Page 99 of Wildcat
“Nothing. Go play awesome hockey and call me later tonight.”
“Done and done. Why don’t you come with us?”
“To California?”
“Yeah, or meet us in Phoenix or Seattle,” he says, listing the other cities they’re traveling to this week.
“Umm, I can’t just run away from my life here. I need to get serious about finding a job. Also, I promised Jade I’d go on another wedding adventure with her.” I run a hand along the smooth muscles of his chest. “I’ll be fine. Promise.”
“Okay, but if you change your mind, I’ll kick Ash out of our hotel room for you.”
“Yeah, I don’t think he’s my biggest fan right now.” I sip the coffee.
“Nah, he knows how the media can twist things.” He brushes my messy bedhead hair away from my face. “Blythe said she can help us craft a statement if we want.”
“What kind of statement?”
“Something that says we’re together. Officially.” He shrugs. “It might make the crap news die down faster.”
“That’s what she thinks is best for you?”
He glances at the ceiling. “Sort of.”
“It’s best for me. Not for you,” I guess.
He lifts one shoulder and lets it fall. I think of my dad and the team and shake my head.
“No. I don’t want to drag you any further into this mess. The less you’re mentioned, the better.” I lean up and place a kiss on his lips. “But thank you.”
After Leo leaves for the team plane, I head home. The smell of apple pie greets me, and I smile when I see said pie and the note Mom left for me.When life hands you lemons, trade them for apples and make pie.
I eat a slice for breakfast and then shower and go to Jade’s apartment. I don’t feel like being alone with my thoughts or my phone.
Her boyfriend, Sam, answers the door with a smirk. “You’re famous.”
“Not cool.” Jade glares and shoves at his shoulder. She takes my hand and leads me to the couch as Sam disappears into their bedroom.
Jade wraps her arms around me and squeezes. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah. I’m fine.” I hold up my phone, which is still off. “I’m in deep avoidance.”
“Me too. Let’s stay there together all day.”
Now that I’m taking a second to look at my best friend, it’s clear something is wrong. Her hair is up in a messy bun, and she has on a baggy sweatshirt. Jade is beautiful no matter what she does to her appearance, but she gets ready every morning—full makeup, hair, outfit—like other people brush their teeth.
“What’s going on?”
She frowns. “My editor hated my article on Vivian.”
“I thought Vivian wasthewedding planner?”
“She is. My editor loooved Vivian, but hated my angle. I have to come up with another one, then write it and turn it in by tonight.”
“I’m sorry.”
“She’s not wrong. All of my ideas are tired and have been done a million times before. I have no clue how I’m going to come up with something fresh. What do I know about getting married?”
“And here I am dumping on you when you have a real job to do.” I sit forward. “I can grab you coffee and food while you work.” I need a task or a thousand to keep my mind occupied today.
