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"You came back for her, didn't you," she says like a statement of fact. Holly was never one for subtlety.
I look at Holly, trying to gauge whether she sees my coming home as a good or bad thing. Maybe Em has moved on. Maybe she doesn't want anything to do with me. Maybe this was a huge fucking mistake.
"She's still in love with you," Holly blurts out. My eyes widen, and my mouth goes dry. "Well, she'll tell you she's not, but she is. She's just in denial. I don't know why she broke up with you, Ryan. It just doesn't make any sense."
"Maybe she's not interested in me anymore."
"Don't be ridiculous."
"She did dump me right after I proposed."
"Which made no sense! Avery loves you. She used to tell me all the time. I don't know what changed," Holly says exasperatedly, throwing up her hands. "She still loves you. I know it. She serial dates, but they're all losers and never stick."
I grip the hockey stick I'm about to put away until my knuckles turn white. I'm on the verge of breaking it in half. The thought of Em with anyone but me makes me want to crush something. It's been a long time, and I know it's stupid of me to think she's been celibate, but it still makes my stomach roil.
"Sorry." Holly grimaces. "If it makes you feel any better, I don't think she's been with anyone since you."
I shoot Holly a look of disbelief. I want it to believe her, but I don't. She wanted space and time to experience the world. I assume that meant experiencing other men as well.
"What did she say when the trade was announced?"
"Ha! She almost lost her lunch." Holly laughs. Great. The thought of me coming home makes Em want to puke. "Honestly, Ryan, I think she's afraid."
"Of what? I would never hurt her, Holls. You know that. She's all I've ever wanted. I want her to be happy."
"I knew it! I knew you came to Toronto to win her back." I roll my eyes. There is no point in trying to hide my intentions. "Well, I want you to know I'm on your side."
I raise an eyebrow at Holly. Isn't this breaking some kind of girl code?
"What? I am! Avery is my best friend, and I want her to be happy. I may not know or understand what made her break up with you, but you make her happy. So I am going to help."
"Please let me do this my way, Holly. I'm not naive enough to think this will be easy, but I need to convince her we belong together, and something is stopping Em from believing that."
Holly sighs and agrees just as Luke strolls into my room silently. He picks Holly up off my bed and throws her over his shoulder, caveman-style. He walks away with her shrieking and slapping his ass in protest. I laugh and shake my head, even as jealousy shoots through my body.Em, I want you back, and there's nothing I won't do to convince you we belong together.
3?
Game Day “Nap”
Avery
Ryan's been in Toronto for a grand total of two days, and all I've done is perfect my avoidance tactics. Realistically, I know I'll need to confront and work with him sooner rather than later, but I don't want to. It's game day, so Holly and I will be in action tonight with the team. We will inevitably run into each other.
Ryan will be in the locker room. He's a part of the team now. He and I will be working in close proximity for at least the rest of the year—maybe longer, if he decides to sign an extension with the Northmen this summer.
My stomach is in knots, and I have no idea how to deal with this. There is no working-with-the-love-of your-life-that-you-dumped-but-are-still-in-love-with manual. I'm such a hot mess.
How can I look him in the eyes and pretend everything is okay? That I don't want him? That I haven't spent the last seven years telling myself I'll get over him, dating losers, and missing him? That my heart didn't break every time I saw him on TV or in magazines with his perfectly stunning, gorgeous girlfriend?
The tabloids reported Ryan and Tyra have "parted ways but are still close friends." But they also said Tyra would conveniently be filming in Toronto, close to Ryan's new home team. That seems a little too convenient for my taste. Tyra Price is sexy as fuck and, according to all the magazine articles, a wonderful person in real life. Hell, I'd date her. I don't see how Ryan could walk away from her and be "just friends."
I feel like puking as I review the media plan for tonight. It's Ryan's first game with the team. Both fans and media will chomp at the bit to get a piece of him. Holly and I will need to manage their demands.
I glance at the clock and let my eyes wander around the office. It's only five hours before puck drop. I should be home now, taking a break and eating my emotions before leaving for the game, but I'm stalling. Holly and I usually leave the office early on game days because we work late at the arena.
Holly's already gone home to eat and relax before the media frenzy waiting for us at the rink. Sighing, I grab my purse and water bottle then head for the door. I wave goodbye to Spenser and take an Uber home. I need to eat something. I'm starving, and when I'm hungry I get hangry, like snarky, goat-punch-you-in-the-throat hangry. I hope Holly hasn't let Luke eat everything in our fridge. That's the downside of living in the same building as Holly's hockey player fiancé. He has a bottomless stomach. Luke's a fantastic cook, but between our apartment and his, he practically lives, sleeps and eats wherever Holly is.
I open the door to our apartment and spot Holly on the couch. Our place is a smaller replica of Luke's top-floor penthouse that we can only afford because my brothers own it and basically charge us no rent. It has an open concept and a killer view of the city. Holly and I put our couch right in front of the windows so the back faces the door. We like to sit, enjoy the view, and sometimes spy on our neighbours. But we also have curtains. We know all about the dangers of floor-to-ceiling windows and prying eyes.
