“My girlfriend used to be with Mark,” I said to her back.
She paused for a beat, then slowly turned.
“I’m going to ask her to marry me,” I continued, “but Mark won’t sign their divorce papers.” I watched her annoyance with me slowly morph into shock. Of course she didn’t know. Of course he lied about it. I ran my tongue over my teeth. “You didn’t know he was still legally married.” I didn’t have to ask, the truth was written all over her face. “What’s your name?”
Her eyes quickly scanned around us before she whispered, “Lexi.”
She was right to be scared about who was overhearing us. Who knew if Mark had friends lingering around here somewhere. “Locker room 6 in five minutes,” I said under my breath.
Without giving her another glance, I walked past her and made my way back to the locker room hallway. Kappy gave me access to their master schedule, so I knew this room would be empty tonight.
Each minute that passed while I waited in the locker room had my body turning more restless. I had to hope Lexi would take me up on the offer to talk. If she didn’t, we’d have to leave the situation alone. At least now she knew that Mark was still legally married.
When five minutes passed, I clenched my eyes shut.
Damnit.
I was about to leave, but I decided to give her five more minutes.
Hanging my head, I anxiously counted the seconds in my head.
With one minute left to go, the door popped open, making relief flood my body.
“You don’t understand,” she said, standing right in front of the door, looking ready to bolt at any second. “Mark is a good guy. He said his ex left him because she never wanted kids and he did. He said she just wanted to travel and tour with skating. I don’t blame her.” She crossed her arms defensively in front of her chest. “Everyone wants different things. I have Baker, and Mark wants a family. It’s perfect. So what if the divorce paperwork never went through? It’s just that. Paperwork.”
Nodding, I flipped through my phone to show her a picture of Ali standing in front of my dad’s Christmas tree, proudly holding her baby bump, a huge smile on her face. “That’s not the reason they broke up. And Ali’s been wanting that divorce for years.Hewon’t sign the papers.Heis the reason they’re still married.”
Lexi paused for a beat. “I recognize her.” Her eyes went to the floor. “An old picture on social media.”
“Ali wasn’t against having a baby,” I said slowly. “She was against him hurting her.”
Lexi’s breathing went a little ragged. “Well…” She swallowed hard and avoided meeting my eyes. “He just…” She rolled her lips together, trying to reign in her emotions, and I hated Mark Rossi even more than I already did. “I thought…” She cut herself off and shook her head. When she looked back up at me, the rims of her eyelids had turned red, and she was fighting off emotions.
“You don’t have to say anything, but I’d like to give you Ali’s number if that’s okay? You can call her if you need anything.” Shifting my weight, I took a piece of paper out of my back pocket and handed it to her. “Take it, memorize it, throw it away.”
Her eyes darted across the little paper. “I-I can't. I can't,” she said, shaking her head, her whole body trembling.
“Do youwanther number?” I asked slowly.
Her body was now trembling wildly. She nodded.
“Then you can do it. Slow down your mind. Group the numbers.” After a minute, I said, “Repeat it back to me.”
She whispered Ali’s number.
“Good. And if you can’t remember it, call up the rink and ask to speak to the owners. They’ll get Ali on the line for you, it might just take a little longer that way.”
She eyed me suspiciously. “Thank you,” she whispered before slipping out behind the heavy door.
As soon as I was alone, I texted Ali with the update, then waited a few minutes to leave just in case anyone else was in the hallway. I stood in the empty room filled with memories. This used to be our girls’ designated locker room. I could still remember each of their unofficial spots along these benches. If I could go back to when we were teens here, I’d do more for Ali. I’d step up and stop being so afraid of ruining things. Because when you’re meant to be, you can’t ruin it. I was done playing it safe. I’d do anything to protect her, and I’d do anything to get our happy ending.
After a couple minutes, I exited the room.
Walking down the long hallway, I passed the utility closet where Mrs. Kappers once found Kappy and Piper hiding after they crashed the zamboni. I smirked to myself, thinking of his wide eyes and panicked face as he retold the story to us.
But as soon as I turned the corner into the lobby, the smirk dropped off my face. It felt like time slowed, like I was walking through quicksand, as he stared daggers at me.
Rossi was standing in front of the rink entrance wearing a team sweat-suit and helmet sans-cage. There was no surprise in his cold, dead eyes.
