Page 53 of Play Along With Me
I blink in surprise. "You what?"
"When your mom called my parents, and they mentioned you were in Boston now... I asked them for her number. Called her myself."
This is unexpected. "Why?"
She takes a deep breath. "Because I owe you an apology. Have for years, really. The way things ended between us—it wasn't fair to you. I made decisions based on what I thought would happen, not what was actually happening."
"It was a long time ago," I say carefully.
"Five years, two months, and about seventeen days," she says with a small smile. "But who's counting?"
Despite everything, I laugh. "Clearly not you."
Her expression turns serious again. "I've followed your career, Jake. Every step. I was proud when you got drafted, when you made it to Providence, and now to Boston. I always knew you would."
"Thanks," I say, genuinely touched. "That means a lot."
"I made a mistake," she says simply. "Breaking up when we did. Making it so final. I was scared of what a long-distance relationship would do to us, to my studies, to your career. But in retrospect, we might have figured it out."
I'm silent for a long moment, processing her words. Five years ago, this conversation would have been everything I wanted to hear. Now, I'm not so sure.
"Maybe," I concede. "Or maybe we both needed to focus on our paths. You're a surgeon now. I finally made it to the NHL. Would either of those things have happened if we were trying to maintain a relationship through all that?"
"We'll never know," she says softly. "But I'd like to find out if there's still something there. Now that we're both in Boston. Both more established in our careers. If you're open to it."
And there it is—the question that would have been a no-brainer five years ago. But now? Now there's Audrey with her knock-knock jokes and diabetic cat stories. Audrey who knows nothing about hockey but texted to wish me luck anyway. Audrey who makes me laugh in a way Jessica never did.
"I'm... seeing someone," I say, which isn't exactly true but feels more honest than explaining the complicated maybe-something with Audrey.
Jessica's face falls, genuine surprise and embarrassment washing over her features. "Oh," she says quietly. "I didn't... your mom didn't mention..."
"It's new," I clarify, feeling a strange mix of guilt and relief at her reaction. "Very new."
"Right," she says, recovering slightly. "Of course. I just assumed... since your mom was so eager to reconnect us..."
"My mom doesn't always have the most up-to-date information," I say diplomatically. "Or respect for boundaries."
Jessica lets out a small, awkward laugh. "Well, now I feel stupid. Putting myself out there like that."
"Don't," I tell her sincerely. "It was... brave of you. And flattering."
"Brave or pathetic," she says with a self-deprecating smile. "The line is thin."
"Definitely brave," I assure her.
She studies my face for a moment. "Is she nice? The new girl?"
"She is," I nod. "Different, but nice."
"Lucky her," Jessica says softly. "Honestly, I should have known better than to think you'd still be available after all this time. The Jake Marshall I knew never stayed single for long."
This isn't entirely accurate—I've had exactly two serious relationships since Jessica, both ending largely due to the demands of my hockey career. But I don't correct her.
"I'm still coming to the game tomorrow," she adds quickly. "To support you. As a friend. If that's okay?"
"Of course," I say, relieved at her mature response. "Friends is good."
"Friends," she repeats, as if testing the word. "Might take some getting used to. But I'd like to have you in my life again, even just as a friend."
