Page 37 of Off Limits PUCK

It certainly is not my best friend, Kenzie.

“Jake?” I ask, horrified to be face to face with him after all this time.

He jerks up, his face going from stern to a full on scowl. “You?” Then he says, “Ow! The damn potholder isn’t working!”

I drop my bag on the kitchen island, grab a dish towel and take the hot tray from him, putting it on the stove. Then I close the oven, turn it off, and run to open the windows. The chaos of the alarm turns off seconds after some fresh air wafts into the place.

“I see you like your snacks well done,” I say dryly.

He walks to the kitchen island, grabs his phone and keys and says over his shoulder, “I was trying to surprise Kenz after her flight from London. I’m not going to the family holiday this year, so I was intending to hang out with her tonight. I see she made other plans.” He eyes my bag, not me, and then walks out of the kitchen.

“Typical Jake,” I mutter, feeling his coldness seep all the way through me.

“Excuse me?” he asks, now turning to look at me.

“Yeah. Excuse you.” I march to him and jab a finger into his chest. “Because of you, I was fired. Thanks for that. Because of you—”

“What are you fucking talking about? You weren’t fired. Don’t be a liar.”

I bristle at him. “Name calling? Wow. That’s real mature.” Seeing him in the flesh is making me see red. He is acting like I’m the bad guy here. But really, we both messed up and then I was fired while he got to sit high and mighty as the captain of his team, his career secured. I am fine with it as long as I get the respect I deserve. Not whatever this crap is.

He stares at me, then shakes his head. “Coach was very clear. You chose to accept a better position. You left the Eagles. You left me without a word.” He scoffs at me. “I hope your precious little career was worth it.”

“I hope Maria was worth losing me over.” I cross my arms and then turn my back on him. “Whatever. I will leave. You probably are going to some sexy little beach vacation with your latest social media bikini model instead of Christmas with your family—I’ll let you hang with Kenzie tonight.”

“You don’t know anything about me, Allison.”

“No, I don’t. You were too busy hiding all your lusty little flings while also sleeping with me for me to know who you actually are—liar, you called me? That’s rich coming from you.”

I paste a smug look on my face as I grab my bag and head back to the front door. I can’t believe I was pining away over this guy, only to run into him and have him act like this. I am starting to think that leaving the Eagles and Jake was the absolute best thing I could have done for myself.

“How do you know about Maria?” he asks, less defiance in his voice now.

My hand is on the door handle. I should just leave. I shouldn’t give this loser the time of day, let alone admit I was hiding in his hospital room four months ago. But still, I pause.

“Talk to me, Allie,” he says in that voice I remember so well.

That voice that melts me through and through.

Chapter twenty-two

Jake

Idon’t know whyI reacted so defensively when I saw Allie a few minutes ago. I was shocked to see her, and then even more shocked that she hadn’t immediately apologized for abandoning me. Now she’s telling me she was fired? That can’t be right. Coach was very clear to me about why she left.

I wait for her as she hesitates by Kenzie’s front door. I think she’ll turn around and talk to me. We have history—intimate history—and surely that counts for something.

“I don’t see the point,” she says with a sigh, her back still to me.

“I think we each have been told different things about you leaving the Eagles, Allie. That warrants a talk. Don’t you think?”

She sighs in a dramatic way that reminds me of my sister.

“Sooner than later, since apparently Kenzie is late, but will be here any minute. I’d rather have this convo in private.”

Allie turns her head and shoots a look at me. “Convo?” There’s a tease in her voice that sets my mind at ease.

“Chit chat? Tête-à-tête?” I force a laugh. “I could go on.”

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