Trenton leans over and snatches my book. “You even took notes?”
I grab it back from him. “Those are my private thoughts, thank you very much.”
He shakes his head. “You have too much time on your hands. You need to get laid.”
“Speaking of...” Jason side-eyes me. “What’s happening with Presley and Kellerman?”
I blow out a long breath through my lips as my head falls back against the seat. “I don’t know.”
The group falls silent, waiting for me to elaborate. But I don’t know what to say. I know what I want, but I don’t know if that’s even a possibility.
“Oh, shit.” Trenton lets out a low whistle. “It must be serious. I’ve never seen you this quiet before.”
Alexander watches me with those dark eyes of his. He’s my best friend, the one who knows me inside and out. I haven’t told him anything about my past with Chance; I never needed to. But now that he’s back in my life, I know Alex can tell there’s more to the story.
I clear my throat. “The three of us were...together, in college.”
“Together,” Trenton repeats.
“Like me, Kourtney, and Celeste, together?” Jason asks.
I nod. “Chance had it rough growing up, and his father made him feel like he couldn’t be who he truly was. I knew he was attracted to me. There was always this spark between us, but he never let himself act on it. Not until Presley was in the picture. It was like she was this missing link, and she connected us in a way that neither of us could have.”
Jason nods as he listens, and I know he understands me better than anyone. He, Kourtney, and Celeste are tethered together like what can only be described as soulmates.
“All the fighting on the ice makes sense now,” Alex says. “You’ve got more than just animosity over a lost friendship.”
Trenton leans forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “So, what happened between you?”
“It was amazing being with them for that year. But when Presley left, it broke us. We blamed each other, not knowing the real reason why she left. We were hurting and confused, and it was like we couldn’t figure out how to be together without her. I tried, but...” I shake my head. “Chance isn’t the best at communicating. So, we took all that pain out on each other.”
“You still have love for them in your heart. And so do they, otherwise they wouldn’t be entertaining any part of this.” Alex rests his hand on my shoulder. “There’s hope for the three of you to have something.”
“Presley thinks we can’t be together. Between the kids and her job at the school, she thinks it’d be too much; that people wouldn’t accept them.”
“Maybe at first,” Jason says. “But look at what happened with me. I had the support of my team, and our fans. Not everyone will understand, but the good outweighs the bad. Love will always win in the end.”
I believe that with my whole heart.
I just have to figure out how to convince Presley and Chance.
My eyes scanthe glass when I skate onto the ice to warm up.
It doesn’t take too long to spot Alyssa jumping up and down as she waves, wearing my jersey and a bright-yellow beanie.
“Hi, my ‘Lyssa girl!” I tap my stick against the glass and she giggles. I do a double-take as my eyes flick to Avery, who’s wearing a Philly jersey—Chance’s Philly jersey.
I clutch my heart.
Avery smirks, dropping his chin as a smile breaks free.
I shoot him a wink to let him know I’m only busting his chops.
Figures, Chance sent them jerseys the same as I did.
I shift my gaze to Presley. A cream-colored sweater pokes out of her jacket.
She rolls her eyes, and I can’t help but chuckle. There’s no way she’d choose between us, and I love that about her.
