Page 39 of Break my Heart
She blinks in surprise, and I can see her inner conflict. As much as she wants to believe me, something holds her back. Something I can’t put my finger on yet.
“Nothing about me is easy,” she warns.
“I know,” I say, leaning back. “But I think you’re worth the effort.”
Instead of responding, she clears her throat and changes the subject. “Did your siblings have fun at the clinic?”
“They did. The boys have been participating in them since I started freshman year. This will be their last one.” A punch of sadness hits me. As much as I want to move on with my life, I’ve enjoyed living so close and spending time with them. That won’t be the case next year. Plus, Ollie will be in high school. His schedule will be packed with academics and hockey. I’ll probably blink, and Kia will be going off to college herself.
“I’m sure they’ll miss it.”
“I think we all will.”
As excited as I am to make my move to the pros, so we have more financial security, I won’t be able to spend as much time with them as I have these past couple years. It’s an unfortunate trade off.
“Hi, Hayes.”
I glance at Larsa Middleton, who has sidled up to us while I was focused on Ava. I’m still getting used to the idea that everything around me ceases to exist when we’re together.
“Hey, Larsa. Stopping in for a coffee?”
Her gaze flicks to Ava before she dismisses her without any acknowledgment. “If you’re not busy, I was thinking we could hang out at my place for a while. My professor just canceled class for the afternoon.” She flashes a knowing smile. “I’m sure we could figure out something to occupy ourselves with.”
I nod toward Ava. “Sorry, I’m a little busy at the moment.”
Larsa’s brows slant together. “Oh?”
“Yeah, Ava and I are having coffee.”
She drops down on the chair situated across from us. When she crosses one long leg over the other, the short corduroy skirt she’s wearing slides higher up her thigh. “I can wait.”
“Sorry, Larsa. We’re hanging out.”
Her face scrunches. “Together?”
“Yeah, that’s right.”
The petite figure skater shakes her head. “We’re not together.”
I slip my hand around hers and give her fingers a squeeze. “We’re definitely together.”
Larsa takes a closer look at the girl sitting next to me. “Wait a minute. Aren’t you Coach Philips’s daughter?”
“Yup, I am.”
Speculation brews in Larsa’s eyes. “Interesting. Is she tutoring you or something?”
“No, she’s not.” With my hand locked around Ava’s, I rise to my feet, bringing her up with me. “If you’ll excuse us, we were just about to head out.”
“What about my coffee?” Ava asks.
“Leave it behind,” I mutter. “We’ll get you another one later. Let’s just get the hell out of here.”
We’re halfway to the door when a tall, lanky guy steps in front of us. “Hayes! That was an awesome hat trick you scored against the Titans.”
“Thanks.”
When he launches into my stats, I give Ava a bit of side-eye. I don’t need to know her well to realize she’s seconds away from leaving me behind in her dust. I have one chance to change her impression of me, and we’re only fifteen minutes into this date, and I’m already blowing it.