When they all look at me like I’m full of shit, I expound, my chest instantly tight. “I mean I have feelings for him, sure. They range from annoyance to irritation. Even embarrassment after he saw me naked and then I saw him naked?—”
“Wait,” Josie screams. “He saw you naked too? Were the two of you naked at the same time?”
I blow out a breath. Dammit. I didn’t mean to tell them that. “No. He walked in on me while I was changing last night.”
Savannah cackles and Josie lets out a sound that’s half scream, half laugh. Beside me, Vivi’s jaw is unhinged. “I’m totally switching rooms with you.”
“No you’re not,” Josie says with a finger in the air. “Because by the blush she’s sporting, she didn’t hate either of those situations the way she thinks she should have.”
Huffing, I will the heat in my cheeks to subside. “Not true. The last thing I wanted was to see JJ naked. Swear.”
That’s the truth. Because it reminded me of all I once had. Before he was off limits. Completely forbidden.
“And need I remind youagainthat he’s married?” I hold up a hand when each one of them leans forward, ready to interject. “And before you say he’s not really married, that’s not a thing. But even if it were a thing, or even if he were to get divorced, it wouldn’t matter. He’s a player and I’m his coach.”
“Can you imagine how amazing that would be for my readers?” Savannah chirps.
Sighing, I slump back. “Cheating on one’s spouse is not romantic.”
“First of all it’s not cheating!” she huffs. “They’re separated. And she left her child! Also, I wasn’t talking about JJ.” She waves her hand with apfft. “I’m talking about you. You’re the prize. The NHL’s first female goalie coach. You are a babe, babe. A total catch. A fucking inspiration. You deserve to be happy, and my readers would eat your story up.”
“Her dad would kill me,” I say, thumbing toward Vivi, going with another tactic. I’ve given up saying no for myself. They aren’t listening. Besides, it’s true. Vivi’s dad, the Bolts’ head coach and my boss, would not be happy to have that kind of attention on me at this time.
“Only because he’s an overprotective ass,” Vivi grumbles.
Josie frowns and pats her hand. “Your dad loves you.”
“Ugh.” She pulls away with a roll of her eyes. “Whatever.”
“He does,” I tell her.
“Can’t say he did a very good job of showing it when he kicked me out.”She goes for annoyed, but I swear her eyes are glassy before she turns away.
Savannah swigs her wine, then picks up the bottle and refills her glass. “My dad told me repeatedly that I was the worst thing that ever happened to him. Then he left. Believe me, if your dad is actually trying to get rid of you, you’d know it. Yours isn’t. He’s just scared that you’re going to throw away all your opportunities without thinking about it first.”
“Just because I don’t want to finish college doesn’t mean I’mthrowing my life away. I just—” Vivi sighs, slumping. “I don’t know what I want to do with my life and until I figure it out, school feels like a waste of time and money.”
“Have you toldhimthat? Or your mom?” I ask.
Vivi’s eyes water in earnest this time. “They don’t understand.”
“Your dad may not get it; he’s always known what he wanted. But I think if you sat your mom down and really tried, you’d be surprised by how much she understands.”
“Doubt it. She’s always known too. She wanted to write music, and she did it.”
My Aunt Millie really is a wonderful songwriter and musician, but I’m pretty sure her story isn’t as simple as Vivi is making it out to be. And Vivi’s parents love her to death. They’d do anything for her. There’s no way that Gavin’s ultimatum came from anger. I imagine he did it because he’s at a loss when it comes to getting through to her.
“Just promise me you’ll talk to her,” I plead, grasping her hand.
She only shrugs. “Can I have more wine?”
Laughing, Savannah pours her a generous amount.
From there the topic changes, thank god.
Because I have no interest in talking about JJ’s possible glitter dick. Or becoming the poster girl for Boston’s next romantic comedy.
Tonight was good. We talked and laughed and drank and laughed some more. When Camden came home, he joined us for one more drink and Savannah snuggled on his lap. Witnessing the two of them so comfortably in love makes it hard not to wish for the same thing. Not now, of course. Between living with my sister and cousin and flying all over the country with the team, I have enough on my plate.
