Page 109 of The Pucking Arrangement

“Holy mackerel,” Sophie breathes.

I groan into my hands. “I can’t focus. I can’t practice. I can’t think about anything except him coming home.”

Sophie hesitates, then: “Erin…”

Something in her tone makes my stomach drop.

“Liam’s a little concerned.”

I blink. “What? Why? Dmitri told him. He said he’s fine.”

She studies me, weighing her words. “He sees how you look at Dmitri. And how Dmitri looks at you.”

A beat.

“Are you sure you’re ready for what that means? He has obligations, you know?”

“It doesn’t have to be that serious.” I wave her off, sitting up. “Look, my YouTube channel just hit five hundred thousand subscribers. The collab with Luka is going viral. I’ve got performances lined up?—”

“Liam says you didn’t get into Tanglewood,” Sophie interjects.

Silence. A slow, tight knot forms in my chest.

“No,” I admit, voice even. “I didn’t.”

Sophie and Jenna exchange a glance.

I force a shrug. “Weirdly? I don’t even care.”

Sophie lifts a brow. “And that’s exactly what Liam’s worried about.”

I scoff. “Oh, come on?—”

“He thinks you’re getting too wrapped up in this.That you’re gonna forget your dreams and end up bitter and angry later.”

I laugh, but it sounds hollow. “Well, that’s ridiculous. Because I am going back to the city. Resuming my life. Just like before. No need to worry.”

I say it like I believe it.

Like it’s true.

“His mother-in-law is coming soon,” I add, like it’s some kind of reminder.See? I know the plan. I have an exit.

Neither of them looks convinced.

“We get it,” Jenna says, grinning. “You sure can get railed all you want, girlie. It’s good for your mental health.”

“Exactly.” I sip my London Fog, desperate for something to do. “Come summer, I’ll be back in the city. He moves on, I move on.”

“Just like that?”

“Just like that.” I lift my chin. “No one gets hurt. We’re too busy for anything serious. His playoffs, his daughter, my music?—”

Sophie clears her throat. And something about the way she does it makes my stomach tighten.

“Did you know,” she says carefully, “that he hasn’t been with anyone since Elena died?”

The words slam into me like a wrecking ball.

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