Page 84 of Breakaway Hearts

It’s funny. I’ve seen Sienna at several games now, and I think she’s actually coming to more of them now than she did back when they were together. Maybe she’s just trying to put in a good showing for her job, to make it clear that she’s a team player who supports the athletes. But I don’t think that’s the real reason, or at least not thefullreason.

I think she comes to the games because of me.

Because Reese’s plan is working, and it’s driving her mad to see him point to me in the stands after he scores a goal.

It’s good that she feels jealous, I tell myself for the hundredth time.

What’s not good is thatIfeel jealous too. I can’t help the possessive feeling that rises up in me whenever I see her looking his way. But it makes no sense, because Reese isn’t mine.

Despite the fact that Sienna doesn’t know it, he’s still hers.

My body aches, but not in the same, pleasant way as before. I can play pretend all I want, live in this imaginary world where Reese is focused solely on me, on my body, on giving me more pleasure than I ever thought possible, but none of it is real.

I swivel back to watching the game. We’re nearing the end of the third period, and all the Aces need to do is maintain possession and control of the puck, denying the Titans any chance at scoring. That’s it, and then we’ll have won.

And that’s exactly what they do. The final seconds tick down, and every Aces fan in the arena stands on their feet, anticipation heavy and heady. I hold my breath.

The Titans manage to steal the puck, and a Hail Mary shot on goal flies toward Grant, but he deflects it just as the whistle blows.

Aces win.

The crowd erupts, the Aces’ song starts playing again, and I’m jumping up and down while the guys tackle Grant to the ice. It might be my imagination, but I swear, it almost looks like the big, grumpy goalie is smiling.

“Callie?”

I turn at the sound of my name, and the excited grin on my face slips away.

What the fuck?

What the actual fuck is Austin doing here, standing in front of me?

“I thought it was you,” he says with a laugh. His hair is cut shorter than it was the last time I saw him, but the smirk on his face is exactly the same as I remember. “I was pretty sure I saw you on the big screen after Sutton scored that goal. Must be nice being his friend, since he can get you these seats and everything.” He points his thumb back toward the nosebleed seats. “I was stuck up there. Spent the second half of the third period looking for you.”

“He’s my boyfriend,” I say softly.

Austin cocks his head. “Hm?”

“We’re dating,” I repeat, louder this time. I feel slightly disconnected from my body with Austin standing right in front of me. With his smug face and upturned nose, I can’t believe I ever thought this asshole was attractive. “Reese and I. He and I are dating.”

Austin puts one hand behind his head, surprise registering on his features. “Oh wow, no way. Congrats, Cal, seriously. Never in a million years would I have thought you two would’ve gotten together.”

My ears start to ring. My hands are shaking, and I curl my fingers into fists to try to stop it.

“I mean,” Austin continues without my prompting, “he’s Reese Sutton. Hockey all-star, super rich, was dating some really hot lawyer chick not too long ago. And you’re… don’t get me wrong, Callie, obviously I think you’re a catch. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have dated you.”

“Mmm.”

I try to move around him so that I can get out of this hellish scenario, but he doesn’t budge. He’s either oblivious or a complete dick, but honestly, it’s probably a little bit of both.

“I’m surprised he gave you this jersey,” Austin says. He puts his hand on my arm, tugging lightly at my sleeve. “It’s way too big on you, and you know what oversized clothes do to your figure. I mean, when thin girls wear oversized clothes, it’s cute, but with you—”

“Get. The fuck. Out of my way.”

The words are shaky coming out of my mouth, but they emerge nonetheless. I clench my fists so tightly that I can feel my fingernails leaving half-moons in my palms.

Austin blinks, looking taken aback. “Whoa. Come on, Cal, I was just trying to help out.”

“Don’t make me repeat myself.”

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