Page 13 of Your Biggest Downfall
I shook her hand, but my eyes were glued on Nova’s. I missed her. I was a fucking asshole for ghosting her, but I couldn’t admit that I knew what I’d said. I was embarrassed by how drunk I’d gotten the night of Ledger’s retirement party.
“Thanks for inviting us,” Luna said and shoved Nova in my direction.
Nova glared behind her at her best friend, and it was the cutest fucking thing.
“Your house looks the same from last time I was here.”
“Yeah,” I said while laughing. “Nothing’s really changed, except you not being here.”
She huffed out a breath. “I tried, Austin. I tried for a long time...”
There was so much I wanted to explain about that night. I wanted to explain how broken I was and that I pushed her away because I was terrified I ruined everything. I wanted Nova more than words could explain, but I’d had to send her packing.
“Can we start over? As friends again?” I asked her, hoping she’d say yes. She’d come to the party, so there was hope.
Silence stretched between us.
“Okay,” she finally murmured and held out her hand.
I chuckled as I grabbed it, and we shook on our new promise to move forward to be just friends.
“Lemme get you a drink.”
7
nova
Everyone at this party was drunk, and I only recognized the guys from the team.
Luna waved me off after shoving me in Austin’s direction. “I’m going to size up the competition. See who gets to play with me tonight.” She laughed as she moved into the room.
I hesitated because she didn’t know anyone here, but in typical Luna fashion, she was all over a handful of defensemen in mere seconds.
“What’re you drinking?” Austin asked, pulling my attention back to him.
He was so fucking irresistible it hurt. He looked a bit more mysterious and cooler than when I ran into him earlier. His typically curly blonde hair was gelled back, and his blue eyes were icy and glazed over.
I shook my head. “I don’t typically drink.”
Austin took a step closer, and I could feel the heat radiating between us. There was something about Austin that made me terribly attracted to him. We had this crazy chemistry, and as he invaded my space, I wanted his hands all over me.
“Austin?”
I walked into the hotel Austin told me he’d be at. He was curled up by the large fireplace in the lobby.
“I could’ve met you in your room.” I sat next to him on the oversized brown leather chair.
Even though it was nearing spring, we were in a cold snap, and I was grateful for the warmth of the fireplace.
“Hey, Nova,” he said, voice low and rough as he looked up from his phone, his gaze lingering on me with a heat that made my pulse quicken.
His eyes were red as though he’d been crying.
“Couldn’t stop pacing... thought a drink might help.” He nodded toward the glass on the table, but his focus remained on me, the air between us growing heavier.
We’d always been surrounded by other people on the team until today. Sure, Austin and I flirted and hung out, but it was always during working hours... until he called me an hour ago crying.
“What happened?” I asked as I turned so I was facing him. “You called in a panic... I was worried.”
