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Andie and Mel have noticed my stillness now too, everyone wanting to know what’s wrong. I blink a few times, willing the shock to wear off. “Number 92, that’s my ex from college.”
Mel’s eyebrows shoot up. “No! The one with the hot tub and the girls?”
I nod and she wraps an arm around me. “This is crazy. He got called up from the Eagles’ minor league team this summer. But he got a lower body injury right before the season began and had to sit out the first few games.”
I take a deep breath, the shock of seeing him wearing off. “I’ll be fine, seeing him again was just unexpected.”
“That’s understandable,” Andie says.
Gram nods, placing a hand on my knee. “When someone hurts you, you never forget completely. But you don’t have to deal with that loser anymore, everything’s okay.”
I smile. “So true. And thank goodness for that.”
My eyes widen when the reality that Colby and Travis are on the same NHL team hits me. Colby will kill him if he finds out. And Bruce, Remy, West, and Mitch will help him bury the body. He can’t find out, he can’t know. It will completely ruin the camaraderie and team spirit. “Colby can’t find out.”
Andie levels me with a serious look. “Noel, there’s no way you can keep this from him.”
“You should’ve seen his face when I told him about my ex, he was furious. His eyes did this murderous, twitchy thing.”
“This certainly complicates the team dynamic,” Mel says, biting her bottom lip as she thinks. “I see why you’d hesitate to tell him, but I think it would be better coming from you. This wouldn’t be the first time two teammates were at odds, believe me.”
I sigh. “You’re probably right. Ugh! I can’t believe this is happening.” Leaning forward, I bury my face in my hands.
“I’m sorry, sweetie,” Gram says, rubbing my back with soothing, circular motions. “We’ll take it one step at a time. Would it help if I killed him, so Colby won’t have to? I’m old, I’ll plead temporary insanity.”
My head pops up and when I see the gleam in her eye, I laugh in spite of the horrible situation.
CHAPTER 33
NOEL
The third period went by in a haze. I don’t remember a thing. But the girls tell me we won 3-2. I follow Andie and Mel, my anxiety about the whole situation eating me up inside. Gram holds my hand as we walk through the crowds and back into the quiet hallway that leads downstairs to the locker room. I want to be excited since this is my first time seeing Colby after a game. I want to focus on hugging him and congratulating him on the win and telling him I loved that he blew me a kiss.
When we arrive at the door to the locker room, we’re not the only ones waiting. There are other girlfriends, wives, and family members scattered around. I panic again, knowing I can’t get Colby alone to talk to him, I don’t even know how to handle this mess.
Mel, who’s very familiar with anxiety, pulls me away from Andie and Gram. She takes my hand and guides me into a dark, silent annex around the corner. She pulls me into her arms and whispers, “Take a deep breath.”
I do as she says, feeling some of the pressure in my chest subside on an exhale.
“It’s going to be okay. Colby is a professional. He’s not a hot head. Travis is also a professional. I’m sure neither of them wants drama ruining their season. It’s going to be okay,” Melanie says in a quiet, steady voice. She pulls back, gripping my shoulders with firm pressure. “Are you hearing me?”
I nod. “Yes, I hear you. You’re right. I hate that things were so good, and now this.”
“I know. And I’m sorry.” She gives me another quick hug. “But we got this.”
I blow out another breath. “Okay. Thank you for the pep talk. I needed that.”
“You’ve done the same for me, many times,” she says, her eyes filled with love. It makes me miss the days when we were roommates and I got to see her all the time.
The two of us walk back toward the locker room doors, Gram and Andie smile when they see I’ve calmed down. The door opens and we all perk up, waiting to see who’s coming out.
A bunch of guys who seem really young exit the locker room, I’m guessing they’re the rookies. Next is two older but handsome men wearing suits, they smile and say hi to Mel as they pass. She tells us it’s the coach and the general manager.
All my calm feelings whirl into a fury of anxiety again when Travis comes through the door next. He spots me instantly and gives me a slimy smile. He looks good in his navy, game day suit and his auburn hair combed neatly away from his forehead. He’s also put on a good thirty pounds of muscle since college. But it’s the twinkle in his green eyes that hasn’t changed, a gleam that says, I’m the most important person in my life.
“Noel! Baby!” He swaggers up to me. “Colby Knight, huh? Apparently, you have a type.”
His words hit me like a slap in the face. If only he knew how much I resisted Colby, how scared I was to trust another athlete. All because he taught me men can’t be trusted. Well, I’ve learned something new these past few months, some men can be trusted. Even if they’re hockey players.
