Page 52 of Breakaway
Travis didn’t want to make a scene or draw any attention to himself. There were already too many phones out taking pictures for his liking. JJ was watching him in amusement, as well as a few other guys. At one time, not so very long ago, he would have cared what they thought of him, and even though he’d never been a real player, he might’ve gone along with all the drinking and flirting, just because it had seemed important to him to fit in and be “one of the guys.”
But now, he realized he didn’t care what they thought. He’d been over this kind of scene for a while now, and his time in Pittsburgh had reinforced that. He was ready to knuckle down, give it his all, and play with the big boys. He couldn’t wait to leave all this immature crap behind. His mind and his heart were elsewhere, and that’s where they belonged.
JJ called to Travis from across the table and downed another shot. “If you don’t want her, I’m sure at least one of us will be more than happy to give her the ride of her life.”
The girl beside him swayed and lurched backward, tottering to stay upright on her ridiculously high heels, and Travis had to quickly grab her to prevent her from falling. She giggled as he caught her, but her eyes were drooping. He went from being annoyed to feeling sorry for her. The poor thing was really wasted, that was obvious. No way should she be in this bar in that condition, especially not with so many guys ready to take advantage. Without another thought, he grabbed the blonde’s hand, and led her out of the noisy club.
Once outside, she clumsily moved to kiss him again.
Travis backed away, with the only thing on his mind being Morgan. “Look, I can’t do this,” he said. He had never been the type to take home just any puck bunny; that wasn’t him at all. “I’m not interested in stepping out on my girl. Is there somewhere I can drive you?”
“Sure. There’s a bar around the corner that the college football players hang out at. Sounds like a good consolation prize, second to you.” She ran her finger over his lips and down to the middle of his chest, and kept moving it lower. “That is, if you haven’t changed your mind yet?”
Travis grabbed her finger, stopping it before she reached the waist of his jeans. “No, I’m good.” Taking her hand, he walked her to his car.
Thankfully, he was able to convince the girl to go home, and he dropped her off, handing her on to her housemate to deal with.
Once he arrived home alone, he dialed Morgan’s number, but it went right to voicemail. Glancing at the clock, he realized it was almost midnight. She was probably sleeping. He’d missed her. Luckily, she’d be moving out here soon enough, and he couldn’t wait.
These long-distance relationships were for the birds.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Morgan
Morgan looked around Katie’s apartment. Boxes filled most of the room. Someone was either moving in or moving out. The apartment was spacious, the type of place she always saw herself living in. “Nice place.”
“I’m so glad you could come over. I do love a good girls’ night! Pizza is on the way, hope you like pepperoni,” Katie said gleefully.
“I do. I love any pizza, really.”
“And sorry for the mess.” Katie motioned to the boxes that cluttered the room. “My roommate is moving out.”
“Oh, I’m sorry to hear that.” She wasn’t sure what one said in this situation.
Katie chuckled. “Don’t be sorry, at least not for her. She’s off to get married. Life goes on, right?”
“It most certainly does,” Morgan agreed. In her case, too much life had gone by, and too quickly. But tonight she didn’t want to talk about the sad stuff. She was excited to tell someone her news.
“Girl, you look like you’re about to burst. Talk to me.” Katie sat down on the floor, folded her legs, and grabbed the bowl of popcorn. A very cliche gab-session move.
“Well...” Morgan made herself comfortable on the couch. “I’ve decided that I’m going to move to Wilkes Barre.”
She beamed, so proud of herself. This was a big step and one she had made on her own, one not driven by her uncle, like his wanting her to come to Pittsburgh to be around family. This was all her.
“Oh?” Katie didn’t look as excited as she was.
“Don’t look so down. I know I’m leaving you, and that sucks. But hear me out. I’m not just running after Travis. I mean, that is a bonus that we’ll be together, but the Falcons have a position open for an intern in the PR Department. I already had a video interview, and the job is mine if I want it. And I really do want it.”
Tossing a handful of popcorn into her mouth, Katie grinned. “Lucky you! And I, of all people, know the draw of a hockey boy. I can’t say I’ve ever moved across the state to be with one, but I have had my fair share of friends with benefits since I’ve worked at the rink. I mean, that’s a huge benefit of working there.” She paused, as she dusted the popcorn salt off her hands.
Morgan’s mind went to the “friends with benefits” statement, wondering which players Katie had “benefited” from.
“But you’re limiting yourself to one,” Katie continued. “I’m not ready for that. Those hockey boys walk into the rink thinking they’re the next Tyler Kidd and looking for some fun. Doesn’t matter to me that they’re only playing for their local team and not the Renegades; I’m not picky. They still have that yummy hockey butt and strong hockey thighs, no matter what team they’re playing for.” Katie wagged her eyebrows in a “if ya know what I’m sayin” kind of way.
“Katie, you’re drooling,” Morgan teased.
“Oh, sorry,” Katie said with a laugh.