Page 41

"Steve, I've got to go." I hang up the phone and face her straight on. "How was the run?" I’m not even sure that’s what she’s been doing, but I thought I’d take a stab at it.

"I took the girls shopping,” she says, her gaze shooting lasers in my direction. “I thought you weren't excited about what you're working on."

She sounds a lot like a jealous girlfriend and I'm not sure how to react to this.

"It's something I've been planning for years. Something I wanted to do with my dad before he passed away. Now I do it in memory of him."

"So you're not just a little investor," she says, as if she's trying to think out loud.

Shaking my head, I say, "No. I've been working on this for a long time."

“You’re the one bringing the NHL team to Utah. And you just let me ramble about it. I can’t believe you didn’t just tell me.” She nods and turns on her heel to leave the room. I'm not sure if I should just let her go or chase after her.

“Ava, don’t go.” I walk after her, but she hurries to the room she’s been using, my room, and shuts the door. Instead of slamming it, there’s a soft click as it closes.

That’s almost worse.

She's explained how her parents ditched her after becoming wealthy, but hopefully she knows that I'm going to be the same person she met a couple of weeks ago. The more mature version of the guy she’s known since she was a teen.

I've tried to keep the same personality that I had when we had no money, because I didn't want the money to define me.

Except I should’ve been upfront and told her. Not that I knew my feelings would morph into this fire inside me now. So much for a sliver of anonymity.

Of all the projects and opportunities I’ve had, I don't think I've ever wanted something more at this moment than Ava.

21

AVA

I'm pacing in the room we're staying in. Now that all the pieces are fitting together, I wonder if this is even a friend's house or if it's just Charlie's and he's trying to be modest.

The lies hurt the most. Sure, mine to Marsha and Whitney about my feelings for Charlie are little white lies, mostly to ward off their teasing for the duration of this trip. But Charlie’s lies of omission bring up all the red flags I’d missed with Terrell.

Are Charlie’s as bad as Terrell’s? No, but I don’t want things to get worse. I’m already attached, but I’ve got to protect my heart from falling further.

There are several girls who are hoping I'll be able to help them get a scholarship, to get seen by several coaches over this summer and future years, and I need to focus on helping them achieve that. Me getting all mushy about an attractive guy only pulls me away from that purpose.

Time flew by today, and I'm already back in the van driving us to the house after our games.

Emily sits in the front seat and I almost wish she'd gone in back with the rest of the girls. I don't need a reminder of her uncle right now.

"How was it?" I ask, glancing in the rearview mirror at the other girls. They're kind of smiling, but they look exhausted.

"Good," Sarah says, giving me a thumbs up. "I could sleep for an entire week right now."

There's a mumble of agreement and I turn on some music to just let them chill on the way back.

"What can I work on?" Emily asks. “I know in the camp they said I need to get better footwork. Is there something I can do for that?”

I give her a broad smile and nod. “If you’re willing to work on it, I’ve got some drills we can use to fix it.”

“Are you okay? You seem different from the past few days.” Emily is staring at me and I have to keep my focus on the road so I don’t blab everything I’m feeling.

How do I say I found out her uncle is a lying jerk? Why it’s affecting me so deeply, I’m not sure.

"Just a lot of lacrosse," I say, giving a forced smile.

"How's it going with Uncle Charlie?"