Page 36 of Stick With Me
I conveniently leave outkiss-gatebecause I’m not ready to analyze that myself, let alone have anyone else weigh in. I didn’t even tell Natalie about it when we talked the other night. I also leave out the details of who my ex is and the public nature of our split, not ready to give up this connection free of preconceived notions. Right now, I’m just Hannah, without the shadow of my ex, and I want to keep it that way.
“No way! I just started working for Paws Chicago as a social media coordinator.” Ada’s eyes light up. “You should stop by, and I can introduce you to the director. I’m sure she’d help you with info on funding and connecting with like-minded people. There’s actually another opening in the department, if you’re looking for a job while you figure everything out.”
“Really? That sounds perfect. And I guess it wouldn’t hurt to learn more about the opening, just in case,” I say, but I hope that by then, I’ve mustered enough courage not to need a backup plan. “I have social media experience… I actually have a pretty big platform,” I add, feeling that familiar awkwardness creep in. Talking about being an influencer always feels strange, especially knowing how quickly people connect me to Jace. But if I want to build genuine friendships, and I do, I’m going to have to be open.
I pull my phone from my bag, open my public page, and hand it to Ada. The nerves start building as I anticipate her reaction.
She glances at the screen, her eyes widening. “Whoa, you weren’t kidding. You’ve got over two hundred thousand followers. I know you don’t want to have this platform anymore, but you’d be crazy not to use it to your advantage.” She continues scrolling. “Lots of brand partnerships… Oh, your ex is a hockey player?”
“Yeah.” I take a sip of my chai, bracing myself for the inevitable moment when this new friendship starts to crumble before it’s even begun. I wait for the shift in her demeanor, the questions that always follow, the ones that make me feel more like a gateway than a person.
“No offense, but I can tell just by these pictures that I don’t like him.”
I smile into my cup.
“Oh, someone’s calling.” Ada hands my vibrating phone back to me, pulling out her own to give me the illusion of privacy.
“Hey, Ry.”
“Hi, Sunshine. We didn’t get to talk last night, so I’m just checking in. Did you settle in okay?” His deep voice sends a shiver down my spine.It’s not from his voice; it's from the cold air creeping through the door.
“Yep, everything was perfect.” I clear my throat, trying to sound casual. “You play tomorrow, right? Gonna win two in a row?”
He lets out a sexy chuckle—wait, since when are chuckles sexy?
“Whoa, let’s not put too much pressure on me. We’re actually up against a pretty good team, so chances aren’t high.”
“C’mon, have some faith. I’ll see you tomorrow night?”
“Friday morning,” he corrects. “We’ve got a flight Thursday night, so I won’t get back until late. Or early, depending on how you look at it…”
A smile tugs at my lips as he rambles. “Okay, well, I’ll see you then.”
He gives an equally awkward sign-off, and as I disconnect the call, I turn back to Ada, who’s wearing a knowing smirk. “I thought you weren’t dating the hockey player anymore?” she teases before quickly shaking her head. “Sorry, ignore me, I’m nosy. Please don’t rescind my friend card.” She brings her hands together in a playful prayer gesture.
“Oh… no. That wasn’t Jace, my ex. That was Ryan, my friend… and roommate.”
I must give something away with my tone or hesitation because Ada says, “Well, that sounds complicated.”
I adjust my beanie, realizing now that I never took it off. “It is,” I admit.
“We should commiserate over wine soon. I’m no stranger to complications.” She lets out a huff of air, then glances at her phone. “Oh shoot, I’ve got to go pick up the kiddo. Here, let me give you my number.” She quickly enters it into my phone and sends herself a text. “We should get together again soon.”
“Definitely.” I’m feeling cautiously optimistic about the day and my new life here.
SIXTEEN
The Edmonton crowdroars as soon as the puck lands on my tape. My heart pounds and adrenaline surges through me as I deke around the defenseman. With a quick flick of my wrist, I send the puck flying over the goalie’s blocker side, right where I want it. He slides across the ice, but it’s too late. The puck slams into the back of the net, and the goal light flashes.
I throw my arm up in victory as my teammates rush in, huddling around me in celebration.
“Let’s go, boys!” Fox shouts before we break apart.
In moments like this, everything else fades away. It’s just me and the game I love. A welcome reprieve from these past few days, where every thought has revolved around Hannah and how badly I want to get home. Two away games have never felt so long.
Thankfully, this is our last game, and we’ll be heading back to Chicago tonight. We’ve got one win under our belt, and it looks like we’ll be adding another tonight. My goal puts us ahead by two, and with only eight minutes left on the clock, Edmonton is running out of time to catch up. Minutes later, Fox scores, putting another point on the board for the Saints and all but securing our second win of the road trip.
Most wouldn’t be impressed by a two-win streak, but with how this season is going, it’s practically record-breaking. Our chances of making the playoffs are slim to none. Sure, anything can happen, but turning this season around? I don’t see it.
