Page 39 of The Love Comeback
“Okay, perfect,” I say, fishing my phone out of my pocket. “Let me text Kade and see if he can get us tickets for Friday.”
Valerie nods, and I can see the curiosity written all over her face. I don’t blame her for having it when it comes to Kade. I would, too, if I were in her shoes. But she has no idea of the warning label I’ve placed on him. Still, I pull up our boring text message thread and type out a message.
Me:Do you think you could get four tickets to Friday’s game? It would be for Colton, me, and then his friend and mom.
I chew on my lower lip as the read receipt pops up on the screen and three dots quickly follow.
Kade:I think I can handle that. Kids want jerseys, too? Do you want a jersey?
My heart flutters at the mention of me wearing his jersey. I haven’t worn it since I was in high school, and the thought of slipping one on again feels …intimate.However, I quickly shake it off. Hundreds, if not thousands, of women now wear his jersey. It can be purchased from their merch store. It’snotthe same. It’s not special…
And there’s no reason for me to make it into something more.
Me:I’m sure the kids would love jerseys, but they don’t have to.
I look up at Valerie, who’s intently focused on me now with a cocked brow. “What?” I feel my cheeks heating up.
“So … You and Kade…?”
I let out a sigh. “It’s not what it seems. We’re …friendsat best. Or maybe more like exes who still get along.”
She nods, running her finger against the grain of the table. “Well, that sounds like a very loaded statement—and relationship. When did you two date?”
“Most of high school,” I admit, trying to shrug it off.
“Aww. Was he your first love?”
I nod, ignoring the pit in my stomach at the mention.
“There’s something really special about that first love. I’ve always heard that they’re irreplaceable in some ways. I wouldn’t know, because I didn’t really have one. I just got kind of tossed around by boyfriends until I landed my husband—well,ex-husband.”
“I suppose so.” As much as I want to pretend like there’s nothing special about a first love, everything is special about them. Well, about Kade. He was my firsteverything, and for some reason, itfeelsmonumental.
“It’s cool that the two of you get along, though. It’s not that often exes can be amicable in a way that benefits both of them.”
“I don’t thinkhe’sbenefitting from anything,” I snort. “He insisted on giving Colton lessons for free. So, it’s not like he’s getting anything out of it…”
Valerie’s smile fades. “Of course, he’s getting something out of it.”
“And what’s that?”
“You,Ella. He’s getting you.”
Chapter Fifteen
Kade
I skate out onto the ice, my eyes searching for the two people that I care about the most at the game tonight.
“Let’s focus, boys,” Coach Wilson calls out. “This is a big one.”
I join the whooping and hollering, but my eyes divert to the stands once more. Finally, I see Colton and a redheaded kid, along with Ella and a redheaded woman who seems to match the other kid. Both of the boys are wearing my jersey. I can’t hold back my smile or wave, and Colton jumps to his feet, waving both arms dramatically. I chuckle beneath my helmet, shaking my head as Ella gives me one of her infamous little waves.
She has no idea how spectacular she looks—even if it’s not in my jersey.
My stomach knots up at that thought, my mind diving into the depths of the past. She wore my name well before I was ever anything worth writing home about. She supported me before I made money or achieved the status of one of the best goalies in the country.
She was there before I mattered.
