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Jordan chuckled. “You make him sound like a potato chip.”
“Tell me I’m wrong.” Donna pressed. “It sure looked like you were helping yourself to another chip back there in the hallway.”
Her sister wasn’t wrong. Ever since that first night together, now she couldn’t stop thinking about him and wanting more. But she had to keep a cool head about this.
“Want my advice?” Donna asked. “You may not like it.”
Jordan pursed her lips. “I don’t suppose I have a choice.” But she did want to hear her sister’s opinion.
“If casual is all fun and games for you, then that’s fine. If you can look at him kissing another girl and you’re okay with it, great. If he ends things with you next week and you’re still happy, fantastic.”
Jordan hated the idea of Noah with any other girl. And the thought of him ending things with her made her heart ache. She took a gulp of her wine.
“But if you’re starting to feel more,” Donna continued, “be careful. Because if you don’t see a future with Noah, it’s better to shut it down now before you get in any deeper. Being in love with a man who doesn’t return your feelings is a straight road to heartbreak. In other words, you need to go cold turkey on the chips.”
“That’s why I was trying to maintain some distance. But when he’s near, I lose all sensible thought.”
Donna smiled. “Distance is good. But don’t expect him to be a mind reader. You need to tell him straight up that you’re done.” She drained her wine glass. “And I wouldn’t waste time. The longer you wait to end it, the harder it will be to return to a normal working relationship.”
“You’re right. I do. I will.” Jordan thought about the fact she’d just accepted his invitation to the game. She wouldn’t be able to see him before the game, and this was something she needed to do in person. Besides, she needed some time to think of what she wanted to say, and she should do that tonight. She grabbed her phone and sent Noah a text:
Something came up. Can’t make it to the game tonight.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Noah
Morning skate felt like the longest morning of his life. Noah wished he could go back to bed and start the day over. He already had to skate way too many laps for missing the net in drills.
Last night hadn’t gone the way he’d hoped. First of all, Jordan had texted him that she couldn’t come to the game after all. And when he’d texted back asking if everything was okay, she’d given him some vague reply. His mind went to that skeevy reporter who’d asked her out. Was he what had come up?
The more he thought about it, the more annoyed he became with himself. He’d made the rules, and Jordan could do whatever she liked.
Then during the game he had lost focus. He’d taken what should’ve been an easy shot at goal, instead he shot the puck right at the goalie’s chest–right in the bread basket; an easy save. At the end of the game, the Renegades had lost by one point, and he felt like that was on him. If he’d had his head on straight, he’d have made that shot.
Afterwards, he’d gone home alone, despite the fact that there had been a number of willing puck bunnies waiting outside the arena. But he hadn’t been interested in any of them. And when he’d called Jordan to see if she wanted to come over to his place, there was no answer. No replies to his texts, either.
That started him wondering what she could be doing, which caused him to overthink again, and ended with his having a night of broken sleep. Before he knew it, his alarm had gone off, and here he was now, trying unsuccessfully to focus on the drills.
“Dude, what’s wrong with you? You look like hell out there,” Harrison said with a laugh. He stood by the bench and took a drink of water.
“Did you forget how to play?” Kaden teased.
“I don’t know.” Noah shook his head. “My head isn’t in it.”
That was the truth. His mind was on Jordan. He’d been enjoying spending time together and he’d been looking forward to last night. As much as he protested, he feared his heart was hooked. She was smart, funny, and sexy as hell.
“Woman problems?” Patrick asked.
“Sort of,” he responded. “Not problems per se, but I am starting to think keeping things casual is more work than—”
“—than being in a relationship?” Sam added his two cents, arching his eyebrow.
Noah nodded.
“Do you think about her all the time?” asked Kris.
“And wonder what she’s doing when you’re not together?” added Kyler.
