Page 93 of Mr. Swoony

“I was a lot younger then and assumed she only wanted me because I played hockey. She was all over me from the start, quick to sleep with me. I figured we’d have a short fling, and it would fizzle out. But that’s not what happened.”

I take a seat and continue listening, wondering who the text was from and what it said.

He’s quiet for a beat as if he’s reliving some memory. “Then I got traded to Nashville, and I was pissed.”

“I get it.”

When you play for a winning team like Tweetie did with the Fury, it’s gotta suck being the one who gets let go. It’s the nature of our job, but I’ve seen a lot of guys get fucked in the head over it.

“Yeah, well, you got to come to a winning team, fucker.” He laughs, although it’s not his usual hearty one, and tips back his beer.

“You wanted me here, remember?”

He nods. “Fuck yeah, and we’re going to win the Cup this year. I feel it in my bones.”

Tweetie said the same thing last year. After this conversation, I think maybe he’s got something to prove.

“I know.” I agree, and I hope like hell we do. We thought we had it last year, and we came up short. “Let’s get back to why you’re staring into the flames like you’re looking into your soul though.”

His gaze lifts to me. “You like her, right?”

“Eloise?” I try to decipher his wandering thoughts.

He nods.

“Yeah.”

“Like, you think she could be it for you?” He lowers his voice as if afraid she might overhear us.

“Definitely.” It’s weird to admit it after such a short time together, but I wasn’t lying when I told Eloise I’ve never felt this way for anyone. I’ve never wanted to do so much for a woman who wasn’t a part of my family.

“Keep her out of this world as much as you can.” He shakes his head. “I shouldn’t have tagged her in that picture earlier. I wasn’t thinking, sorry.”

“Are there shitty comments?” I dig my phone out of my pocket.

“No. And some people probably think she’s mine anyway, but it’s only a matter of time. I’m just saying that this life we’ve chosen has the potential to ruin what you two have.”

I’m guessing this is his way of telling me the outside world had something to do with why he and Tedi didn’t last.

I open my mouth to ask, but he continues, “It’s a curse, right? We get to do what we love. We’re the lucky assholes who get to play hockey for a living, but it comes with a price. Everything does, I suppose.” He leans his forearms on his legs and looks at me.

I understand where’s he coming from. I had my own incident two years ago, and it put up my defenses, but thankfully, that’s behind me now.

“Is that what happened with you and Tedi?” I finally ask the question point blank.

He blows out a breath. “It was a clusterfuck of bullshit I don’t wanna get into tonight.” He nods toward the tent. “Go be with your girl.”

I sit and stare at the fire for a second. “You know you can talk to me about anything, right?”

“You’re a good guy, Pinkie, but I’m not going to sit by the fire and pour my heart out.” He stands, grabbing the stick and moving the embers and wood around.

“I’m your friend.” I pour my bottle of water over the fire, the embers sizzling.

He moves the embers around some more, and I grab the jug of water, dousing it further.

“I know, but I’m not like you guys. I don’t want to get all up in my feelings, let alone talk about them.”

“But maybe?—”

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