Page 6 of A Little Too Forward

“That was just during warm-up.”

“You call all of practice a warm-up? Don’t let Coach hear you say that.”

The locker room echoes with laughter, and Tyson shakes his head. The smile on his face grows larger as he gains more attention.

“You still heading to that party?”

Slinging my bag over my shoulder, I nod at Mason, the team’s leading defenseman and my best friend. “I think so. My parents will be disappointed if I don’t at leasttryand go.”

He nods, not meeting my gaze. I can tell he’s deciding whether or not to ask a question. “Do you thinkshewill be there?”

Damn it.

“Probably. It is her parents’ retirement party. If I don’t make it on the flight tonight, you’ll know why.”

“Yeah. You’ll either be in the hospital or dead,” he jokes with me.

“Exactly.” Giving his fist a knock with mine, I head out.

Mason’s question circles my brain for the entire car ride over to my parents’ place. I don’t want to focus on the negative right now or think about her and the past. It’s hard not to though.

Chances are I’m going to run into her today. I’m not scared to see her, more nervous over her reaction. If I’m being honest with myself, I’m actually excited to be around Sabrina. Even if the interaction is loaded with tension, it’ll be nice to just be in her company again. To hear her voice, her laugh. I miss what we once had.

Yet, at the same time, if she reacts to my presence like I imagine she will…it’ll cause a scene in the middle of her parents’ celebration. I hope she can hold back her fury at me.

The street is already lined with parked cars as I slowly turn into my parents’ driveway. I’m not surprised at the turnout but equally amazed that this many people could fit into the Sutton house.

My dad must have been watching for me because as soon as I’m parked in their driveway, he comes barrelling out from the side gate.

“You made it!” he cheers, reaching for my shoulder and pulling me into a quick hug. The rap on the back he gives me knocks the air out of my lungs.

“Practice wrapped up on time,” I tell him as I cough to clear my throat. “I can only stay for a little while before I need to head out.”

“Of course, of course. Heading to Montreal, right?”

“Yeah. Then we’re on the road for the next three games.”

As I walk with him to the neighbours’ backyard gate, he nods. “How are you feeling? Did you get your shoulder checked out after that last hit?”

I smirk at my dad’s worry. He has always been one of my biggest supporters, but he’s also a bit of a worrier. I love that about him.

“The team’s physiotherapist had a look at it, and we’ve been working on it together. I’m feeling good. Ready for a stellar season.”

“That’s my boy,” he boasts, giving my shoulder a squeeze before looking across the lawn. “Judy! Look who made it.”

I shake my head as my mom throws her hands up in relief and waves us over.

It takes half an hour for me to say hi to my parents’ friends and then find and congratulate the Suttons on their dual retirement. They both look happy and carefree, ready for the next stage of their lives.

“Didn’t think you’d show your face around here,” a snide voice comments as I head into the house to find a drink. Turning, I can’t help the grin that spreads across my face.

“Suzie! Oh God, it’s good to see you. How’ve you been?”

“Really. That’s the question you want to ask me?”

I give her a confused look but try not to let my smile dim. “Am I missing something? What should I be asking you?”

I think I know what she’s expecting, but I’m not going to give in. Suzie will crack first.

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