Page 28 of Trick Play

“Ella and Haley,” I answered quickly.

Her eyes widened. “Haley Clarkson?”

“Please don’t judge me based on my brother’s actions.” Haley's shoulders slumped. “I’ve been paying for his poor choices my whole life.”

Lo burst out laughing. “Oh, I would never. We can’t be held responsible for our unfortunate luck. We don’t choose who we’re related to.”

Haley immediately relaxed, and Ella looked amused.

“I’m going to grab a drink. do you want another one?” Lo asked, and I nodded before turning back to the others.

“I need to run to class. It was nice meeting you.” Ella waved before leaving me and Haley alone.

“I wanted to reach out when I first got here, but I didn’t know if that was crossing a line. I know you and Ethan haven’t stayed in contact.”

I waved her off. “That doesn’t matter. I’d really like to get together and catch up. I’ve missed you.”

She grinned, and I caught a glimpse of who she used to be.

“He told me you guys are working on a project together, and I hope he doesn’t bother you too much.” She hesitated. “I probably shouldn’t say this—it’s not my place and I don’t want to get in the middle of anything—but I want you to know that I think he took you for granted when you were together. Then how everything went down when you guys moved out here …” She shook her head. “It was horrible. I didn’t like who he was becoming. We stopped talking for a long time. I distanced myself from him and my parents. Transferring here was really hard for me. I didn’t want to be around him. I was sick of living in his shadow and getting used as a way to get closer to him.”

I could see how much she resented him and how he stole the attention of everyone he was around, but I didn't know about their fallout.

“But things are different. He’s different. I wouldn’t have ever known that if I didn’t come here, so in a way, I’m grateful for everything that happened to bring me here. I’m not trying to defend him, and I don’t think you need to forgive him, but I thought you should know he’s grown up. He’s aware that he’s messed up in the past and is working on being better.”

I wasn’t sure what to say. I was happy for her. Happy they reconnected, but that didn’t mean the same would happen for me.

“It probably helps that you’re dating his best friend.” Lo appeared next to me again, giving Haley a reproachful look.

“What? You are?” I asked.

Haley grinned. “I’m dating Reid Bayman.”

That was shocking. More shocking than running into her.

“But you hate hockey and the players more than I do.”

“Yeah, it definitely wasn’t something I planned, but it just kind of happened. Another unexpected side effect of transferring.”

She was downplaying it. She was happy, probably more than I’d ever seen her.

“How did you even know that?” I asked Lo.

“Just because you live under a rock and ignore everything around you doesn't mean I do. Them getting together was a pretty big deal because Ethan didn’t approve and everyone was waiting for him and Reid to brawl.”

“Did they?” I asked them.

“Nope,” Lo muttered.

“Thank heaven.” Haley sighed. “It was rough there for a while though.”

I could only imagine. Ethan might not have wanted her around us all the time, but he was a protective big brother. I couldn’t see him being okay with one of his friends dating her.

“I’ll let you go. I didn’t mean to interrupt, but I’m glad I saw you.” Haley took a step back.

“Here, let me give you my number so we can plan to meet again.” I held my hand out for her phone. Once I saved mine and handed it back, a strange feeling of rightness washed over me.

It wasn’t awkward or uncomfortable seeing her again, and I was really looking forward to reconnecting.