Page 26 of Face Off

“I wonder how apartment hunting went,” she said mostly to herself.

“We can ask in a second,” he told her.

And I felt like a third wheel after just the car ride. This was going to be a long night if I didn’t find other people to hang out with, specifically one person. A woman. Okay, Holly.

Once inside the house, I followed behind them as they made their way to the kitchen where Parker and Vivi were already holding drinks.

“Hey, guys.” I gave Vivi a side hug and filled a cup with water.

“Did you find anything?” Jess immediately got to the point.

“I think so.” Parker grinned and checked with Vivi.

“Yeah, we really like it.”

Jess pouted. “I don’t want you to move out.”

“Don’t you want me to move in?” Lance teased.

“Eh.” Jess shrugged before laughing.

“One day we’ll all have homes up here, and we can just walk over to each other,” Parker said.

“We should buy the whole block,” Lance agreed.

“Reese would lose his mind.” I laughed.

“Fine, we can spread out to Erik’s street and even Olli’s,” Jess joined in.

“We’ll have to rename the neighborhood,” Vivi said wistfully.

I wanted to join in but didn’t have the heart. I didn’t even know if I’d still be here in a year. Or if I’d be playing hockey at all. As much as I wanted to allow myself to fantasize about living here and growing a family next door to my best friends, I wasn’t sure that was even a remote possibility, and that stung. It would hurt worse if I ever admitted how badly I wanted this, too, only for them to find out the truth soon.

I looked out the back windows to the expansive yard. All the kids were gathered together on the playground with a few of the parents keeping an eye on them. Then I noticed a kid I didn’t recognize, holding Taylor’s hand.

“Who is that with Taylor?” I asked Lance and Jess.

“I’m not sure. I don’t think I’ve seen her before.” Lance shrugged.

“She’s adorable! Look at her curls,” Jess gushed, and she and Vivi immediately went out back toward them.

I almost followed out of curiosity but stopped when I heard Holly’s airy voice. My heart raced, and I cursed myself for behaving like a lovesick teenager.

“Hey, new girl.” Lance gave Holly, Addy, and Amelia a wave with his can as they joined their group.

“Hi, Lance.” Holly grinned then noticed me and hesitated. “Oh, hi, Mikey.”

What was that for? Didn’t she know I would be here? Did she not want to see me?

Why was I so insecure when it came to her?

She looked beautiful tonight. Her hair was curled and it hung loosely over her shoulders, and her jeans hugged the gentle curve of her hips.

“Look, Sadie’s already gathering a crowd.” Addi smiled.

“She’s been so much more social since starting preschool,” Holly said.

I stared at the little girl as it clicked into place. Her hair, her face, her shyness. She––Sadie––was Holly’s daughter. Suddenly, Reese’s warning to stay away made more sense. It wasn’t just that she was working for the organization or that she was friends with Chloe. No, she was a mom. A single mom.