Page 45 of The Has-Been

Hard doesn’t come close to describing it. But how would he know?

I nod, shutting my notebook. I don’t know him well enough to get into this, so I leave it at that.

But he continues, “I give you props for doing this.” He moves to leave, but then hesitates. “You dated Aubrey Vaughn, right? For a year or so?”

“Yeah.” It’s the only word I can manage before I force out, “Yeah, I did. We broke up right before what was supposed to be my junior year.”

Right after I overdosed. I think, but don’t say.

“Shit,” he curses, realizing the full extent of my messy situation.

My brows rise, “Yeah.”

“She has a bunch of sisters, doesn’t she?” he questions, and I tilt my head, trying to see where he’s taking this conversation.

“Cousins,” I correct hesitantly. “There’s Aubrey and June. And then Reese and Rory, who are the only two that are sisters,” I explain.

He nods slowly. “I think I have a lecture with one of them,” he says, looking away. “Thin, dark hair. Wouldn’t be caught dead in sweatpants.”

I don’t hesitate, knowing that sounds like only one Vaughn I know.

“June.”

He nods his head, eyes refusing to meet mine.

There is an awkward silence as he starts to walk out. But then turns at the last second, “A bunch of us are going to Melbourne’s to celebrate.”

“I figured.” It’s kind of known to be the hockey bar—the place everyone goes to celebrate a win or get sloshed after a loss.

“You should come,” Theo says before he walks off, leaving me alone at last.

I crane my neck, my shoulders stiff. I force a deep breath and close up for the night.

Overall, it wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. In fact, next game I don’t think I’ll have to sit in my car and cry like a baby for an hour before I man up and call my therapist.

No, next time I might just be able to do it on my own.

I smile, feeling pretty good as I walk out. I consider Theo’s offer to hang out at Melbourne’s. But each time I even think about walking in there, the loud cheers and excited fans swarming the team, my hands go numb. I know Brennan and Reid will both be there—they played well tonight, Brennan assisting each of Reid’s two goals.

But I shake my head, making up my mind.

One step at a time.

When I start my walk through the parking lot of the arena, I focus only on my steps, my silver Jeep just in my line of view. But that’s when I notice someone leaning against the passenger side. At first glance, I assume it’s Reid, but when I look closer, I see it’s someone far too short to be my six-three best friend.

“Aubrey?” I question with raised eyebrows.

“Doyouwanttogetaburger?” she blabbers all at once.

I approach her, blinking once.

“Yeah, you’re gonna have to say that again.” I cross my arms over my chest.

She sighs, kicking an empty can in the parking lot. “Do you…want…to get…a burger?” she says, still refusing to meet my eyes.

I bite my lip, my heart racing in my chest as I’m certain this is some type of trick question.

“Uh, yeah,” I hesitantly stammer.