Page 7 of Perfectly Complicated
Because all the things that revolve around Christmas—family, children, traditions—it’s all I live for now.
And that was just the first red flag. A man who can dismiss something that brings joy to millions? That tells me everything I need to know about his character. Add in the fact that he’s a professional athlete who probably has a different woman every week, and I’d have to be crazy to think this could go anywhere good.
Because guys like him don’t typically sign up for single-mom complications.
All the way back to my table, I can feel his eyes on me. Part of me wants to look back; the smarter part keeps walking.
“Well?” Gabriella sets down her drink and looks up at me with something like hope.
“That,” I say, picking up my purse before heading for the door, “is exactly why I don’t put myself out there.”
THREE
Rourke
Five Months Later—November
My muscles burn as I lower the weights to the rack. I grab my towel to wipe my face, the music in my AirPods blasting. Five months since that first dance at Boots and Buckles, and I still can’t get Janie Bennett out of my head. What’s even worse? All my attempts at trying to get her to give me a chance have failed spectacularly.
Five months since I said the stupidest thing of my life.
I don’t really love Christmas.What kind of idiot says that to a woman who lights up talking about Christmas lights?
I pick up another set of weights and hiss through my teeth as I get in another twenty reps, punishing myself for being such a moron.
Yeah, I have issues with Christmas—things I’ve never told anyone about—but seeing the way her face fell when I said it? I should have backtracked immediately. Should have said something—anything—to take back those words. Instead, I stood there like an idiot and watched her walk away.
And I’ve been trying to make up for it ever since.
When I found out she was a kindergarten teacher, I showedup at the summer reading program with balloon animals, thinking if she saw me with kids, she’d realize I’m not the Christmas-hating grinch she thinks I am. But she barely acknowledged me, like I’d confirmed every negative thing she’d ever thought about me.
But the final nail in the coffin was at the hospital when Jaz and Brax had their baby. Janie had texted me back for the first time in months, and I’d thought maybe we were finally getting somewhere. Then she showed up and found me at the nurses’ station, all smiles as I tried to charm the staff into letting more than two visitors into Jaz’s room at once.
She took one look at me with the nurse, her face turned pink, and she walked away without a word.
She thought I was hitting on the nurse. I was just trying to get the team in to see baby Rosie. But Janie didn’t stick around long enough to find out.
And that was it. I decided I’m done with Janie Bennett.
“Easy there, Hulk,” Leo, our left wing, calls from the bench press. “You’re gonna break something.”
“Already did,” I mutter between sets. My pride—and whatever chance I had with that kindergarten teacher who hates me.
Brax walks past carrying two water bottles, looking like he hasn’t slept in a week. Probably because he hasn’t. Dark circles ring his eyes, and his usually perfect hair looks rumpled, like he just rolled out of bed.
Tate glances up from his hammer curls. “You look terrible.”
“I feel terrible. Rosie had us up every two hours last night.” Brax collapses onto a nearby bench. “I’d pay good money for one night of uninterrupted sleep. The only thing that seems to get her to stop screaming bloody murder is when I make fart noises on her stomach.”
“I think the official term israspberries,” Tate corrects.
“And then yesterday I tried to put a diaper on backwards.Twice.Jaz just looked at me like I was a special kind of stupid.”
Miles, our rookie goalie, wrinkles his nose. “Wait, there’s a right way up for diapers? I thought they were like socks—as long as it stays on, you’re winning.”
“Uh, no.” Brax shakes his head. “Not even remotely like socks.”
Just then, the door to the weight room swings open, and Lauren Williamson strides in. She catches Tate’s eye and gives him a quick wink before planting herself in the center of the team. “Okay, Crushers,” she announces. “I have some exciting news.”
