Page 16 of Off The Ice

“Plus the coffee and the eggs,” I added, mentally calculating how much I owed him.

“Are you kidding?” His brows shot up. “That’s insane.”

“I’m serious.” I looked up at him with determination. “I know you didn’t want me here, and the last thing I want is for you to think I’m taking advantage of you.”

“You don’t owe me anything.” He shook his head.

“Whatever you say.” I smiled innocently, knowing I wouldn’t feel settled until I’d made it up to him. “I’ve got to run,” I said, edging closer to the door. Liam stayed in place, watching me go. “Thanks again for everything. It was really nice meeting you!”

He looked like he was about to say something, but I took off before giving him the chance. In the safety of the hallway, I heaved a sigh of relief, feeling unnerved by how easy it had been to talk to him. How kind he’d been despite everything.

It was strange, the feeling in my chest—like I’d left something behind that wasn’t mine to take. I didn’t want to hear him say goodbye.

And I didn’t want to think about why.

Chapter Six

Liam

I’d known my way around the ice since I was old enough to walk. Hell, I wasn’t entirely convinced the skating part hadn’t come first. But today? I looked like a man who’d never played a game of hockey in his life.

A bit odd, considering I was known to be one of the best hockey players of the current season. It wasn’t cocky of me to state that because it was just a fact. Today though? I was on absolute fire. In the sense that my entire game was burning helplessly down around me.

“Brynn!” Coach roared at me from the sidelines. “Pull your head out of your ass and start skating like you mean it!”

I couldn’t believe it. Five years in the NHL, and this was the first time it wasmegetting yelled at for performance.

But he had a point. I was off my game. Actually, that was an understatement. I had lost it completely. Along with my head,which I’d inconveniently left off the ice, back in that moment this morning when I’d watched Cassie walk out the door, assuring me she wouldn’t be coming back.

I should’ve been relieved. It’s what I’d wanted. And this way, I didn’t even have to feel guilty about it. I had given her every opportunity to stay, but she’d been adamant about figuring something else out anyway. By all accounts, I was in the clear So, why did I feel so crappy about it all?

A puck shot past me, and I swore at my incompetency. It didn’t make sense that my head was so clouded over a girl I hadn’t even known existed twenty-four hours ago. But after everything, I couldn’t help but feel slightly invested. I wasn’t pretending to know her, but I knew enough to realize that she deserved better than that guy.

She was probably fine. She was a big girl, after all. Metaphorically speaking. In reality, she was actually pretty tiny. Fragile. I bit back a smile, remembering how small she looked when she came downstairs in my clothes this morning. She had to keep rolling her sleeves up while she was talking to me. I’m not even sure if she noticed herself doing it, but the image of it stuck with me.

No,I scolded myself.Get your head in the game.

I skated forward, gaining momentum while trying to get possession of the puck again, like the way she’d gone back to get possession of her clothes. Would he give her a hard time about it? Would he try to apologize and win her back? He would be an idiot not to, but God, I hoped that wasn’t the case. For her sake.

Not that I’d ever find out. I’d had my first and last meeting with Cassie, and now I was going to continue on with my life. I’d done my part as a dutiful brother and decent human being when I gave her a place to sleep for the night. Even offered it for longer, but she said no.

Why did she say no?

“Are you kidding me?” Coach hollered, red-faced and furious, as I somehow evaded the puck once more. “That’s it. Everyone off the ice and take ten. But when we come back, just know the next few hours we’re spending here are because Brynn can’t get it together.”

A chorus of groans echoed from my teammates, all aimed at me. To hell with that. There were plenty of nights I’d been stuck here after hours on account of one of them screwing around for all of practice. I’d say one bad session in five years should earn me a bit of leeway.

“You good, man?” Brody skated up behind me, slapping my back as we neared the edge of the rink.

“Fine,” I bit out.

“You haven’t played this bad since… well, never.”

“Thanks.”

“Aw, come on,” he laughed. “I’m just checking in. You’re not all uptight because of the girl you’ve got staying at your place, are you?”

“Nope,” I said shortly. “The problem’s been solved. She’s finding somewhere else.”

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