Page 67 of Break Points and Face Offs

“Isn’t that sacrilegious or something? What about BC?” I ask, nodding at the Princeton mascot in the center of his chest.

“I work for this team now. Trades happen all the time.”

He lets himself in, walking around me like I’m not blocking his way.

I close the door as he sets a bag of take-out food out on the counter. The smell makes my stomach growl.

“Hungry?” He laughs.

“I could eat.”

I take a seat at the counter and let him serve me the fries, greasy cheeseburger and Coke.

“I didn’t think you’d be too hungover for burgers. Sometimes I’m so fragile I can’t eat anything but fruit and grilled cheese.”

“I didn’t have you down as a heavy drinker.”

He shrugs. “I’m not. But celebrations after a game at BC have been known to get a little crazy.”

I watch him while I absentmindedly stuff fries into my mouth. I wouldn’t usually allow myself to eat this crap, but I’ll allow myself an exception. I just need to be extra vigilant from here on out.

“Did you date guys back in Boston?”

I need to know. I’ve already let him see so much, it’s only fair he expose himself to me in return.

He shrugs before stuffing a few fries in his mouth. “A few.”

“Anything serious?”

“No.”

“Why not?”

“I don’t know,” he says, leaning his elbows on the counter. “I was all over the place I guess. I never felt fully settled at BC. It’d always been my plan to come here, and then when my ma got sick …” he trails off, his eyes getting this faraway look in them.

“That must have been difficult,” I say, not knowing what else to say.

“Difficult isn’t the word,” he says quietly, looking down at his fries. “I don’t know what I’d do if I lost her.”

That stops me in my tracks. Is there a single person in my life who I would feel utterly bereft without? Like my would be ripped out if something happened to them? The tension in my chest tightens. Yes. Jamie.

He clears his throat when I don’t say anything, stuffing a few more fries in his mouth.

“What do you think?” he asks, nodding to the food.

“I’ve eaten Burger King before.”

He pumps his eyebrows in surprise.

“It’s not all caviar and fancy whatever-the-fuck is in those jars?”

“God, you’re a caveman.” I roll my eyes, failing to keep the smile in. He laughs, his eyes sparkling and that dimple popping in his cheek.

“You okay now, Rosie?”

I keep my head down as I eat, willing my face to cool down. “I’m fine. Why wouldn’t I be?”

“You just seemed sad last night, is all.”