Page 85 of Pucking Rebound

“Do you want to grab something to eat?” I suggest.

“I have food in my truck for us.”

“You brought food?” I turn in his arms.

“I have two insulated flasks full of creamy, thick chicken soup.”

He keeps on surprising me. “Did you make it?”

“I did.”

“And bread?”

“I didn’t make it myself, but I bought some from the bakery on the way here.”

“You sure know how to do romantic dates, Jordan Miller.”

His mouth twitches almost nervously around the edges. “You know we can’t officially date, don’t you?”

I step out of his arms forcing them to drop to his sides. “Sorry. We’re just sleeping together.” I nod, feeling foolish, and avoid looking at him. “Let me grab my hat.” I took it off earlier when I got hot from the exertion of rolling the snowman’s head.

Lifting it off the snow, I fold it in half and squeeze it in my hand, praying the earth below will open up and swallow me whole.

“I think you misunderstood me, Lola. It’s not that I don’t want to date you it’s that?—”

“No, I get it. It was a slip of the tongue.” I shift my weight from one foot to the other. “So, food, yeah?”

Jordy stands in place as I have an inner mini freak out.

I sounded pathetic, needy almost. God, I’m a bit of a verbal klutz.

“I can’t stay at your place tonight,” I say trying to cover up my stupidity and reinforce I’m not clingy.

“You sure?”

“Yeah.” I begin walking toward the main path, hoping Jordy will follow. “I plan on going to the police station first thing to discuss my options. If Graham’s officially charged, I’d like to keep the case out of the courts, and maybe find out the likelihood of me getting my money back.” If there is zero chance, I’m walking away.

“Why would you want to do that?” Jordy’s heavy footsteps get quicker as he appears by my side.

“I don’t want it going public.” There’s too much at stake, and I’m putting Wade’s well-being first, I don’tneedthe money, but I do need my brother.

“So, you’re just going to let him get away with it?” Voice raised, Jordy sounds annoyed.

“Honestly, I don’t know, all I want is for it to all go away.” I don’t need any more drama in my life.

Surely everything that’s happened to me is enough for one lifetime. It has to be.

“I spoke to my mom, and she recommended someone called Lisa Perez. She’s one of the best financial crime lawyers in the state.”

I stop dead in my tracks and turn to face him. “You told your mom about me?”What the hell?

“I never mentioned your name, Lola. I told her a friend had some money stolen out of their account.”

A friend.

That’s what we are.

Friends.

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