“Just go. Okay? Go out the back. She’ll be waiting for you.” I was more than exasperated. I was about ready to burst into tears. Why had I done this to myself?
The moment of silence was excruciating.
“That’s what you really want?” There was so much hurt in his voice.
“Yes.”
“Look at me when you say that.”
Remember why you’re doing this.
So I did. Against everything I thought I wanted, I was able to look him in the eyes and tell him to go. “Please. Just leave. You’re a great guy, but this isn’t right for me. I’m sorry.”
His face wore emotions I didn’t know existed and he went through every one of them.
The last being anger or maybe resentment.
While I had no idea what he was thinking, when he slammed the door with enough force I jumped, I pretty well knew he hated me.
And I didn’t blame him in the least.
CHAPTER 26
Steven
“Congratulations, buddy,” Tony said as soon as he walked into the kitchen. “Man, you work fast with the ladies.”
Huffing, I barely glanced in his direction. All I could think about was her. Why had she tossed me out?
Her friend had had no idea but wasn’t willing to offer any solutions either. At least she’d dropped me off to get my car and no asshole reporters had been there. But they would stay outside at Christine’s house until she finally had to go out. She had no idea how ruthless the bastards were. I did. I should be taking the brunt of the shit, not her.
“Meaning what? The game? The motherfuckers lied about me almost shifting then that goddamn referee made shit up.”
I could tell Tony was staring at me. “Yeah, the whole team knows that. I meant about you being engaged.”
In response, I huffed. “Goddamn media.” Why the shift in her attitude? No pun intended. We’d had the best sex in our lives and had been so close. What had changed?
And why had she been desperately throwing words into her brain? Oceans. Chocolate. Vampires? Jesus.
I had a horrible feeling she wasn’t telling me something vital.
“They’re shit, that’s for sure and that reporter was the worst. Although you are definitely trending this morning. I mean wow. So is the whole team. Maybe you being a shifter is the best thing that ever happened to the Gators.” My life was crumbling before my eyes and Tony was excited.
“Jesus Christ! I do have some fucking skills at hockey, you know.”
He whistled. “Yeah, you do. You’re damn good, man. Damn good. What’s wrong?”
“Nothin’.”
He went about making a cup of coffee while I continued staring at the wall. I had no idea what to do at this point, but I couldn’t lose her. I just couldn’t.
“Would you stop moping, for fuck’s sake. Do you have any idea how ecstatic the fans and the coaches are with last night?” Tony stood over me like some fucking mother hen.
“I don’t care.”
“You don’t care. What in the fuck is wrong with you?”
“Nothin’. I already told you.”
