Page 98 of The Puck Bunny

He tells me, but I’m only half-listening. I went into the game feeling good, with a clear conscience for telling the truth to Delaney about Sara. Now, it doesn’t feel real. Should she be coming to dinner with my family? Am I giving them the right impression—or better yet—am I giving Sara the right impression?

I thought we had a real relationship, but after seeing the players greeted by their wives and girlfriends waiting outside the gate, I realize how far away I am from a real relationship, how foreign it still seems to me. It takes some level of commitment that I don’t have, that I’m not capable of.

Should I have that relationship with Sara? Right now, we have nothing like that kind of commitment between us—no matter how many secrets I’ve shared with her, no matter how different or intimate sex felt with her. No matter that she spent the night and the only other time I spent a night with a woman it was with Anica and only because she’d tricked me into going to Paris.

“Great slap-shot goal there,” O’Rourke says as he passes by, the first man down to his boxers and heading for the shower. No doubt he’s dying to get home to his wife and three kids.

“Don’t sound so surprised,” I say.

Jonas is right behind O’Rourke and he smirks. “And there’s the Hollywood Hockey player with the unapologetic ego we’ve all seen everywhere for the past however many years it’s been.” Jonas’s voice booms, getting everyone’s attention.

I give him the finger.

O’Rourke laughs. “We’ll let him have this moment of glory. You know how those Hollywood stars fade fast—”

I tap his butt with my stick. “Fuck you.”

He laughs harder and I grin.

Finn shakes his head. “So, what is your favorite pie?”

* * *

Jonas is waiting for me just inside the door to the parking garage. I’m not surprised because he’s still a bundle of energy though I would have thought the adrenaline from the game should have worn off by now. Eh, maybe as he becomes a more experienced player.

Or maybe I just have too much on my mind personally right now to dwell in the high of the game.

As I walk toward him, I scroll my texts and find one from Sara.

I won’t be going to dinner with your family tomorrow. I have a wedding to go to. Tell your mom I’m sorry.

I look at Jonas, shooting accusation from my eyes and wanting to punch him—yet again. “Is Sara going to your wedding ceremony at city hall tomorrow?”

He smirks. “What if she is?”

I suck in a breath and push through the door.

He follows me to my car. “What’s up with you and Sara?”

“Nothing. We’re friends.”

“Bullshit. I know the look when I see it. I’ve seen it in the mirror often enough.”

“What the hell are you talking about? Cupid hijack your brain? You in some kind of wedding day spell?”

“No. I’m for real.”

When I reach my car, I turn on him. “I don’t need you to keep throwing us together right now. I’m—we’re not in a relationship and it would probably be best if it stays that way.” I’m not sure if I’m trying to convince myself of this or him. I shove my hand through my hair, resisting the urge to pull every strand out by the root.

“Not in a relationship? Are you sure? Because it sure looks like you are to me. Every time I see her, there you are. And not just casually. I see you sticking up for her like you’ll murder the guy who does her wrong.”

“Your point is?”

“You have feelings. Admit it.”

I huff, but the truth stings a hole in my chest that won’t quit. “Maybe I do, but so what?” I pull out my phone to Sara. I’m the one who needs to apologize for the confusion I created with the Delaney encounter, but I felt a need to bail her out with her boss.

I dash off a text while Jonas stands over my shoulder like a defenseman pinning me to the boards.