Page 58 of Melt His Heart

I laugh to myself.

“What’s so funny?” Liam says, munching on his cookie.

“Nothing. Just thinking about something.”

“Something sexy?” Liam wiggles his brows.

“Have you ever noticed how horny your husband is?” I ask Kevin.

“Oh, you have no idea.” He chuckles, and I laugh.

“I don’t know why you’d even ask him that.” Liam gets up and goes back into the kitchen, bringing out some wine for us. He sets the glasses down, and I take a sip.

Kevin is so engrossed in the TV where they’re still talking about the team; I guess they’re talking about Avery. I don’t really yet know how the trading process goes, but I suppose it was a big deal in the hockey world.

“That’s gotta be awkward,” Kevin says suddenly, breaking away from the screen and taking a sip of his wine.

“What?” I say.

“Them playing on the same team. Avery Wilson and Carson Young.” He says, shaking his head.

“What do you mean?” I ask, sitting up straight and tilting my head.

“It’s cause they dated.” Liam chimes in, excitedly. My throat goes dry, and I bite my lip.

Avery and Carson…Dated?

He never mentioned it.

“They dated..?” I mumble.

“Yup, we all went to the same uni, they played there together. They were pretty wild too. So many hot rumors about them. I think they played juniors together or something too.” Liam chuckles. Hot rumors? What exactly does that mean? I’m definitely going to be sick.

And of course, not only has he known Carson longer than me, but he’s literally his ex-boyfriend. Now looking back on us meeting at the gala, I felt so on edge, and I couldn’t really pin down why. But why didn’t Carson tell me?

“They dated for a while too. First, it was just hearsay, but they made it official at one point. Then they broke up when they went to pros.” Kevin adds, and I go completely silent. I feel like those cookies might come back up soon. I try to take another sip of my wine to keep them down.

Liam looks over at me. I wish I could disappear or let the floor open up and eat me alive.

“You ok, Julian?” He frowns.

“Oh, I um. Yeah.” I bite my lip hard enough to make myself bleed. I feel embarrassed for what? I don’t know. It’s not like he lied to me; he just simply didn’t tell me at all. And does he really have to? They’re not dating anymore. We’re not even dating. But I still feel upset hearing this through someone other than Carson himself.

“Julian, can you help with something in the kitchen?” Liam asks suddenly, snapping me out of my thoughts.

“Sure.”

We’re not even in the kitchen for a full twenty seconds before Liam turns to me and pins me with a stare.

“It’s Carson, isn’t it?” He asks.

“What are you talking about?” I fold my arms.

“Your guy!” He yelps but catches himself.

“It’s not.” I deny it. Maybe I wouldn’t have about ten minutes ago. I would’ve probably proudly admitted it, maybe even bragged about it a little.

“It is,” he retorts, “and you didn’t know about Avery….I’m sorry.”