I tug at my ear again, wishing I had some of my old cheap jewelry to adorn my ears. I sold the last pair of earrings a couple of months ago. I don’t even have money to buy more, or better clothes. Maybe it’s time I start looking for a job. I can do private nursing, make some money, and at least dress a little better.
I make a strangled sound in my throat when I realize what I’m doing.
I’m not going to change who I am for a man!
But—I glance toward where Vanessa is sitting. It bothers me so much.
Ethan tugs my sleeve. “Miranda.”
I glance down at him.
“Why is your face sad?”
I summon a smile from somewhere. “It isn’t.”
“It is.” He tilts his head, considering me with the gravity of a small judge, then holds out his half-eaten hot dog with both hands. “You can have it.”
The lump that comes up in my throat is sudden and large.
“That’s your hot dog, buddy.”
“I want you to have it.”
I take a bite because saying no will undo me. He beams like I’ve just signed a treaty.
When I lift my eyes again, Vanessa is watching me.
Across the entire arena, she’s watching me, her face unmoving. The corners of her mouth are tight. Her gloved hands rest in her lap. She doesn’t even pretend to look at the ice.
I look away.
Once Ethan has focused on the game, I look at Brody.
“Were she and Ethan close?” The question comes out before I’ve fully thought it through. I keep my voice low. Ethan is back to the rink, banging his palm against the plexiglass at something I missed.
Brody glances down at the top of Ethan’s head, then at me, shaking his head once, hard.
“No.” His voice has gone low to match mine. “She hated him. That’s not nice to say, but it’s the truth. She didn’t want him from the first ultrasound from what I’ve heard.”
My stomach knots.
“Then why is she fighting for him?” It comes out almost a whisper.
“You want my real opinion?”
“Please.”
Brody’s jaw works for a second. “When Gabriel died, Grayson was on the verge of quitting the team. Vanessa only wanted him for the glory and the celebrity status, I guess. She chose to cheat with a player who was on his way to the big leagues.” His voice is whisper soft as he leans closer. “You didn’t hear it from me, but I think she got pregnant on purpose. The two of them were having issues, and she thought Grayson might leave her.”
“And when Gabriel died?”
“Ethan would have been two or three months. She was cruel to Grayson while he was grieving. Nobody was happier than us when he divorced her. She agreed to the divorce easily because she thought he would never make it big. Now she can’t stand it.”
“But—” I look back at Grayson on the rink. “I don’t understand. He’s been popular for the past two years. Why now?”
Brody makes a thoughtful face. “You’re right. Maybe it’s you.”
“Me?”
