Page 20 of One Pucking Secret
Without a word, she turns and hurries out of the locker room, leaving me alone in the deafening silence, the lingering taste of her still on my lips.
Chapter 7
Chloe
Yesterday’s locker room encounterstill clings to me, and no matter how hard I try to forget, I can still feel Wyatt’s touch lingering on my skin. His kiss. I can still taste it. It’s as if his touch has branded itself into my memory—whether I like it or not.
I twist the spaghetti around my fork, the steam curling up in lazy tendrils. The scent of basil and garlic fills my small dining room where Lainey and I sit facing each other, a bottle of Merlot open between us. It’s a rare moment of solitude in my usually bustling home, made possible because Jasper is spending the night at his grandparents’, giving me a chance to catch up with her.
“Seems like Wyatt’s image rehab tour isn’t going as smoothly as planned,” Lainey observes, her voice a mix of curiosity and concern as she watches me.
I sigh, pushing the pasta around my plate. “He has an interview tomorrow. We’re hoping that clears the air.” I try to sound hopeful, but even I can hear the uncertainty in my voice. Wyatt’s situation is more precarious than either of us would like to admit. The weight of responsibility in managing his public image presses down on me, a constant reminder of the delicate balance we’re trying to achieve.
Lainey raises an eyebrow, tilting her head slightly. “Is it weird, working so closely with Wyatt? He hasn’t brought up the ghosting at all?”
The question pulls my attention away from my meal, and I can’t help but think of Wyatt—his hands, his kiss, the way he ignites something in me I can’t seem to shake.
“No, he hasn’t,” I say, my voice steady, though a trace of tension slips through. “He’s trying to get me to admit I remember him.”
“And you haven’t caved it yet?” Lainey’s eyebrows arch in surprise.
“I refuse.” I say firmly, the words sharper than I intended.
“What about the sparks? You can’t tell me you’re not feeling anything.”
I let out a small sigh, knowing I can’t hide the truth. “Well, I’d be lying if I said thereweren’t any sparks. Especially considering we…” I trail off, the weight of my admission hanging between us.
A smirk slowly forms across Lainey’s face, her eyes lighting up with the thrill of impending gossip. “You what? Tell me everything, Chloe!” she urges, leaning forward in her chair, her entire demeanor radiating eagerness. Her anticipation is palpable, and I find myself caught between the desire to confide and the instinct to keep that part of my life private.
I bite my bottom lip. “We almost had sex in the locker room last week.”
A gasp escapes Lainey’s lips. “You had sex with a hot hockey player in the LA Knights’ locker room? Jesus, Chloe Reed, you are living my dream!”
I shake my head with a sigh. “I highly doubt that. And I said almost. But there’s more.” I pause, a knot forming in my stomach as I set my fork down. “There’s something about Wyatt… something I haven’t told anyone.” My fingers trace the condensation on my wine glass, drawing aimless circles.
Lainey sets her fork down now, her eyes locked onto mine. She leans in, clearly bracing for one of my bombshells. I take a deep breath,the words feeling like jagged stones in my throat.
“Jasper,” I say, my voice suddenly thin. “He’s Wyatt’s son.”
The clink of her wineglass on the table punctuates the silence that follows. Her eyes widen for a moment, but then she let out a soft laugh, shaking her head knowingly. “I already knew that. I had my suspicions from the moment I saw those blue eyes. They’re a dead giveaway.”
I blink, caught off guard. “Wait, you knew?”
She smirks. “Oh, come on, Chlo. I’ve known you for how long? The way you act every time his name comes up… I just didn’t push because I figured you’d tell me when you were ready.”
Relief and guilt war in my chest. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have hidden it from you.”
Lainey’s smile softens, but her eyes still hold that probing look. “Why still keep it from Wyatt?” Her words, though gentle, hit the nerve I’ve been trying to avoid for years.
I sigh, my fingers gripping the edge of my plate. “Because… he ghosted me, Lainey. I didn’t know what to think. I knew I wanted to keep Jasper, but I was scared. What if he didn’t want to be involved? I didn’t want Jasper to grow upwith a father who wasn’t fully there. I thought I was doing what was best at the time.”
My voice is quieter now, tinged with a mix of uncertainty and lingering hurt. “I wasn’t trying to make a decision for him. I just didn’t know any better.”
Lainey nods, her gaze soft but steady. “But is that who Wyatt really is? From what I’ve seen, he doesn’t seem like the type to walk away from his responsibilities.”
I press my lips together, the weight of her words sinking in. “Maybe when it comes to his career, he’s solid. But being a father? That’s different. I didn’t want to risk Jasper’s happiness if Wyatt couldn’t be there for him.”
“You never thought to reach out to him again? You don’t think he has the right to know?” Lainey’s question lingers in the air, stirring thoughts of paths I didn’t take and decisions made in uncertainty.
