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“Yeah, that Noah Holden charm girls can’t seem to resist. But thank God she didn’t because that would have been all kinds of awkward, am I right?”
“Y-yeah.”
“We’re the same, you and I, Holden,” Austin went on as if his words weren’t slicing me open, picking apart every doubt and insecurity I had about pursuing Aurora. About being her person.
Because fuck, I wanted that.
I wanted her smiles and tears and her doubts and insecurities.
I wanted every single beautiful piece.
But he would never see me that way.
He would never see me as good enough for her.
“We know the score. We know that hockey is the only thing we can ever rely on. The only thing that matters.”
“What about Fallon? I thought you two were—”
“I like her, sure. And it’s fun while it lasts. But eventually, I’ll go pro, and she’ll want more than I can give her. You know, I’m glad Aurora broke it off with Ben. They wouldn’t have gone the distance.”
“No?” A trickle of unease went through me, and my palms started sweating.
“Aurora needs someone who can be there. One hundred percent. Someone who can give her what Mom and Dad and I never did. Stability. Reassurance… Love. She needs someone who will put her first. No matter what.”
“She does,” I said, his words echoing through me.
“Thanks for listening.” Austin stood, shoving all the brochures and pill bottles back into the box. “I needed to get that off my chest.”
“What are you going to do?” I asked, my gut churning violently.
“I’m going to give Aurora some time to cool off, and then I think you’re right. We need to talk.” He smiled, looking ten times lighter than he had when I’d first sat down. Which was fucking ironic considering how crushed I felt. “Thanks again, man. You’re a pain in the ass sometimes, Holden. But you’re a good guy. One of the best.”
I’d felt the best last night with Aurora wrapped in my arms; I’d felt on top of the fucking world. Like maybe I could have it all like Connor and Aiden—hockey and the girl.
But now I just felt numb.
Austin was right. After everything Aurora had been through, she deserved a guy who could give her the world. Who could put her first. Someone who could be there no matter what.
Once the season started, hockey—the team—would once again become my life. Between classes and games, there wouldn’t be much time left for a relationship.
The kind of relationship Aurora needed.
We could try, yeah. But how the fuck was I supposed to leave her, knowing her doubts and insecurities would only grow louder and louder every second I was gone.
This was exactly why I’d always kept things casual. Because as soon as somebody caught feelings, shit got complicated. It got messy. It had literally turned Sam into a Single White Female 2.0.
I didn’t want to hurt Aurora. I cared too much about her to put her through any unnecessary heartache.
Just then, my cell vibrated, and her name flashed across the screen like a fucking sign from the universe.
Aurora: Can you meet me?
Fuck.
Noah: I can’t right now, sorry. Team stuff.
The second I hit send, I wanted to take it all back. But I couldn’t shake Austin’s words—his indirect warning.
