Page 19 of Halftime

A twitch from my dick told me it was a bad idea to revisit those particular memories here at a party with another girl. Maybe Faith had had reason to not trust me.

I shook my head and pulled my gaze away. I looked for Cooper and found him heading toward Faith.Fuck.Who knew what he’d say to her? Next thing, he had a hand on her back. I wanted to push between the two of them and keep him away from her. But I couldn’t. I had no right. I was supposed to be enjoying this party with my girlfriend.

The two of them headed outside. What the actual fuck was he doing? Trying to put a move on her? Tell her shit that was none of his business? I started moving but felt a tug on my arm. Holly was frowning at me.

Fuck. Fuck, fuck, fuck.

Great time to figure out Cooper was right. I wasn’t over Faith. I did need to talk to her, clear the air so I could move on. Not with her. Faith and I were over. I got that. Holly deserved my attention, and I wasn’t going to show Faith she was right about me by dumping Holly for another chance to date Faith.

Where the hell had that thought come from? I wasn’t that kind of asshole. Holly and I were together, and I’d do what I needed to work things out with her.

There was nothing to work out. We were good. It was just these memories messing me up. I needed to get this settled, and then my life could go back to normal. Really settled this time.

“Seb, what’s the problem?” Holly was frowning and rubbing her hand up and down my back, trying to sooth me because I was tensed up. Who knew what my face looked like?

I jerked a hand through my hair. “I, uh…” I had no idea what to say.

Holly tugged me away from the kitchen, away from where Coop and Faith had gone. She pulled me into a corner and crossed her arms.

“Who’s that girl?”

I wanted to ask what girl, but I didn’t need to act stupid. Who knew how long I’d been staring at Faith? I closed my eyes, gathered some air and courage, and opened my eyes again to answer. “That’s Faith.”

Her brow creased. “Faith? The girl from Canada? The one who broke up with you last year when she thought you cheated?”

I nodded.

Holly’s gaze moved back to the kitchen, but Faith and Cooper were missing.

“Why is she here?”

Holly did not sound happy. Damn it. I should have told her. I’d made it a big deal by not telling her. How did I explain this?

“She’s on the women’s team. The hockey team.”

Holly went still. I could almost read the thoughts going through her head. We’d played with the women’s team today, and Holly had watched the game. There was no way I could pretend I hadn’t known Faith was here.

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

Yep, there was the million-dollar question.

“I thought it would upset you. I didn’t want to do that.”

Her lips thinned. Yeah, that hadn’t worked.

“I’m sorry, that was stupid of me.”

“Have you talked to her?”

I shook my head. “Nothing except hockey stuff when we were on the ice.”

“Do you want to?”

Did I? Part of me did. Another part of me wanted to escape this house and run. I might not ever come to a party again.

“I don’t know. I wasn’t going to, but maybe I should.” I remembered what Cooper had said about how believing I’d cheated on her might have hurt Faith.

Holly bit her lip. “Seb, I know you didn’t cheat. You told me that. But I know it’s different for guys like you.”

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