Page 32 of Breakaway Hearts

He parks in the underground garage and we take the stairs up to the third floor.

“Those women love them,” I say sadly.

“I’m sure there are protections in place⁠—”

“I know,” I assure him, then sigh. “Did you want to say yes? When Owen offered,” I add, because we’re both experts at skating around the topic.

“In an ideal world, sure, I love playing hockey. But I don’t ever want to be a part of…I can’t do that.”

“They seemed okay.” I cringe as I say it, before letting us into the apartment. Jason never has his keys, because I’m usually either with him, or there to let him in.

“They were on their best behavior.”

“You should play, Jay. You love it and you’re amazing at it. You won’t make it to the NHL playing with me.”

“I probably wouldn’t make it anyway.”

I raise my eyebrows and give him a look. It’s his turn to sigh, and for that smile to disappear, which breaks my heart.

“If they could get away with that in high school, imagine what people are willing to let slide for NHL players?”

“Jay…” I don’t know what to say to that, because as much as I want him to not want to play for more reasons than just me, I don’t want him, or anyone else, to be as jaded and fearful as I am. “If you don’t want to play, we forget this ever happened and I’ll never bring it up again.”

“I don’t,” he promises.

“But if you’re worried about me, or afraid it’ll turn you into an asshole…don’t be.”

“Of course, I’m worried about you, Maddie. Since the day you showed up in my driveway in the middle of winter with wet hair and no coat to shoot hoops…”

My mom hates when he tells that story. He thinks it’s me being overconfident and underprepared, but she worries the world sees it as poor white trash befriends rich classmate but can’t afford proper clothing. In reality, I thought I would read inside while my mom cleaned their house, I didn’t know the cool new kid at school would insist I play outside with him.

“I will never not worry about you. And the carrot sticks I found in my jacket today tells me you feel the same.”

“I worry you’ll eat crap and die of heart disease at sixty. You’re afraid I’ll have a panic attack and you’ll have to rush off the ice to rescue me.”

“Where is this coming from?” He stops me.

“Your mom’s back to school post,” I say, and he groans.

“That was because I ended our Sunday call early. It’s just payback.”

“It’s because you gave up on your dream. I’m going to pretend it’s not for me, because they weren’t great to you after it happened either, but one rotten team doesn’t mean they’re all evil.”

“You believe that?” He raises an eyebrow at me.

“I know if you say yes, Wyn U will have at least one decent player on its roster.”

“That’s comforting.”

“And Owen’s right. You love it. Once a month with me will never cut it, especially not when the Wolves keep losing and you know you could help. You’ll hate me and curse the day we met.”

“The day I met you will forever be in my top five of all time, and I could never hate you, Maddie. You’re my person.”

“You’ll regret it.”

“I can live with that regret a hell of a lot better than others.”

“If you didn’t have to worry about me?”