Page 62 of Cheap Shot

What a terrible position to be in, and by her own family. I wanted to jump over the table or shove it out of the way and pull her into my arms.

I never thought about this side of my best friend. I knew his relationship with his parents was the opposite of mine, but hearing Haley talk about them made me realize we had strained relationships in common.

“I’m sorry. I know I don’t have control over Ethan or what he says or does, but I really am sorry he said those things to you and hurt you.” She opened her mouth, but I kept going. “It feels like there are two sides to him. The one I see as his teammate and friend, then the one you see, and I hate that. He can be the most loyal and unwavering person. He’s funny and goes out of his way to remember details about the guys. He makes everyone feel included. I wish that was the version you knew. But lately, he’s been so distant. Something’s wrong, but he won’t talk to me. I have a feeling whatever he’s dealing with is also why he’s been lashing out at you so much.”

She rolled her bottom lip between her teeth. “You think it’s not just me being around?”

I shook my head. “No.”

She sighed. “I should probably try to talk to him and see if I can figure out what’s going on.”

The fact that she would even consider talking to him again was incredible. After the terrible, hurtful things he’d said, I wouldn’t blame her if she never wanted to see him again, but at the first mention of something being wrong, her reaction was to go to him. She was more than he deserved, especially right now.

“He might need that. I’ve tried, but I can’t get him to open up. The only thing he’s talking to me about lately is making sure the guys on the team stay away from you.”

“Including you?” she asked.

I nodded.

“Does he know about the kiss?”

“No,” I admitted.

“What would he think if he knew we were together right now?”

I sighed. “Well, you were upset, and I’m trying to make you feel better. Watching out for you.”

“Like your own sister?” The corner of her lips tugged into the smallest smile.

“Yeah.” Just the thought of that made me nauseous. The last thing I wanted was to see her like that.

She let out a humorless laugh and pushed her glass a few inches across the table. “Just another way for him to try to control me.”

I clenched my fist under the table. I couldn’t let her think I was listening to him. “Haley, I’ve been trying to be a good friend and teammate. I would never want to hurt or betray him, but you’re making that very hard.”

“What?” The word came out in a breath. The desire in her eyes mirrored my own, and it was all I needed to keep going.

“Since the first moment I saw you, I’ve been attracted to you.” She smiled, and I returned it. “We both know that at least. I’ve wanted to ask you out, but I didn’t want to go behind his back. Not that I’ve done a great job at staying away. I can’t help but be drawn to you.”

She licked her lips. “I wanted to stay far away from Ethan and the team too. I’ve had more than enough hockey in my life, but I couldn’t stay away from you either.”

“I want to tell him.” I rushed the words out.

“About us?”

“If there is an us, yes.”

I waited for her to speak, and it felt like hours passed. “I want there to be. I don’t want the only times I see you to be when I'm upset or in trouble.”

I reached across the table, offering my hand, and she slowly lifted hers until our palms met and I interlaced our fingers.

She nodded once then met my gaze. “Can we stop talking about him now?”

I chuckled and grinned. “Of course. I want to know more about you.”

“Like what?” Her smile lit up her whole face, and I wanted to memorize this moment.

“Beach or mountains?” I asked.