Me: Don’t. Just fucking don’t.
Lawson: I LOVE YOU, CALLUM KELLER, YOU BEAUTIFUL GRUMPY FUCK!
Me: Please, someone delete me. I’m begging you.
Lawson: Not a chance.
LAWSON CHANGED THE GROUP CHAT NAME TO “SERPENTS NOT-SO-SINGLE CLUB”
Lawson: Sleep tight, boys.
CHAPTER 20
CHLOE
Something changed after Hutch and Auden’s wedding.
I’m not sure what, but the days leading up to him leaving for the road trip felt like they did before I left. We talked, but not about anything significant. We had sex, but it wasn’t as passionate as before. It’s like a switch got flipped, and we’re back to where we were three years ago. I hate it, and I really hate that it’s the only thing I can focus on as we watch the guys play their last road game.
“Come on! Get it together!”
Lilah and Rory nod at Auden’s words, and I share their sentiments. The Serpents have been playing like trash since they left. Every game is a nail-biter, and not in a fun way. They’ve given up multiple leads, and not a single sports network can figure out what’s happened with this sharp drop-off.
I’ve tried asking Callum about it a few times, but each time I do, he shuts the conversation down or tries to distract me. I let him have it because I have no business prying when I’m hiding such a big secret from him.
Avery’s drunken words at the wedding haven’t left me. I’ve tried not to put too much stock in them with her beinginebriated, but I would be lying if I said I wasn’t hoping they’re true. A job in Seattle would mean being with Callum again, this time for real. It wouldn’t be what we’re currently doing, which is just pretending everything is okay. A part of me wishes we could do that forever, because man, does it feel good, but I want to get back to who we were. Before the NHL. Before I got so in my head I didn’t know who I was anymore.
I can’t do that until Callum knows about the offer…and until I tell him I know about the card. I’ve opened the drawer every day he’s been gone, have stared at that little rectangle so many times I have the phone number memorized. And yet, I still can’t figure out what he’s doing with it if he doesn’t intend to use it.
Yes, he’s told me he loves me and it’s forever, but people say those things all the time. Meaning them is a whole different story. I once told him I’d stand by him until my dying day, and look how that turned out—I left when I couldn’t handle it anymore.
It’s why I haven’t mentioned the job and why I still haven’t uttered those three big words to him. I’m too scared if I do, it’ll all get ripped away when he wakes up and realizes everyone else was right all along—I’m not good enough for him.
“Fox, what the hell are you doing?!” Auden screeches at the TV, drawing my attention, and though the sound is loud, it’s just what I need to get out of my head. She looks at her best friend. “Sorry, butpleasetext your man and tell him to keep his ass in the net during the third.”
“He’s great at playing the puck, and he knows what he’s doing. Chill, mama.”
“Don’t youmamame, Lilah Jane.”
I look at Rory, who is completely unbothered by their exchange, and she shrugs. Auden continues yelling at the TV, and Lilah keeps trying to get her to relax. Vanessa interjects every now and then whenever someone says something aboutWhitlocke slowing down and his age, but it’s pretty much how the rest of the period goes.
“I’m going to check on the baby. I can’t watch this anymore,” Auden announces when they give up another goal after they were up 3–0 at one point. As she leaves the room, I swear she mutters, “Why can’t I be a smoker? I could use a cigarette right about now.”
“How are you handling all of this, Chloe?” Quinn asks. “You’re a seasoned WAG, right? You’ve been with Keller since before he was pro.”
“Since college, but as cheesy as it sounds, it doesn’t get any easier to watch. My stomach is in knots right now.”
“Mine too,” Rory agrees, then she shakes the bowl of chips she’s been snacking on. “Hence the stress eating.” She holds the dish out to me. “Want one?”
“I’m good, but thank you. I’ll settle for my emotional support Diet Coke.”
“Cheers.”
She taps her water bottle to my can, and we settle in for the third period. Yet again, the Serpents give up their lead and end the game with a shootout win. It’s a big positive getting the two points, especially since they dropped so many during this trip, but you can tell just by looking at the guys that they aren’t happy with their performance.
“Well, that was…a night,” Vanessa says dejectedly.
“EvenIcould use a hug after watching that,” Rory comments.
