AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“He knows. You happy?”
She sighs. “I’m guessing he didn’t take the news too well.”
“Of course he didn’t. He’s human.” My voice is so cut up with emotion that I don’t even recognize it.
Lani’s hand lightly squeezes my shoulder, her voice a soft contrast to mine. “Did he dump you?”
“Yeah, I think so.” The words shake out of me. “He wants a paternity test.”
“Oh shit.”
“I know,” I squeak. “How could I let this happen?” My voice finally breaks apart, overrun by new sobs.
Leilani takes a seat behind me, gently rubbing my back and murmuring things I can’t soak in. It’s probably empty promises like “It’ll be all right.” But that’s a lie.
It won’t be.
It can’t be.
I lost Casey—the only guy I’ve ever truly wanted.
And it’s what I deserve, because I did lie to him. And he has every right to never want to speak to me again.
Lifting my knees to my chest, I curl into a ball and cry myself to sleep.
Just before I drift off, I hear Lani’s soft apology. She has to get back to her group, but she’ll be by to check on me later.
I can’t respond. My throat hurts. My head feels like it’s being split in half. So I just stay still on the bed and listen to her creep out the door before finally drifting away for a small reprieve.
CHAPTER 36
CASEY
The arena is packed. We knew it would be. Coach even included a bunch of stuff about focus in his pep talk. This is a big game. The Nolan U Cougars made it to the Frozen Faceoff semifinals four years ago, and we lost. This is our chance to turn things around. This team will go all the way and make a little history for our school.
Expectations are high—like landing-on-the-moon high—and we’d better deliver tonight. A bunch of important people are in the stands, including the university president and several board members. I’m sure the line of suits just behind the box are the bigwig donors who the admin need to treat like royalty.
That must be Jason’s dad up there. He’s got the same arrogant smirk as our annoying team captain. It should have been Ethan, but money talks. Thank fuck Jason’s graduating soon and Ethan can finally take his rightful place.
I don’t pay them any attention as I skate onto the ice. I swore to myself I wouldn’t do it, but I can’t help checking the stands for a crop of red curls. I look three times during my warm-up, but I don’t see her once.
She might be there.
Chances are, she might not.
Not after the way I left things with her this afternoon. She looked devastated, and I can’t get her expression out of my head. But each time I start to crumble, I’m reminded of the fact that she’s a big fat liar and I’m back to that fiery anger, which I need more than ever for this game.
At least I think I do, until we’re halfway through the second period and I’m so riled by the aggressive play from the other team that I start throwing some of my own back. They’re fighting dirty tonight, and I know I’m above all that shit, but when I get tripped going for the puck and the referee does nothing, I can’t hold it in anymore.
It doesn’t help that the fucknugget who tripped me is now snorting down at me. The derisive look on his face is punchable, and I have no choice but to act.
With a growl, I jump back onto my skates and charge him, slamming him against the boards and taking a swing at his head. My stick clatters to the ground as I go wild-bear feral on his ass.
The gloves are off in seconds, and we’re going for it. Fisting each other’s shirts, we skate in circles, growling and taking swings when we can. The second I manage to tip him sideways, the officials skate in and pull us apart. I get pushed toward the Cougars’ box, scoring myself a flying insult from our team captain on my way past.
I give him the finger, my heated glare making him back off before I slam against the boards and am facing a very pissed-off Coach.
“You’re out.” He points his thumb over his shoulder.
