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It took me a hot minute to get everyone’s names down. Harlow’s engaged to Stone and she’s an attorney. Throughout dinner, I’ve learned a lot about these ladies that Brienne congregated, offering me a ready-made tribe of women to lean on.
“Two years,” I say, lifting my water glass to take a sip. “Been together three.”
“He’s such a good addition to the team,” Jenna says. She’s engaged to one of the assistant coaches, Gage Heyward. “They could really use someone with his experience heading into the playoffs.”
My eyes cut to Brienne and I’ve been wondering all night if she told anyone the truth about my marriage and how close it is to dying a horrible death. Only she and Sophie know since Malik opened his big dumb mouth. Oh, I gave him hell about it today in a phone call where I cursed him out, but then grudgingly admitted I was happy to be going for dinner with the women tonight.
The mere fact that I’m being asked questions about Van without any hint there’s something wrong tells me both ladies haven’t said a word. It doesn’t feel quite right to let them believe that everything is okay.
“Um… actually, I think you need to know that we’re separated.”
They all look at me with shock and sympathy. It’s Ava—Coach West’s girlfriend—who grabs my hand. “Oh, I’m so sorry.”
“But Van just got to the team last week,” Danica says with concern. She’s dating Camden. “It happened after you got here?”
I blow out a huge breath, looking around the table. “It’s actually a little more involved than that. And separated isn’t the right word. He left me in Vermont without even telling me he was coming back into the league.”
“That asshole,” Stevie says, and I like that she speaks her mind. I learned tonight that she owns a bar and is dating Hendrix.
“I agree,” I say with a laugh, accepting the humor in her proclamation.
“It’s because of the book,” Kiera says, and my head swivels her way. “It’s got him all twisted up and he’s running from it.”
My jaw sags open and I just gape at her. “How did you know?”
“I remember when that first article came out about his dad,” Kiera says. She’s deep in the hockey world as her brother is Drake McGinn, the same Drake engaged to Brienne. “Didn’t y’all split up then?”
I nod. “Yeah. He flipped out when that happened and it caused a rift between us. But he fixed it.”
“And here you are again, dealing with the emotional fallout from that bastard’s book,” Sophie grumbles.
Stevie raps her fist on the table, turning everyone’s attention to her. She motions around the table. “I’m sort of new to this group, just like you, but I can tell you, no one will have your back like these women. Brienne brought you into the fold and now you have all of us. I get that you don’t know us, but that will change very quickly as we’ve got a long dinner planned for tonight whereby we’re going to divulge all to each other. But… just so you know… I’m the woman who you come to for revenge and retribution. I’m the one who will call Van the asshole and figure out ways to help destroy him if he can’t get his head out of his ass. Also, I have access to several mean, burly bikers who will break knees for fun and not money. So there’s that.”
I stare at Stevie a moment before I burst out laughing, as do all the other ladies. Chatter wells as they tease her for being the ball-buster and my eyes find Brienne’s. She’s been mostly silent, letting the other ladies pull me into conversation, but her message is clear as she returns my look.See… I told you. We’ve got your back.
♦
My spirit islight as I walk up the front porch of Van’s house.
And immediately becomes heavy as I realize that without any thought, I referred to it ashishouse and notourhouse. I glance over my shoulder at the limo pulling away from the curb. Along with it goes all the happy vibes that bolstered me throughout the night.
The house is dark inside, although the porch light is on. That’s not Van’s doing, as I had turned it on before I left for dinner. I know the team plane touched down hours before the limo arrived to pick me up, but Van hadn’t come home at that point. He might be inside now or he might still be out… who knows. But I can guarantee if he’s in there, he’s already locked away in his bedroom so he doesn’t have to deal with me.
I unlock the door and slip inside, quickly silencing the beeping alarm panel by punching in the four-digit code. I set my keys on the table, let my purse slip to the floor and turn to find a huge, hulking figure in the dark.
I shriek with fear but immediately, even in the shadows, recognize Van.
“Where the fuck were you?” he demands.
I reach back, flip on the living room light and take in his angry expression. It’s the most emotion I’ve seen from him in days and it’s five actual words he’s said to me.
I’m almost giddy from the attention and I want more. I push past him. “Not sure it’s any of your business, really.”
Van’s hand clamps on my upper arm and he pulls me to him. “Your safety is my business,” he growls low in his throat. “I was worried something happened to you because your car was here but you weren’t. You could have left a goddamn note, Simone.”
“Kind of like the way you let me know you were leaving on an away trip? You haven’t said two words to me in days, Van. Why would I give you the courtesy?”
I know that sounds petty and in truth, I didn’t think he’d even be here to worry about me, which is why I didn’t leave a note, but I hope the point is made that it hurts being left in the dark.
