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But what other choice do I have?
I’m stuck.
Before Viola can give me any words of encouragement, muscular arms wrap around her from behind and hoist her off the snow-covered ground. A yelp of surprise escapes from her before Madden smacks a kiss against the side of her face before returning her feet to the frozen earth. He throws a muscular arm around her shoulders and hauls her close.
Vi and Madden were together in high school and then broke up when he went away to college. The pressure of balancing academics and hockey got the best of him, and he crumbled. Even though he tried to reach out and get back together, they spent three years apart. After Madden realized that my cousin had transferred to Western in the fall, he forced her into spending twenty-four hours together. If she still wanted nothing to do with him after that, he’d walk away and leave her in peace.
Whatever happened in the course of that day worked because now they’re an item. Even though it’s only been a month or so, it’s as if they were never apart.
He gives Britt and me a chin lift in greeting. “What’s up?”
“Not much,” our new friend says.
I shrug.
There’s no way in hell I’m going to tell him how my life is crumbling around my ears and the options that are now on the table. I haven’t worked up the courage to tell Viola about my conversation outside student services with Chloe.
I can’t imagine what her reaction would be.
That’s all it takes for embarrassment to rush in and scald my cheeks as we continue walking. This is starting to feel like a nightmare I’m unable to wake from.
“Vi mentioned that you’re job hunting. Do you want me to give Sully a call and set up an interview?”
“Sully, the owner of Slap Shotz?” Britt asks.
“Yeah. Do you know him?”
She flashes a smile. “Actually, he’s my uncle.”
“Oh, wow.” Vi snuggles against her boyfriend. “I didn’t know that.”
“It’s one of the reasons I decided to move here for school.”
“That’s cool,” Madden says.
My shoulders wilt beneath my jacket because I don’t have any other recourse at this point. If Madden can get me a job working at the bar where all the hockey players congregate, then I should bite the bullet and accept it.
“If you wouldn’t mind, that would be great. I really appreciate it.”
“I’ll put in a good word, too,” Britt adds.
I loop my arm through hers as we navigate our way through the crowd. She’s turning out to be a really good friend.
Madden drops a kiss on the top of Vi’s blonde head. “It’s not a problem. Between the two of us, you should be a shoe-in.”
I stare at my cousin and her boyfriend. Their affection is so open and easy. Natural. I can’t help but envy that. My hand rises to rub the six-inch scar that bisects my chest.
Embarrassment over the jagged line has stopped me from being intimate with anyone in the past. Ever since the first time a guy felt me up during my sophomore year of college and then pulled away to ask about the puckered skin, I’ve shied away from those types of situations.
It's also the other reason I’ve considered nixing the idea of selling my virginity. The last thing I need is a stranger staring in disgust and asking a ton of invasive questions. Or worse, walking away. A shiver of dread slides through me as I break out into a cold sweat.
If I actually go through with this disastrous idea, I’m hoping I can leave my shirt on. Or maybe we can do it in the dark.
For all I know, there won’t be any interested clients.
I almost stumble.
Is that what they’re referred to as?
