Page 48

“Because at that time, nothing was happening between us.” My voice raises slightly higher. “And you want me to ask for your permission now? Because that’s what it sounds like. Like you’re some sort of fucking gatekeeper to yourex-girlfriend.”

“I’d have been the better man and spoken to you first.”

“When things started to happen between us, I said to Luna that I was worried how this would sit between us.” I shove my hands in my pockets and recall the conversation we had when I was kissing her on my kitchen counter. That day feels like a long time ago. “She reminded me that you guys were over a decade ago, and she didn’t appreciate being owned, and me going to you to seek permission under the guise of ‘bro code’ was exactly that.” I puff out a breath. “She’s right man. I’m not saying I wouldn’t have ever told you, but it wasn’t going to stop me from being with her. I never intended for you to see us.”

He nods, but it feels like my words have passed him by. “You’re together?”

Why is it that I want to say something way different than what I’m about to say? “No. It’s a complicated situation.”

He laughs darkly. “Yeah, no shit. So, you head back to Seattle this morning and what, leave her here to watch you hook up with a different woman each week? Nice one. You’re not the Zach Evans I used to know.”

I hold up a finger in front of him, my hand trembling with building rage. “One, I don’t sleep around. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, and I have plenty of great friends who do, but that’s not me.” I hold up a second finger. “Two. She’scoming back to Seattle with me for a few days to attend the annual gala for my foundation.” A third finger joins the others. “And three. I saidit's complicated. She’s got her life here, and I’m buried knee-deep in a mile-long contract with the Scorpions. I didn’t come here looking for love. I actually came here for the opposite. Life isn’t that clean cut.”

Luke’s eyebrows shoot to his hairline. “Looking forlove?”

Shit. Did I say that?

I don’t respond as the silence continues to stretch between us.

“You’re head over fucking heels for her,” Luke finally says.

I pull off my cap and run a stressed hand through my hair. “Whatever I am, I’m in deep, and I can’t do a thing about it. I can’t have a relationship with her from nearly three thousand miles away and see her every holiday. She’s got her life and an awesome career here.” I blow out a humorless laugh. “She’s got her own mind, and I’m not hearing that she wants to uproot and move to the West Coast.”

Arms across his chest and his tongue poking into his cheek, he shrugs, an amused smile on his face.

Yeah thanks,buddy.

“I can see why it’s complicated.” He claps his hands together and circles back around the table, picking up his sander. But before he gets back to work, he looks up at me once more. “I appreciate you coming over here to set the record straight, and I guess this is the final confirmation I need that there’s no going back for Luna and me. Good luck for the new season.”

He holds out a hand, and I walk the couple of paces to shake it. “All the best, Luke.”

I guess that’s all we can offer each other for now.

LUNA

“This is how the other half lives. I guess I could get used to it.”

I recline my leather seat once we hit full altitude, and the belt signs go off. Zach smiles and brushes the top of my hand lightly with his fingertips before I begin flicking through the in-flight entertainment.

He brings his bottle to his mouth, taking a sip of water. He’s back on a strict regime now that pre-season is upon him. “I don’t fly first that often. We have a team plane to travel for road trips.”

“Do you still share hotel rooms too? That always blows my mind. These big NHL stars earn millions of dollars but don’t have separate rooms,” I muse.

“Yeah, it’s good for team bonding and has kind of stuck. I share with Jon. Technically as the alternate captain I should probably share with a rookie, but they don’t always follow the rules.”

I tilt my head and pinch my brows together. “What rules?”

The look on his face tells me he’s regretting saying that, but I’m too curious to grant him a reprieve, so I remain silent, wondering if he’ll elaborate.

“Most players don’t like their teammates bringing girls back to their room. Some of the rookies get smashed and forget.”

“Mostplayers?” My voice is a tad incredulous, which I don’t mean.

He folds his arms across his chest. “Some don’t mind sharing.”

“Oh.” What else can I say? I mean, I knew it was a possibility. These guys have a lot of women throwing themselves at them. The thought of that happening to Zach makes me feel nauseous.

He reaches across to me and lightly runs one of his tattooed fingers down my arm, zapping me with waves of energy I feel each time we touch. “I don’t sleep around.”