Page 69 of The Love Comeback
“You’re not actually grading that test, are you?”
I startle, nearly dropping my pen as I look up to find Valerie perched on the edge of a student’s desk.
“How long have you been standing there?” I ask, setting my pen down.
“Long enough to watch you stare at the same question for five minutes.” She hands me one of the two coffee cups she’s carrying. “You need this more than I do. You’re a million miles away.”
I accept the cup gratefully. “Just tired.”
“Mm-hmm,” Valerie hums, clearly unconvinced. She settles more comfortably on the desk, crossing her legs beneath her flowy emerald dress. “And this zombie stare has nothing to do with a certain NHL player?”
Heat crawls up my neck. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Spill it,” she demands, using that same penetrating stare she gives students who are trying to hide contraband. “Something’s going on. You’ve had that distracted look on your face all week.”
I take a sip of coffee, buying myself some time. Valerie waits patiently, one eyebrow raised. She’s never been one to back down easily.
“I guess I’m just … confused. I told Kade I needed space, and he’s respected that. He hasn’t pushed or tried to change my mind. He just … shows up for Colton. Every time. Without fail.”
“And that surprises you?”
I fiddle with the coffee cup lid. “Maybe? I don’t know. After Landon left, I guess I just expected—I don’t know what I expected.”
“You expected Kade to leave, too,” Valerie says softly. “But he hasn’t. Not even when you gave him every reason to.”
The truth of her words hits me like a physical blow. “He genuinely cares about Colton,” I whisper. “He hasn’t missed a single game. He just keeps showing up for him. He even invited us all to the upcoming Glaciers game.”
“Us all?”
“You, me, Aaron, and Colton. He has tickets.”
Valerie studies me for a moment, her head tilted. “You know, for someone who’s supposed to be keeping her distance, you seem to be letting him awfully close.”
“It’s for Colton,” I say automatically.
“Is it?” she challenges. “Or are you possibly developing feelings for him again?”
I stare down at the stack of tests. “It’s complicated.”
“Love usually is,” she says with a small smile.
“I didn’t say anything about love,” I counter.
“You didn’t have to.” Valerie takes a sip of her coffee, watching me over the rim. “Your face does this thing when you talk about him. It’s like you’re trying so hard to keep your walls up, but they keep crumbling anyway.”
I run my hands through my hair, loosening more strands from the clip I secured it with this morning. “He’s already broken my heart once before, Val.”
“I get that. But people change. You’re not the same person you were at eighteen, right?”
“No,” I admit.
“And Kade doesn’t seem like the same person either,” she points out. “From everything you’ve told me, he’s been nothing but supportive and respectful of your need for space, even when it’s clearly killing him—and you.”
“Sure, but Kade and I have history. Complicated history.” I sigh. “And I’ve spent so long being angry at him for choosing hockey over me that I don’t know how to let that go.”
“But he’s not choosing hockey over you now, is he?” Valerie counters. “He’s doing everything he can to be present for both you and Colton, despite his career.”
I blink. I hadn’t thought about it that way. “I suppose not.”
