tells me everything. “No. I want to know he did love it. You know he’s been on the fence about hockey. But I know, and I know you know, he does love being on the ice.”
He nods slowly. “He loved it, Sutton. It was good for him.”
I blink back tears. I wish he hated it. I would love to hear it was the worst experience of his life, but that wasn’t going to happen.
"I just wanted you to know." He meets my eyes. "He’s in pain. He’s suffering. But I’m guessing you are as well.”
I blink but can’t speak around the lump in my throat.
“I wish things were different for you,” he says. “He’ll be okay. Give it time.”
I force a smile. “That’s the plan.”
“You doing okay?”
I snort because that’s a ridiculous question. “Not even a little.”
“Anything I can do to help?”
“Invent teleportation.”
He chuckles. “I’m a jock. Been playing hockey since I was three.” He knocks on his head. “Nothing but marbles up here—way too many hits. You’re going to have to find Elon. Convince him.”
I almost laugh. I don’t want to cry. I end up doing both.
Ashton awkwardly hugs me.
It only lasts maybe thirty seconds, but when I look up, I see Bree with her phone out and a shitty grin on her face.
I stiffen. My entire body goes rigid under Ashton's arm. He must feel it because he steps back immediately, turning to see what I'm looking at.
"Put the phone away, Bree," he says, his voice dropping into that captain tone he uses when someone's about to do something monumentally stupid. "It's not what you think."
But Bree looks way too happy. Her smile is the kind that makes my stomach drop. She's still holding her phone up, and I know—I know—she's already got whatever photo or video she wanted. Probably already texting it to someone. Probably to Declan.
It’s definitely on her socials. Anything to drum up drama. She loves good gossip.
"Just comforting the ex-girlfriend?" Bree says, all fake sweetness. "That's so nice of you, Ashton. I'm sure Declan will think it's really sweet, too."
"There's nothing to think about," Ashton says. "Sutton was upset. I gave her a hug. End of story."
"Sure." She tucks her phone into her back pocket, still grinning. "That's exactly what it looked like."
I feel sick. This is the last thing I need. The absolute last thing.
"I have to go," I say quickly, already backing away. I look at Ashton. "You should talk to Declan. Like now. Before she does."
"She’s not going to do shit," Declan says. “Right, Bree?”
Bree winks. “Oh, Ashton, why would I do that?”
