Page 11 of Any Second Now
During the rest of his workout, I half-listen to Lachlan talk about his girlfriend’s family and job and bullshit that neither of us should care about. When he finally leaves the gym, I breathe a silent sigh of relief and sink onto the bench.
My father’s fourth divorce is evidence that cheating and playing around runs in my veins. It’s why I’ve never tried to get into a real relationship. Or any relationship.
I don’t want to mess someone else up like my father messed with my mother.
But with Kellen, Lachlan, and Harley all paired up, it’s just me. Am I going to have to start hanging out with some of the other single guys on the team? Like Heath, Finn, and Romeo? Fuck no. That’s way too much effort.
I could’ve traveled by myself this summer, but without my kindred spirit—Lachlan—I lost all motivation.
Ifeellost. Like I don’t quite fit in anywhere.
And that stupid New Year’s Eve kiss with Raleigh Hayes is stuck in my simple little hockey brain. I haven’t felt the same since. Hooking up with women has lost its allure. I haven’t done it since, which is shocking, now that I think about it.
It’s clear I’m going through some kind of crisis. I run my hand through my sweaty red curls. I’m probably due for a haircut, but I’m holding out so Lachlan remembers what he lost when he let Melissa bully him into cutting his hair.
My phone buzzes in my pocket, so I pull it out.
Lucy
Hey, little brother, guess who’s in Fort Collins?
Me
please don’t say our father is here nursing his wounds from his divorce
Lucy
His divorce?? Oh my god
Me
yup
Lucy
I’m gonna file that away for something to talk about in therapy
Me
also yup
aren’t you in London? shouldn’t you be doing something exciting instead of texting me
Lucy
I am. We are getting ready to meet a bunch of January’s friends at a pub. A gorgeous cozy English pub
Me
shut up
Lucy
lol. But listen, Raleigh’s in Fort Collins
What? Immediate heat rushes to my face as I flash back to New Year’s Eve, and not for the first time today. Or the second. Raleigh pressed up against the wall, telling me this is the only time we’d ever kiss. She was making fun of me, just like she did in college, while also making me feel wanted and seen. Not as a hockey player, but as a person, even if that person was her best friend’s brother.
Me
