Page 140 of Don't Let Me Break

I guess everyone has their shit, don’t they?

43

KATE

Mia left during the second period, borrowing Ash’s car to drive to work since Ash said she’d catch a ride with Colt after the game. LAU wins four to one. Colt and Theo both killed it, and even I can feel the victory buzzing through the air as the crowd heads to the parking lot.

Blake and Ash are heading down to the back area where their boys promised to meet them after they shower, and I follow behind. Unsure where to go or what to do. Thankfully, no one was injured during the game, so I assume I’ll catch a ride with Mack as we’d discussed, but I haven’t messaged him yet. I still don't know what to say. Because he’s going to ask questions. He’s going to want to know about my conversation with Hazel. And when I inevitably spill the beans…what then?

I dig my teeth into my cheek as another wave of anxiety barrels through me.

What am I going to do?

What is he going to say?

My phone rings, and I dig it out of my back pocket, Mack’s name flashing on the screeen.

“Hey,” I answer.

“Hey, where are you?”

“Walking with Ash and Blake––”

“I see you,” he interrupts.

The crowd trickles out of the exits, revealing a very sexy Mack heading toward us.

His hair is pushed away from his face, and his icy blue eyes feel like a homing beacon as he strides toward me.

“Hey, Mack!” Blake greets him.

“Hey, Blake. Hey, Ash.” His gaze finds mine again. “Hey, Kate.”

I force a smile and pull my long sleeves into my sweaty palms. “Hi.”

Blake laughs, unperturbed by Mack’s lack of manners, and hooks her arm through Ash’s. “Aaaand, we’re gonna go find our boys. See you guys later!”

“Bye,” Mack calls. He doesn’t bother watching them leave. He’s too busy looking at me.

Li’l ol’ me.

I fold my arms, still unsure what to say or how to bring up Hazel’s ultimatum or if I even should.

“How was work?” he asks.

“Good,” I lie. “You?”

“Good. No injuries. Felix offered to drive the ambulance back to the hospital since I met him here so I could have my car after the game. Thankfully, Remi wanted to hang out with him even though she wasn’t on call, so it worked out.”

“Convenient,” I note.

“Yeah.” He hooks his arm around my neck and starts walking me toward the exit. “Now, I can spend the rest of my night with you. How was Hazel?” A hint of reservation seeps into his innocent question, and my steps falter. It’s like he already knows something happened. Like he knows why I didn’t answer his texts despite the fact I’ve been off work for hours now. Like he knows his daughter is the cause of my silence.

And she is.

“Should we wait ‘til we get home?” I hedge, staring down at my sneakers against the concrete arena floor.

“Pretty sure I’m gonna go crazy if I have to wait another minute.” He guides me toward the nearest wall and pins me with his stare. It’s quieter now. Most of the fans have already left. Only a few stragglers are scattered throughout the area, leaving the space almost cold and empty.

---