Page 147 of Break the Ice
“No. Maybe. I guess in part it is because I care for Finley. Mostly, it’s that he’s a sack of shit. He thinks he can do and say what he wants, that he can manipulate people to hurt others on his behalf and the world is better for it. Not to mention that he’s a homophobic asshole, and my best friend is bisexual.” My blood is boiling, bubbling so hot with my anger that my laced fingers are clawing into the back of my hands.
Talking about him is giving me a heartburn so strong that my whole chest hurts.
“Sounds like there’s no love lost between the two of you.”
“There isn’t,” I reply with enough bite that she looks up from her notes again.
“Is that why things got heated between the two of you? Why you gotinto that fight with him?” If I answer the question honestly and she reports back to Coach, I’ll be benched for every game against The Wolves. I can’t let that happen. “It’s been and done, Eli. Regardless of what you tell me, you’ve served your penalty and paid your fine. Done and dusted.”
Done and dusted?Connie has no idea of the scars he leaves behind. All she sees is a man beneath sports armor, not the monster inside the mask he wears so well.
“Yes. He hurts people in heinous ways and then uses it against them.”
“How has he hurt you?” She asks, watching me with her intent stare while I desperately grapple onto the here and now, so I don’t fall into all my nightmares at once.
“You didn’t answer my question,” I tell her, buying myself some time to sort through the chaos in my head. “What happened to your marriage?”
“My husband cheated,” she replies casually and detached. “As it turns out, my typical British satire didn’t translate to my American hubby. It made me cold and inapproachable, so he warmed himself elsewhere.” The sing-song tone of her remark makes me sad for her, because it’s not her satire that doesn’t translate. It’s her smarts that probably intimidate other people. “I’ve answered your question, are you going to answer mine?”
“Presley bullied me. He bullied Finley… and?—”
“How did he bullyyou, Eli?”
Everything inside dries up. My brain throbs as the periphery of my vision tunnels dark and obscure. With my ribs closing around my lungs, I can’t drag in the breath I need to ground myself.
In my head, my nightmare replays on repeat without the sudden jolt of my consciousness offering me a reprieve. Meanwhile, I’m still looking at Connie. Still trying to figure out how I can back out of this conversation without being a coward.
A little pussy boy.
“Eli—” Connie pauses when the alarm on her phone goes off.
Talk about saved by the bell.
“I’m sorry we can’t continue today,” she tells me, with a frown. “Will you come back tomorrow after training?”
I think about it for a moment. Only seconds ago, I was looking for a way out of here, and now that she’s giving me the opportunity to back out, I’m considering coming back. As hard as it is hashing out the past, itfeels good letting out the frustration plaguing me. Almost better than exhausting it out at the gym.
“Sure.”
“Will I see you at Hillier’s party later?” She asks with a smile so warm that I can’t help but return it.
I don’t know how anyone could think she’s cold. Then again, I don’t know her outside of her office. For all I know, this could be a front to trick me into a false sense of ease around her.
“I’ll be there.”
“I suppose I’ll see you later then,” Connie tells me as I start for the door. When I’m about to leave, she adds, “And, Eli?”
I glance over my shoulder at her.
“Illegitimi non carborundum.” Chuckling at my perplexed expression, she translates, “Don’t let the bastards grind you down.”
CHAPTER 44
JAYDEN
Son of a?—
My legs are swept from under me as I dash backwards toward our goal with Weismann on the right wing. The ruckus of the crowd gets louder with my hammering pulse roaring above it as he cuts off the Florida center and spins to block the puck a microsecond too late.
