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“Going somewhere nice?” he asks. There’s a tic in his cheek.
He knows I’m going on a date. Goran told me that. But if I say anything he’ll know that I know and…
This is way too complicated and I don’t have time.
“To meet a friend.”
“Hmm.”
It’s stupid because I want him to tell me I look pretty. Part of me even wants him to beg me not to go, because there’s still this weird pull between us I can’t name. But he doesn’t. He just stares at me for a moment too long.
“You should probably put a jacket on. It’s getting cooler out there.”
I lift a brow. “It’d ruin the line of my dress.”
And he’s looking at my body.
Again.
And I’m blushing.
Again.
This is stupid. I’m going to be even later.
“Have a good evening.” I reach for the door knowing I’m making the right decision. This thing between me and the coach has to stop. We work together. More than that, I work for his boss.
My career always comes first.
“Mackenzie?”
Surprised that he’s still there, I look over my shoulder at him. “Yes?”
“I’ll be here until late,” he says. “If you get into any trouble, call me.”
“I won’t get into any trouble.”
A ghost of a smile passes his lips. “Yeah, well just in case. You have my number, right?”
I nod, because I have everybody’s number.
“Good.” He nods, his eyes narrow for a moment as he looks at me. I don’t break his stare because… well, I don’t want to appear weak.
His lips twitch again before he turns away and stalks his way back up the hallway, and I pull the door open, trying to ignore the way my heart is speeding in my chest.
* * *
ELI
I spend the next hour alone on the ice, slamming puck after puck into the net to wear off the energy that’s driving me mad.
The rink is covered in shaved ice. I’m going to have to call the rink manager to come in early. But I still can’t stop because I’m pissed with myself for caring that she’s out with somebody else.
Which is stupid. I made it clear to her I’m not interested. That I regretted what happened between us that night outside the locker room. But I didn’t expect to feel this fucking annoyance at her taking me at my word and meeting up with another guy.
I whack the puck toward the goal one more time. It hits the net, and the goal shakes for a moment. Then I let out a sigh because this is all messed up.
I should follow Mackenzie’s lead. Go out. Find somebody who doesn’t want to be lonely tonight. Bury myself in them until every emotion is numb.
