Page 72 of Offside for Christmas
ELLIE
"So," Sophie said, sliding a peppermint mocha across the counter to Ellie with a knowing look. "You and Cole are still doing the secret thing?"
"It's not secret." Ellie wrapped her hands around the warm cup, grateful for something to hold onto. "It's private."
"Babe. The entire town knows."
Ellie's head snapped up. "They do not."
"Mrs. Henderson saw you two making out behind the diner last week. She told my mother, who told everyone at book club, who told their husbands, who told everyone at O'Brien's." Sophie leaned against the counter, grinning. "Small town. Nothing stays secret."
"Oh God." Ellie dropped her forehead to the counter with a thunk. "I'm going to die. I'm going to die of embarrassment right here in your café."
"Don't be so dramatic. Everyone thinks it's adorable." Sophie patted her head sympathetically. "Are you bringing him on Saturday? To the festival? As your date?"
"The team will be there, so technically yes?"
"I meant as your official, public, hand-holding, this-is-my-boyfriend date."
"We haven't really... labeled it." Ellie sat up, taking a sip of her mocha to avoid Sophie's eyes.
"You're sleeping together every night. You have a toothbrush at his place. He has a key to your apartment. You're clearly in love with him. But sure, no labels."
"I'm not in love—"
Sophie gave her a look that could have stripped paint.
Ellie deflated. "Okay, fine. Maybe I'm in love with him. A little bit."
"A little bit?"
"A lot." The admission felt like jumping off a cliff. "I'm in love with him a lot. Happy now?"
"Ecstatic." Sophie's grin was brilliant. "Have you told him?"
"No. Because he's leaving soon, and I'm not about to drop the L-word right before he abandons me for the NHL."
"What if he doesn't leave?"
"He will." Ellie's voice was flat. "They always do."
"He's not Marcus."
"Everyone keeps saying that!" Ellie set down her cup harder than necessary. "But what if he is? What if I'm just the small-town distraction while he's stuck here? What if the second he gets a better offer, I'm forgotten?"
Sophie reached across the counter and took Ellie's hand. "Then he's an idiot and doesn't deserve you. But El, you don't actually believe that. Not really."
"I don't know what I believe anymore." Ellie squeezed Sophie's hand. "I just know I'm terrified. Of how much I feel. Of how much it's going to hurt when he leaves."
"Or how amazing it could be if he stays."
"That's almost worse. Because then I'll hope. And hope is dangerous."
Friday, 8:00 AM.
Ellie arrived at the training room early, her assessment forms printed and organized, her equipment laid out with precision. Today was supposed to be Cole's final clearance. Today, she was supposed to prove that all her work, all those early mornings and careful protocols, had been worth it.
Instead, Derek Matthews was leaning against her table like he owned it.
