Page 57 of Trick Play

“Thanks for coming. You didn’t need to.”

“I missed you.” He reached over and gave me a hug. “I’ll be back for your graduation.”

I agreed and opened my door. “Be safe.”

He waved before driving away. I trudged up the stairs to my apartment, dreading the homework I needed to finish before the end of the week.

“Why didn’t you tell me Whit was in town? I would have come home early,” Lauren said as I walked into our apartment.

She’d texted me while we were at lunch, asking if I wanted to meet up on campus, and I told her I already had plans.

“Because he was only here for an hour, and it was mostly to remind me to stay away from Ethan.”

She wrinkled her nose. “Oh.”

It shouldn’t bother me that my best friend and brother didn’t like my ex. I didn’t like him most of the time, but things between us were changing. I could feel it, and I knew he could too. The kiss said that and more.

“No, no, no!” She pointed at me from her spot on the couch. “I can see what you’re thinking.”

“No you can’t,” I argued, safely on the other side of the room.

“Yes, I can. I know you better than anyone. You’re thinking about him and that he’s not really as bad as you remembered and maybe just maybe he’s different now and you can drive away into the sunset together.”

She was only partially correct. The sunset seemed a bit excessive.

“You’re being dramatic.”

She narrowed her eyes, still wagging her finger at me. “Don’t do this, Kennedy. Don’t let yourself get hurt by him again.”

I sighed and collapsed on the other couch.

“I was there for your little showdown. I heard what he had to say. How much he regrets and his reasons. I also know your side of what happened next. The part you’re trying to suppress.”

I groaned. I didn’t need another reminder of how broken I’d been.

“It’s good, healthy even, to remember the good parts of a relationship. You shouldn’t condemn the whole thing because of the way things ended. Remember what you loved about him and how he treated you and the fun parts, but don’t forget the bad. Don’t forget how he left you without giving you a chance to voice your opinion. He made the decision and never looked back.”

I nodded. There was no use arguing with her. She was right, but I didn’t want her to be.

“I’m not trying to lecture you, but I love you and can’t bear to see you get hurt. He does seem different. More mature and he’s owning up to his mistakes. That’s great and all, but when it comes down to it, nothing’s changed.”

“What do you mean?” I rolled onto my side so I could see her.

“His reasons for breaking up in the first place. Your situations are the exact same, maybe even slightly more complicated because you’re about to graduate and get a full-time job somewhere. You’ll be locked in, and he has no idea where he’ll end up. He could get picked up by a team in Norway!”

I was surprised by her understanding of professional hockey career paths but didn’t comment.

“Maybe if you had spent the past four years committed to each other, you would have enough reassurance to follow him, but you can’t do that now. Not after how it worked out the first time.”

“You’re right.”

Her frown deepened. “You’re sad.”

I shrugged. “I shouldn't be. I know that. I know you and Whit are telling me what I need to hear, but it sucks. I didn’t mean to, but I let my guard down a little and remembered who we used to be.”

“See, that’s what you need to stop. You two might have been the most perfect couple to ever walk the halls of any high school in the history of ever, but that’s not who you are now. Your futures are on two completely different paths. Even a fling until you graduate could be enough to break your heart all over again. He might be able to date you until he’s done, but then it’s summer and he has to go to training camp. No matter what, there’s a timer on whatever you guys could be.”

When had she become the smart, rational one? That was supposed to be me. She was spontaneous and fun. The risk-taker.