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“Uh, yeah,” I mumble. “That article ... it’s not fair.”
“I’m sorry, what?”
“The interview. You said I was a—”
“I said what I said, Cameron. Get over it.”
“Yeah, but it’s—”
“It’s just a tabloid.”
“Okay, but this is my life, Lacey. And because of what you said, I might get kicked off—”
“Oh my gosh, not everything is about you.”
My face begins to heat up with frustration. “Please stop talking over me.”
“Well, you’re clearly expecting me to apologize, but I’m done being a little doormat for everyone. I’m in my villain era, thanks, and I don’t care, Cameron. No one even cares about hockey.”
“Really? Then why are you bringing up my name? Because it seems to me like you’re trying to use me as a stepping stone to fame,” I snap at her. “That’s messed up, and you know it. We barely even saw each other during the six months we were together, and you—”
“I broke up with you. Yeah, I know.” She snorts. “You seriously tried to make it out like we were actually going somewhere, and we both know that’s a lie. But I saw the video of you with that fan. It was disgusting, Cameron. You’re a hothead. Your actions are embarrassing.”
Yeah, this was a mistake.
“Don’t call me again,” she sneers before hanging up.
“Wow, okay,” I mutter to myself before reaching for the ignition and turning off my car. I gather my gear and climb out, slinging my bag over my shoulder and using my knee to shut the door. As I do, I catch sight of a redhead slipping out of the back of a black SUV. My heart thumps extra hard as I watch Nila give the driver a wave and a sweet smile.
Lucky them.
I pull my eyes away from her and head toward the rink.
Less than twenty-four hours ago, I felt like we had a moment outside of the dive bar … but I know whatever little spark was there has probably been smothered. It’s amazing how much can change in such little time.
I squeeze my eyes shut as I think about her expression when she saw the article.
Yikes. She probably thinks I’m a terrible person.
“Cameron?” Nila calls out to me, but I keep walking. “Hey, wait. I need to talk to you.”
I glance over my shoulder, surprised to see her running to catch up. I stop for her. “About what?”
“I, um...” Her voice trails off as she meets my gaze. “Are you okay? Tucker said you were pretty upset. We never got a chance to talk about it at the bar—and you never texted me back.”
I nod slowly, trying to read her cryptic expression. “It is what it is.”
She bites down on her lip. “Right ... but you never texted me back.”
“I thought you were busy,” I say flatly, intrusive thoughts of my lawyer coming to my mind. He’s my friend, too, but right now I’m too overwhelmed to think of him in that capacity.
Nila is just a professional contact.
I can’t be jealous of them being together in any way.
“No, I wasn’t.” Her brows furrow. “Tucker drove me back to my hotel after the meeting. I was there the rest of the evening. I wasn’t busy at all.”
I nod, feeling stupid for even insinuating my jealousy. “Yeah, I’m sorry. It’s just been a day.”
