Page 90 of Heartless As Puck

Nick intercepted me before I made it to Jesse’s car, and I steeled myself for the inquisition as he steered me to his instead.

“How are things going with Jane?” he asked as I shut the passenger side door and buckled up. “Clearly, it isn’t fake anymore. Unless you somehow faked that photo, but I can’t imagine why you would.”

“Things are… complicated.” Now that he’d raised the topic, I was glad he’d separated me from the others. It would be good to talk the situation through with someone who at least understood the basics of what had actually happened rather than our carefully orchestrated lies. “I care about her, and she feels the same for me, but I’m not really sure where things stand.”

Nick started the engine and checked his rearview mirror before backing out of the parking space. “How do you mean?”

I shrugged, a little embarrassed. “I’m concerned that she might bail. We’ve been through a lot in a short time and she’s already skittish. She doesn’t like the attention and she’s worried that I’m using her for access to her family. If I say the wrong thing, it could send her running.”

Honestly, running away would be the smart thing for her to do. Fortunately, she didn’t seem to want to—yet.

Nick turned the car onto the street and headed toward Rinkside. “I can see where she’s coming from. Part of the reason Gus suggested this whole thing is because of her family, and I’m sure people have tried to use her to get close to them before. Is there a way you can prove to her that it’s not about that?”

I dragged my teeth over my lower lip. “I may have gone off script during our interview earlier. I’m hoping that helped.”

Although I was also worried about how Trent and Robertson would respond. Cindy had seemed thrilled with the interview, so hopefully that meant it would go well enough to make them less likely to blow up my career.

Nick glanced at me, his eyes wide. “Shit. That was brave. Let’s hope it works out for you.”

“I’m crossing my fingers.”

He indicated to pull into the Rinkside parking lot. “Let me know if there’s anything I can do to make things easier for either of you.”

“Thanks.” I bumped his shoulder. “You’re a good friend.”

He parked and we got out of the car. Across the lot, Jesse, Brown, Rasmussen, and another rookie were spilling from Jesse’s car in a wave of raised voices and good cheer.

“Do you think I should have another talk with them about behaving appropriately in public?” I asked, motioning toward the group.

Nick cocked his head, studying them. “I doubt you need to worry yet. If we start winning more, that’s when you might need to step it up. There’s nothing like a winning streak to inflate egos.”

As we passed by a couple of guys smoking outside, they called out congratulations. I tipped my head toward them and Nick thanked them.

Inside, the bar was bustling. The lights had been dimmed, and a replay of our game was airing on several screens. Music played quietly and a group of rowdy college-aged guys halted their game of pool to stare at us as we entered.

Immediately, they swarmed us, their game forgotten. I forced a smile to my face, reminding myself that it was nice to have fans. Fans were what allowed me to have a generous salary and a nice house, and to pay for Hazel’s schooling.

Nick was better at handling them than I was, so he made conversation while we signed T-shirts and accepted their commentary on the game. Once they’d been appeased, they slowly dissipated and we made our way to the bar. I ordered a soda water with lime and Nick got a sugar-free lemonade. We carried them over to the tables reserved for the team.

I sat beside Matt, who raised his beer. I clinked my glass against it and took a sip.

“So.” He leaned toward me, swaying in a way that made me think this beer wasn’t his first. “I noticed Jane wasn’t wearing anyone’s jersey today. I’m guessing that’s out of respect for the fact her brother plays for Colorado. I’ll let you get away with it this once, but next time, she’d better be in one of ours. Boyfriend trumps brother, right?”

A wave of possessiveness rolled through me at the thought of putting my name on Jane’s back. I liked the idea a little too much.

“I think it does,” I agreed, already debating whether to give her one of mine or order a new jersey in her size. It would probably be more considerate to get her something new, but the thought of her draped in a jersey that belonged to me—perhaps even wearing it as a dress—gave me a thrill that made it no contest.

He looked around. “She’s not here tonight?”

“No.” I drank more soda, enjoying the tingle on my tongue. “She wanted to come to the game, but she isn’t ready for more than that yet. Not after… you know.”

He grimaced. “Tell her that none of us will give her a hard time. I think what happened to you guys is crap and I won’t look at her differently. If anyone else does, I’ll put them in line.”

“Thanks, Matt.” To my surprise, I found myself smiling at him for real. We’d always gotten along well enough, but I’d never considered us close. Perhaps I’d have to rethink that.

He shifted in his seat, uncomfortable. “It’s what any decent person would do.”

Something dark flitted through his eyes, and I couldn’t help but wonder if something had happened in the past to make him feel strongly on the subject. I wouldn’t ask, though. If he wanted to talk sometime, I’d be here to listen.