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He hasn’t physically hurt me—but he’s done plenty of other things that should’ve raised a million red flags. And now they’re all waving in my face, and I can’t believe I missed them.
I can’t go back.
I scroll through my phone, desperate for someone. Anyone.
And then I spot Lucy’s name.
Before I know it, I’ve got her address and am on my way to her condo. She meets me out front and takes a minute to take in my dress, then hugs me tightly.
“Theo and his friends are having a little watch party,” she warns me in the elevator. “Just so you aren’t freaked out by four loud guys in the living room.”
I smile. “No, it’s okay. I appreciate—”
“None of that,” she interrupts. “You’d do it for me. I’d do it for you.”
Okay.
Lucy leads me into their condo, and I’m shocked at how large it is. It’s two stories, a spiral staircase tucked in the corner as well as another elevator. Byliving roomshe must’ve meantgame room, because we go down a hall and into a room with a pool table and other games, plus a couch and the largest television I’ve ever seen.
“Holy shit, Lucy,” I murmur.
There are three guys, including Lucy’s husband, and two other women. They’re engrossed in the game on the screen, and I admit that I’m drawn in, too. Jacob is there. His friends and family. His best friend, playing for the other team.
“This is Melody,” Lucy calls. She drags me up to the couch and points to an empty spot. “Sit, I’ll make proper introductions at the next commercial.”
I nod and turn my attention to the screen. It’s easy—too easy—to spot Jacob. My heart jumps into my throat when he takes a nasty hit. Him and the other player fall to the ice, but he shoves off and chases after the puck immediately.
The violence doesn’t even faze him.
And I still can’t stomach it.
Finally, it cuts to a commercial break. Lucy appears with a mixed drink for me, and she draws the attention of the rest of the group.
“This is Melody,” she repeats. “Mel, you met Theo. That’s Caleb, Margo, Liam, and Skylar.”
I nod my hellos, losing track of their names immediately. They all smile and greet me warmly, though, which is more than I can ask for.
“What brings you by, Melody?” Theo asks. “We weren’t sure if you were going to make it back to New York.” He glances at his friends and adds, “Lux and Melody went to Lion’s Head together.”
Margo grins. “Sorry, Melody, you’re in an Emery-Rose Elite crowd tonight.”
I smile. “Yeah, well, I don’t remember any of it. So I’m willing to drop any high school rivalry.”
The couple on the end, I think it was Liam and Skylar, exchange a glance. And then Skylar is shifting seats, dropping down next to me.
“I had a trauma-based amnesia surrounding my childhood,” she says quietly. “It had to do with my C-PTSD.”
She’s around my age, I think. Pretty as hell. Her blonde hair is braided back and threaded with gold and black. They’re all wearing Guardians colors, and I can’t help but be a little jealous of this comradery.
I don’t know if they’re local, or if they support this hockey team for real, but Theo and Lucy do. So their friends show up.
Maybe I’m romanticizing it.
“Does it get easier?” I ask. “Or… did the memories come back?”
She bites her lip. “Some, yeah. Not everything. But it was traumatic, so….”
“I wonder about that.” I pick at a hangnail. “If my life was so traumatizing before, maybe I’m better off not knowing. Dad’s in jail, my mom is dead. I seemed to have moved in with my stalker, who’s also playing in this game right now…”
