Page 57 of Pucking Knox
I walk away before he can respond, heels clicking sharply on pavement. My reflection in store windows shows perfect posture, perfect hair, perfect control.
No one would guess I'm breaking inside.
"You've been quiet lately," my father comments over dinner that night. "More focused."
"Yes." I push food around my plate. "No more distractions."
He looks pleased. "Good. The combine is this weekend – we should see less of that Thompson boy in the papers after that."
My fork clatters against the china. "May I be excused? Can I return to my dorm for the night?"
My father nods.
I make it back to my dorm before the tears start. Sawyer finds me an hour later, curled around one of Knox's hoodies I couldn't bear to return.
"Oh, babe." She crawls into bed beside me. "Let it out."
"I hate him." The words catch on sobs. "I hate him so much. I hate that I still want to fix everything."
"I know."
"He's going to ruin his draft chances." I press my face into the hoodie that still smells like him. "Playing reckless, sleeping in his truck, pushing everyone away..."
My phone notification stops my train of thought. I wipe my eyes. "It’s Ace."
Ace: Come out with us. Just me and a few of the guys. No Knox. He’s not in good standing with the team right now.
"Big brother to the rescue," Sawyer says, stepping out of my bed.
"Do you want to come?" I ask. "Moral support?"
Sawyer shakes her head. "I should probably stay away from these hockey players."
That makes me laugh out loud as I text Ace back.
Kennedy: Who’s going to be there?
Ace: Me, Grey, Maddie, Matt, Harvey
I stare at his text and something clicks in my brain.
"Sawyer?" My voice sounds strange to my own ears. "Harvey."
"Knox's teammate?" She places her hand on her hip. "The nice one you almost hooked up with at that party?"
"Yeah." I wipe my eyes, an idea forming. "What if..."
"Kenny." Her voice carries a warning. "Don't."
But I'm already texting Ace.
Kennedy: I will be there
I smile because Harvey is safe. Normal. The opposite of everything that broke my heart.
It could be exactly what I need.
Chapter 22
