Page 24 of Breakaway Hearts

I uncross my arms, but it makes me feel exposed. Probably because he’s looking like he can see right through me. Thankfully, Owen decides not to dig more into my mental state.

“Why won’t you let Jason play?”

That is not at all what I was expecting.

“What are you talking about?”

Given the timing, I panic that Owen somehow overheard my therapy session, because I needed the stupid door to stay open, but he looks more stern than guilty or like he has something over me.

“I saw you at the rink.” Right, that. “He’s good, Madison. Amazing, actually. And he loves it. But when I asked…”

“He blamed me?” I want to challenge him, because Jason would never, but I don’t really have a leg to stand on when I just confirmed with a professional that it is my fault.

“Not in so many words, but…I could tell.”

Owen has the decency to look apologetic for the accusation, but he also has the confidence of someone who thinks they’ve figured it all out. Which he doesn’t, or he wouldn’t be asking. Wouldn’t keep flirting.

Not that he’s doing that now, but I think I prefer his flirting to whatever you call this mix of concern and disappointment.

“You’re giving me way too much credit,” I argue. “I’m not a jealous, possessive, controlling bitch, or whatever it is you’re thinking.”

“That’s not⁠—”

“And you’ve got it all wrong. I would have told him to take the spot you offered him, just like I told him not to turn down the scholarship,” I admit more than I should, especially when he looks surprised that Jason didn’t discuss his offer with me. “I even told him to try out last year.” Not that I meant it or wanted him to, but the words did leave my mouth. “I may be the reason Jason turned you down, but I’m not the one stopping him.”

“I don’t understand.”

“I’m sure one of you is smart enough to figure it out,” I say, noticing the teammates he must have been with when he spotted me.

I turn to leave, but Owen stops me by asking, “Did I do something wrong?”

When I face him again, he adds, “Other than not telling you I was on the team?”

I want to scream and yell at him, but he hasn’t technically done anything. Not to me. Yet.

That doesn’t stop me from being pissed he’s on the team, that he’s not ignoring my emotions like I wish he would, or that he might be right. Jason loves hockey. I’ve never seen him happier than on the ice. And I can’t keep being the reason he only plays once a month when we drive over an hour away and pay to have the rink to ourselves.

“It’s not you,” I assure him with a sigh. “And you’re right. He loves it.”

“So how can I convince him?”

“I don’t know.”

“My intentions aren’t altruistic, the team definitely needs him, but I think you know as well as I do that he’ll regret it if he doesn’t. There must be something.”

“Bribes won’t work,” I warn.

“I know,” he agrees, surprising me. “You’re his best friend, Madison, how can I convince him to join because he wants to, not because I tricked him into it?”

I don’t think he’s truly above tricking Jason so he can get what he wants, but he’s legitimately asking.

I sigh and bite my bottom lip, trying to figure out how much I can tell him, but he clocks the movement and licks his lips like he wants to kiss me.

My traitorous heart sees this and flutters.

“The team,” I reluctantly admit. “You have to convince him the team is worthy.”

“Of him?” Owen laughs out loud, but I’m not joking. “We may need a new goalie, but we’re the reigning Frozen Four champions and we’ve made it to finals the last five years. What more does he need?”