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“I was trying to figure out what I’m going to wear. I didn’t really bring any clothes for clubbing. I’m only going to be here one more day.”

“Then I guess we’re going shopping after lunch!”

Shopping.

That will be a welcome distraction.

Chapter Seventeen

Cash

Training camp usually starts off slowly, with the rookies getting their chance to prove themselves to the hockey powers that be and for the rest of us to just ease into our season. This is also when the camaraderie begins, which is usually painful for me. I like my teammates, for the most part. My roommates are good guys. The coaching staff is phenomenal. This organization is great.

I’m just an antisocial fuck who doesn’t let people get close to him. I’ve always been quiet and introverted, but it got exponentially worse after the divorce. I mean, even Simon noticed, which says something. It’s not intentional, I’ve just always preferred one or two close friends, and then everyone else sits on the perimeter.

The exception to all of this seems to be Maya.

She’s wormed her way under my skin, and I have no idea how to stop thinking about her. When we were together, I managed to push her away the only way I knew how. I got what I wanted by asking for time and unofficially friend-zoning her, but it sucks. It seemed only fair to protect her from my assholery, even though it’s killing me.

I just don’t think I’m boyfriend material. Not for someone as special as her.

“Hey, Reid!” I hear Ashton Knight calling his name. “Did you see Maya’s picture?”

“I’ve seen lots of pictures of Maya,” Reid replies drolly.

Ashton and Blaze laugh. “No, this is from last night in L.A. She was at that new club that everyone’s talking about. Mira?”

Reid shrugs. “I don’t think everyone is talking about it—I’m certainly not—but that’s Maya’s world.”

“Who’s the guy?” Ashton shows him his phone and I feel my chest tighten with annoyance.

She’s already met someone else?

“Oh, that’s Byron.” Reid says automatically. “He’s a good guy.”

He’s a good guy?!

Fuck.

Obviously, it makes sense that someone like Maya has men crawling out of the woodwork for her. I just hoped it wouldn’t happen the second she went out of town. Not to mention that she’s going to be working with Jake and Shandy.

It’s probably for the best that I keep my distance. The last thing I need is to run into them through her.

No thanks.

If I never see either of them again, it’ll be too soon.

I just hope whoever Byron is—he treats her right.

“Who pissed in your corn flakes today?” Simon asks me.

“What?” I scowl at him. “I’m fine. Trying to focus on camp.”

“This week is all about the rookies, which you and I definitely are not. Yet you’re even gloomier than usual.”

“I’m not gloomy,” I snap. “I’m focused. It’s not the same thing.”

He arches a brow. “Okay, so not gloomy—just perpetually grumpy.”