Page 139 of What About Us

“I’m your friend, Ivy. I’m a vault. Always. What we talk about isn’t any of the guys’ business, so if you’re struggling, I want you to talk to me, day or night.”

My lip trembles and tears fill my eyes as I nod and blink furiously.

“Okay.” My voice is a wobbly whisper. “Thank you. Same goes, you know.”

“Oh, trust me, I’ll be telling you all of my woes, and you’ll be regrettin’ you said that.”

I laugh and shake my head. “Never.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

XANDER

Iadmit, I miss Montana, and I’ve been calling my dad to check in on him each of the five days we’ve already been here, but being with my team again, living in the penthouse, just enjoying Denver has been nice.

Getting on the ice and feeling like I’m part of the team again is good for my soul. So while it’s getting harder and harder to leave Montana for the long hockey season, I know that I’m not ready to hang up my skates yet.

And the fact that Ivy’s with me is the frosting on the cake.

She’s so great with the other medical staff. I can see that they respect her opinions and they truly listen to her.

I’m proud as fuck.

“Are you ready to head out?” I ask her as I poke my head in our bathroom and frown when I see that she isn’t dressed yet. She’s in the tank top and shorts she pulls on while she does her hair and makeup. That’s all done, but she’s just standing there, looking in the mirror. “Hey, what’s wrong? Do you feel okay?”

“Sorry, I was daydreaming,” she replies, forcing a smile as she tosses her makeup in her bag.

I fucking hate that fake smile.

“Try again, Red.”

“I really was. I’ll pull on my clothes, and I’m ready to head out. We’re in the box again tonight, right?”

We’re supposed to be attending the game, but now I’m second-guessing if we should go or if we should stay home and talk about whatever has put that look in her perfect blue eyes.

“Talk to me.”

“What?” She shakes her head and moves to walk around me, not looking me in the eye. “I don’t have anything to talk about.”

“Okay. You’re going to piss me off, Ivy.”

But she doesn’t stop walking. She doesn’t stop to look at me.

And my heart kicks up.

Because what the fuck is this? My girl doesn’t freeze me out. Ever.

“Are you tired?”

“I’m fine,” she calls out from the closet. “Just lost in thought.”

She comes walking out in jeans and a black sweater.

Not my jersey.

We’re going to a motherfucking Flurry game, and she’s not wearing my jersey.

“You’re wearing that to the game?” I lift an eyebrow, and she looks down at herself, and then her eyes widen and she rushes back into the closet.