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After the girl hands me my own and I pay, we start walking back toward the restaurant, where my truck is parked.
“This is so good,” she coos. “Seriously, you should try it.”
“You must be warming up to me, huh? Offering to let me lick your ice cream.”
Glancing up at me, she narrows her eyes and smiles. “You make it sound dirty. It’s ice cream.Pumpkinice cream. Literally tastes just like pumpkin pie.” She stops walking and holds it up to me.
I frown. “I really hate pumpkin pie. But I feel like you’re not going to leave me alone till I try it. So, fine, here I go.” Taking a lick, I shrug. “It’s not terrible, I guess. But it’s no chocolate. That’s for sure.” I nod toward hers when she pulls it away. “But I’m glad you like it.”
“It’s the bomb. Now, if it were a little colder, I could pretend I was in New York again and that fall weather was actually coming.”
The way she says it, it is clear as day that she loves New York. I know she was out there for school for a year, and it surprised the hell out of me when I ran into her in the library. Literally.
“You liked New York?”
“Loved it,” she says quickly.
“Why did you leave?” I ask, watching her every move, looking for some sort of tell.
“Some things just aren’t meant to be. Even if you wish they were.” She shrugs. “And I’ve reached a point in my life where I no longer feel like killing myself to try to be what everyone else wants me to be.”
I stare at her, completely entranced in every word she’s saying. And wanting more.
“Why Brooks?”
She pulls in a breath. “I really,reallycan’t believe I’m telling you this. But the conditions in New York—the climate in the winter months and the air quality—it was hard on my lungs. Couple that with how incredibly strenuous Juilliard was, I guess you could say I just couldn’t hang anymore.”
“Fuck,” I mutter. “I’m sorry, Sutton.”
I can’t imagine wanting to play hockey as hard as I do, but physically not being able to. She has the heart to achieve all of her goals—she loves dancing that much. And yet she can’t do it. She’s been cut short of her abilities.
“And your parents?” I slow as she stops, looking at the river. “How have they been through all of this? Before they cut you off, I mean.”
“They’ve always been aware that I was pushing my body beyond what it was likely capable of. Still, they ignored doctors—even paid off some to get a note saying that I was healthy enough to dance competitively.” She continues to watch the rushing water. “And when I finally told them I’d had enough, that I was transferring to a program that wasn’t nearly as vigorous…they weren’t very happy. To put it lightly. And now…well, I haven’t actually spoken to them in months.”
“So, they really did cut you off just for transferring here?” I grumble. “Just when I thought I couldn’t hate them more.”
“Yeah. But if I’m being honest…it hasn’t been all that bad. Like I said, my mom’s expectations were so heavy. I mean, I had to attend an all-girls school for as long as I can remember. Not a fun one either. There was zero fun to be had at this school. No prom. No dances. No being a kid. And my dance schedule?” She cringes. “Oof, don’t even get me started on that. If I kept going the way I was, I was bound to break. It’s a blessing really,” she says, trying to sound unbothered but I can tell it’s an act. “Anyway, I should probably get going. I have some homework to catch up on.”
“No prom? That kind of sucks.” I frown.
She smirks, giving me an amused look. “Let me guess, lover boy. You wore a white tux?”
My lips go into a straight line as I roll my eyes. “Shut up. We’re not going to talk about that.” I shake my head, trying not to grin. “I’ll give you a ride home, but I have to know, if you don’t have a car, that means you walked to my place earlier?”
“Yep, I did. I know; I know. Welcome to the front-row seat to the demise of Sutton Savage. No car. No money. No family.” She gives me a small shrug. “You can laugh, if you want. I know my family screwed yours over. And for a long time, you thought of me as a brat—maybe you still do. But if it makes you feel better…I’d love to think of a way to get them back for throwing me away like I was garbage. I’m just as angry with them as your parents are.”
I can’t help but stare at her in awe. She’s completely on her own, away from her parents. She’s sick, and they fucking abandoned her for needing to take time away fromtheirdreams for her own health.Fuck them.
“We’ll think of something to pay those fuckers back,” I say, nodding toward my truck. “Let’s go.”
I don’t want to press her for any more information tonight. I’m sure she’s tired of sharing for one day. As I open the truck door and she climbs in, flashing me a true smile…I can’t help but give her one back. Because tonight didn’t suck. And I’m beginning to think she isn’t at all who I thought she was all along.
Or who I convinced myself she was.
I’m no longer seeing her with devil horns and a resting bitch face. And I’m not sure if that’s a blessing or a curse.
Sutton
