“I have a job to do. Gotta whip this hockey team into shape, according to Ashby.”
“Why are you here, Jamie?”
“I just told you. I’m coaching the—” she cuts me off.
“I don’t mean here. I mean, why are you at Ellington? Why aren’t you with your fancy hockey team and your fancy friends, with your fancy new cars and girls?”
Is that a hint of jealousy I hear in her tone? It can’t be, right? It’s been years, and she told me she hated me.
“Injury. Can’t play. Ashby called a few weeks ago after word spread that I was on medical leave. Said he needed a new hockey coach and knew I was local. I told him no at first, but my mom convinced me it’ll give me something to keep my mind off things.”
Ellie rolls her eyes. “You knew I went here for college.”
“It’s been years since you graduated, Ellie. How could I have known you’d be here now?”
“I don’t know. Maybe you’ve been stalking me or something,” she shrugs. I laugh at the thought. I may have kept tabs on her, but I wouldn’t say I was stalking. At first, I didn’t think about her or us at all. I left, signed to the Storm, fucked my way through puck bunnies, and had a blast. I took it all in, the fame, the money, the girls. Ellie was my first love. Hockey was my life. It is my life, and that took precedence over everything else.
“I was too busy to stalk you, sweetheart.”
“Was it worth it?” she asks, her tone as sharp as a knife.
My brows furrow. “Was what worth it?”
“Leaving me behind. Was it worth it?”
Is she seriously asking me if going to the fucking NHL was worth it? Hell, yes it was worth it. I put everything I had into this god damn sport. I spent my whole life dreaming about getting to where I’m at now. Well, maybe not where I am at this very second because the way Ellie’s looking at me is actually kind of scary.
“Ellie, you can’t be serious.” Her expression turns to one of regret, as if she’s realizing that she’s not being logical.
“I’m sorry. I know the NHL was your dream. I’m glad you got there. You worked incredibly hard. I just… I wish I could have been there.”
A sharp pain makes its way through my chest as guilt settles in my stomach like a weight. I really did love her, but we were kids. I would have never made it if she were with me. She wanted a family, kids and a dog, and white picket fence. I would have given everything up for her and I knew I couldn’t do that. Not after all the work I’d put in. My dad would have killed me if he were alive.
I never thought I’d see her again, let alone be living with her. This was not something either of us could have seen coming. I never thought I’d have to face what I did again. The way I left things was shitty, even I know that. I was a complete asshole, and I could’ve gone about it completely differently. Yet, I didn’t, and I broke her heart.
She looks down at her feet, and when she looks back up, I can see the tears forming in her eyes. Fuck, I didn’t want her to cry.
“You just left. You left without a word. I woke up and you were gone. We had dinner, fell asleep under the stars, and then poof. Four years gone, without an explanation. What was I supposed to think?” Fuckkk. I really am a piece of shit.
“I was immature. I should have talked to you. I should have, I know. But it was easier to just disappear…”
Tears stream down her cheeks freely now, and I can tell she’s pissed at herself for crying. She’s always been a ‘cry when she’s angry’ kind of girl.
“Easier for you…” she mumbles lowly while looking me in the eyes. Shaking her head softly, she turns around and begins to walk away. Part of me wants to beg her to stay. I feel like there’s so much more I need to say, but I know nothing’s changed. I still can’t be with her, and she’s better off without me.
“Ellie,” I call after her before I can stop myself. She freezes but doesn’t turn around. “I’m sorry.”
Without a word, she walks to her room, opens the door and slams it shut.
Well, fuck.
Chapter 5
Ellie
At eighteen, if anyone would have told me that I’d see Jamie Patterson again, I would have told them they had no idea what they were talking about. Seeing Jamie again was like seeing a unicorn. It would have been a one-in-a-million chance. I had no idea where he went or what he was doing. One minute we were in love, the next he was gone as if he never existed.
I’m not stupid, I knew he wanted to go to the NHL. It had been his dream for as long as I can remember. Him and his dad would watch games together on the couch, and they never missed a Stormhome game.
