Page 59 of Melt His Heart

“He didn’t tell me. And he introduced me to him at the gala.” I sigh, giving in. I need a friend right now. And there’s no point in me denying it. I swear, Liam could’ve been a fortune teller in his past life. Nothing gets past him. Sometimes it’s a little annoying for someone like me. I need to be able to hide, and I seem to be attracting people who let me do the opposite at this stage in my life.

“The one he invited you to!?” His voice getting higher.

“Yeah.”

“Maybe there’s a good reason he didn’t tell you,” Liam says, pinching his brows in thought.

“And what would that be?” I deadpan.

“You’re right, I don’t know.”

“But I can tell you, they haven’t dated in a while, Julian,” Liam says, and I know he’s trying to make me feel better, but it’s not working.

“Yeah, but they seem pretty close still! Laughing and joking together at their practices. I just thought maybe they play a lot of games against each other or something. I didn’t know that was his ex!” I blurt out, and I’m trying not to completely fall apart. But I feel close to vomiting not only my wine but everything I want to say.

“Maybe you should talk to him about it?” Liam suggests, worry all over his face.

“And why should I do that? He didn’t talk to me about anything.” I clench my fists, my shock turning into irritation just thinking back on it.

“Julian, just give him a chance to explain first, and then you can decide how you feel about it.” He says, and I know he’s right, but I’m still so upset. He had so many chances to mention this to me, and he just didn’t.

And Avery’s so pretty and tall and not a virgin, and they’ve been playing the same sport together forever. Ugh. Would it have really changed anything though? I wonder if I would still feel insecure and upset. I mean, I think the blow would have definitely been softer, no?

“You’re right. But I guess I just feel betrayed. I don’t know if that’s the word for it.”

“I totally understand what you mean.”

“We didn’t really know each other, but we had a mutual friend, and he seems like a good guy. I don’t think he’d hurt you on purpose.”

“You guys had a mutual friend?” I ask, trying to distract myself from the main topic here because I’m getting emotionally exhausted thinking about it.

“Oh yeah, Kelly! We were in the same major and queer collective club, so we became sorta close.” He says, pouring me another glass of wine. I walk over to the marble counter and take a seat in the chair.

“What is it you guys say? Small world?” I laugh.

“Yeah. She’s cool.” Liam smiles.

Carson has told me a bit more about her; she sounds like quite the socialite. He says she moved back to New York soon after graduating from their university. They try to see each other often. The town we’re in being pretty close to the city definitely helps, but Carson’s hockey schedule, not so much. Hopefully, I get to meet her before I go.

“Hey Julian, just talk to him, ok?” Liam says, quieting my thoughts.

“I’ll think about it,” I roll my eyes.

“Well, just don’t run off to Korea again.” He says, both of us laughing.

It’s definitely a possibility, knowing me, but I’ve been trying to get better. It’s always my first reaction. To just disappear and go back into myself; facing anything is so much harder than running away to the ice for me. I feel myself wanting to revert to my old ways.

“So, how’d your sexting go with your sexy hockey captain! I always thought he was fucking yummy at uni, don’t tell Kevin.” He squeals.

“Liam, now is not the time!” I scoff, and we fill the kitchen with laughter, lightening the mood even if just for a bit.

That’s what I love about him.

Chapter 20

The walk to the rink feels so much longer and colder today. Wind brushes against my face as I round the corner of the last block before the building comes into view. I still haven’t confronted Carson about Avery. After leaving Liam and Kevin’s house that day, I just went back to my flat, and I had an internal crisis for about twelve straight hours. Sometimes I come to the rink early, and I see the two of them chatting. I know they obviously have to talk because, well, they’re on the same team. That wouldn’t work if they didn’t. Would it?

But it still pisses me off.