Page 19 of Wicked Truths
Fuck, I can’t do this to her.
I can’t be the biggest hypocrite in the world, but telling her will change everything between us and, as much as I want to let her know, I can’t.
Not yet.
Her stomach growls, giving me the out I need.
Chuckling, I say, “Come on. Let’s get you fed.”
I don’t wait for her to get out of my bed. I slip on my pants and head to the kitchen without a backward glance.
The shrimp is already thawed under the steady stream of cold water, so I start the pasta water and get the rest of the ingredients out of the refrigerator.
I start by cooking the garlic in the frying pan.
Francesca wraps her arms around my waist from behind. “Did you know my mom would make this for Joey and I the night before our birthdays and when we got an award at school?”
I drop the tongs that I’m holding and spin around.
My gaze locks onto the sight of Francesca in my Savannah Sharks shirt. Sure, she used to wear my clothes all the time, but that was years ago.
I shake my head. “No, I didn’t know that, but it makes sense because Joey told me years ago that it was your favorite.”
Even though we dated for a long time, we still have a lot to learn about each other, like what I’ve been doing behind her back for the past two years.
Francesca sits on the counter and watches me cook.
The gesture is so familiar, yet so different. We’ve cooked together many times, but this time feels different.
She takes a sip of her beer before asking, “So, is James Reilly still the captain of the team?”
“You don’t know who’s on the team and yet you took the public relations job?” I don’t intend on my question coming out snarky, it just does.
She rolls her eyes. “I was practically guilted into taking this job. Plus, I figured I’d get to know the team this week when I learn exactly where my talents are needed first.”
She gives me a questioning glare.
I hold my hands up. “Hey, not me. My reputationis fine. I haven’t done anything to stir the pot and make the team look bad.”
At least nothing that the press knows about.
“So, is James Reilly still captain of the team?”
“No. He retired, but most of the guys are still around. Spencer Reed spent a couple of weeks in the AHL after breaking his ribs, but came back healthier than ever.”
I turn back to the stove and continue cooking dinner. I finish the shrimp and add the heavy whipping cream and white wine to make the creamy sauce.
“So-” she whispers.
“So what?”
“Are we going to talk about what just happened?” Her voice is soft, like she’s unsure of what I will say.
“What’s there to say? We had sex, and now I’m cooking us dinner.”
She scoffs. “Yeah, but are things going to be weird between us?”
I turn around and our gazes meet. She looks worried. “No, why would they be? We are two consenting adults.”