Page 70 of Resist

“I guess what I’m really asking for is another chance.”

She laughed. “Nope. No chance.”

Ainsley should have known her response would be the equivalent to waving a red flag, because Montgomery morphed into counselor-mode, ready to launch into all his counterarguments in order to drive his case home.

Fortunately, she was saved by the return of Erika.

“Hey, look what Coulton just had sent up from the shop downstairs for you,” the kind doctor said, holding up a jersey, laughing when she flipped it around so Ainsley could see Coulton’s name and number on the back. “He’s clearly marking his territory,” she teased.

Ainsley laughed as well, handing her beer to Erika so she could slip the jersey on over her shirt. “This is awesome.”

“Coulton Moore,” Montgomery muttered. “You’re dating the goalie?”

She ignored him completely as Erika glanced from her to Montgomery and back again. Ainsley had no intention of introducing them or giving her ex the chance to keep this conversation going.

“Let’s grab our seats,” she said, turning away from Montgomery, wishing she and Erika had claimed seats on the other end of the box. Instead, they were in the middle, still too close to Montgomery’s box for her comfort.

Especially when the asshole claimed the chair on the end of the row, next to the half-wall between their boxes. Only two people and an empty seat separated them, and he obviously wasn’t finished with her, given the way he kept looking in their direction.

Erika must have noticed, because she leaned close to Ainsley. “Do you know that guy?”

Ainsley sighed. “We went out a couple of years ago. He’s a major douchebag.”

“Ah,” Erika said. “Shitty exes are the worst. Must be killing him that you’re dating Coulton.”

“I hope it is.” Ainsley giggled, then she shut Montgomery out of her mind, all her attention focused on the ice. During one time-out, she saw Coulton glance in their direction. She raised her hand and waved, thrilled when he waved back.

Then, because she couldn’t help herself, she looked at Montgomery, who’d caught the exchange. He looked pissed off, which pleased Ainsley more than she could say. Not because she wanted to make him jealous, but more because the petty part of her wanted him to suffer.

When the second period ended, Montgomery called out her name, intending on starting their conversation again, but she ignored him, walking to the back of the box for another beer and hanging out with Erika, who was all in on helping her avoid her ex.

“That guy is not taking a hint, is he?” she asked, glancing over Ainsley’s shoulder. Ainsley didn’t bother to turn around.

“He’s the typical guy,” she said. “Obviously, I’ve just become the toy he didn’t want until someone else started playing with me.”

Erika nodded slowly. “I get that.”

For the rest of the game, Ainsley continued to ignore Montgomery, who finally gave up and started hanging out with the guys in his box. As the third period started to wind down, the bachelor party heated up, most of the men—Montgomery included—drunk and loud.

As the last buzzer sounded, she and Erika rose, cheering loudly as the Stingrays won two to one in a game that had been more of a nail-biter than she cared for.

“Hey, Erika,” one of the Stingrays’ wives called out. “Are you girls going to Pat’s Pub for the after-party?”

Erika nodded. “Yeah.”

“Awesome. We’ll see you there.”

She and Erika put their coats on. “Did you drive here?”

Ainsley shook her head. “No. I got an Uber.”

“Want to ride with me to the pub? The guys still need to do their postgame workout and shower. They’ll be at least another hour, probably more.”

“That would be great, if you don’t mind.”

“Not at all.” Erika looped her arm in hers. “I’ve had a great time hanging out with you tonight.”

Ainsley smiled because she felt the same. She was very short of girlfriends. Tonight had been one of the first time in ages when she’d had a woman anywhere near her age to talk to, and it had been nice.

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