Page 102 of Wildcat
OUR HAPPY COCOON
SCARLETT
I crashedhard watching the game, and now after talking to Leo, I can’t sleep. I’m in the kitchen eating cereal to make up for the dinner I didn’t eat when I hear the garage door open. Dad walks in a few minutes later, looking tired. He sets his bag on the table and looks up to find me sitting at the island.
Silently, he comes over and grabs a bowl, fills it, and sits beside me. We never really talked about the problems Rhyse and I had. That was more Mom’s department. But now that my relationship involves one of his players, I’m not sure how to broach the topic. I decide to go with straight hockey talk.
“Tough loss tonight.”
He hums around a spoonful of Fruity Pebbles.
“I’m sorry about… well everything, I guess.” I don’t even know how to describe the media shitstorm I caused.
“Oh, honey, it isn’t your fault.”
“It feels like it.” At least with Rhyse, it didn’t directly impact my family.
“I have to ask. Is this the life you want? Living in the public eye, having your every move scrutinized?”
“I really like him.”
Dad nods thoughtfully. “And I’m sure he really likes you, but it seems like you’re both risking a lot.”
“Leo doesn’t care about the media.”
“Maybe not, but his performance this week made it clear that he can be distracted. Opponents will use that against him, and the reporters will poke and prod, hoping to get a rise out of him.”
“Did something happen?”
Dad’s mouth pulls into a straight line.
“Tell me.”
“He let the crowd and the other team get in his head and use you against him. It cost us the game tonight.”
My stomach rolls. Why do people suck so much? “He didn’t say anything when I talked to him. I feel awful.”
“It isn’t the first time, and it won’t be the last that people try to get under his skin. He needs to learn to tune it out.”
I know on some level Dad is right, but still. “He said we could make some sort of statement together if I wanted, but I told him it would be better to keep it quiet and let it blow over.”
“That’s good. I think that’ll be best for both of you. There’s no reason this thing between the two of you needs to be front-page news.”
My heart hurts. I don’t know what the best thing is anymore.
“He’s a talented kid with a bright future. He’ll be okay,” Dad says. “You both will be.”
I wish his reassurances made me feel better.
The next day, I go over to Leo’s after he’s done at the arena. He answers the door with a sleepy smile and folds me in his arms. “Hey, dream girl.”
My insides light up at the endearment. I feel the furthest thing from his dream girl right now. I can’t shake the feeling that I’m more trouble than I’m worth. Still, I melt into him—his warmth and his strength.
“How was your day?”
“Better now,” he murmurs against the top of my head.
We’re supposed to go out tonight, but we go to his room and collapse on the bed. Neither of us slept well, and my eyes are heavy as I feel a peace I haven’t since the last time we were together.
