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“Wedding?” Brad questions.
“Our cousin, Charlotte is getting married soon.” I tell him and then look at Jaxon. “We have our dresses, shoes, and unmentionables.” I grin.
“I didn’t need details.” He shudders, laughing.
Brad says, “I don’t mind hearing about unmentionables,” while looking at me.
My blush deepens so I turn away and watch the game.
Seth and Dylan are supposed to be on the same team, but something seems to have snapped with Dylan. He keeps going after Seth, which gets them both benched.
Beside me Paige goes silent and when I turn to really look at her, I notice the tears hovering on her lashes. She quickly blinks them away.
I slip my hand over hers. “You want to leave?”
She nods.
“We’re leaving.” I notice Jaxon watching us, so I add, “Coach isn’t going to let Dylan back on the ice after he went after Seth.”
“I’ll call you,” Jaxon says, kissing me on the cheek.
Brad is disappointed that I’m leaving and I do feel bad, but I can’t help the way I feel.
Outside in the fresh air, I stare at my sist
er.
“Why can’t Dylan just leave it alone?” Paige moans. “I’m twenty-one, old enough to make my own decisions.” She starts walking so I follow as she continues ranting, “Dylan is best friends with Seth, and I’m coming between them. I hate that.” She stops and faces me. “Do you think I’m stupid for the way I feel about Seth? Do you think I should give up?”
Inwardly, I groan. “No I don’t think you’re stupid. I also don’t think you should give up. The guy is as into you as you are him. He saw you and got distracted.” I wince. “He took a hit and went down because he was focused on you.”
“I don’t know what to do.”
“I’ll talk to Dylan because he’s being irrational.” I take my sisters hand. “Don’t let Dylan stop you from being with Seth if that’s what you both want.”
Paige watches me from the corner of her eye. “I wish I had the same advice for you,” she says sadly. “One day Rachel, you’ll find a man who you can’t live without, who can’t live without you. Someone who isn’t—”
Her words hit me like an arrow in the heart.
Instead of shouting about how much I love Alexander, I slip out of her hold and back away from her.
Paige gasps. “Rachel, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean … I don’t know what I meant.” She takes a step toward me.
“I’m already in love with a man I can’t live without.” I turn on a sob and run away.
Unfortunately my legs won’t carry me as far as I’d like and I come to a stop a few blocks over, panting, bent at the waist with my hands on my knees. I’m so out of shape.
I dry my face on the sleeve on my sweatshirt and lift my face up to the sky, breathing in the cold fresh air. Snow is in the air. With a heavy sigh, I turn and head to the apartment I share with Paige.
She’ll be there waiting for me and my outburst won’t be mentioned.
This is my life.
3
Alexander
Meetings between us McKenzies are usually entertaining, but today I can’t bring myself to pay too much attention. The boardroom is off of my cousin, Michael’s office. We all elected him to be at the helm once our fathers announced their retirement. He’s the manager amongst us. With my current mood, I’d rather lock my office door and work on a new project without any interruptions. My sister Olivia is more outgoing than me, but she too, likes to be locked away with her work.
