Page 40 of In It to Win It

We’ve been talking about ways for me to manage my feelings so they don’t control me and come out at the wrong time. Everly’s not a psychologist, but she’s smart, and I’ve confided in her my goal of controlling my emotions on the ice better this year to improve my game. For some reason, I feel like she gets it, and she surprisingly has some insight into it. From a couple of comments she makes, I have the impression she’s had to learn some strategies herself. Not that she’s angry . . . I don’t think?

Apparently, Taylor convinced Everly to go to this yoga class on the water, and Everly’s trying to drag me along, telling me yoga will be good stress relief and help me feel calmer. I’m not convinced of that, but what the hell, I’ll give it a shot. Falling in the water is the worst that can happen, which isn’t the end of the world.

I’m more worried about seeing Taylor again, to be honest. Because even though I’m pissed at her for not telling me she had a boyfriend when we slept together, and probably using me to make him jealous, which resulted in my split lip, I’m still mega attracted to her. But I can’t go there.

That volleyball game last weekend just about killed me, watching her run around in those short shorts and tight T-shirt, her smile beaming brighter than the sun. Seeing that little girl gaze at her adoringly—which is kinda what I wanted to do, and that really pissed me off.

She slept with me while she was with another guy.Notgoing there again.

“Another thing you could try is knitting.”

I stare blankly at Everly. “What?”

“Knitting. It’s good stress relief.”

“Ha ha. I amnotgoing to knit.”

She shrugs. “Think about it.”

“Sure. Is, uh, Taylor going to be at the class?”

“Yeah, I think so.”

“I’m surprised she’s not in Nashville.”

Everly’s eyebrows pull together. “Why would she be in Nashville?”

“With Martinez.” I shrug casually.

“They’re not together,” Everly says as if I’m a not-so-bright two-year-old.

Huh? “She’s not seeing him anymore?”

“No.” Everly frowns. “They broke up when he moved away.”

“Then why thefuckdid he jump me at the wedding?” I grip my glass so hard it nearly shatters.

“I can’t answer that question.” She shrugs. “I presume he got jealous seeing you with her and realized he made a mistake letting her go. I think that’s basically what he told her the next day.”

“She said he came and apologized. I thought it meant they got back together.” Pressure builds inside me, the kind that makes me blow up. I take a deep breath.

“Nope. And good for her. He was an idiot to just leave like that. Doesn’t say much for his ability to actually maintain a relationship.”

“So . . . at the wedding . . . they weren’t together.”

“No.” She squints at me. “You thought they were?”

“Yeah.”

“You thought you were dancing with another man’s girlfriend?”

“No!” I inhale slowly through my nose. “I had no idea they’d ever been together. I thought she was single.” I pause, eyeing Everly. I guess Taylor didn’t tell her about our sexcapades at the wedding. “We, uh, did more than dance.” I shift in my chair. “Don’t ask for any more details because I’m not talking.”

Her eyes fly open wide now. “Holy shit.” Her eyelashes flutter up and down rapidly. “Taylor never said anything.”

“Which is why I’m not either.”

She tips her head to one side. “You thought you slept with another man’s girlfriend. Again.”

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