Page 15 of Lost on Ice
She arches her brow and smirks. “Keep telling yourself that.”
“Shush,” I grumble, annoyed at how easily she can see right through me. It’s impossible to keep anything from her though. She’s known how I felt about Jake since we were all in high school, and how I can’t seem to think straight whenever I’m around him.
She leans in closer to me and murmurs, “Really, are you okay? I know I’m a broken record, but I’m going to keep asking until you talk to me. You can tell me the truth, you know.”
There’s so much I wish I could tell her, but I can’t bring myself to admit just how much being around Jake again isaffecting me. It’s not just that he’s as gorgeous as ever and my body reacts to him in a way it never has anyone else, growing soft and warm and wet, but also because when I look at him now, I see Lilah. Especially in his dark blue eyes.
It makes guilt twist through me. Doesn’t he have a right to know about her? Shouldn’t I give them a chance to form a relationship?
He never wanted a kid, though, and bringing him into Lilah’s life could just set her up for heartbreak if he rejects her, and I can’t stand that thought.
Looking at Sophie, I consider telling her all this for a moment, but then I think better of it. She has enough on her plate - she doesn’t need to be worrying about my problems, too. I sigh and mutter, “I really am fine… it’s just a strange situation, that’s all.”
She gives me a long look, as if trying to see past my cool and calm demeanor to the real chaos beneath. At length, she appears to give up the effort.
“I know. Again, if you want to bunk with me…”
“No, no, no.” I shake my head. “Sophie, I promise. I’ll be okay. I’ll just clench my teeth and bear it. We’re both adults. We can make this work. I’m not going to be the reason you and Carter can’t enjoy his birthday and your babymoon.”
This whole situation sucks. It’s awkward and weird, and everyone seems to know that.
I tell myself it’ll be okay. It’s just one night. Jake and I will sleep and not have to interact much, and in the morning, we’ll go our separate ways like it never happened.
It’ll be fine.
I’ll be fine.
Except I can’t stop my mind from wandering to the last time we shared a hotel room together. The night of Sophie and Carter’s wedding…the way he’d kissed me…touched me…
Made me fall apart from pleasure.
I give my head a sharp shake, shoving those thoughts away. It’s not going to help my self-control by remembering how good in bed he is. I need to remember what came after that night.
Radio silence.
Tom suddenly claps his hands, snapping me out of my thoughts and bringing everyone’s attention to him.
“Hey, everyone!” he exclaims with a grin. “I want to take a moment to celebrate Coach Carter’s birthday. Let’s all sing ‘Happy Birthday,’ yeah?”
“Yeah!” Jake shouts, pumping a fist into the air.
“Oh, no, that’s not necessary,” Carter jumps up and insists with an embarrassed chuckle. Jake stops him in the center of the group with a mischievous smirk, dropping his hands onto Carter’s shoulders and giving him a little shake.
Tom’s smile widens and he raises his hands like a conductor. “It’s happening, buddy! Here we go.Happy birthday to you…”
The entire room erupts into song as Carter stands in the middle of the room, his face beat red. Sophie’s voice is the loudest of all.
When we finish singing, everyone erupts into applause and the kids start chanting, “Coach C! Coach C! Coach C!”
“All right, all right, all right,” Carter groans, but he’s beaming in obvious delight. “Thanks, everyone. I appreciated it.”
Sophie and I lean back in our seats, giggling as the kids swarm him for high-fives and fist bumps.
As the evening progresses and the food is devoured, the kids start to leave to go to their rooms to hang out or sleep. It’s just the adults left in the conference room, but soon enough, they start to filter out as well.
Sophie and I stay at our table in the corner, talking and laughing while I do my best to ignore Jake’s presence. He and Carter mingle with the team and other parents, though Carterfrequently checks in with Sophie to make sure she’s good. Ignoring Jake is not the easiest thing to do, unfortunately, as my eyes keep straying to him before I realize what I’m doing.
When there’s only a handful of people left in the conference room, Carter makes his way over to our table.
